Monday, February 28, 2005
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Everquest players can order pizza
Associated Press
NEW YORK - Demonstrating a deep understanding of what its computer-gaming audience really wants, Sony has built the ability to order pizza into its latest online multiplayer game.
Type the command ``/pizza'' while playing Everquest II, a fantasy game with 330,000 active players, and get the Pizza Hut Web site, where you can place orders for delivery.
Chris Kramer, spokesman for Sony Online Entertainment, said he believes this is the first time a game accepts orders for real-world items.
Sony plans to integrate the pizza function more tightly into the game, so players can charge pizza to their monthly game subscription bill.
``The goal for the future is to eventually let people do more things like this,'' Kramer said. ``They could type /harry potter and get the new Harry Potter book delivered or /star wars and get the new Star Wars DVD.''
Many games incorporate ads and product placements, but such opportunities are limited with fantasy games like Everquest.
Though the new pizza feature might satisfy appetites, caution is required as the game doesn't pause while you're ordering.
``You wouldn't want to order pizza in the thick of combat, but anywhere that's safe is a good place,'' said Kramer.
HoustonChronicle.com - Everquest players can order pizza
Associated Press
NEW YORK - Demonstrating a deep understanding of what its computer-gaming audience really wants, Sony has built the ability to order pizza into its latest online multiplayer game.
Type the command ``/pizza'' while playing Everquest II, a fantasy game with 330,000 active players, and get the Pizza Hut Web site, where you can place orders for delivery.
Chris Kramer, spokesman for Sony Online Entertainment, said he believes this is the first time a game accepts orders for real-world items.
Sony plans to integrate the pizza function more tightly into the game, so players can charge pizza to their monthly game subscription bill.
``The goal for the future is to eventually let people do more things like this,'' Kramer said. ``They could type /harry potter and get the new Harry Potter book delivered or /star wars and get the new Star Wars DVD.''
Many games incorporate ads and product placements, but such opportunities are limited with fantasy games like Everquest.
Though the new pizza feature might satisfy appetites, caution is required as the game doesn't pause while you're ordering.
``You wouldn't want to order pizza in the thick of combat, but anywhere that's safe is a good place,'' said Kramer.
HoustonChronicle.com - Everquest players can order pizza
Pilot, a lvl 1 gnome warrior on Whisperwind wrote -
"Yeah, theesa.com (evidently their VeRO watchdog) is going through and reporting any auction that even mentions World of Warcraft. This includes perfectly legit auctions, like for the Collectors Edition box set.
I was trying to sell my Collectors Edition set and it got yanked on the very last day of a 7 day auction, for intellectual rights/piracy VeRO claims. Neither they or eBay has contacted me back within a week though, they must know they screwed up big time (they have no legal ownership claims to my collectors edition box set.) If I was rich I would sue them for wrecking my sale and perjuring themself with the VeRO claim."
WoW General Discussion -
"Yeah, theesa.com (evidently their VeRO watchdog) is going through and reporting any auction that even mentions World of Warcraft. This includes perfectly legit auctions, like for the Collectors Edition box set.
I was trying to sell my Collectors Edition set and it got yanked on the very last day of a 7 day auction, for intellectual rights/piracy VeRO claims. Neither they or eBay has contacted me back within a week though, they must know they screwed up big time (they have no legal ownership claims to my collectors edition box set.) If I was rich I would sue them for wrecking my sale and perjuring themself with the VeRO claim."
WoW General Discussion -
I really enjoy this game but Blizzard sucks!
My eBay account still has not been re-activated for selling brand-new, sealed copies of WoW!
eBay item 8172443576 (Ends Mar-01-05 13:57:36 PST) - AUCTION CANCLED. BLIZZARD DELETED MY ACCOUNT :(
My eBay account still has not been re-activated for selling brand-new, sealed copies of WoW!
