Pre-Cataclysm Events Start

Apparently the pre-Cataclysm events are starting today after the regularly scheduled downtime.  The Solo MMO Player saw notice of this in-game last night.  WOWHead has a guide to the Operation Gnomegan (Alliance) and Zalazane's Fall/Echoes Isle (Horde) events here.
http://www.wowhead.com/guide=cataclysm&prelaunch

The starting point for these quests, the announcements and the fact that they count toward the Loremaster Achievement are here, along with other links.
http://www.wow.com/2010/09/07/operation-gnomeregan-and-zalazanes-fall-events-now-available/

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

Cataclysm 5-Man Bug Disconnects

The current build of Cataclysm's beta has a bug that disconnects players who join 5-mans.
http://www.wow.com/2010/09/07/shifting-perspectives-notes-from-bizarro-world/

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

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

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

Today is Pet Day

Lissanna helps solo hunters whose pets aren't holding aggro.
http://dungeonplay.net/2010/08/making-sure-your-pet-holds-aggro-while-soloing/

Then she turns her attention to taming spirit beasts and stable slots for those who have dual specs on their hunters.
http://dungeonplay.net/2010/08/questions-about-taming-spirit-beasts-and-stable-slots/

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

Dress as a Cheerleader (or Assassin)

The Fashionable Gnome is going all out with two new articles, one on how to dress like a cheerleader (in either red or green ensembles)
http://tagalongfashion.blogspot.com/2010/09/weve-got-spirit.html

and the other how to dress up like Assassin's Creed, complete with dangerous glove.
http://tagalongfashion.blogspot.com/2010/09/assassins-tweed_06.html

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

How Cataclysm Changes Mage Auras

Once again Blizzard rips off addon ideas to change their standard UI.
http://www.manaobscura.com/2010/09/cataclysm-ui-mage-auras/

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

Lich King's Best Boss Fights

The best boss battles.
http://ferarro.blogspot.com/2010/09/best-5-boss-fights-in-wotlk-and-maybe.html

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

Priests: Crit Versus Spellpower (Theorycrafting)

What crit and spellpower do for priests. (Recommended by BobTurkey.)
http://www.wow.com/2010/09/05/spiritual-guidance-shield-spam-and-divine-aegis-a-theorycrafti/

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

RESOURCES COURTESY OF IMRAITH

Imraith the Aloof has complied several nice lists of resourcees on her blog.  Check out the Pages section on the right for class-specific macros, links to gear and class resources, profession info, and some Auction House material.  Looks like she has a good eye for helpful information and the knack for organizing it well.  This is definitely a resource to check out.
http://imraithdossantos.blogspot.com/

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

China Has It, We Don't

Apparently, Blizzard has been forced to add a word filter to the trade line in the Chinese version of Lich King that was just released to remove "objectionable" words.  Apparently it also works at the login level as folks with names that don't pass the filter are asked to change them.
http://chinagame.178.com/201009/77744168200.html

If Blizzard can automtically filter out nasty trade chat language and objectionable names to get approval to sell their game in China, why can't that be done all over?  Especially now that the immaturity level in-game it hitting record highs?  Not only are younger and younger folks playing, a huge number of folks are playing with a level of vulgarity, homophobia, racism, sexism and bullying behavior that is amazing to me.

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