As an example, to load up Microsoft’s simple editing program, you had to type the name of the drive that the program was on, the directory that the program was in, and then the name of the program. So if Microsoft Edit was in a directory or folder named “Process,” you could start the program by typing, “C:>process\edit.com” Then, and only then would the program load up for use.

This is a small command, but just imagine if you had a program that was deeply nested within a series of folder. You could end up typing a command as wide as your computer screen or worse, long enough that the entire command would have to wrap onto the next line! Now imagine having to type these long commands every time that you wanted to start a program. Yikes!

That’s one of the reasons why batch files became so popular. Batch files are small text-based documents that contain a bunch of these commands on their own lines. When executed, they would process each command without the user having to type each and every one of them.

When Windows was developed, the need for typing commands was essentially eradicated thanks to the introduction of the point-and-click (mouse) interface. But this didn’t stop the batch file fever that started under MS-DOS – and in some small circles, batch files are still as popular as they were in the beginning.

Even though you may use Windows XP or Vista, batch files can save you tons of time by automatically starting multiple programs and performing different tasks at the single click of a button. They don’t require any extensive programming background and they don’t need to be encrypted with some weird, expensive compiler. Batch files are plain text files, and you can build one for your own personal use with Windows’ Notepad.

You could make a batch file that loads up your favorite websites at once for example, or you could make a batch file that fills your desktop with the most important applications for the day. To do so only requires a little knowledge about the locations of these applications.

Let’s say that every day we need to load up the Yahoo web browser, Microsoft Word, and then the calculator that comes with Windows. Instead of doing this by hand, we could write a batch file to do it for us.

First, we’d load up Notepad and type in the following:

START “http://www.yahoo.com”

START “c:/program files/microsoft office/office/winword.exe”

START “c:/windows/calc.exe”

We would then save this data into a file named, “mytasks.bat” onto the Desktop for easy access. Each time we double-clicked on this file, the Yahoo website would load up, Microsoft Word would start, and the simple calculator would pop up.

Since we want these programs to load every day, we could create a shortcut to this file and then place the shortcut inside our computer’s Start Up folder. That way, these three programs would load every time we turn on the computer. If you wanted these programs to start minimized, you could type the following into a batch file instead:

START http://www.yahoo.com /m

START “c:/program files/microsoft office/office/winword.exe” /m

START “c:/windows/calc.exe” /m

This will run all three programs as before, however the “/m” parameter will minimize them so that they don’t clutter up the desktop.

Other people have found much more creative and effective ways to use batch files, but the important thing is that you know they’re a resource you can use to save a few seconds or minutes in performing important tasks. We’ve come a long way from MS-DOS, but it’s still a valuable source of automation that anyone can use with no programming knowledge at all.

3D: Today’s standard gaming vantage point; objects within a game are styled with three dimensions, lending a realistic depth to a game’s characters and scenery.

3Rd Party: Console titles produced by a software publisher other than the company that makes the platform. (ex. Atari is a 3rd Party publisher for Microsoft’s Xbox)

Analog control: Unlike digital control, which simply registers a button push or joystick direction, analog control is highly sensitive and takes into account to what degree the button or joystick is pushed. In 3D games, this allows you to use the same joystick to walk or run.

Anime: an animated cartoon drawing style typified by short characters with large eyes. In video games, this style in most evident in RPGs, especially those released in the 90s.

Anti-Aliasing: A programming technique (or hardware capability) that automatically smoothes jaggy edges, and is especially useful for making low-resolution images look better.

Attract Mode: Most evident in early consoles like the Atari 2600, this mode causes a game not being played to cycle through colors on the screen.

Bit: In the early 90’s, this term was often used to indicate the technical capabilities of a console. For example, the NES was 8-bit and the Genesis was 16-bit. The term was originally intended to describe the number-crunching power of the CPU (central processing unit), but unscrupulous video game PR firms abused the term for their own purposes, rendering it meaningless (mainly Atari). Today, most console power is not judged in terms of bits but instead by processor speed.

Boss: In many video games, each stage ends with an encounter with a creature or robot that is typically much larger and tougher than the normal enemies. Which begs the question: Why do they hire henchmen that are weaker than they are?

Cheats: Special codes that allow you bypass the normal limitations of a game. Typical cheats allow you to gain extra lives, become invincible, access different stages, give players big heads, etc. Some cheats are built into games, while others can only be accessed using devices like the Game Shark.

“Cheated Death”: A term used to describe how you miraculous survived a hopeless situation.

