Programming Addons for Cataclysm (Patch 4.0)

Blacksen talks about how Blizzard has changed its UI system in several major ways as of Patch 4.0, and how this effects addon developers, using his own Loot Council Lite as an example.  It's a technical article instead of a general interest one, but since I rarely see addon writers talking about their craft, I wanted to add a link here for those who might be interested in a glimpse of how such things work.
http://blacksen.com/archives/1033

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Top Ten Changes in The Shattering

A list of ten major changes.  Many thanks to the Pot for pointing this out.
http://thewownoob.blogspot.com/2010/11/its-end-of-world-as-we-know-it-and-im.html

More changes.
http://birdfall.blogspot.com/2010/11/cracked-world-or-tomorrow-we-get-whole.html

What happens now and what happens when Cataclysm hits.
http://fallingleavesandwings.wordpress.com/2010/11/19/just-a-quickie-4-0-3a-information/

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Fishing During The Shattering UPDATED

A summary of the changes to fishing after The Shattering (Patch 4.0.3a) hit.
http://www.elsprofessions.com/news/the-shattering.html

Fishing in Cataclysm--a summary.
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/05/countdown-to-cataclysm-fishing-in-cataclysm/

Location help for those seeking The Limnologist achievement.
http://www.adahys.com/blog/?p=56

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Changes to Metagems

A look at the changes to metagems and how to cope.
http://twistedfaith.wordpress.com/2010/11/24/the-metagem-conundrum/

Graylo has written two articles, one before tweeks to metagems and one after.
http://graymatterwow.blogspot.com/2010/11/meta-gems-what-do-we-do-now.html

http://graymatterwow.blogspot.com/2010/11/chaotic-meta-requirement-reversed.html

Hunters and metagems
http://www.warcrafthuntersunion.com/2010/11/your-meta-gem-hates-you/

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Changes to Inscription

A discussion of the changes to inscription and how they might work with the Auction House.
http://blessingofkings.blogspot.com/2010/11/inscription-and-player-market.html

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Get Your Mount Now

Since some mounts will no longer be available in Cataclysm, WOW Insider has done an article about how to get them now.
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/the-overachiever-how-to-get-disappearing-mounts/

A guide to all the new Cataclysm mounts.
http://www.wowhead.com/blog=176438/cataclysm-mount-guide-lions-drakes-and-camels-oh-my

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Blizzard Lists Class Mechanic Changes

Here is a short summary of the class mechanics changes that hit with Patch 4.0.1 tomorrow.
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/11/upcoming-class-mechanic-changes-in-patch-4-0-1/

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Transformations

If you like to change your characters' appearance, you'll enjoy reading Blessing of Fish's collection of ways he changes his.
http://blessingoffish.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/draenei-in-disguise/

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The Real Reason Cataclysm Plans Have Changed?

Larisa ponders why Blizzard dropped some of the planned changes in Cataclysm.  She references the second link but thinks the real reason things aren't going forward as planned is that the changes weren't working and would impact the game.

http://www.pinkpigtailinn.com/2010/06/was-it-greed-or-need-that-made-blizzard.html

Lonomonkey says Blizzard needs to get Cataclysm out fast because they are bleeding players.  Based on the empty state of starter zones on the Solo MMO Player's realm, I think he's right that the population is dropping fast.

http://screammonkey.wordpress.com/2010/06/14/faster-you-maggots/

But as to why some Cataclysm changes were dropped, it's anybody's guess.

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Dungeon Finder Vote Kick Changes UPDATED

Rohan points out Blizzard is changing (Patch 3.3.5) the way Vote Kick works in the random dungeon finder.  Basically the cooldown has changed so that folks who overuse this feature can't use it as often.  These is no cooldown if you don't use it often.  I am not clear how Abandon Group is going to change.
http://blessingofkings.blogspot.com/2010/06/interesting-vote-kick-changes.html

UPDATE:  WOWHead posts about this change with some idea of how the mechanics work and with their reaction.
http://www.wowhead.com/blog=158475

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Big Bear Butt Analyses Cataclysm's Druid Changes

Analysis of the planned Cataclysm changes coming to druids by BBB.
http://thebigbearbutt.com/2010/04/11/so-about-these-proposed-druid-changes/

By the way, Druid Heal is keeping a list of all Cataclysm changes to resto druids if you want to bookmark one place to keep up with things.  As far as I can tell, DH updates this frequently.
http://druidheal.com/?page_id=682

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CATACLYSM CHANGES BY CLASS

Since Blizzard announced how each class will change once Cataclysm will hit, WOW Insider is publishing a series of articles about each class (and a few on tanking changes).  I'll post them all here and add more as they are published.

