Methods of Installing<\/span><\/h3>\nWith the Curse Client<\/h3>\n
Firstly, the easiest way (and one way I use) is to fire up the Curse Client<\/a>. I\u2019ve been using it for a very long time and haven\u2019t had any issues with it (sometimes downloads fail, but that\u2019s usually my ISP acting funny — curse you ISP!<\/em>). Curse does have security measures in place with their client and also scans all addons that are submitted. Though at the same time, Curse makes money from Premium users, so they wouldn\u2019t widely mention security vulnerabilities. Of course, the posts about accounts being hacked might not even be legit. Those could be someone purposely giving bad rep to Curse.<\/p>\nUltimately, what method you use is up to you, and what you feel comfortable with. No matter what method you use, you should always have a good security package setup. Personally, I use Avast<\/a>, Comodo Firewall<\/a> and Malwarebytes<\/a> (great for picking up keyloggers \u2013 you should also copy and paste your password when logging into WoW just in case you picked up a keylogger doing something naughty).<\/p>\nDownload Curse Client v4<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nFollow the instructions and install it, but don\u2019t use the same password you use for WoW. Not because that\u2019s a security issue with Curse, but you shouldn’t be signing up for anything using your WoW email address and password \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n
Once installed, you can now install addons via the Curse website<\/a>. Click on the Install via Curse Client button, or click on Download More Addons in the Curse Client. Now wait for the addon database to download, then search for NPCscan in the top right corner, then click Install next to the addon’s name to install it, and you\u2019re done. Curse client will periodically check for updates (frequency depending on the options you select).<\/p>\n![\"Curse](\"\/images\/curse_client_addons.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nManual Installation<\/h3>\n
If you choose the manual method you will need an unzipping tool. Usually all operating systems come with an unzipper built in which handles the common archives like ZIP. I use WinRAR<\/a>, but for screenshot purposes I\u2019ll use 7-Zip<\/a> which is a FREE unzipper which not only handles ZIPs but a whole range of other archive types.<\/p>\nDownload 7-Zip<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nChoose the version for your system type – 32\/64 bit. If you are unsure, you can right click on My Computer to see the processor type \u2013 or just choose 32 bit to be safe.<\/p>\n
After installing, download _NPCScan. Then, open up the download destination folder and right click on the file to extract as shown in the screenshot.<\/p>\n
Download _NPCScan<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n![\"NPCScan\"](\"\/images\/NPCScan_unzip.jpg\")
<\/strong><\/p>\nYou should now have a folder called \u201c_NPCScan\u201d. When you open that folder you should see the contents:<\/p>\n
![\"NPCScan](\"\/images\/npcscan_folder.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Copy the \u201c_NPCScan\u201d folder over to your World of Warcraft Addons folder. Similar to below, but of course you may have installed to a different directory but the folder structure inside is the same. Note my comment at the start of the article if you\u2019re a Vista user.<\/p>\n
![\"NPCScan\"](\"\/images\/NPCScan_file_contents.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
When you open up WoW you should see NPCScan near the top of your addons list.<\/p>\n
To edit preferences in-game, use the command:<\/p>\n
\/npcscan<\/p>\n
Now the issue with NPCScan is you have to always empty your cache, and this can be a pain. The method I use is having my cache directory cleaned every time I start Windows. You can download an application that can do this, as well as empty lots of other temporary files.<\/p>\n
Download CCleaner<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nInstall the application, selecting the options you want (be sure to read the installation, don\u2019t just click next next next as sometimes apps will select to install search toolbars by default). I usually select the option to display CCleaner when I right click the Recycle Bin.<\/p>\n
After installing, open up CCleaner and firstly uncheck anything you don\u2019t want the app to auto delete on start up (for example, memory dump files\/recycle bin). Secondly, click Options -> Include -> Add. Click Browse, and select the Cache folder.<\/p>\n
![\"NPCScan](\"\/images\/NPCScan_cache_clean.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Once hitting OK, you should get the following screen:<\/p>\n
![\"Clean](\"\/images\/clean_wow_cache.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Now click Settings, and make the adjustment below to have it run on start-up.<\/p>\n
![\"CCleaner\"](\"\/images\/ccleaner_settings.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Once you get cached in-game, you can exit WoW and right-click on the Recycle Bin and click \u201cRun CCleaner”.<\/p>\n