Combo: A term used mainly in fighting games, a string of moves that can be executed in rapid succession. In some games, these cannot be resisted.

Component Video Cable: Currently the state-of-the-art in console video cables, separates the video into three wires that carry the red, green, and blue signals. These wires have five plugs, including the red/white plugs for audio. Component is a step up from S-Video.

Composite Video Cable: A video cable with a single yellow plug (usually along with the red/white audio cables). Produces better quality than RF but not as good as S-Video.

Console: A system dedicated to playing video games. This does not include PCs or handhelds.

Copyright: The legal right granted to an author, composer, playwright, publisher, or distributor to exclusive publication, production, sale, or distribution of a literary, musical, dramatic, or artistic work.

Cut-Scenes: Short intermissions typically presented between stages to convey a storyline. These can be live or computer-generated videos clips, and are usually non-interactive.

Digital control: Until the mid-90s, most video game controllers were digital, only registering each direction or button push as “off” or “on”. Analog controls, which became popular on the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation, provide a much finer degree of control. The joystick that contained a shaft and a pivotal point was patented by Stephen D. Bristow of Atari Gaming Systems in 1977.

Double-Jump: In certain platform games, you can perform a second jump after the first while in mid-air, allowing you to reach high platforms.

Easter Eggs: Hidden features inside of video games. The first Easter Egg was a hidden room inside the Atari 2600 game “Adventure” (1980). These can also take the form of built-in cheat codes.

Engine: Engine is a reference to the application that is used to power a game. In todays games there is generally one primary engine (The graphics engine) and a few smaller engines that power other aspects of the game (AI, Sound). People refer to the whole product as the engine.

ESA: Entertainment Software Association.

EULA: End-User License Agreement

Fatality: In fighting games, the typically gruesome act of killing your opponent after defeating him. Popularized by Mortal Kombat (1992).

First-Person: A point of view which allows you to see the action through your characters eyes. You never see you own body, except for maybe your arms. Was made popular by flight simulators and shooters like Doom.

Flicker: Common in early video game consoles, this problem made the objects look transparent and hard to see, and was the result of system limitations or poor programming.

“Force Feedback”: A controller reaction, where the controller “shakes” (vibrates) when you are near an explosion or are shot by an enemy.

Frag: To kill an enemy in a first-person shooter video game. Originally coined in Vietnam from use of the fragmentation grenade.

Frame Rate: A term that describes the smoothness of motion in a game. The image on a television screen is really a series of still images shown in rapid succession. A normal television show is broadcast at 33 fps (frames per second). Some games cannot maintain this rate due to system limitations or poor programming, and the result is choppy animation that’s hard to watch. Higher frame rates (like 66 fps) results in more attractive, fluid animation.

Full Motion Video (FMV): Popularized by the Sega CD in the early 90s, FMV games allowed the player to interact with live or computer-generated video. Most of these game weren’t much fun, and soon FMV was relegated to introductions, cut-scenes, and ending sequences.

Game Genie: A product popular in the early 90’s that allowed you to enter “cheat” codes into games.

Game Shark: A product that became popular in the late 90’s that let you use “cheat” codes on your games.

“Glory Seeking”: Taking a particularly dangerous course of action for the opportunity to score bonus points. For example, pursuing the vegetables in Dig Dug.

Isometric View: Instead of viewing the action directly from above or directly from the side, an isometric view allows you to look at the action from an angle. This is popular in football games.

ISP = Internet Service Provider:

MMORPG, MMP or MMO: Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game

MSO’s = Multi-Service Operators:

Multi-tap: A device that allows you to plug in more controllers than the console has ports for.

Overlay: Included with many older console games, overlays are a thin piece of plastic that slides over the buttons on a keypad, labeling the keys for the functions that pertain to that game.

P2P = Peer-to-Peer:

Pixel: The smallest unit of information on a TV or computer screen. The image you see is composed of a large number of colored pixels. Low resolution results in larger, square pixels, while high resolution produces tiny dots.

Platform Game: A game that requires you to jump on platforms of various sizes. These games also typically involve collecting items and jumping on enemies. Examples include Super Mario Bros (NES), Sonic the Hedgehog (Genesis), and Jak and Daxter (PS2).

Polygons: Small individual shapes that fit together to form complex 3-D objects. Detailed 3D objects are composed of thousands of polygons.

Pong: Ralph Baer, Father of the Videogame, created what became Magnavox’s Odyssey “ping-pong”, which became the impetus for Atari’s “Pong”, the first arcade videogame.

