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Addon Spotlight: 4.0.1 UI improvements
Each week, WoW Insider brings you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs as well as Addon Spotlight, which focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same. This week, we discuss some of the UI changes in Patch 4.0.1. Did you all have a fun time watching the BlizzCon coverage over the weekend? Exciting times, yes? Surprisingly, there was a pretty big user interface announcement amidst the hectic lore discussions, log-in screens and worgen cinematics. We'll get to that in time, of course. Patch 4.0.1 brought some awesome new features to World of Warcraft that many people have emailed me asking about. What's the deal with built-in Power Auras? Have you seen the new raid UI and raid frames? Was there something about Atlasloot? All of these things will get answered today, as we take a look at some of the new stock addon and UI features in the WoW stock user interface. I'll even give my own little review of things. Sound good? It better, because this ship is setting sail right ... now.
Reader UI of the Week: Zhee's UI
Finally, I return from BlizzCon 2010 with an ache in my head and a stomach hardened with Anabella hotel chicken fingers and Domino's pizza. Please, put me out of my misery. Actually, the chicken fingers were awesome -- it's hard to do good chicken fingers, and the Anabella came through in spades. Thank all of you who came out for the reader meetup, by the way. You guys were awesome, very supportive of my MCing the night and asked some great questions while I was off the mic. It was so nice to meet so many of you, talk about all this crazy stuff and lead you guys in what I thought to be a really fun night. Anyway, we've got reader UIs to discuss, and I fully intend to do that now. This week, Zhee emailed me all the way from the Netherlands to show off her healer user interface. What follows is a clean, crisp user interface that is functional, elegant and barely using up any screen space at all. Also, this article is being drafted on a keyboard that barely has a space bar, so if you hear screaming (or the article itself features splatters of blood), it's probably me prying my fingers off one at a time because this damn keyboard has driven me insane. Reader UI, go!
Addon Spotlight: My guild's favorite 4.0.1-compatible addons
Each week, WoW Insider brings you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs as well as Addon Spotlight, which focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same. This week, I ask my 10-man, again, for some of their favorite addons for 4.0.1. Right now, as I speak, a plane hurtles through the sky towards California. I am aboard that plane -- BlizzCon, here I come! Many of you will be at the WoW Insider reader meetup at the Anabella hotel, and I can't wait to say hello. Aka'magosh and all that. My original plan was to highlight some addon UI compilations this week, but to be honest, not all the ones I wanted to highlight had updated yet. I'll give them another week or so. Suffice to say, we still have a ton of fun in store for you. What do I do when plans fall through? Favorites. Not just my favorites, mind you, but the favorites of the hapless schlubs in my guild. It basically works like this: I enter our Mumble channel, scream at them for their favorite addons, and I'm met with some awesome suggestions. Let's hear what the Smooth Jazz boys and girls have to say.
Reader UI of the Week: Ráge's UI
Each week, WoW Insider brings you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs as well as Addon Spotlight, spotlighting the latest user interface addons. Have a screenshot of your own UI that you'd like to submit? Send your screenshots, along with info on what mods you're using, to readerui@wow.com. T-minus three days until BlizzCon and the worldwide reveal of the Cataclysm cinemati -- wait. What? They released that already? Well, fine, then. T-minus two days until the biggest and bestest BlizzCon party and WoW Insider meetup you'll ever be a part of! Be there! Now, let's talk reader user interfaces. That's what you're here for, right? Of course you are. This week, Ráge the priest takes us on a journey through user interface bliss with an awesome setup that mixes raid business with aesthetic pleasure. Always an intriguing combination, to be sure. In my trademark fashion, I'm going to mix things up a bit -- I like Ráge's UI as is, so we're going to address the specific questions asked in the email and say a few nice things as well. Let's do it.
Addon Spotlight: 4.0.1 updated favorites
Addon Spotlight focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same. This week everything broke, so let's fix it. Addon Spotlight is going to do things a little differently this week. We've just come off a fresh, new patch, with loads of new abilities, content and system mechanics. Rather than focus on one or two addons this week, I want to give my readers a rundown on some of the crucial addons we all know and love, making sure you know what to update, considering some addons are taking the drive out of the car, so to speak. In addition, I'll give you some alternatives to addons that might not be functioning perfectly right now, tell you which addons are just being naughty and try to get you back on track before the weekend.
Reader UI of the Week: Susano's UI
Each week, WoW Insider brings you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs. Have a screenshot of your UI you want to submit? Send your screenshots, along with info on what mods you're using, to readerui@wow.com. Another potential 4.0.1 day is upon us! Hopefully the patch has hit and you, dear readers, get to read WoW Insider while the World of Warcraft falls apart around you. If it's patch day, and your server is not up yet, my condolences. If your server is up, I hate you, because mine probably isn't. Reader UI of the Week gets some pretty crazy submissions sometimes. I've seen my fair share of really out-there user interfaces that, suffice it to say, are more about style than substance. A lot of graphics. A lot. Not to say that too many graphics are a bad thing (they usually are), but it might be time to clean up that graphical mess you got going on there. Patch 4.0.1 is the perfect time to do it. This week, we're taking a look at Susano's user interface, a nice, clean, and simple setup that looks like it's going to stand up to the dreaded patch addon-clysm. I'm in a simple mood this week, so let's take it easy.