eBay item 8172443576 (Ends Mar-01-05 13:57:36 PST) - AUCTION CANCLED. BLIZZARD DELETED MY ACCOUNT :(
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Friday, February 25, 2005
19. Re: What is the weakest class in all of WOW? | 2/25/2005 9:44:12 AM PST
well it depends on if ur looking at pvp, pve, or both, or group pve or group pvp or all 4.... some classes excel some dont in some aspects
but OVERALL? thats near the top in all aspects of the game? heres my opinion in order of strongest to weakest
Paladin: Great at solo PvE, kills slow but can rarely die if played by a non-retard, great solo PvP, can outlast anyone if played smart, great group PvE, tank, rez, heals, plate, etc, Mediocre group PvP, no range and low dps
Shaman: Great at solo PvE, great at solo PvP, great at group PvE, great at group PvP, doesnt have utility of paladin though, crappy rez, not as high tank, but higher dps and has ranged
Priest: Mediocre at solo PvE, awsome at solo PvP(best if played correctly), great at group PvP, REQUIRED for group PvE
Rogue: Great at solo PvE, high dodge, lots of 'get away' abilities, high single target damage. Great at solo PvP, below mediocre at group PvE, good at group PvP, stun lock + group = dead before unstunned
Mage: Good at solo PvE not great though, downtime, Great at solo PvP, best at kiting and/or running away. REQUIRED for group PvE, dominate group PvP
Hunter: Best solo PvE, good solo PvP against some classes, mediocre at group PvE, great at group PvP(can stay at range and devestate enemies when not targeted)
Warlock: good solo PvE, mediocre solo PvP, above average for group PvE(AoE), great group PvP, DoTs 4tw
Druid: Okay solo PvE, okay solo PvP, okay in group PvE, below average group PvP
Warrior: below average solo PvE, below average solo PvP, REQUIRED group PvE, below average group PvP
WoW General Discussion -: "1602108"
well it depends on if ur looking at pvp, pve, or both, or group pve or group pvp or all 4.... some classes excel some dont in some aspects
but OVERALL? thats near the top in all aspects of the game? heres my opinion in order of strongest to weakest
Paladin: Great at solo PvE, kills slow but can rarely die if played by a non-retard, great solo PvP, can outlast anyone if played smart, great group PvE, tank, rez, heals, plate, etc, Mediocre group PvP, no range and low dps
Shaman: Great at solo PvE, great at solo PvP, great at group PvE, great at group PvP, doesnt have utility of paladin though, crappy rez, not as high tank, but higher dps and has ranged
Priest: Mediocre at solo PvE, awsome at solo PvP(best if played correctly), great at group PvP, REQUIRED for group PvE
Rogue: Great at solo PvE, high dodge, lots of 'get away' abilities, high single target damage. Great at solo PvP, below mediocre at group PvE, good at group PvP, stun lock + group = dead before unstunned
Mage: Good at solo PvE not great though, downtime, Great at solo PvP, best at kiting and/or running away. REQUIRED for group PvE, dominate group PvP
Hunter: Best solo PvE, good solo PvP against some classes, mediocre at group PvE, great at group PvP(can stay at range and devestate enemies when not targeted)
Warlock: good solo PvE, mediocre solo PvP, above average for group PvE(AoE), great group PvP, DoTs 4tw
Druid: Okay solo PvE, okay solo PvP, okay in group PvE, below average group PvP
Warrior: below average solo PvE, below average solo PvP, REQUIRED group PvE, below average group PvP
WoW General Discussion -: "1602108"
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Friday, February 18, 2005
I just faxed eBay my Request for Reinstatement.
SCREW YOU BLIZZARD!!!!!
I was selling brand-new, sealed copies of World of Warcraft.
These DO NOT fall under eBay's Prohibited, Questionable and Infringing Items guidelines which do not want you selling academic, beta or OEM software.
SCREW YOU eBay and SCREW YOU BLIZZARD!!!
I did NOTHING wrong.
Get the impression that this upsets me? Good!
I was selling brand-new, sealed copies of World of Warcraft.
These DO NOT fall under eBay's Prohibited, Questionable and Infringing Items guidelines which do not want you selling academic, beta or OEM software.
SCREW YOU eBay and SCREW YOU BLIZZARD!!!
I did NOTHING wrong.
Get the impression that this upsets me? Good!
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Skullsplitter Trolls a Good Gold Grind? | 2/16/2005 10:23:51 AM PST
Same old sob story. I’m 8 “bubbles” from 40 and am trying to gather my mount money together. I have 40 gold in the bank and have neglected my training, am wearing rags , yadda, yadda, yadda.. . .
