Exiting Guild Wars 2 Momentarily

Often you will need to temporarily exit Guild Wars 2 to look at a file or a browser window on your computer.  To do so, hold down the Command key and push Tab (Macs) or hold down the Windows key and push Tab (PCs).  This minimizes the screen.
http://www.guildwars2guru.com/arenanet-tracker/topic/236488-altwindows-key-tab-closes-the-game/

Pushing the same key sequence again should take you back to a full Guild Wars 2 window although it may take a few key combo pushes to cycle through the open applications to get back to GW2.

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Guild Wars 2 Now on Mac

Instructions on how to download the beta client plus FAQ links here.
https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/announcing-guild-wars-2-for-mac-beta/

Here are the specs you need to play.
http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/18/guild-wars-2-mac-beta-now-available

Here is the Mac tech support forum.
https://forum-en.guildwars2.com/forum/support/mac

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 Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

Guild War 2 Now on Macintosh

Note that this is in beta form.
https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/announcing-guild-wars-2-for-mac-beta/

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WOW: Patch 5.0.4 Problems on Macs

Players are reporting performance issues on Macs after Patch 5.0.4, ranging from dancing pixels to login problems to CPU usage at 100% at the login screen.  Here are the issues plus a few suggestions.
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/6412493648

The Mac Forum is the best place for tech support.  This is the 5.0.4 migration patch troubleshooting guide.
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/6413023951

Other topics that are causing problems can be found here.
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/1011702/

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Balder's Gate Enhanced Edition Due This Summer

Balder's Gate 1 and 2 are set for re-release this summer for the PC, Mac OSX (Snow Leopard 10.6.6 or newer) and iPad, with new content promised to add to this classic RPG.  Here's a bit about the game if you have never played.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-04-retrospective-baldurs-gate-1-and-2

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PowerPC Macs Won't Play Cataclysm

I believe I've mentioned before that PowerPC Macs won't be able to run Cataclysm.  Blizzard is dropping support for them just before Cataclysm hits.  Be warned.
http://www.wowhead.com/blog=168690

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Launcher Update Bug (and Fix)

An update to the launcher today (Sept. 18) is causing trouble for those running Windows on their game machines.  WOW Insider describes the problem here and a solution.  By the way, in the comments someone with a Macintosh is also having the same problem.  No word as to whether it was a Mac running Windows.
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/09/18/launcher-update-today-causing-problems-how-to-fix/

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Cataclysm Computer Specs UPDATED

WOW Insider has started a three part article on what computer you'll need to run Cataclysm.  It covers basics like how to identify your heatsink, what main brands of video cards are available, etc.  (Note:  They've not done any more than this first article in this series.)
http://www.wow.com/2010/09/07/guest-post-is-your-computer-ready-for-cataclysm/


UPDATE:  Blizzard has released the Cataclysm system specs.
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/blizzard-releases-cataclysm-system-requirements/


Remember, Power PCs (Mac) can't play Cataclysm and probably are disabled as of Patch 4.0.1 or 4.0.3.
http://www.1up.com/news/warcraft-patch-disabling-support

http://www.wowhead.com/blog=168690

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Blizzard to Abandon Players with Older Macs

! Up points out a blue posting that spells out the fact that a pre-Cataclysm update will remove the ability for older Macs to play WOW.  If your Mac has the Power PC chip, your gameplay will be effected.
http://www.1up.com/news/warcraft-patch-disabling-support

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Macintosh Repair Tools for the Cataclysm Beta

Blizzard has released in the Cataclysm beta a Mac-centric repair tool that works the same way the PC one does.
http://www.wowhead.com/blog=165658

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Mac Gaming News

Mac gamers have some good news to celebrate.  Steam has added Mac games to their download service AND they are having a "Perils of Summer" sale until July 4.  Single player MMOs like Torchlight are available for download at half price.
http://store.steampowered.com/browse/mac

Wonder how an MMO can be single player? Read about Torchlight here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torchlight

In other Mac news, Kotaku reviews the new Kanex XD, which allows one to display console games on your Mac screen.
http://kotaku.com/5572203/kanex-xd-review-more-gaming-on-your-imac

It's a good time to be a Mac gamer.  Just keep inside to avoid the typical summer perils (sunburn, sharks, sand in your hair).