Power-Up: An item that gives you special abilities or makes you more powerful. Power-ups usually only last for a limited time.

PSP: Sony’s new handheld console. The PSP is in essence a PSX shrunk down so it can be help and played in your hand.

Product Tester: Employee’s that test the product to ensure that all the 1st party standards as well as our internal ATARI standards are met and to ensure that our Quality expectations are met on every product.

RF (Radio Frequency) Cable: A low quality signal sent over coaxial cable (used for cable TV). These cables were commonly used for old video game systems, and are still available for new ones. Produces the lowest quality video signal, and is susceptible to interference.

Rapid-Fire: Allows you to shoot fast and continuously by tapping the fire button, or in some games, simply holding it down.

Real-Time: Normally used to describe combat sequences, the action does not stop to allow you to enter commands. This is the opposite of “turn-based”.

Resolution: A term that describes the level of detail in a game’s graphics. An image on a television screen is actually a series of pixels strung together. High-resolution images look more detailed and lifelike, which low-resolution images tend to look blocky or jagged.

RPGs = Role-Playing Games: Lengthy, slow moving games with elaborate storylines that involve going on a quest and developing one or more characters on the way.

RTS = Real-Time Strategy: A style of game that allows users to control multiple units in a battlefield view. The goal of these games is more strategic and puts the users in the chair of a commander.

Rumble Pack: A device that plugs into a controller to provide vibration feedback.

S-Video Cable: A video cable that produces better video quality than a composite cable, but not as good as a component cable. S-Video improves on composite by separating the color and luminance signals.

Shoulder buttons: Found on the controllers of most modern systems, these can be found on the side of the controller that faces away from the player. These are usually pressed with your index fingers, and are usually analog (touch sensitive). Also known as “triggers”.

Slow-down: When more objects are on the screen than a system can handle, the game tends to slow down, often to the detriment of the game play. This tends to be a problem with systems that have underpowered processors like the SNES.

Sprite: Animated images that form objects or characters in 2D games. These were used in most video games until the PlayStation popularized 3-D, polygon graphics.

Survival Horror: A genre popularized by Resident Evil (PlayStation, 1996), a survival horror game is typically a 3-D adventure involving the escape from an army of zombies or other monsters.

“Tempting Fate”: A generally unwise decision involving toying with an enemy in order to gain the opportunity to score bonus items or points.

Texture Mapping: The programming technique that draws graphical patterns on polygons. This allows smooth surfaces to look bumpy or shaded.

Third-Person: A point of view that lets you see the character you are controlling. The opposite of first-person.

Trigger: See “Shoulder buttons”.

Turbo: The ability to speed up for a short stretch, this is common in racing games. In some games, it’s known as “nitro”.

Turn-based: Normally used to describe the combat sequences in RPGs, pauses the action to allow the user to enter commands between attacks.

Vector Graphics: Unlike a television screen or computer monitor, which is composed of a series of horizontal lines, a vector graphics display plots points and draw lines freely. This technology, popularized in the early 80s was used in arcade games like Asteroids, Tempest, and Battlezone. The Vectrex was the only video game console to use real Vector graphics.

Video Games

action adventure: A genre of games in which the player advances by “physically” overcoming obstacles and collecting items. Examples of action include running, jumping, shooting, etc.

AI: (artificial intelligence) The manner by which a nonhuman character processes information. All characters in video games not controlled by the player are imbued with some form of AI.

arcade adventure: A genre of games comprised of arcade conversions of “classic” video games such as Donkey Kong, Frogger, Pac-Man, etc.

beat-’em-up: (fighting game) A genre of one-on-one combat games, including kung fu and boxing.

Beta: A program near its final stage of development but still containing some bugs to work out. Often the version of a game or program seen by a reviewer or released to the public as a preview.boss The enemy that must be faced by a game’s main character before a level can be finished or before the game can be considered complete. Bosses can consist of a single enemy (typically bigger and more powerful than the player’s character) or some other obstacle (a large, challenging group of enemies, or a particularly hard or deadly puzzle)

Bug: An unexpected and unintended error encountered during a program’s normal operation that typically causes an unaccounted-for problem or error to occur.

cell shading: A graphics animation technique that makes 3D characters in a video game look like a 2D cartoon.

controller: Device used to play video games often having buttons or analog joysticks or both.