Based on what I’ve heard elsewhere, I headed to Stranglethorn Vale to grind for gold for a level, and I’m wondering if I’m in the right place. I set up shop at the highest level non-Elite humanoids in that zone, the Skullsplitter Trolls. I’ve avoided the orange-con Trolls (and frankly the level 42 Beastmasters kick my keester), but am hunting everything else in the camp.
I’ve killed maybe 100 Skullsplitter Trolls and my income rate is a lot lower than I expected. Most of the Trolls drop less than a silver per kill (which is likely because they are hunted so heavily). And the drop rates on other stuff also seems real poor to me. I have looted only 1 piece of rare armor, which unfortunately was cloth with a spirit bonus so it will only sell for a low amount at a merchant. Except for Troll Sweets, (at a 25% drop rate for 70 copper sweet this isn’t much help), the junk loot drops have been non-existant (which may just be bad luck).
So here are my questions:
1. I believe that cash drops increase the longer an NPC is around. Thus, someplace which is frequently hunted has lower cash drops. Can anyone confirm this theory. Does this also affect loot drops or did I just have a bad run of luck;
2. Has anyone found a better place for soloers to farm cash? (I have only a limited amount time to to play this week and then mostly at odd hours
3. How much of the income from the Trolls is derived from the sale of Wildvine? Is this why this is a popular camp? And what do these sell for at most auction houses? Also, is there another drop like the wildvine I should be on the lookout for from these Trolls that sell much better at the AH than the merchant?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You DO look an awful lot like a rainbow trout"
2. Re: Skullsplitter Trolls a Good Gold Grind? | 2/16/2005 10:32:43 AM PST
For grinding, finding mobs that are 2-3 levels beneath you is better, as killing things quick is more important than killing tougher things with chances for more loot.
The only real thing of value those trolls drop is Wildvine, which, depending on which server you're on, can fetch anywhere from 50s-2g each. But it's not a frequent enough drop to make it worth the effort.
You'd probably have a much better go at ones that drop cloth routinely, like the Bloodsail pirates, or the various centaurs in Desolace, which are very plentiful, respawn often, are spread out for good grinding, and are about the right level for you. Stacks of silk go for 50-60s, and mageweave will go for 90s-1g50s depending on your server. It'll only take 10-12 kills to make a stack, plus you're netting the silver and odd greens they'll drop too. Far more effective grind than those stinkin' trolls.
And don't get yourself thinking you have to have the gold ready when you ding 40.. I didn't get my mount 'til 42 or 43. I thought it was more appropriate to buy my level 40 spells, which were quite a step up from the ones I had. But that's your call.
WoW Gameplay Discussion -: "1431361"
Same old sob story. I’m 8 “bubbles” from 40 and am trying to gather my mount money together. I have 40 gold in the bank and have neglected my training, am wearing rags , yadda, yadda, yadda.. . .
Based on what I’ve heard elsewhere, I headed to Stranglethorn Vale to grind for gold for a level, and I’m wondering if I’m in the right place. I set up shop at the highest level non-Elite humanoids in that zone, the Skullsplitter Trolls. I’ve avoided the orange-con Trolls (and frankly the level 42 Beastmasters kick my keester), but am hunting everything else in the camp.
I’ve killed maybe 100 Skullsplitter Trolls and my income rate is a lot lower than I expected. Most of the Trolls drop less than a silver per kill (which is likely because they are hunted so heavily). And the drop rates on other stuff also seems real poor to me. I have looted only 1 piece of rare armor, which unfortunately was cloth with a spirit bonus so it will only sell for a low amount at a merchant. Except for Troll Sweets, (at a 25% drop rate for 70 copper sweet this isn’t much help), the junk loot drops have been non-existant (which may just be bad luck).
So here are my questions:
1. I believe that cash drops increase the longer an NPC is around. Thus, someplace which is frequently hunted has lower cash drops. Can anyone confirm this theory. Does this also affect loot drops or did I just have a bad run of luck;
2. Has anyone found a better place for soloers to farm cash? (I have only a limited amount time to to play this week and then mostly at odd hours
3. How much of the income from the Trolls is derived from the sale of Wildvine? Is this why this is a popular camp? And what do these sell for at most auction houses? Also, is there another drop like the wildvine I should be on the lookout for from these Trolls that sell much better at the AH than the merchant?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You DO look an awful lot like a rainbow trout"
2. Re: Skullsplitter Trolls a Good Gold Grind? | 2/16/2005 10:32:43 AM PST
For grinding, finding mobs that are 2-3 levels beneath you is better, as killing things quick is more important than killing tougher things with chances for more loot.
