Add-ons should never consist of files that are executable. Ever. Just use a little sense when downloading, as with everything else on the internet, and you'll be fine.

You don't NEED add ons to do well. Add ons can just make things a little easier.

Download addons from Curse.com since they very reputable and have a huge library of addons. If you are raiding then most likely you min/max your gear to put out that much dps. The fact is that you "may" be able to put out more dps if you use a helper. They are not required, but any serious dpser know that the more dps the group puts out the more likely you will be successful. Just food for thought and since you probably already know your max dps put out in a given encounter then the probability of beating that number should be appealing to you.

I use tons of addons that are situational and the nice thing is that you can always turn off the ones you don't need depending on what you are doing.

Excellent column Christian.

Thanks. Maybe I'll start experimenting with a few...