Useful Tools/Links updated for 2017. Last update - (04-08-2017)

*Originally penned by Nullarni, updated by Euphisia to reflect current operating or updated status, with some newer things written in.

Looking to expand your NS experience? Look no further. Here is a list of sites and tools to add more depth to the things you do on the NS site. Many of these tools still work regardless of the fact that some haven't been updated in years. A few will trip your anti-virus because they are executables, and as such - will be considered a threat by most anti-virus software. Typically you can disregard this.

NOTE: All of these sites and utilities have been created by third parties and are not affiliated with the NationStates website or myself, or the original writer of this article Nullarni. While I believe all of them to be safe, you are using them at your own risk.

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Auto Telegramming Programs
If you are tired of having to use stamps to send mass telegrams, or you just need help sending large numbers of TGs you may want to try one of these. NOTE: Be sure to follow all mass telegramming and API rules, or you will be subject to any penalties that a moderator feels is suitable.

NationStates AutoTelegram- This is a utility to allow you to send mass telegrams without using NS Stamps.

pyNSrecruit- This is another auto telegram program. It has a straightforward and easy to use interface, plus it supports use as a recruitment tool. The major upside with this one is the fact that it is still being actively developed. This means that while there may be bugs, you can be certain that it will be updated should there be adjustments to the TG or API rules.

Agadar/Nationstates Telegrammer- Very recently updated desktop java based application for automation of sending telegrams to other nations, making it useful for recruiting, WA campaigning, region-wide telegramming, and so forth. It only requires Java to work properly. Alternate Link.

Name Generators
Having difficulty coming up with names? These name generators will help you come up with as many as you need. These are not strictly for NationStates, but they are site commonly utilized by NS users.

Random Name Generator- This is a basic name generator that will give a block of names according to the simple parameters you set. This is ideal for generating a list of names for an entire sports team or military unit.

Behind the Name- This name generator allows you to choose the category of the name, and how many names the person has. You definitely want to narrow the options before making a name, or you may get very strange ones.

Fake Name Generator- Despite the name, this generator doesn't just give you a name but also gives you a full online profile for the character. Very good if you want details, but don't have the time to make them up yourself.

Fantasy Name Generator- This generator is very random by my experience, it does provide some off the wall names, or ones that aren't all that especially attractive in nature. However, upon some testing - it is fairly useful and puts many options at your disposal.

Nation Stats Calculators
Are graphs and descriptions on you nation's NS page not enough for you? These stats calculators will give you the specific numbers and details about your nation. They are perfectly suited for getting stats for Role Playing.

NSEconomy- This is the stat calculator I personally use. It is simple and easy to use.

NSDossier- This stats calculator provides the most regional information, but is also the slowest loading calculator.

NS Calculator Mk.II- This budget calculator allows you to adjust your governments' focus, trade policy, population, and taxation to get a better, more personalized set of nation stats for Role Playing.

Phone Apps
Looking for a better, or at least different way to look at NationStates while on your phone? Try out one of these apps for your phone.

Nation States - free- This is an Android App for your phone. It allows you to answer issues, compare stats and graphs of multiple nations, and track your nation stats over time.

NSDroid- This is another Android App to make using NationStates on your phone easier. It allows you to post to your region's RMB, send and receive TGs, and keep track of nations in your dossier.

Plugins and Extensions

NationStates++- This is a browser extension for the NationStates site. It adds stats, and reorganizes some of the pages to be easier to use. It also has a feature that allows you to switch between nations you control with one click. It is currently buggy, and has a myriad of glitches, though its puppet control features and switching features are still up to par. Last updated (11/23/14).

LibreNS++- This is another, similar browser extension for the NationStates site. Much like NS++, this extension adds more functionality to the NS website, including mobile support, puppet management, automatic RMB updates, and IRC chat added to the region pages. Last updated (05/01/16).

SerinApprox- This is a bot for your NationStates IRC channels that automatically calculates regions' approximate update times. It is an extremely useful tool if you are using your IRC for NS gameplay. SerinApprox is a plug-in for the mIRC client, so if you are the one running the bot on the channel you must use mIRC. Everyone else on the channel will be able to access the bot regardless of their IRC client. Last updated (02/20/2014).