CPU: (central processing unit) The main processor in computers and game consoles.

cutscene: An animated or video sequence in a game that provides additional information, including story elements, tips, tricks or secrets.

console: A computer whose primary function is playing video games. The PS2, Xbox and GameCube are all consoles.

developer(s): Person or people who create the computer code for games.

double buffering: An animation technique that uses two frame buffers. One frame is displayed while the other is being rendered. The newly rendered frame then replaces the old one and the process continues throughout the game, providing a smoother animation and higher frame rate than single frame buffering.

easter egg: A secret message or feature written into a game’s code by the programmer. Easter eggs are often uncovered by clever gamers who go looking for them or by accident. Their locations and contents are then shared in forums, chat rooms, etc. until they become more common knowledge.

Emulator: The virtual simulation software that enables a gamer to re-create a specific piece of hardware. For instance: allowing someone to play a console game on their computer.

end-sequence: The final animation or story element that appears at the end of a game. It can lead to, be part of, or follow the game’s credits. Sometimes, an end-sequence will include previews of games to come or tricks and tips for replaying the game you have just completed.

environment mapping: A rendering technique used to create realistic looking reflections on an animated surface.

ESRB: (Entertainment Software Ratings Board) A committee formed in the mid ’90s by the gaming industry to provide a self-regulated system for rating and describing game content. Similar in function to movie ratings.

event-based: Linking occurrences within a game. Another term for cause and effect; events within a game that you control influence or cause other events to follow.

fantasy: A genre of game that typically involves characters and events of a medieval time period and includes elements such as mythical creatures, treasure, wizards, etc.

first-person: Vantage point as seen through the eyes of the game’s main character. Often used in FPS (“first-person shooter”) games.

flight sim: A game that simulates the action of flying an aircraft. Controls are often fairly realistic, making the flight itself a significant part of the game’s challenge.

FMV: (full-motion video) An animated video intermission within a game; typically used to narrate the story of the game, reveal secrets, paths or information crucial to your character’s survival. The animation typically seen during a cut-scene.

frame rate: The number of complete screens or frames drawn per second (FPS). Higher frame rates provide smoother motion. Broadcast video operates at 30 FPS and movies are shown at 24 FPS. Video games typically try to achieve at least 30 FPS, with the smoothest running at 60 FPS or higher.

GameGen: A polygon-based modeling tool from MultiGen, Inc. Favored by the military industry for visual simulations, this product excels at creating accurate, optimized 3D display lists.

genre: A category a game fits into, such as fighting, driving, action, puzzle. Games within a genre generally share similar styles of gameplay, goals and characters.

hack ‘n’ slash: A genre of game (typically labeled action or adventure) whose gameplay consists of characters using various weapons to battle their way through countless enemies to reach a goal. Rewards in these games are often gained by destroying as many enemies as possible. This same element tends to be at the heart of the appeal of these games.

hardware: The peripherals used in conjunction with a computer or game console to create or accessorize a system.

HUD: (heads up display) Used most commonly in first person games, the heads up display refers to information appearing on the screen such as life meter, level, weapons, ammo, map, etc.

isometric view: A game’s overhead, angled vantage point; also known as — view.

Joypad: (controller) This is the most common form of video game system controllers. Console systems usually come with at least one and most games released for that system are compatible with it, taking advantage of its specific features.

Joystick: An analog or digital controller that consists of a base unit, stick and button(s).

lighting effects: Special effects used to set mood, control the appearance of objects and re-create atmospheric conditions, such as fog, daybreak and night. Lighting effects are also responsible for surface reflections and shadows.

lives: In some games this measures how long you have left to play. The number of lives or a life meter gives you an idea of how many mistakes you can make before needing to restart from given areas.

MIPS: (millions of instructions per second) A unit measure of processor performance. The more MIPS, the better a system’s performance.

monitor: A hardware device used in conjunction with a video card to display graphical output. Also, computer screen or computer monitor. A TV may be considered a monitor when hooked up to a video game console or computer.

morphing: An animation technique used to transition between two shapes or images such that the first appears to change into the second.

motion capture: A technology that digitizes the actual motions of a human being or animal and then transfers it into 3D animated models.

multiplayer games: Games that allow more than one person to play at the same time.

multiprocessing: The ability of a system that contains more than one processor to simultaneously execute separate processes on each.

multitasking: The ability of an operating system to execute two or more processes simultaneously.

nonlinear: A game in which no order (or very limited order) is assigned to the goals needed to complete the game. Generally found in the action adventure genre, nonlinear gameplay allows you to move a character anywhere you want in a given environment and react to it however you wish. In this type of gameplay there are often many ways to complete a goal or level.