Alternatives to NPCScan<\/h3>\n
Although it\u2019s a great addon, it\u2019s limited to how many rares you see, especially if you want to see most of the \u201crares\u201d in WoW. Plus, the caching system is a bit of a nuisance to clear because you have to log out of WoW.<\/p>\n
This is where SilverDragon comes in. It has a database of currently 438 rares (rare tameables and rare mobs\/NPCs), PLUS… if the rare does cache, it will still alert you again (no logging out of WoW needed).<\/p>\n
Ultimately, what method you use is up to you, and what you feel comfortable with. No matter what method you use, you should always have a good security package setup. Personally, I use Avast<\/a>, Comodo Firewall<\/a> and Malwarebytes<\/a> (great for picking up keyloggers \u2013 you should also copy and paste your password when logging into WoW just in case you picked up a keylogger doing something naughty).<\/p>\n Download Curse Client v4<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Follow the instructions and install it, but don\u2019t use the same password you use for WoW. Not because that\u2019s a security issue with Curse, but you shouldn’t be signing up for anything using your WoW email address and password \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n Once installed, you can now install addons via the Curse website<\/a>. Click on the Install via Curse Client button, or click on Download More Addons in the Curse Client. Now wait for the addon database to download, then search for NPCscan in the top right corner, then click Install next to the addon’s name to install it, and you\u2019re done. Curse client will periodically check for updates (frequency depending on the options you select).<\/p>\n If you choose the manual method you will need an unzipping tool. Usually all operating systems come with an unzipper built in which handles the common archives like ZIP. I use WinRAR<\/a>, but for screenshot purposes I\u2019ll use 7-Zip<\/a> which is a FREE unzipper which not only handles ZIPs but a whole range of other archive types.<\/p>\n Download 7-Zip<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Choose the version for your system type – 32\/64 bit. If you are unsure, you can right click on My Computer to see the processor type \u2013 or just choose 32 bit to be safe.<\/p>\n After installing, download _NPCScan. Then, open up the download destination folder and right click on the file to extract as shown in the screenshot.<\/p>\n Download _NPCScan<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n You should now have a folder called \u201c_NPCScan\u201d. When you open that folder you should see the contents:<\/p>\n Copy the \u201c_NPCScan\u201d folder over to your World of Warcraft Addons folder. Similar to below, but of course you may have installed to a different directory but the folder structure inside is the same. Note my comment at the start of the article if you\u2019re a Vista user.<\/p>\n When you open up WoW you should see NPCScan near the top of your addons list.<\/p>\n To edit preferences in-game, use the command:<\/p>\n \/npcscan<\/p>\n Now the issue with NPCScan is you have to always empty your cache, and this can be a pain. The method I use is having my cache directory cleaned every time I start Windows. You can download an application that can do this, as well as empty lots of other temporary files.<\/p>\n Download CCleaner<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Install the application, selecting the options you want (be sure to read the installation, don\u2019t just click next next next as sometimes apps will select to install search toolbars by default). I usually select the option to display CCleaner when I right click the Recycle Bin.<\/p>\n After installing, open up CCleaner and firstly uncheck anything you don\u2019t want the app to auto delete on start up (for example, memory dump files\/recycle bin). Secondly, click Options -> Include -> Add. Click Browse, and select the Cache folder.<\/p>\n Once hitting OK, you should get the following screen:<\/p>\n Now click Settings, and make the adjustment below to have it run on start-up.<\/p>\n Once you get cached in-game, you can exit WoW and right-click on the Recycle Bin and click \u201cRun CCleaner”.<\/p>\n Although it\u2019s a great addon, it\u2019s limited to how many rares you see, especially if you want to see most of the \u201crares\u201d in WoW. Plus, the caching system is a bit of a nuisance to clear because you have to log out of WoW.<\/p>\n This is where SilverDragon comes in. It has a database of currently 438 rares (rare tameables and rare mobs\/NPCs), PLUS… if the rare does cache, it will still alert you again (no logging out of WoW needed).<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nManual Installation<\/h3>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\nAlternatives to NPCScan<\/h3>\n
![\"Silver](\"\/images\/silver_dragon_settings.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Silver](\"\/images\/silver_dragon_import_data.jpg\")
<\/p>\n