The only real thing of value those trolls drop is Wildvine, which, depending on which server you're on, can fetch anywhere from 50s-2g each. But it's not a frequent enough drop to make it worth the effort.
You'd probably have a much better go at ones that drop cloth routinely, like the Bloodsail pirates, or the various centaurs in Desolace, which are very plentiful, respawn often, are spread out for good grinding, and are about the right level for you. Stacks of silk go for 50-60s, and mageweave will go for 90s-1g50s depending on your server. It'll only take 10-12 kills to make a stack, plus you're netting the silver and odd greens they'll drop too. Far more effective grind than those stinkin' trolls.
And don't get yourself thinking you have to have the gold ready when you ding 40.. I didn't get my mount 'til 42 or 43. I thought it was more appropriate to buy my level 40 spells, which were quite a step up from the ones I had. But that's your call.
WoW Gameplay Discussion -: "1431361"
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Monday, February 14, 2005
Blizzard - World of Warcraft - eBay Account Suspended
For selling brand new, sealed copies of WoW on eBay.
This is wrong, wrong, wrong.
This is wrong, wrong, wrong.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
But...
I honestly found that cosmos gave me no extra lag, or spam and if your worried about bugs, I only ran into about 2 a week...not many.
A replacement for reloging-just do /console reloadui does everything a relog does 'cept kick you outa the game for a minute.
Even though cosmos gave no etra lag i decided to look for a different one, and i find taht CTmod is better, just a better setup imo. Cosmos is not for everyone, such as gypsy isn't for everyone, playstyle, i think theres about 3 or 4 major ones:
Gypsy---http://gypsymod.the-mad.net/
Cosmos---http://www.cosmosui.org/
CTmod---(forgot the URL)
Flex Bar---(Never used but it seems a good amount use it)
Go to the UI forums and do a search for em, im sure it wont be hard to find the URL.
WoW Gameplay Discussion -
I honestly found that cosmos gave me no extra lag, or spam and if your worried about bugs, I only ran into about 2 a week...not many.
A replacement for reloging-just do /console reloadui does everything a relog does 'cept kick you outa the game for a minute.
Even though cosmos gave no etra lag i decided to look for a different one, and i find taht CTmod is better, just a better setup imo. Cosmos is not for everyone, such as gypsy isn't for everyone, playstyle, i think theres about 3 or 4 major ones:
Gypsy---http://gypsymod.the-mad.net/
Cosmos---http://www.cosmosui.org/
CTmod---(forgot the URL)
Flex Bar---(Never used but it seems a good amount use it)
Go to the UI forums and do a search for em, im sure it wont be hard to find the URL.
WoW Gameplay Discussion -
1. Why everyone should install Cosmos. | 2/9/2005 6:33:31 PM PST
Hi, I realize this is general discussion, but I'm working on writing a basic description of Cosmos that can be understood by everyone. (Not just those who already understand how to install and utilize add-ons)
I hope this serves to help some people, and the writing will get better as I begin to revise it. Anyway, enjoy.
It's viewable in its intended form here:
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/cosmos/cosmos.htm
I've replaced images with links for better understanding.
-------------------------------------------------
If you are committing $14.95 per month to play World of Warcraft, there is no possible excuse for not installing Cosmos. Cosmos is a bundled package of the best interface add-ons created for WoW to date. Please listen: This page is designed to act as a basic product description of the Cosmos add-on in order to provide any WoW player access to the same tool which is nearly indispensable to any power gamer.
Why bother? This site will cover the most basic features of cosmos which may significantly enhance your gameplay immediately after the simple installation.
First, you should know:
o Blizzard has specifically designed their interface to accommodate interface add-ons. Taken directly off the interface customization forum sticky:
“The interface of World of Warcraft is built from XML files which describe the look and layout, and lua files which contain scripting functionality. This document is a short introduction into modifying these files to customize your interface. Customizing the interface is a very technical endeavor, and you should not attempt it unless you have a good working knowledge of XML and Lua.