PAL: (phase alternating lines) Indicates a game is designed for the European video standard. “PAL game” = “European version of game” and is incompatible with U.S version systems.

parallax scrolling: A three-dimensional method of “panning” across a landscape or backdrop that simulates motion.

peripherals: Any of the accessories you can add to a computer or game console, such as speakers, extra controllers, keyboards, etc.

platform: The type of system a game is played on. Popular platforms include PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube.

platformer: A sub-genre of action games. Sometimes called a “run ‘n’ jump” game. It refers to the two-dimensional side-scroll action seen in games like the original Super Mario Brothers for Nintendo. It has also come to refer to the 3D versions of those games or games with similar gameplay elements.

polygon: The basic 2D element from which 3D objects are constructed. The number of polygons in a game’s characters or surroundings is generally a good indicator of the quality of the graphics (the more they have the better).

power-up: An object (such as a health packet or weapon) within a game that, when picked up by a player, gives special powers or extra lives.

preview: A noncritical account of a game prior to its release that highlights the anticipated features composing a game.

puzzler: A genre of game in which puzzles are solved by manipulating geometric shapes.

pixel: Acronym for picture element; a unit of measurement for the colored dots in a video display. The more pixels a display has, the higher the resolution and the clearer the picture.

RAM: (random access memory) The temporary memory used in a computer or game console to generate the elements that make up the game. Elements stored in memory of this type can be accessed in any order.

RDRAM: (Rambus Dynamic RAM) Developed by Rambus, Inc. RDRAM is the combination of low-cost dynamic RAM and high-speed access.

real time: When events occurring in a game appear to happen in time corresponding to real life. For example, one hour of playing the game equals one hour of events in the lives of the characters and the environment of the game.

resolution: The quality of pixels on a screen. Typically, the more pixels a display has, the better able it is to display graphical detail.

ROM: (read only memory) The type of memory used in game packs; unalterable.

RPG: (role-playing game) A genre of games for both PCs and consoles in which the player develops intelligence and skills by collecting points and solving puzzles. RPG is a term often associated with the fantasy genre.

shooter: A game where the object is to destroy enemies by shooting, while also avoiding enemy fire. These games are typically presented in a 3D environment through a first-person perspective and are commonly referred to as FPS or “first-person shooters.”

side-scrolling: The ability of the foreground and background fields of vision to move from side to side.

simulator/sim: A game genre that replicates actions of “real” life. Some sims are more realistic than others. For instance, many fight simulation games are more realistic than the average physics in a flying game.

software: Coded programs for computers or consoles created by developers.

sound card: A PC add-in accessory that enhances the quality of sound.

strategy: A genre of game in which players utilize competitive tactics and must plan, coordinate and precisely execute actions in order to win. These games frequently involve outthinking the enemy which may be controlled by a computer’s AI or another human player.

third party: A software company that produces games for another company’s console.

vertical-scrolling: The ability of the foreground and background fields of vision to move from top to bottom or vice versa.

VRAM: (video RAM) The memory within a computer or console that contains the screen’s graphical display.

[youtube iwbzQblRQ7I nolink]

I am a total n00b at playing at world of warcraft. The in-game help was not all that helpful at all. For instance I still can’t figure out how I can enter general chat. I decided to look around and try to find a good guide to various things in the game. this download contains a huge number of them. However it also contains a number of cheats and links to various cheating scripts. I do not suggest that anyone uses cheats as You will get caught and Your account will be deleted when You do.

http://rapidshare.com/files/168339563/WoW_Guides.zip

The following is a warlock guide:

This guide is a basic guide to the warlock. It should get you started and give you a general idea
of how to operate the game and play the class.
Now, as far as race goes there isn’t any real difference besides the amount of mana and life you
start out with so chose any race you wish. I think undead look awesome but they are on the low
end of the mana chain only starting out with One-hundred and ten. If you want to be a short
Gnome then you are going to start with a whopping two-hundred! Either way you go they are
pretty close to the same.
Now, go, create, dress up, and for gods sake get a nice hair cut! Done creating your character?
Watched the story movie thing? Super, let’s get you on the road to becoming that warlock of
doom everyone is always talking about. First off get familiar with moving around in the world,
arrow keys make you move or you can click down both mouse buttons and hold. You can look
all about by holding the right mouse button down and rolling your mouse around, you get the
picture. If you are looking for an auto run, the push numlock, this will be handy for when you
want to eat and run away from a monster at the same time.
Next look around for some guy with an exclamation point above his head, you are going to see
a lot of those. These fellows can give you quests, which we want lots of, so talk to everyone of
these you see, they are all about. Some of the missions will appear later and some of the
exclamation points will be a stone gray color, meaning they will have a mission for you soon,
like next level or so. You will find missions everywhere, in homes, Inn’s, caves, Mountain
passes, so keep your eyes pealed.
Missions are a very fast way to level in World of Warcraft, probably better at lower levels then
higher, but I haven’t reached the top yet. So after gathering your missions take a look at the
bottom of your screen. Here you will see all sorts of buttons and what not, don’t be afraid, they
are only here to help. First look to the far bottom left of your screen. Here you will see a
weapon icon, a dagger for you but the same goes for every class, a hammer for Paladins, sword
for Warrior and so on.

