0. Hardware Cursor Support - OpenGL 12/16/2008 01:32:51 PM PST
I am requesting that Blizzard add Hardware Cursor Support, which mac users already enjoy, to the OpenGL rendering mode found in windows. I know that OpenGL isn't the standard on windows. Microsoft decided to create their own proprietary API for use in windows, but many windows users and linux users like myself use OpenGL mode because they find it much faster on their systems. Despite OpenGL working much faster overall for me in windows and in linux under wine the cursor has lag and delay that could be removed if I was able to enable hardware cursor support while I'm in OpenGL mode.
Not only does OpenGL run better, but it guarantees users that programs that use OpenGL wont be dependent on the survival of any particular corporation. I'm not saying that I think it likely that Microsoft will ever go under, but there is security in open platforms not to mention never ending expedient support from the community that can't be matched in a closed implementation like Directx.
Since this feature already exists in your mac version, and that WOW and OpenGL are multi-platform, it shouldn't be too hard to allow users to enable it in their windows clients.
For those of you who haven't tried it, or aren't that technical I urge you to give it a try.
You can either navigate to your WOW folder which in windows it is usually c:\Program Files\World of Warcraft\
then open the folder WTF.
(If you can't find your WOW folder just right click on the shortcut to wow, click properties, then click find target. it should open up in windows explorer.)
Inside you should see config.wtf
Next step is to just make a copy of this small config file just in case you mistype something or don't want to risk making a mistake and loosing any settings.
open config.wtf and add the following line to the end:
SET gxApi "OpenGL"
save and close. Then launch wow and it should be in OpenGL mode!
If and when you would like to switch back just remove the line in your config.wtf file or restore your backup.
Or
you could pass -opengl to Wow.exe
this can be done as a one time thing without modifying any files for those of you that aren't that technical and don't want to take any chances messing up your config file.
This can be done by opening up your command prompt (start -> run -> then type the command "cmd" without quotes and hit enter. change to the root directory: type "cd \" without quotes
then navigate to your wow directory. usually located in program files "cd \Progra~1\World*" then type: Wow.exe -opengl
You could also make a separate shortcut instead of dropping down to a command line. let me know if anyone would like help with any of these methods.
As always make sure you have the latest driver from your video card manufacturer
Nvidia - http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us
AMD (formerly ATI) - http://ati.amd.com/support/driver.html
Intel Graphics cards (not CPU) - http://downloadcenter.intel.com/
Matrox - http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/support/drivers/
Please on behalf of linux and windows users sign and voice your support!
The Europe thread for hardware cursor support in OpenGL
http://forums.wow-europe.com/thread.html?topicId=7190890758&postId=71901443539&sid=1#0
/signed, along with all-around OpenGL improvements.
I'm glad WoW basically supports Linux machines already (video through OpenGL, audio through ALSA), but things still need to improve. (*cough* Maybe even a native Linux client? *cough*)
1- http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
2- http://www.wowwiki.com/Linux/Wine
3- ????
4- Profit
Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose. --Bill Gates
