665 replies to this topic

[Vicious Parker]

On my last thought, I realize that I tend to prefer working around what happens "naturally" in the world. For instance, I plant trees to see what happens, or often build around the boundaries of a mountain or cave. This building is probably the most I've done entirely on my own. I think this is because I'm not as creative as I used to think I was, but that's ok.

[Vicious Parker]

Looking at it, I rather wish I had made the floating island higher up, but oh well.

[Donkeymog]

... making mistakes with my own buildings, and improvising solutions. I said my library was a "work in progress," but it will likely always be just that. I'm kinda weird like that...

I found I'm the same. For me the satisfaction is in figuring out how something would be constructed within the limitations you have, not the actual completion. That's why it's so fun to work around the natural environment rather than working from scratch. It needs to be an act of imposing order onto the chaotic landscape rather than just creating a pocket of order. You want to tame the wilderness.

I'm not as creative as I used to think I was, but that's ok.

I'm the same and it is okay! More and more I find myself adopting short processes to deal with particular structural problems. For example, I spent a lot of time being quite annoyed with staircases and then I discovered the stone panels you can build and now I always use them to build staircases. But this then lead me to realize that a spiral staircase would be the most efficient way to mine downwards and now I have a set spiral staircase plan that I use for everything. It's okay though, because now the creative part is assembling these set processes in different combinations to explore larger structures that "work".

Another thing I get really anal about is torch spacing. At first I'd put them wherever it was dark, but once I'd gotten used to how light dissipates in the game, and how valuable coal as a material is, I developed a system for where I placed torches.

Though the initial premise of Minecraft is creativity you soon learn to develop systems for managing the economic realities of the world.

[Donkeymog]

Server Update: Books!

I have just installed functioning books. For instructions on how to write/edit/copy books look here.

I'm going to run off and test this.

EDIT: Muahahaha, it works! Now that we have acquired the power of literature our global domination is assured!

[Donkeymog]

Server Update: No Health Regeneration

I've turned off health regeneration so exploration/ambitious building is a little more dangerous again.

I'm looking into the possibility of installing some furniture. I want to create a study space on my floor of the library complete with tables and chairs.

Also! Minecraft reaches beta tomorrow! Expect the server to be down for a while tomorrow while I update everything and try to get it working again. I'm expecting big changes with this update so hold tight.

[Vicious Parker]

Though the initial premise of Minecraft is creativity you soon learn to develop systems for managing the economic realities of the world.

I've actually noticed that if you play the game without cheating at all, it can quickly become a lesson in environmental sustainability.

For instance, you can quickly and easily smelt 64 blocks with 8 pieces of coal, but coal is finite. It will eventually become difficult to find without more travel and challenge. Wood planks can smelt too, but require more time and resources. However, you can re-plant cut down trees.

But that is really only if you put too much thought into the whole process...

[Vicious Parker]

I was experimenting with the entrance area look. Now it looks... terrible. I'll fix it in the morning.

I also noticed that I'm going to have to start the game with the intention of writing something... anything... otherwise I'm going to just draw a blank when trying to write something. Like I did just now. Apparently OCD collecting and building require a different part of the brain than writing.

[Donkeymog]

Though the initial premise of Minecraft is creativity you soon learn to develop systems for managing the economic realities of the world.

I've actually noticed that if you play the game without cheating at all, it can quickly become a lesson in environmental sustainability.

For instance, you can quickly and easily smelt 64 blocks with 8 pieces of coal, but coal is finite. It will eventually become difficult to find without more travel and challenge. Wood planks can smelt too, but require more time and resources. However, you can re-plant cut down trees.

But that is really only if you put too much thought into the whole process...

Yup! Environmental sustainability is a revelation once you figure out how important it is in Minecraft (just like in real life HO HO HO!). There's actually been a lot of discussion in the community about developing the farming aspect of Minecraft to include the domestication of animals and other such fun stuff. Here's one mod that I've been eyeing up.

I'm not sure if you've travelled to my, very much unfinished, tower but the idea is that on each floor I have one room dedicated to growing reeds for books and two rooms dedicated to growing trees. This way I have a constantly renewing source of wood right in the heart of my mine.

I don't think it's putting too much thought into it at all.

I also noticed that I'm going to have to start the game with the intention of writing something... anything... otherwise I'm going to just draw a blank when trying to write something. Like I did just now. Apparently OCD collecting and building require a different part of the brain than writing.

I looked over your attempt to make a book this morning. When it asks you for the title you need to respond directly at it by typing /msg (command for whisper) bs (bookshelf) and then the text you wish to write. e.g. "/msg bs This is how you write text". It's not ideal but it is something until Notch implements it himself.

As far as what to write I'm thinking in terms of different fields. For instance, I'm certainly going to have a row of bookcases with a sign that reads "History" and here I will write up the lore of the land. I'll also have another section called Theology that will further the lore by writing about Notch as an uncaring creator and other Mojang employees as lesser gods and then mod makers as demi-gods. Politics might be a fun subject to write a bookshelf on too. Hypothetical Physics is another, it's mostly going to deal with our civilizations attempts at constructing a portal to the netherworld and beyond!

[Vicious Parker]

That was before I was smart and read the how-to for using that mod. Go me.

[SpazCat]

I have yet to get on Minecraft today! I've been busy shopping.

[Donkeymog]

That was before I was smart and read the how-to for using that mod. Go me.

I was going over the logs from last night, trying to figure out why it's not working for you. From the sounds of it, it's a fairly common problem with the beta update so I'm hopeful Notch is working on it. His latest blog post mentions "a serious problem getting the client started for some people (especially Mac OSX?)." Which sounds like it could be related.

[Donkeymog]

The bug is fixed in the latest patch (according to Notch anyways). I'll implement it when I get home tonight. Until then you probably won't be able to connect to the server :(

[SpazCat]

Bummer.

[Donkeymog]

Sorry about the downtime guys, should be back up now.

It's patched together with all sorts of ill-reputed scripts so that I could get books working again. Hopefully it won't go all Frankenstein on us.

[toysintheattic]

I have a pretty ok desktop computer built now, so I should be joining y'all soon.

[Donkeymog]

I have a pretty ok desktop computer built now, so I should be joining y'all soon.

YAYS!

Welcome aboard!

Also: server is back up but books are currently not working.

[toysintheattic]

Logged in for about an hour. Didn't accomplish much (I'm still getting acquainted with the game, and don't really know what I'm doing) but I found a ton of coal and stuffs. The game runs SO much smoother than on my laptop, and I can actually set the distance to "far" and "fancy"! It's pretty glorious. Also, I found somebody's fort on top of a mountain and I broke a window. I'll pay for it, I promise...

[SpazCat]

Logged in for about an hour. Didn't accomplish much (I'm still getting acquainted with the game, and don't really know what I'm doing) but I found a ton of coal and stuffs. The game runs SO much smoother than on my laptop, and I can actually set the distance to "far" and "fancy"! It's pretty glorious. Also, I found somebody's fort on top of a mountain and I broke a window. I'll pay for it, I promise...

YOU BROKE MY WINDOW?!?!?!?!

[toysintheattic]

I THOUGHT IT WAS LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IN MINECRAFT AND I COULD JUST PICK IT UP AND PUT IT BACK\


Also, I can't connect nao.

[SpazCat]

AND it won't let me connect, so I can't fix it...