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Computer Monitor-Induced Insomnia?

If you have trouble sleeping at night you might  be interested in this article from Dreambound who is trying out monitor software that is supposed to reduce the glow emitted by computer monitors at night.  There is research that suggests such light impacts your internal body clock, perhaps making insomnia worse.
http://dreambound-druid.blogspot.com/2010/05/flux-screen-tinting-light-and-nighttime.html

The f.lux program can be downloaded here.  There is both a Mac and a PC version.
http://www.stereopsis.com/flux/

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Review: Steam's OS X Client UPDATED

How Valve's brand new Mac client downloader works in real life just after release.  The article is by a Valve user (and critic) who points out the service is brand new and that a lot of its success depends on game developers making their games playable on the Mac as well as the PC.
http://ctrlclick.com/2010/05/steam-comes-to-os-x-a-bit-bumpy-but-welcome-nevertheless/

UPDATE:  Steam is now releasing Prima Guides via their service.  They can be viewed inside the game and also read outside the game.  Interesting development!  Details, including the games with guides available so far, here.  Thanks to Kotaku for pointing this out.
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3179417

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"Welcome to Android Hell"

Do you play WOW?  Have you played Portal?  Then you'll enjoy this monochromatic machinima. Many thanks to Big Bear Butt for pointing this out in his article about how Portal is free to download via Steam for a limited time if you have a Steam account.  This is part of the celebration as Valve launches a Mac client for their game download services.
http://www.baronsoosdon.com/content/view/28/32/

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Razer Mice Will Have Mac Drivers

Razer announced at the GDC that in the future all their mice will have Mac drivers available.  Good news for Mac owners.
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/11/mac-drivers-to-be-available-for-all-razer-mice/

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Curse Client for Mac (Version 4 beta) Reviewed

If you use a Mac and Curse, you'll want to see the review of the newest Curse client for Macintoshes.  This is in beta.
http://www.wow.com/2010/01/25/curse-client-for-mac-v4-reviewed/

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Hardware Roundup

WOW Insider says Razer has updated the software for their 12 button gaming mouse called the Naga so that key mapping is possible.
http://www.wow.com/2010/01/08/razer-naga-now-supports-key-mapping/

Here is more about the Naga from the Razer website.
http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-mice/razer-naga/

Razer  also has a new gaming mouse compatible with Macs.  It's called the Imperator.
http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-mice/razer-imperator/

In other hardware news, a Kotaku story led me to this Steam hardware survey that shows what hardware Steam users own.  Thanks, Luke!  (If you don't know already, Steam is a game download service run by Valve, the makers of the classic Half-Life series and also Portal.)
http://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey/

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Running Rawr on Macs

http://www.codeplex.com/Rawr/Thread/View.aspx?ThreadId=24060

http://rawr.codeplex.com/Thread/View.aspx?ThreadId=46069

http://druid.wikispaces.com/Rawr

http://druid.wikispaces.com/message/view/Rawr/5011405

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Headsets for Raiding

I've been researching headsets for Macs. Here are two which are highly rated. Note that Macs need an adapter to use a headset microphone in many cases. This is explained in the first link. http://www.macworld.com/article/133360/2008/05/beyerdynamic_mmx2.html http://www.cnet.com.au/logitech-premium-usb-headset-350-240064145.htm

This website explains how to set up a Mac client for Ventrilo. Ventrilo (also called Vent) is one of the two most used programs that allow in-raid chat. Teamspeak is the other. Note that your guild's server may need tweeking of its Ventrilo codec.
http://mdpull.blogspot.com/2008/06/ventrilo-on-mac-setting-it-up.html

This site compares Teamspeak and Ventrilo. http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/963538.html

Many thanks to CD and King J for help.

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Hunter DPS Spreadsheet Now in Mac Version

Zeherah took the PC Hunter DPS spreadsheets and made them Mac-friendly. Here's a description of what she did (also with links to the PC versions she based her new spreadsheet on).

http://www.wow.com/2009/07/14/hunter-dps-analyzer-now-online/

Other links to other versions of hunter DPS spreadsheets that don't require Excel.

http://www.aspectofthehare.net/2009/07/shandaras-hunter-dps-spreadsheet-online.html

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