Addon survival guide for Patch 4.0.1
Patch day is here, and with that comes addon headache after headache. Brace yourself for some pain, ladies and gentlemen. Hopefully, this little checklist will weaken the blow when all of your stuff breaks all over the floor. Keep in mind a few things before you go throw your hands up in the air, swear to all that is holy and start sacrificing addons on the altar. Many of your favorite addon creators have been quietly working in the background on Cataclysm versions of their addons, presumably ready to go for patch 4.0.1. As of right now, we're technically in Cataclysm, and the addon sites are marking addons that are supported in this patch as either "supports game version 4.0.1" or "Cataclysm." By making sure you update all of your addons, you will probably not have too much to worry about.
Addon Spotlight: Leave me alone!
Addon Spotlight focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same. This week, just leave me alone, already! Sweet, sweet solitude. People used to complain when single-player game elements were included in massively multiplayers, saying that the experience of relying on the player base as well as yourself was paramount in a game that billed itself as massive and multiplayer. Well, sometimes a little single player is good for you. Playing WoW alone can be relaxing, including the whole point about not having to cater to anyone else's fun. This week on Addon Spotlight, we're going to talk about some addons for the loners out there -- people who just want to be left alone for five minutes, please! Stop talking to me, I don't need this right now. No, I do not want to run Blackwing Lair. Can't you see I have Sporeggar reputation to grind?
Reader UI of the Week: Naovi's UI
Each week, we bring you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs. Have a screenshot of your UI you want to submit? Send your screenshots, along with info on what mods you're using, to readerui@wow.com. Now, I don't think that I'm any kind of prophet, but today could potentially be patch day for 4.0.1. Who knows? Since I'm penning this article in the past, I have no idea what is going to happen today, Tuesday. So I can only look into the future to today and say how awesome it is to have 4.0.1. Isn't it great?! Warriors have that new ... thing. Paladins, oh man, paladins! You guys! And that mage thing? Ugh, I love it. While you potentially wait for 4.0.1 to go live, how about we do some Reader UI of the Week to sate your thirst for days like these? We've got a wonderful healer UI setup from Naovi to show you this week. Most healers complain about their user interfaces taking up too much of the center screen, so it was refreshing to see a healing setup that moves things away from dead center and down to the corner. Suffice it to say, I think you'll enjoy Naovi's UI.
Addon Spotlight: Equipment and outfit addons
Addon Spotlight focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same. This week, we'll dress you up in my love, in my love, all over, all over. The Lich King. C'Thun. Yogg-Saron. Kil'jaeden. These are the enemies of Azeroth. Old tier armor sets. Holiday tchotchkes and outfits. Cool-looking shields. ... These are the enemies of your bag space. Outfits, roleplaying gear, sets for all of your different roles -- this stuff starts piling up! Luckily, there are a whole host of addons out there designed to keep your outfits and gear sets in perfect order.
Reader UI of the Week: Coe's UI
Each week, we bring you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs. Have a screenshot of your UI you want to submit? Send your screenshots, along with info on what mods you're using, to readerui@wow.com. Hey, guys. What's up? Did you all have a fun weekend? That's nice. I'm glad to hear it. What's that? You waited all weekend and were champing at the bit for more Reader UI of the Week? That is so incredibly kind of you! Well, looks like I'll have to deliver, then. Sadly, I'm going slightly mad since I have about 21 quests remaining for Loremaster of Kalimdor, and it's all hunt-and-peck now. I feel like an old woman learning how to type. This week, Coe's UI takes center stage. The setup is straightforward and simple, with a blocky flair that I instantly fell in love with. Stark contrasts in color as well as carefully placed addons makes Coe's UI pleasing on the heart, mind and eyes.
Addon Spotlight: Leveling your pre-Cataclysm alt
Addon Spotlight focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same. This week, level those alts quickly! It's been a heavy past couple of days in Azeroth. First, we've got heroics on the beta. Second, the public test realms are lighting the world up pretty good. Third, the clock is ticking faster and faster down to Cataclysm, so time is running out for getting those pre-Cataclysm alt characters ready. This week, Addon Spotlight focuses on a few of your old favorites -- addons to help you level up that pre-Cataclysm alt faster, hopefully ready in time for the big shakeup. From reputation trackers to quest helpers, these addons will make leveling a breeze. Let's roll!
Reader UI of the Week: Scyian's UI
Each week, we bring you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs. Have a screenshot of your UI you want to submit? Send your screenshots, along with info on what mods you're using, to readerui@wow.com. Welcome to another exciting edition of Reader UI of the Week, your one-stop shop for the WoW Insider community's personal user interfaces. This week, Scyian's UI promises some gasps and shocks, perhaps even a guffaw or two lined up. As you'll soon see, Scyian's user interface is a little bit different, but here at Reader UI of the Week, different is good. Let's check it out!