Death Knight
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/08/cataclysm-class-changes-death-knight/

http://www.wow.com/2010/04/09/more-cataclysm-change-details-for-death-knights/

http://www.wow.com/2010/04/10/cataclysm-class-changes-death-knight-analysis/

Druid
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/09/cataclysm-class-changes-druid/

http://www.wow.com/2010/04/10/more-cataclysm-change-details-for-druids/

Balance Druid
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/10/cataclysm-class-changes-balance-druid-analysis/

Feral Druid
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/10/cataclysm-class-changes-feral-druid-analysis/

Frost Mage
http://frostisthenewblack.wordpress.com/2010/04/10/lets-do-the-time-warp-agaaaiiiiiinnnn/

Hunter
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/09/cataclysm-class-changes-hunter/

http://www.wow.com/2010/04/09/cataclysm-class-changes-hunter-analysis/

http://huntsmanslodge.com/6218/some-thoughts-on-the-cataclysm-hunter-class-preview.htm

Hunter Pets
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/15/scattered-shots-hunter-pets-in-cataclysm/

The New Stable UI (from Cataclysm Beta)
http://www.maniasarcania.com/2010/07/14/early-look-at-new-stable-ui/

Screenshots of the New Monkey and Fox Pets
http://www.maniasarcania.com/2010/07/05/cataclysm-screenshots-fox-monkey/

Mage
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/10/cataclysm-class-changes-mage/

http://www.isheepthings.com/blog/cataclysm-mage-class-preview-and-review/

http://www.wow.com/2010/04/10/more-cataclysm-changes-for-mages/

http://www.wow.com/2010/04/11/cataclysm-class-changes-mage-analysis/

Paladin
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/14/cataclysm-class-changes-paladin/

http://www.wow.com/2010/04/14/paladin-cataclysm-clarifications/

http://www.wow.com/2010/04/15/analysis-of-the-paladin-cataclysm-class-preview/

Priest
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/08/cataclysm-class-changes-priest/

http://www.wow.com/2010/04/09/more-cataclysm-details-for-priests/

http://www.wow.com/2010/04/08/analysis-of-the-priest-cataclysm-class-preview/

Tanking as a Death Knight
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/07/thoughts-on-the-death-knight-tanking-change/

Tanking as a Blood Death Knight
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/06/cataclysm-blood-will-be-the-only-death-knight-tanking-tree/

Tanking Stat Changes
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/07/the-light-and-how-to-swing-it-tanking-stat-changes-in-cataclysm/

Rogues
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/09/cataclysm-class-changes-rogue/

http://www.wow.com/2010/04/09/more-cataclysm-details-for-rogues/

http://www.wow.com/2010/04/09/cataclysm-class-changes-rogue-analysis/

Shamans
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/07/cataclysm-class-changes-shaman/

Shamans Analysis
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/07/analysis-of-the-shaman-cataclysm-class-preview/

Shamans and Warlocks
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/07/more-cataclysm-change-details-for-shaman-and-warlocks/

Warlock
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/07/cataclysm-class-changes-warlock/

WOW Insider says each of the new spells are previewed in Icecrown Citadel.
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/09/cataclysm-class-skills-previewed-in-icecrown-citadel/

Role play in Cataclysm
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/11/all-the-worlds-a-stage-cataclysm-class-changes-and-their-impac/

WOW Insider reminds role players to start preparing their story lines for Cataclysm now.

http://www.wow.com/2010/07/04/all-the-worlds-a-stage-start-planting-your-seeds-for-cataclysm/