There is no official support for modifying the WoW interface. If you break it, you get to keep both pieces. :)”
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-interface-customization&t=2619&p=1&tmp=1#post2619
o It is important to realize that add-ons are LEGAL, and may (occasionally) cause problems in gameplay.
o Add-ons are different from third-party programs. Add-ons are basically scripts that are run by warcraft at the start of the program. They are not fully fledged applications running simultaneously to WoW.
o Cosmos DOES NOT cause a significant decrease in system performance.
WHAT IT IS:
Cosmos is a bundle of add-ons. You may have heard the word add-on before but not understood the exact meaning or utility of such a device. Add-ons can serve a wide range of purposes by utilizing a limited amount of access to public variables created by World of Warcraft. The range of purposes add-ons can serve is vast and overwhelming, and can intimidate players who may not possess the technical prowess or time needed to study, choose, or develop add-ons which may benefit their style of play.
Cosmos attempts to cut on these factors by providing an easy installation and pre-selection of the most essential add-ons created. The entire installation process consists of running a single .exe file available for download from this site: http://www.cosmosui.org/cosmos/ . In addition Cosmos comes with an automatic patch system which seamlessly updates the add-on to the newest version compiled on a near daily basis. This keeps Cosmos up to date with the newest essential add-ons and provides an easy way of keeping it as reliable as possible. There is virtually no chance that Cosmos can damage your system as it is thoroughly tested and updated on a regular basis.
HOW IT BENEFITS YOU:
I present to you: Cosmos
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/bigscreen.jpg
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/screen3.jpg
Notice the highlighted parts of the display.
These are the most noticeable enhancements commonly attributed to a cosmos interface.
All of the highlighted items are optional components which may be enabled and disabled using the main cosmos interface.
It is important to note that the interface can be customized to your liking using a variety of cosmos options. Many of these enhancements will not be enabled after installing cosmos and you may have to play with the configurations to reach your personal optimal settings.
I have to stress here that Cosmos is a bundle of different add-ons. You won’t use, or have any idea how to use a fair majority of them. Nearly all users of Cosmos have only a basic understanding of the main features which directly provide benefit to them.
Do not be intimidated by the amount of add-ons and customizations available within the program. All of them can be left alone or disabled.
To this end, many players complain that Cosmos is too bloated and complicated to be of any use. It may be true that it contains a large number of useless add-ons, but it is also important to realize that there are a number of subtle features which are automatically enabled and require no customization.
…For instance, Quick Loot.
Quick Loot automatically positions the loot frame to force the cursor over the first item available for looting. As you click on loot, the frame repositions itself to the next available loot. This allows for incredibly faster looting. In addition, once you’ve rapidly snagged everything, Quick Loot closes the window automatically. It’s impossible to describe how handy this feature is without trying it firsthand. Basically, the images below are attempting to show the process by which looting is reduced to a series of four clicks.
(one right click on the corpse, then 3 left clicks on the desired loot)
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/inven1.jpg http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/inven2.jpg
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/inven3.jpg
Paging is also enabled when Cosmos is installed. Although fairly worthless, it is a fun feature which is worth learning. You can only page other Cosmos users. Fortunately, cosmos includes a handy way of determining who is using cosmos. Look carefully:
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/argus.jpg
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/page.jpg
…Your party members will have a signature Cosmos icon by their avatar’s icon if they have installed Cosmos.
..If you want to page Augus, you simply type /page Augus heyyy.
This will sprawl bright red letters across his screen and make a startling sound.
Also important to note in the above image is the proximity of Augus’ name to my main health meter. Cosmos enables party member windows to be dragged to where you want them. This is especially handy in designing a more efficient and clean layout.
Also worthy of note is the fact that by default Cosmos users can see the level of high level characters. ?? is replaced by an actual number. It is surprising how useful this information is in situations where you need to request help from the local defense channel.
Extras - Advanced:
You may have noticed the same cosmos icon in the above image near the map in the first image.
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/map.jpg
Clicking on this icon brings up the main cosmos interface.
Here we begin to see the ‘bloat’.
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/bloat.jpg
All you need to be concerned about here is the cosmos configure button located in the upper left corner and the Key Bindings button beneath it.
The additional buttons relate to features developed by the cosmos team which may, or may not be of immediate interest to you.
