AddOns
AddOns are exactly what they sound like - programs that are added on to your computer to enhance your gaming experience. These addons can change your UI (user interface), help cast a sequence of spells or make it easier to find nodes on the map. There are even addons out there that help you keep notes of players and quests that you find along the way.

Where to find AddOns
There are many websites that have addons available for downloading. Here are just a few:

www.curse.com
www.wowinterface.com
www.rpgoutfitter.com


How to install an AddOn
1. Download and unzip the desired file. I find it easiest to save the file to my desktop to make it easier to find later.

2. Save the file to your addons folder. This can be found at:

C:Program Files/World of Warcraft/Interface/Addons

3. Once the program is saved in the proper folder restart WoW. In your character signon screen you will see an addon button in the lower lefthand corner. Click on this button to turn addons on and off and to specify which addons are for which toons.

Patches and AddOns
Many times a patch or expansion will outdate an addon. You need to go back to the site where you found the addon to install the update in order for the addon to work properly. Otherwise the addon could cause interface issues and lag.

If you experience interface issues and lag, the easiest way to delete all addons is to delete the interface folder. This folder will reload onto your computer when you restart the game and all addons will be lost. This is the course of action that a in-game GM will recommend if you open a ticket. Your other option is to move or delete addons one at a time until the offending addon is detected and gone.

Commonly used AddOns
The list of addons and what they do is endless. Search any addon website for lists of addons and what they do. These are just a few common addons that several people in the guild use to give you a feel for what types of things addons can help with.

Auctioneer - Keeps track of prices in the auction house. A useful tool for making money at the AH.

BaudManifest - With Baud Manifest, you can browse your inventory as a list, instead of the standard bag layout. Categories can be created to organize the list, allowing you to place items as well as other categories within them. Categories can be expanded to view the contents, or minimized to save visual space. The item list can be also sorted or filtered to help you find items. You can also view manifests of other characters, aswell as a combined list of all your characters' manifests.

Bongos2 - Helps to customize interface for maximum real estate. You can move where spell buttons are, minimap, etc. so you can have more space available on your screen.

Deadly Boss Mods - This addon is required for raids. It shows warnings during boss fights.

Dominos - Dominos is an action bar addon designed to be very light-weight replacement to the Blizzard action bars.

Gatherer - Marks the nodes on my map when herbs and minerals are harvested. Also keeps track of treasure chests. It also imports databases from other guildies so if you mine a node while I'm online it gets marked on my map too (as long as you are also using gatherer).

Healbot - An addon that creates a window showing all players in a group or raid. Click on the players name in this window to buff, heal or debuff. Health and mana are also shown in this window. Many dedicated healers refuse to raid without this addon.

Omen - A common threat meter. Threat meters show the threat order for the party. Ideally the tank is at the top, the healer is at the bottom and everyone else is in between. Using a threat meter helps the DPS and healers avoid pulling to much threat and therefore pulling agro. It also helps the tank keep on top. However, a threat meter only works for those who have one installed. If someone in the raid doesn’t have one, they won’t show up. The two most common threat meters are Omen and KLH Threat Meter. The two are compatible, meaning if you have Omen and someone else uses KLH you will still show up on each other’s meter.

Recount - A damage meter that gives people bragging rights for most damage, healing, etc.

Class, profession and role specific AddOns
Visit the forums for more information about addons for specific roles or professions. Also, feel free to post in the forums about your favorite addons.