Class Changes Impact PvP
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/15/the-art-of-war-craft-the-impact-of-cataclysm-class-changes-on/

Raiding
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/16/ready-check-cataclysm-class-changes-and-their-effects-on-raidin/


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Cataclysm Mastery System Details UPDATED

Blizzard has announced details about the new mastery system that will change the stats of your characters forever when Cataclysm hits.  WOW Head explains it all in a few words:  "In a nut shell the mastery system will basically give you bonuses that increase damage, healing or survivability according to the amount of points spent in the tree. Along with it you will get a secondary bonus to a stat that is most desirable to you, like haste or crit. There is even a third bonus which will be completely unique to the tree and will benefit from the mastery rating on high-level gear."
http://www.wowhead.com/?blog=147803

UPDATE:  WOW Insider published some clarifications Blizzard made this evening.
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/09/updates-and-clarifications-on-the-mastery-system/

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Cataclysm Stat and System Changes (by Class)

Blizzard has announced what they call Stat and System Changes for Cataclysm on the official WOW forum.  MMO Champion has reposted this in a slightly easier to read form.
http://blue.mmo-champion.com/1/23425636414-cataclysm-stat--system-changes.html

WOW Insider has a series about the planned major changes in Cataclysm.  Here's the introduction.  Class information will be listed here as it is published.
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/01/the-daily-blues-special-cataclysm-report/

Mastery Bonuses to Encourage Sticking to the Right Gear
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/01/mastery-bonus-in-cataclysm-to-encourage-proper-gear-choices/

Mana Per Second and Spirit Changes
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/01/cataclysm-stat-and-system-changes-for-spirit-and-mp5/

Balance Druids
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/01/cataclysm-stats-and-system-changes-for-balance-druids/

DPS Death Knights
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/03/cataclysm-stat-and-system-changes-for-dps-death-knights/

Enhancement Shamans
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/02/cataclysm-stat-and-system-changes-for-enhancement-shaman/

Feral Druids (from Big Bear Butt)
http://thebigbearbutt.com/2010/03/01/cataclysm-stat-changes-early-warnings/

Feral Bears (from Big Bear Butt)
http://thebigbearbutt.com/2010/03/01/cataclysm-stat-changes-bear-edition/

DPS Warriors
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/01/cataclysm-stats-and-system-changes-for-dps-warriors/

Healing Priests
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/02/cataclysm-stat-and-system-changes-for-healing-priests/

Holy Paladins
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/02/cataclysm-stat-and-system-changes-for-holy-paladins/

Hunters
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/01/cataclysm-stat-and-system-changes-for-hunters/

Mages
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/01/cataclysm-stat-and-system-changes-for-mages/

Prot Warriors
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/01/cataclysm-and-warriors-tanking-edition/

Resto Shamans
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/02/cataclysm-stat-and-system-changes-for-resto-shaman/

Retribution Paladins
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/02/cataclysm-stat-and-system-changes-for-retribution-paladins/

Rogues
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/02/cataclysm-stat-and-system-changes-for-rogues/

Shadow Priests
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/02/cataclysm-stat-and-system-changes-for-shadow-priests/

Tanking Death Knights
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/03/cataclysm-stat-and-system-changes-for-tanking-death-knights/

Warlocks
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/02/cataclysm-stat-and-system-changes-for-warlocks/

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From the Public Test Realm: Converting Marks to Honor

Here is the Battlegrounds currency conversion from marks to honor as seen on the public test realm, with a list of mounts, armor, weapons and other items you can buy with this stuff.
http://www.wow.com/2010/02/26/patch-3-3-3-ptr-new-battleground-mark-conversion/

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Battlegrounds in 2009 and the Future

WOW Insider looks at the changes to Battlegrounds in 2009 and what changes Blizzard has said will arrive with Cataclysm.  Interesting bits of history for those who like this part of the game.
http://www.wow.com/2010/01/03/the-art-of-war-craft-2009-was-a-banner-year-for-the-battlegrou/

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Healbot Updated and Patched (Addons)

If you are having trouble with Healbot lately, it is probably due to the major update and patch during this last week.  Details here.
http://healbot.alturl.com/

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