This is pretty basic, just press 1 on your number row and you perform the skill, same goes for
the rest of the icons on the left all the way up to 0. This is pretty basic and standard for most
MMORPG’s. Now on the right of the hot keys, those being the 1-10 buttons on the bottom of the
left had screen, you will see another row of buttons, these are in game help and other things
like quest log and character info. Try each one out and remember what they do. The character
info, Quest key and Map button will probably be your most used buttons so make note of them.
To the right of these lay some empty slots and a backpack icon. Right click the back pack to
open it up and check out what you have, some healing gear, maybe some ammo not a whole lot
at the moment, but that’s alright, you’ll get stuff fast. The one key thing in your pack though is
the Hearthstone, this, when used, will return you to whatever Inn you last rested at, very nice
for saving yourself a long run after finishing a Quest.
Now, as you go along you will get little bags to stick in the empty slots next to your backpack,
these are great finds and not hard to get made if you know what kind of creatures to kill. But
enough about the games little things, you want to bash some heads in, break some bones, sear
some flesh right? Great, because I want you to, head out of your little starting area and look to
the left or right for some creatures to kill.
The targeting system is basic, just press tab while close to a monster and you will select it,
unfortunately its range is super limited and it might just be easier to left click on the said target.
So, select something, look to the bottom left, make sure your icons number are white, as that
means you are within range to attack and then start casting! Now you are going to see a bar
appear as you cast, when this bar fills you will cast the spell, if you move it will cancel, if you
get hit it will lose some of its percentage complete. As soon as the spell is cast you can cast it
again, roll out those shadow bolts and drop your first creature!

That was easy wasn’t it? Now, check out your life and mana bar on the top left, you will see you
lost some life, most likely and a lot of mana. Don’t worry about it, press 3 and you will cast
demon skin which will increase your regain rate and your armor so you take less damage. You
will notice that health and mana return quickly, this is rather nice but may change as it makes
leveling a bit easy as you never seem to need to sit and heal, at least not if you are a warlock.
Now, as far as loot goes you will see the monster you have killed is glowing, no, that is not its
soul going to heaven and neither is it made of gold but it does mean you can loot it. Simply put
your mouse of the corpse and right click and loot up. I advise at lower levels that you only grab
things that stack which is anything other then armor it seems. Reason for this is you can carry
lots of them and the low armor doesn’t sell for as much as a stack of them, but do pick up some
armor and try to equip it, for a warlock you can only wear cloth pretty much, and a flimsy chain
mail cloak, just check them out as you go.