NSBreeze- NSBreeze is an extension for Chrome, to add keyboard shortcuts to the NationStates site. This gives you the ability to navigate using the press of a key. This is a very useful extension if you are involved in the R/D game. Last updated (02/13/15).

Political Graphing Sites
Looking for a way to graph your nation's place on the political spectrum? Well, these sites will help you do that. Now, These are not strictly for NationStates, but they are site commonly utilized by NS users.

The Political Compass- This is the most common political graphing test used on NS. It provides a good measure of one's political stance, or the stance of your nation.

Political Spectrum Quiz- This is a good alternative to the Political Compass site. It allows you to weight each question according to how significant you feel it is, so you can add another layer of personalization. However, due to this added feature it may not be very compatible with the Political Compass results.

Scorinators
Want to run a sports RP? These programs and spreadsheets will help you generate scores fairly according to the inputs. I personally have little to no experience with these, so my descriptions will be limited.

xkoranate- This is a fair versatile scorinator that allows you to simulate a wide variety of sports, both individual and team. It is probably the most commonly used scorinator.

NSFS- This is a scorinator design specifically for football (soccer) scoring. It immediately downloads upon opening link.

Leagion- This is a Java-based program for american football scores. Written by Rejistania. It immediately downloads upon opening link.

Tennis 0.3.1- This is an Excel based scorinator for tennis match ups. It immediately downloads upon opening link.
Openoffice version. Written by Schiavonia. It immediately downloads upon opening link.

League Ranking Sheet 3.2- This is a spreadsheet for league standings and rankings. Written by Osarius. It immediately downloads upon opening link.

Wiki sites
Are you looking for a good place to post a world factbook or your nation's history? These Wiki sites are the perfect place for it.

NSWiki- This is a reboot of the now defunct wiki site of the same name. It is filled with bot generated pages, so the entries may or may not be accurate. It is well kept and managed, and it is highly recommended.

IIWiki- The "II" stands for "international incidents", so this is a strictly In Character wiki. That means nothing can be posted that breaks the "fourth wall".

NSIndex- This wiki site was made in response to the chaos created by NSWiki changing owners. The benefit of this site is that it has full access to Wikimedia commons and there are no computer-generated pages.

WikiStates- This is another alternative wiki site. It is rather small, but has an active community.

Other
Other useful things.

NationStates Battle Simulator- This is a great tool to help war RPs. Instead of just rolling dice or arbitrarily deciding the results of a battle, you can just plug in various factors for both sides of the conflict and have the simulator crunch the numbers for you. Last updated (04/09/16).

FlagMaker 1.7- If making flags in MS Paint is too basic for you, try using this program. It even has a random function if you are all out of ideas. (Special thanks to Zambara for finding this.) Last updated (10/21/15).

NationStates Nation Manager (nslogin-web)- Replaces former application, nslogin-web is a free and open source web application that allows you to automatically log into and semi-automatically restore NationStates nations. This is useful to maintain a large number of puppet nations by preventing them from ceasing to exist or easily restoring them if they have ceased to exist. Last updated (01/25/17).

NSHistory- This site allows you to look at the history of nations and regions. How many nations were in the North Pacific in June of 2008? This site will let you know. (The answer is 3,602 nations, by the way.) Last updated (06/08/11).

NSEmbassy- Regional Embassies make a web of connections across NationStates. How are they all connected? This will show you... In several different ways. Last updated (06/08/11).

NSRegionFlags- Have you ever wanted to look at all the regions' flag on NS all at once? Me neither. But if you get bored you should check it out. Last updated (06/08/11).

Planet Creation Kit- This is a random planet generator. It allows you to set some basic parameters and then generates the scientific details of the planet. What is it useful for? I dunno.

Starship and Space Combat Calculator- Sick of spending all that time designing spacecraft and arguing over your weapons? Well, this will figure everything out for you. This is perfect for FT role playing.