WOWSZER.COM

If you’ve spent any time reading forums, you’ve probably seen character profiles on signature lines and wanted one for yourself. There’s really two ways to go about this: 1. enter the profile by hand or, 2. upload the profile.

1. If you are uncomfortable with decompressing addons from .EXE files or dealing with long file paths, your best bet is to enter the profile by hand. Probably the least painful route is CTprofiles.net – you enter your info by hand and they give you a link to put in your signature line. Example: http://ctprofiles.net/3218820
It’s all step-by-step and pretty tedious. On the other hand, if you wanted to experiment with stats for adding different gear…this would be a great place to do it.

2. Now then, if you are like me, and short on time and patience, you want to visit RPG Outfitter. (RPG Outfitter looks like it has some cool guild tools, but I havn’t tested them yet.) These guys have done a huge amount of work so that you can upload your character profile. This includes gear being worn, contents of bags, banks, unread mail, quests, known recipes, skills, and talents. Sadly it only tells you how many point are in each talent tree. To gather all this information, you need to download an add-on that is stored in a Windows Executable file (.EXE). I found that Stuffit Expander decompressed the needed stuff quite well. Follow the directions (put correct files in the ‘addons’ folder) then run WOW. For this to work, you need to view your character, his/her reputation, skills, talents, bags, recipes for each profession, and visit the bank. After that, exit WOW. All these steps will put a file deep within your WTF folder called ‘CharacterProfiler.lua’ – this is the file you will upload. It is in your ‘SavedVariables’ folder. This will upload all your characters that you have used since you installed the addon. Every time you play, the data will be updated. Upload the changes as often you you wish. Example: http://www.rpgoutfitter.com/wow-gm/char.cfm?char=Eillebill@US-Lothar

[correction: RPG Outfitter does keep track of talents as well. My bad]

What do you think?

People have started to add useful information on the message boards. I’ve added a section for suggestions. It’s only a community if you participate.

Thanks,
Kurn

p.s. expect more news later today

Actually I sold out a long time ago. But that’s besides the point. Amazon let me setup a store full of cool WOW/Mac stuff and some of it is discounted pretty good.

This seemed like a great way to say thanks to all our visitors and help pay the rent. You don’t have to buy anything, just check it out

I’d love to know what you think

Oh yeah click here or the link on the right ->

If your a Mac user, and you probably are if you’re reading this, you probably realize that there are times when the finder isn’t quite the fantastic tool you’d like it to be.

In fact, the Finder hasn’t really come that far in the last decade. Apple’s been taking baby steps. The lads over at cocoatech.com have really done quite a job.

If you dig Unix, if you like Filebuddy, if you use Graphic Converter for thumbnail galleries – get it all with so much more. Pathfinder is great for these tasks and a lot more. It gives you tons more control over Spotlight searches and filtering your folders.

The current version is 4.5. I explored 4.1 and my only complaint was that it was kind of slow. Well 4.5 is faster and seems to run quite smoothly.

One of the features that I really like is the Drop Stack. At first it seemed like a useless addition, but when I got the hang of it, I fell in love. Basically you can visit any folder and drag a collection of items to the Drop Stack. Go all over your computer or network doing this, then drag the group icon from the Drop Stack to your target. It follows the same rules as the Finder and copies or moves everything. It’s like a smart temporary folder. You should really try it.

If you are constantly tinkering with your WOW folder like I am, then you will love the bookmark bar (ala Safari) that lets you drag a any folder or volume to a bar at the top of the window. You also get a shelf on the left side of the screen just like the Finder’s for easy access to favorite items.

I can’t speak for all Mac users, but I’m a very visual person. Another feature that I like, is Pathfinder’s scale slider for icons. It let’s me blow up thumbnails for art and then slide things back down to a manageable scale.

The list of very useful features could go on and on. However, I would suggest you download it and give it a try. The program looks and runs great. These guys really kept an eye on the details. The help is simple and to the point. I would rate this program as Extremely Useful.