Now kill your way to happiness, as you do the quests you will move farther and farther out from
your home town, make sure to learn your skills and doing your pet quest, which can be done a
level 1 if you are human warlock, level 4 or so for gnome. As you reach a new town talk to the
Inn keeper and tell him you want to rest so that you can return there using your stone any time
you want.
Now, for skills, here is what we have and what you should get as you go on.
• Shadow Bolt- This is your basic Direct Damage spell. You already have this at level one when
you start the game and will want to continue to level it up as you go.
• Immolate- This is A Damage Over Time or DOT as they are called. This is a very nice spell to
use to open you battle up with since it does its damage over time.-level this up as you go.
• Corruption- This is another nice DOT and once you get it you should use this before Immolate
as it takes longer to cast. This would be another nice one to level up.
• Life Tap- This spell converts some of your life into mana, as it is you may not be concerned
really with mana at the moment, but as you go along keep this spell in mind, there are times
where I wish I had more, but more life is also nice.
• Curse of Weakness- This at first level Isn’t a great spell, it reduces the damage of the monster
for 2 minutes by 3, that’s not amazing or anything because it’s not really a lot of damage to be
concerned about and you will have the monster dead in ten seconds or less anyway. However,
at higher levels and for longer battles this spell will be great to help you, or your pet live that
extra few seconds.
• Fear- Causes the enemy to run away for a short time. Very nice spell for taking on groups of
two or three, but it can also get you into trouble because the monster you feared can bring back
friends. Use wisely.
• Curse of Agony- Another nice DOT and is best used after the first two since you need the extra
space between you and the monster to get the other spells off unhindered. You can only have
one curse active on a monster at a time though, so curse of weakness needs to take a back seat
sometimes.
• Drain soul- This spell you can get at level ten and is a good spell to a point. It is a DOT, but a
DOT that keeps you casting until the end of its duration, this spell is best used only if you need
the Soul Shard the monster will yield at death as an effect of this spell. Soul Shards are used to
summon your pets after the Imp pet and can be used to create healthstones which heal you for
100 instantly. Very nice to have!
• Create Healthstone- This spell will change one Soul shard into a healthstone, sounds
awesome, and it is, to an extent. The down side is you can only have one healthstone at a time
because they are unique. So, it’s a nice spell to have so you can have that extra 100 point heal
when you need it, so get it, they may change the amount you can have after launch.
•Health Funnel- This spell would be best used in a group. It allows you to heal your pet but in
return you are losing life yourself, so you don’t want to use it on pets that can’t hold aggro or
tank. It’s still a nice spell to have around.
As you get higher you will attain new DOTs and life transfer spells, but everything else is basic,
you should be able to get an understanding of the spell by reading its description and decide if
you want it or not. When you hit level ten you will get talents, these will boost your current skill
powers even more, look for the talents box just after the character info Icon, it’s that new red
one.

And one last thing, the best way as a warlock to solo is to send you pet in first, which you can
make attack by selecting a creature and pressing Ctrl+1, and then, while it starts to attack open
with your DOT’s and pull aggro from your pet with your shadow bolt spell. Make sure to buy the
upgrades for your pets. One more thing about quests they are always where they say they are,
so far, the directions given are great, just ask someone if you aren’t sure. To speak into Gen
Channel type /1 and then what you wish to say and to party select someone and right click on
there picture. To speak to party type /p and there you go! Enjoy the game and check back here
for more guides and in-depth coverage later on.

Connecting computers with either an Ethernet cable or a Wireless connection can create a home network. The easiest and cheapest method uses an Ethernet connection, which requires a series of network cards, a cable for each computer, and a router. The network card is similar to the old modems we used in the past to

connect to the Internet, however in a home network, it’s used to communicate with every computer that’s connected to it.

You’ll want to first, select the computers that will connect to each other and then install the network cards inside each of them. Then you’ll connect a cable to each computer that will communicate with the server. These cables won’t connect to the server directly. Instead, they’ll connect to the router. To enable Internet access for each computer, this router will need to connect with a modem of the host machine.

Once the hardware is set up correctly (you’ll need to read the instruction manual of your equipment for details), you can then setup the network from Windows on each machine. Within Windows, you can set up a home network similar to the way that you set up an Internet connection. Only this time, you’ll set up a LAN (Local Area Network) connection.

Windows should walk you through setting up a LAN after starting the computer and once complete, you can begin to connect one of your machines to the network. You can do this through Internet Explorer by typing in the address and password required to access the router (the address and password required to access the router will be in the router manual).

Connected to the network, each computer can send files back and forth, open programs on a remote computer, play the sound files and videos located on another computer, and share a single Internet account to browse the web, download files, or chat with someone in an entirely different country. If a single printer is available on only one computer in the network, every connected PC can send documents to it and print them out. Kids will enjoy the ability to play multi-player games and adults will enjoy the ability to blast a single message to everyone at once or maintain a group schedule.

Since we’re describing a home network that will connect to the Internet, you’re strongly advised to install a protective firewall program to thwart Internet viruses, worms, or other damaging spyware code. Firewalls

prevent – but they don’t repair. Only anti-virus and anti-spyware programs can reverse damage. So you should install a firewall on the computer that grants access to the computer, and then install an anti-virus and anti-spyware program on each of the remaining computers in the network.

If you have files that shouldn’t be shared (bank statements, credit card information, etc.), you can restrict their access in one of several ways. You can put them in a new folder and then remove the “read” permissions for that folder. Or you can specify who can (and who cannot) access specific files with a password from within Windows Control Panel.

The first thing that you want to do is maintain a happy household if you’re family member. Trying to play a mean game of Super Mario Tetris or Halo 2 can be impossible with kids running around the house and

screaming bloody murder. You won’t be able to enjoy the latest role-playing game when the wife’s nagging you about bills or undone chores too. Keep a happy home, keep a happy marriage, and your time spent playing video games is heaven away from heaven.