Addon Spotlight: Grab bag 2
Addon Spotlight focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same. This week, raaaaaaandom addons! You are cordially invited to another wonderful Addon Spotlight Grab bag extravaganza! Next week, I'll be talking about the Cataclysm in-game ability notification system that Blizzard is working on. That would have been this week, if my beta wasn't screwing up and I didn't get all the pictures and potentially video required for a proper post for you fine readers. Instead, you get a grab bag of fun, useful and downright crucial addons that might not be the biggest guys of the bunch, but they definitely do ... something. Plus, "grab bag" is fun to say.
Reader UI of the Week: Synnyster's UI
Each week, we bring you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs. Have a screenshot of your UI you want to submit? Send your screenshots, along with info on what mods you're using, to readerui@wow.com. Greetings, loyal RUIW readers. Ruu-eye-wah? Is that what the cool kids are calling it these days? Maybe just Reader UI? Excellent. I'm glad we worked this out together. This Reader UI of the Week is actually coming to you from the past, as right now, I am more than likely out at sea eating an ungodly amount of food and telling myself that I'll work it all off when I get back -- and hey, you only live once. All lies. In the meantime, here is a lovingly crafted response to a great UI submitted by long-time commenter, first-time submitter Synnyster. In the business, I believe we call that the "put-up-or-shut-up" quotient. Rip him apart in the comments. He probably deserves it.
Addon Spotlight: Addons for clickers
Addon Spotlight focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same. This week, please don't berate the clickers too badly in the comments. Addon Spotlight strives to educate and empower, bringing you tips and tools to enrich your World of Warcraft experience. Playstyles are as varied as the addons that support them, and as a comprehensive writer, I try to cover everyone's specific setups. One playstyle that is a bit of a foreign concept to me is mouse clicking. Clickers are often derided and ridiculed for their point-and-click interaction with the user interface. Sometimes, you will be watching that YouTube video of a heroic kill, and the cursor is flying around the screen a lot more than you are used to. You've found the elusive clicker.
Reader UI of the Week: Aanye's UI
Each week, WoW.com brings you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs. Have a screenshot of your UI you want to submit? Send your screenshots, along with info on what mods you're using, to readerui@wow.com. Welcome, friends, to another Reader UI of the Week. It has been an exciting week for addons ... sort of. User interface customization has been enabled on the Cataclysm beta servers, and addon authors are working hard to create some awesome new mods. Hopefully, in the near future, we will be getting some cool new user interfaces coming out of beta, as well as addons and changes. In the meantime, we've got some awesome user interfaces to cover. Today's reader submission comes from Aanye on the Cenarius realm. Using Fizzik's UI as inspiration and a set of UI-defining requirements, Aanye has gone and made a very capable and very slim laptop user interface for himself. Let's take a look.
Addon Spotlight: Management addons
Addon Spotlight focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same. This week, holy crap! There's a bear. Have I got awesome news for you, dear Addon Spotlight readers. Today, I've enlisted the help of a good friend of mine to come and discuss some miscellaneous management addons that are designed to take all that information and parse it into something useful. I would like to introduce everyone to Mongor the bear accountant. Mongor is a bear that is also an accountant, and he's my good friend. It's time to get your life managed.
Reader UI of the Week: C. Christian Moore's PvP UI
Each week, WoW.com brings you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs. Have a screenshot of your UI you want to submit? Send your screenshots, along with info on what mods you're using, to readerui@wow.com. Readers, you are in for a treat this week. Reader UI of the Week tries to bring you ideas, information and discussion from all walks of World of Warcraft life: the raid UI, the Dalaran UI and the minimalist UI. One piece of the user interface puzzle, however, has been missing among my ranks -- the PvP user interface. Today, we remedy that omission. C. Christian Moore, WoW.com's very own Blood Sport PvP columnist, approached me with a myriad of questions about his user interface. The WoW.com war room is a place of utmost professionalism, dignity and focus -- as such, I responded to these questions with detailed analysis. The result is something spectacular.
Addon Spotlight: Bati's Healer Grid layouts
Addon Spotlight focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same. This week, Grid gets some pre-made loving thanks to Bati! Thursday is here! Thursday is here! Excitement abounds in my secret addon lair for many reasons. First, my original vanilla WoW character is back in action. Originally, as many of you have read in my past columns, priest was my class of choice. Healers tend to be my forte because of group desirability -- selfishly and selflessly, I always rolled healer to get invited to groups and be there to support the healerless masses back when this was a thing. After a stint in Warhammer Online, tanking became my new love and, after a quick respec and some forum threads, my Burning Crusade healadin became my Wrath tankadin. After almost three years in the freezer, my priest has emerged from cryo-stasis.