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/cosmos.jpg
This is the main configuration interface for the many add-ons encompassed by Cosmos.
Do not panic.
To start, you want to look into enabling and configuring the Clock, Quest Minion, PopBar, SideBar, and SecondBar.
These are the most essential add-ons that will provide you the greatest benefit.
This page will focus on showing the benefits of using the Clock and Quest Minion, and leave the rest of Cosmos’ many advantages left for you to discover.
Behold The Clock:
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/clock.jpg
Once enabling the clock, you have access to information pertaining to how fast you are leveling if you hover your mouse over it. This helps in determining the best places to go for experience and how long it will take you to reach your next level. The clock itself is draggable around the interface, and can be configured to show different formats of time.
…The Quest Minion
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/quest.jpg
The log shows the level of quests and brings up a tiny window on the main screen displaying the status of quest objectives as they become accomplished. This helps to save time by not having to keep checking the quest log repeatedly to see if you have completed a quest. In addition, the level approximations provide a better sense of what quests you are able to accomplish at your current level.
Extra Bars:
This page will not detail in how to customize extra bars, as it really is a matter of experimentation and preference. However it is important to realize that the keybindings window has expanded by Cosmos to allow for the extra buttons to be bound to specific keys.
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/bindings.jpg
17. Re: Why everyone should install Cosmos. | 2/9/2005 6:54:42 PM PST
Switched from Cosmos to CTMod. Never looked back. Only feature I miss is the in-game clock.
WoW Gameplay Discussion -: "1306068"
Hi, I realize this is general discussion, but I'm working on writing a basic description of Cosmos that can be understood by everyone. (Not just those who already understand how to install and utilize add-ons)
I hope this serves to help some people, and the writing will get better as I begin to revise it. Anyway, enjoy.
It's viewable in its intended form here:
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/cosmos/cosmos.htm
I've replaced images with links for better understanding.
-------------------------------------------------
If you are committing $14.95 per month to play World of Warcraft, there is no possible excuse for not installing Cosmos. Cosmos is a bundled package of the best interface add-ons created for WoW to date. Please listen: This page is designed to act as a basic product description of the Cosmos add-on in order to provide any WoW player access to the same tool which is nearly indispensable to any power gamer.
Why bother? This site will cover the most basic features of cosmos which may significantly enhance your gameplay immediately after the simple installation.
First, you should know:
o Blizzard has specifically designed their interface to accommodate interface add-ons. Taken directly off the interface customization forum sticky:
“The interface of World of Warcraft is built from XML files which describe the look and layout, and lua files which contain scripting functionality. This document is a short introduction into modifying these files to customize your interface. Customizing the interface is a very technical endeavor, and you should not attempt it unless you have a good working knowledge of XML and Lua.
There is no official support for modifying the WoW interface. If you break it, you get to keep both pieces. :)”
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-interface-customization&t=2619&p=1&tmp=1#post2619
o It is important to realize that add-ons are LEGAL, and may (occasionally) cause problems in gameplay.
o Add-ons are different from third-party programs. Add-ons are basically scripts that are run by warcraft at the start of the program. They are not fully fledged applications running simultaneously to WoW.
o Cosmos DOES NOT cause a significant decrease in system performance.
WHAT IT IS:
Cosmos is a bundle of add-ons. You may have heard the word add-on before but not understood the exact meaning or utility of such a device. Add-ons can serve a wide range of purposes by utilizing a limited amount of access to public variables created by World of Warcraft. The range of purposes add-ons can serve is vast and overwhelming, and can intimidate players who may not possess the technical prowess or time needed to study, choose, or develop add-ons which may benefit their style of play.
Cosmos attempts to cut on these factors by providing an easy installation and pre-selection of the most essential add-ons created. The entire installation process consists of running a single .exe file available for download from this site: http://www.cosmosui.org/cosmos/ . In addition Cosmos comes with an automatic patch system which seamlessly updates the add-on to the newest version compiled on a near daily basis. This keeps Cosmos up to date with the newest essential add-ons and provides an easy way of keeping it as reliable as possible. There is virtually no chance that Cosmos can damage your system as it is thoroughly tested and updated on a regular basis.
HOW IT BENEFITS YOU:
I present to you: Cosmos
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/bigscreen.jpg
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/screen3.jpg
Notice the highlighted parts of the display.