It’s no secret that some games require as much concentration and focus as when studying for a calculus exam – and there’s nothing more frustrating than when you can’t figure out how to get through to “the next level” of a game. This is no time to be distracted and if home life isn’t what it could be, you’ll never be able to concentrate on your game. Strive to make home a place to unwind first – then work on enjoying your games.

You can next dedicate a place in your home as your exclusive game room. This will not only emphasis the importance that gaming is to you (and to your family members), it will also become conducive to the mentality that you need to play a fun and relaxing (albeit, serious game). Budget permitting, decorate the room with all the amenities that you want. You could add a recliner (or two for your friends), a small stand to hold snacks, a bookcase for your games, and you could even add a small refrigerator and microwave (just in case). Your intent here is to declare the space as yours and that it serves only one purpose: pure gaming pleasure.

What you’re after is a place that’s completely and totally pleasing to you, both aesthetically and functionally so that you’ll enjoy your time there.

With your own space dedicated to gaming, you’ll want to do what’s necessary to maintain it and keep it in a condition that’s inviting not only for yourself, but for others as well. Keep your equipment and games clean. Take care to keep wires from tangling and organize your magazine subscriptions, books, or Internet cheatsheet printouts. Maintenance is a task that doesn’t have to burden you as long as you make a daily routine of it. The advantages of keeping a regular maintenance schedule shows that this space is important to you and that you have a right to keep it that way.

But take special care not to alienate yourself from the rest of your family. We all can have a favorite hobby and we can even dedicate a special area of the home to that hobby. However it’s extremely important to regard this place as a haven – not a hide out. It’s not an area to hide from the kids, it’s not a place to shun home responsibilities, and it’s not a place to live. If this special space is approached in the latter manner, you’ll soon discover it as a place of resentment, uncontrollable habit, or even depression. Be careful, schedule time with the family, and enter your playroom at appropriate times. Cooperation from others will then come naturally.

The first step anyone new to online gaming should take is to first, learn how to play offline. You can read the game’s manual and save yourself from seeing the infamous acronym, “RTFM” scroll across your screen. Know what that acronym stands for? It stands for “Read The Fu**ing Manual” and its spewed by serious gamers to vulnerable newbies who interrupt a game with questions like, “What is this place?” or “What am I supposed to do?”

You could search the web for game related discussion groups, FAQ’s, and walkthroughs. And you could learn more from game specific Usenet newsgroups. In other words, you could do your “homework.” Some of the kind of information you want to learn includes how to play, how to create characters, how to gather equipment, and how to implement some smart strategies. Trust us when we say your gaming comrades will appreciate it!

In addition to reading how to play an online game, you can familiarize yourself with the game’s interface. Just as you searched the net for a game’s textual instruction, you can additionally search the net for a game’s screenshot (or series of screenshots). Having a graphical representation (.gif or .jpg image) of a game on your screen gives you a chance to memorize where all the game’s controls are. Knowing where everything is on a game before you play will speed things up not only for yourself, but also for everyone else. No one wants to wait for you to search for an inventory panel or message screen in a game when the location of these items is obvious to everyone else.

Once you start with a game, don’t let the pressure of staying in the game prevent you from doing the

unthinkable: dying. A character dying in a game is inevitable at certain points, and unless you willingly let go of a lose-lose situation, you’ll run the risk of holding the game up for everyone else. It’s like a game of chess. If it’s checkmate – it’s checkmate. Call it a day and start anew. Whatever you do, don’t hang around waiting for some magical fairy to come to your rescue. Please let your character die with dignity.

On the same token, you don’t want to take dying personally. Remember that online gaming is still just a game. A character that dies in a game is not representative of your character as a person. Turn a death into learning experience. At the very least, you’ll learn your way around an online game by learning all the things that you aren’t supposed to do!

Above all else, ensure that your computer has what it takes to maintain the current pace of an online game. Don’t try to play an online game with a slow computer or slow Internet connection. In fact, if you’re still using dial up, find another hobby. A slow processor and connection will ensure instant death because other players aren’t going to politely wait for their own defeat. They’re going to squash you like a bug.

Hunt around for a computer that was built for online gaming and get a DSL or ISDN Internet connection. You’ll need a fast processor, a high quality graphics card, and a sound machine to match.

By following these simple suggestions, you will have passed the “newbie” test and earned respect as a serious gamer much more quickly than if you stumbled your way through what others pride as “the ultimate hobby.”