Check it out and tell us what you think.

Kurn.

I’ve been exploring a set of Add-on’s called CTmod. Their claim to fame is their Raid tools, but the tools that really got me hooked is the CT_MailMod.

This spiffy little critter lets you send batch emails and open all your mail at once. If you ever dropped a bunch of stuff off at the auction house you know this is a big help. I also found it useful when I was wandering around in Silithus and my alt was in Stormwind doing runs to the Auction house.

I’m also fond of their CT_QuestLevels mod because it tells you the progress of your quest and displays progress on the screen as you go. They have a tone of mods. You can add the whole pile or just the ones you want.

Go check it out.

[I tried to get in but it game me some guff about not having the expansion key. If anyone learns anything, please let me know.]

Burning Crusade Alpha Test: “A clue has surfaced into the ongoing debate as to whether we will see the Burning Crusade before the end of the year.

If you go follow this link it will take you to the sign-up page for the Burning Crusade Friends and Family Alpha Test.

Now as all good frat brothers and sorority sisters know, after alpha comes beta, with a generous amount of malt liquor in between.

Now I am no computer expert so can anyone clue me in as to how long a typical Alpha Test lasts before going to Beta?

Oh and if Auntie Tseric, Grandpa Eyonix or any other members of the extended Blizzard family are reading this, please send an Alpha invitation my way.

[Thanks Dave!]

(Via WOW Insider.)

In my continuing effort to get original content for Macintosh WOW players, I’ve started our testing program.

I found the Logitech Internet Chat headset at Wal-Mart for $14.99

It features wraparound stereo speakers, an in-line volume control and in-line mute button. It features a separate jack for speaker and mike, which I prefer since I don’t like having too many gadgets on my already crowded USB hub.

The headset features a 10 foot cable, which was way too long for me, but could be a real boon for folks with a tower or mini tucked out of the way. Also, this is one of those customizable jobs so it comes with 4 different colored ear plates (see the photo)

The first thing I noticed was the mute button did not work at all. This may be a defect in this specific unit, but that doesn’t say much about quality control.

We’ve tested the headset with Skype and WOW. To my surprise the stereo audio of WOW sounded a bit muddy. Audio via Skype was good. Unlike some headsets, the mike worked well and no one complained that they could not hear me while I spoke at conversational levels.

Learn more at amazon

If you have ever used a Wacom tablet, you’ve probably enjoyed the use of a mouse or pen that used no batteries or cord. This technology used electrical induction some cool magic slick science to move the little cursor around on the screen.

I mention this because a little company called Ergodex has been flying below the radar with a cool concept. The most customizable keyboard ever. You just pick up the keys and attach them to the tablet surface. Then add the graphic label for each button. Finally you map each key to some function with the included software.

Imagine being able to make your ideal WOW keyboard configuration and just moving the keys around until it fits your hand like a glove.

It sounds pretty cool to me.

This product is for sale at Amazon, but they don’t have any details.

When it arrived, it looked like some gorilla had sat on it. I opened the package and the game pass had already been used.

I decided to give the seller the benefit of the doubt and ask for a replacement card. She did not have one and offered a refund if I returned the card.

[that's where we left off true believers]
I returned the card (using UPS ground for tracking) and was notified by Amazon.com that my account would be credited the price of the product plus shipping. Not bad.

Here are a few important notes:

• It took me two weeks to turn this deal around
• It cost me $6 in UPS shipping
• I did not beat the system or save time
• I ended up just renewing my monthly subscription to WOW (cha-ching)
• Don’t be like me.
• Just put the item on your Amazon wish list and tell some friends

[update: the cards are on sale now at Amazon]
Get it Now at Amazon: WOW Game Card

I was visiting my Amazon.com page, when I discovered that someone was selling WOW 60 game cards for $14.95 (that’s half of list price – it’s like 1 month free).

So I’ve volunteered to be the guinea pig and spend the $14.95 to see what happens.

Look for an update here soon