Upcoming interview with the author of Omen
by Alex Ziebart 
Apr 13th 2008 at 5:00PM
We've talked about Omen(a lot) and now we've talked about Chatter, but what else does the author of these mods have planned?That's what we're going to try and find out in an interview with Antiarc, which will be coming soon to WoW Insider! Here's the special part, though: I'll be taking many of the questions from you, the readers. If there's something you want to ask the author of one of the most widely used mods in WoW, just submit it in a comment at the bottom of this post.
I'll comb through them and pick out the best questions to present to Antiarc in addition to my own questions, and we'll see what he has to say. Have you ever been curious about the modding community or the development process of Omen? Want to know a little about the man behind the mod? This is your chance!
Filed under: Add-Ons, Interviews
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sephran Apr 13th 2008 9:01PM
Hopefully you ask them to fix omen.
I know alot of people on my server use it. But lately it hasn't been working at all even with the latest version. So were slowly going back to ktm.
It was always horrible to watch threat as a healer. Hoping you fix it anyways. My mage liked it.
niko Apr 13th 2008 6:39PM
While I absolutely love Omen, I do not understand why releases have been so often since 2.4. The short answer of "we're bug fixing" is not really good enough, given that many of the versions were shown to be incompatible with each other, further stymieing the usefulness of the addon. Can we get a clear answer to why we're getting updates 5 times a day? (Weekly update rollups would be great, IMO)
Thanks for taking the time to answer questions!
Ripdog Apr 14th 2008 5:11AM
This is because you are NOT updating to releases, you are updating to the absolute latest version of the code from the SVN. The SVN is a server that developers upload all code that they finish in one coding session. These changes can be minor or major, depending on what they were doing, but the copies on files.wowace.com are not *intended* for public consumption. If you want releases, try WOWI or Curse, instead.
TL;DR You arent using releases, get used to version incompatibilities.
Darkwind Apr 14th 2008 5:55PM
@Ripdog:
If the changes to files used by WoWAceUpdater cause the updater to appear to have a new release, is there a method (using WAU) to determine if there is actually a new release of the addon? Is the only way to determine if a new release is truly available to check the Wiki or Curse?
I've recently started using WAU and found it quite convenient. I'd like to be able to stick with WAU and not need to check multiple spots for updates (or check somewhere else to find out if an apparent update is actually a new release).
Thanks.
Balasan Apr 13th 2008 6:39PM
#1 biggest issue - why the f*** do you have to update the stupid (but excellent and very much almost a necessity to the raid. Good job on that one) every single day? Updating even a couple of times a day. Very annoying especially when certain updates are non-backward compatible.
Richard Apr 14th 2008 9:16AM
Answer: Do what our guild did, and implement an Omen update freeze until things calm down.
And don't give me any "I use Ace Updater" lip. Tell it to *not* update Omen when you're updating everything else.
2.4 was a HUGE change to the way Omen deals with threat. I'm amazed Antiarc did as well as he did.
AND FOR FREE. (A lot of people who bitch and moan seem to forget that. He does this for free. Write your own if you hate it so much.)
Poddo Apr 13th 2008 6:39PM
I know this isn't a support interview, but is there a known issue with Omen and another mod? Myself and a few friends are having issues where threat just doesnt register. We'll be fighting mobs and the tanks TPS will say something small like 17, for the entire fight. Maybe someone can answer that in the comments for me.
As far as a Q for the interview goes, Im curious as to whats coming new for Omen? the latest release did a lot for the mod, but whats next on deck for changes or additions?
Adam Holisky Apr 13th 2008 7:25PM
What development tools do you use when making Omen? What new/changed WoW addon development tools would you like to see?
robodex Apr 13th 2008 7:29PM
Thirding the "why so many updates" question. I know that you guys were fixing bugs and whatnot, but did you really have to break compatibility every few updates? Was there something preventing you from testing various changes locally until you came to something that you were finally happy with?
Ripdog Apr 14th 2008 5:13AM
Note my above comment. THESE ARE NOT RELEASES.
robodex Apr 14th 2008 10:15AM
If they're not releaseses, then don't release them. As long as they're online, people will treat them as releases and will use them.
If they don't want people to update using WAU, then they can remove it from it, otherwise people will just update every time they can.
Druid dude Apr 13th 2008 7:38PM
The number of updates has to do with how the server complies the mods. When a dependant file is changed, the whole thing gets recompiled apparently.
I would be interested in knowing what challenges he has faced with patch 2.4, and what new features he might have up his sleeve for the future!
matt Apr 13th 2008 8:21PM
The interview with the author of Omen is available!
"Hello, Antiarc. Recently, you've-- "
-- Update: our editor has contacted us to let us know a new version of the interview is available. Please read version 1.1 of the interview, which has some minor proofreading improvements. --
"Hello, Antiarc. Recently, you've made available one of the most important and useful raiding mods. How do you feel about the recognition?"
"Why thank you! I think--"
-- Update: our editor has contacted us to let us know a new version of the interview is available. Please read version 1.2 of the interview, which has some minor proofreading improvements. --
""Hello, Antiarc. Recently, you've made--"
-- Update: please read version 1.3. --
"Hello, A--"
-- Update: our editors have let us know that version 1.4 of the interview is now-- sorry, version 1.5 is now--
-- Update: our editors have let us know that an updated version of the update message is available. Please read update notice version 1.1, which contains-- sorry, updated. 1.2-- 1.3-- 1.--....
JessPachWay Apr 13th 2008 8:56PM
Why don't we distill the snark into the question "What have you learned about developing the 2.4 compatible version?"
Grendaefury Apr 13th 2008 11:01PM
I understand how hard coding can be and really dont care how many updates you guys come out with as long as the final result works exellent.
The question i have is that WoW has been known for taking add ons and adding it to their interface. THey are thinking of adding a threat meter in expansion.
Do u feel like blizard is using your free work to enhance their work?
What other addons do u plan on developing that can be as revolutionary as omen?
Thanks
Grenadefury
Aiur Apr 14th 2008 12:39AM
I think the spirit of this question is excellent. Personally, I think I would rephrase it differently. "How you feel when Blizzard is intruding on Addons' grounds when they choose to implement features that have or are being developed by addons?"
It's always like this with programs or software that support addon or plugin capability. Sometimes, the third-party addition gets so popular that it's core features are implemented by the main products, thus resulting in the plugin's drop of its usefulness.
Barlin Apr 14th 2008 12:06AM
With there being no monetary reward for the work that you do and always having to deal with the "fix it NOW" crowd, what motivates you to put in hours upon hours of your time coding an addon vs. playing the game and having fun?
Chai Apr 14th 2008 12:39AM
/agree
Tekkub Apr 14th 2008 2:46AM
I can answer that one.
I hate playing alone. I love writing code. I find it funner to write code than play alone, and I often don't find people to play with because I hate PUGs so much... so, I tend to code more than I play.
And yes, I've raided, back in the 40-man raid days. Guess what I spend most my raid time doing? Come on... guess!
Clint Apr 14th 2008 9:10AM
What addons would you like to see Blizzard roll into their main interface?
Also, I donated to wowace because of the great addons that you and others provide there. Thanks much!