Curse Client for Mac v4 reviewed
by Eliah Hecht 
Jan 25th 2010 at 6:45PM
Things I like about it:
- It's pretty fast. It doesn't lock up for seconds at a time, and it doesn't max out my CPU.
- It works well with links on the Curse site to install addons; it also makes it pretty easy to get new addons from within the updater.
- It's easy to update all your addons; one click does it.
- The changelog for a new version is pretty easy to bring up, in case you're wondering whether to update.
Things I don't like as much:
- The icons on the "Update All," "Install/Update," and "Uninstall" buttons are completely unintuitive, especially the relationship between "Update" and "Update All." Since when does a circle mean "all"?
- There are still some addons that aren't in Curse's database. That's not really Curse's fault, but it does hurt how useful the app is a bit.
- The fact that you have to mouse over an app in the preferences dialog to see the path to the app is absurd. The path should be below the app name in (possibly smaller) gray text.
- "Get More Addons" should not display addons you already have.
- The icon is too shiny. (I know, I know. But it is.)
As you can see, though, the points I like are much bigger than the points I don't. Most of the minuses are little details. It's worth noting that I think the Update All functionality is limited to premium accounts (which Curse seems to have given me one of for free); I tried to make a regular account to test, but that one seemed to be flagged as premium too. I'm not sure what the deal is there.
Anyway, if you haven't used the Mac Curse Client since v3, it's worth giving v4 a look. You're likely to be pleasantly surprised. I would also like to say to the Curse dev team (if you're reading) that you've made huge progress in this version, and I really enjoy it.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Add-Ons
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
sporteeee Jan 25th 2010 7:23PM
I like the Curse Client for Mac a lot. Helps me stay on top of the addons I find essential to my play style. And no, this is not a shill post.
=)
Gouglas Jan 25th 2010 7:28PM
Its a bummer that they charge a monthly fee to have a premium account. I don't think that paying each month is worth one button addon management for a game that you already pay for each month. I guess all the lazy people with disposable income can/will pay. With a regular account you can only download and install one addon at a time, Its a little tedious but its free so I cant complain :)
Frank Jan 25th 2010 7:44PM
I don't pay a monthly fee and I can install multiple add-ons at a time.
niko Jan 25th 2010 9:03PM
the mac client lets you do multiple downloads at the same time only because it's still considered alpha by the dev team. Once it reaches a more stable build, expect that functionality to go away, just like they did with the Curse Client v3 when it first came out on the PC after the WoWMatrix debacle.
So eventually the bugs will get sorted out of the mac client, and you'll need a premium account in order to get the kind of performance you currently see. Yet one more reason to play WoW on the mac! lol :)
grauwyler Jan 26th 2010 4:16PM
I have a premium account because I know it isn't cheap running a site like curse and I can afford to choose to help support them monetarily. It isn't a requirement but I appreciate that they offer me a little extra convenience for my support. I do the same with wowhead. It's worth the price to not have to see ads.
Dylan B Jan 25th 2010 7:33PM
Just wanted to give my input on the Update All button. I have both a Windows Laptop and an iMac, both which use Curse Client for my addon needs. On my Mac the Update All button works, whereas on my Windows box which uses the same curse account the update all button doesn't work. My curse account is a freebie/nonpremium account.
Dylan B Jan 25th 2010 7:45PM
As a sidenote, how do I change my display name?
MysticalOS Jan 25th 2010 7:39PM
It's useless until it lets you install beta or alpha development addons from wowace like v3 does :\
Tridus Jan 25th 2010 7:57PM
I just looked in the options, and I can select alpha/beta/release. But an addon hosted on Curseforge won't syndicate until it's got a beta version, presumably Wowace addons are handled similarly.
That is probably for the best, one of the biggest problems with the old Wowaceupdater was all the people downloading alpha quality addons then complianing about bugs becuase they had no idea what they were downloading.
SkwidSpawn Jan 26th 2010 1:43AM
I also miss the option of selecting beta versions on an addon per addon basis. Having to update them all as beta/alpha instead of selecting which ones is a step back from v3
Makoto99 Jan 26th 2010 9:46AM
"I just looked in the options, and I can select alpha/beta/release."
I updated to the latest alpha build the other night, and the option to select alpha/beta/release is gone. It was in a previous v4 build, so I'm guessing they removed it. Or perhaps they removed it from the default Preferences dialog.
Other than that, I like the v4 client. It tends to work pretty well overall.
Zerzuhl Jan 25th 2010 7:55PM
Have to agree on this post. The new Curse Client is much better than v3 was. Finally, a useable interface that isn't WowMatrix and doesn't lock up the processor/internet connection/memory on startup/update/shutdown.
You forgot to mention that the Curse Client can also detect whether (some) or not addons hosted on WoWInterface.com are also out of date. If they are, then the client prompts you to go to their site and download the updated addon.
It'd be nice if these two sites would finally get their acts together and cooperate.
Glaras Jan 25th 2010 8:25PM
"Too shiny"? Really? Come on, comments like that are why the majority of personal computer users (who run Windows) won't take Mac users seriously...
Eliah Hecht Jan 25th 2010 8:28PM
A good software experience is made of details. Believe me or not, I don't care, but it is true.
Adeany Jan 25th 2010 9:40PM
Glaras is simply pointing out that it is impossible for anything to be "too shiny". This is one of the universally agreed upon universal facts of
*puts on sunglasses*
the universe.
Joseph Smith Jan 26th 2010 12:19AM
YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
deluded spider Jan 26th 2010 7:35AM
I think it's kinda funny we Mac users have nothing more to worry about than whether or not our icons are too shiny.
I got my first Mac this summer and my mind still boggles at the lack of things to do as far as upkeep. I don't even have to spend 5 hours customizing my interface, which I actually thought I'd miss doing. I just pick a highlight color to match my wallpaper and I'm done.
So I find new crap to waste time with, like playing WoW more than ever. Oh well.
ikir Jan 26th 2010 5:59AM
yes it is pretty good now! I'm using it on my both Macs
Kylenne Jan 25th 2010 8:37PM
Sorry, but this program is about worthless for keeping your add-ons up to date. I thought everything was fine and dandy with mine until a manual spot check I did caught no fewer than 5 add ons that were out of date despite the claim by the client that they were "up to date", one of which was behind by two versions.
Use it if you must, but double check by hand.
SkwidSpawn Jan 26th 2010 1:46AM
I've had this happen, but is usually a result of developers not taking their mods out of beta when they submit them to CurseForge. Fishingbuddy is one such example.