These are the most noticeable enhancements commonly attributed to a cosmos interface.
All of the highlighted items are optional components which may be enabled and disabled using the main cosmos interface.
It is important to note that the interface can be customized to your liking using a variety of cosmos options. Many of these enhancements will not be enabled after installing cosmos and you may have to play with the configurations to reach your personal optimal settings.
I have to stress here that Cosmos is a bundle of different add-ons. You won’t use, or have any idea how to use a fair majority of them. Nearly all users of Cosmos have only a basic understanding of the main features which directly provide benefit to them.
Do not be intimidated by the amount of add-ons and customizations available within the program. All of them can be left alone or disabled.
To this end, many players complain that Cosmos is too bloated and complicated to be of any use. It may be true that it contains a large number of useless add-ons, but it is also important to realize that there are a number of subtle features which are automatically enabled and require no customization.
…For instance, Quick Loot.
Quick Loot automatically positions the loot frame to force the cursor over the first item available for looting. As you click on loot, the frame repositions itself to the next available loot. This allows for incredibly faster looting. In addition, once you’ve rapidly snagged everything, Quick Loot closes the window automatically. It’s impossible to describe how handy this feature is without trying it firsthand. Basically, the images below are attempting to show the process by which looting is reduced to a series of four clicks.
(one right click on the corpse, then 3 left clicks on the desired loot)
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/inven1.jpg http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/inven2.jpg
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/inven3.jpg
Paging is also enabled when Cosmos is installed. Although fairly worthless, it is a fun feature which is worth learning. You can only page other Cosmos users. Fortunately, cosmos includes a handy way of determining who is using cosmos. Look carefully:
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/argus.jpg
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/page.jpg
…Your party members will have a signature Cosmos icon by their avatar’s icon if they have installed Cosmos.
..If you want to page Augus, you simply type /page Augus heyyy.
This will sprawl bright red letters across his screen and make a startling sound.
Also important to note in the above image is the proximity of Augus’ name to my main health meter. Cosmos enables party member windows to be dragged to where you want them. This is especially handy in designing a more efficient and clean layout.
Also worthy of note is the fact that by default Cosmos users can see the level of high level characters. ?? is replaced by an actual number. It is surprising how useful this information is in situations where you need to request help from the local defense channel.
Extras - Advanced:
You may have noticed the same cosmos icon in the above image near the map in the first image.
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/map.jpg
Clicking on this icon brings up the main cosmos interface.
Here we begin to see the ‘bloat’.
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/bloat.jpg
All you need to be concerned about here is the cosmos configure button located in the upper left corner and the Key Bindings button beneath it.
The additional buttons relate to features developed by the cosmos team which may, or may not be of immediate interest to you.
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/cosmos.jpg
This is the main configuration interface for the many add-ons encompassed by Cosmos.
Do not panic.
To start, you want to look into enabling and configuring the Clock, Quest Minion, PopBar, SideBar, and SecondBar.
These are the most essential add-ons that will provide you the greatest benefit.
This page will focus on showing the benefits of using the Clock and Quest Minion, and leave the rest of Cosmos’ many advantages left for you to discover.
Behold The Clock:
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/clock.jpg
Once enabling the clock, you have access to information pertaining to how fast you are leveling if you hover your mouse over it. This helps in determining the best places to go for experience and how long it will take you to reach your next level. The clock itself is draggable around the interface, and can be configured to show different formats of time.
…The Quest Minion
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/quest.jpg
The log shows the level of quests and brings up a tiny window on the main screen displaying the status of quest objectives as they become accomplished. This helps to save time by not having to keep checking the quest log repeatedly to see if you have completed a quest. In addition, the level approximations provide a better sense of what quests you are able to accomplish at your current level.
Extra Bars:
This page will not detail in how to customize extra bars, as it really is a matter of experimentation and preference. However it is important to realize that the keybindings window has expanded by Cosmos to allow for the extra buttons to be bound to specific keys.
http://www.mixmastery.com/mine/images/Cosmos/bindings.jpg
17. Re: Why everyone should install Cosmos. | 2/9/2005 6:54:42 PM PST
Switched from Cosmos to CTMod. Never looked back. Only feature I miss is the in-game clock.
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