Surviving Your First Night

There are many ways to survive your first night. Many of them are basically the same, but some are better than others. Here's a few you can pick and choose from:

1. Underground:

This method is very easy. All you need is some latter pieces, a trapdoor, a crafting table, some torches, and a chest. Furnace is optional and recommended.

Then dig three blocks down and make a five by five or so blocks. Then put the trapdoor at the top of your base. Then put torches all around. Put your latter all the up to the trapdoor. Then unpack the rest of your stuff anywhere.

This method is excellent for gathering resources to make an amazing house.

Resources: None to Little

2. The Expanding Cabin:
When you first spawn, gather 73 wooden planks and build a four by four and four blocks high wall. With the remaining wood build a roof on the fourth block of the wall. Go get the resources for the following: a crafting table, a door, some torches, a chest, a bed (optional), and a furnace (also optional).

This method is awesome for starting out and editing the home to make it better. Then you can also expand it in shape, make expansions like a side farm, a backyard, a patio, and a basement.

Resources needed: Little

3. The Mansion:

Start with one room of the mansion. Use the expanding cabin technique until you have enough to build another room. Continue until you are co tent and make a wall. Also you can make an upstairs. Make sure to light everything and everywhere.

Resources needed: Meduim to Tons

4. The Gypsy:

This is for people who want the best of every biome. Use the expanding cabin technique every day until you're ready to settle down and start a home. Basically, it's camping.

Resources needed: Little

-Nick

Quick Tips: How To Make Your Server Creative!

Tired of Survival mode? Want to unleash your and your friend's creative side, just follow this simple guide's instructions!

First go into your server properties.

Next find where it says "gamemode=0"

Replace 0 with 1.

Log on to your server.

Check your inventory to see if it works.


If just you and yourself want to be in creative mod, leaving your friends to be amazed at your creations, follow this guide:

Go into your server file. (if you are already a server OP [operator], skip this and the next step).

Go into OP and type your Minecraft username.

Log on to your server.

Type in "/gamemode ------ 1" without the quotations. Replace the ------- with your Minecraft username.

Ta-da.


FAQS:

I'm not in Creative, why?!

Answer: You did something wrong. Go back and read the guide again.

I can't place blocks, YOU HACKED MY SERVER!!!

Answer: I didn't hack your server. That means your computer doesn't have enough RAM space or your not a server OP.

I want my second buddy to be in Creative, but not my third buddy. I don't really like my third buddy.

Answer: Nice going. Anyways, you can just do the same macro code as above, except in the ------, type his/her username.

-Nick

Quick Tips: Whitelisting A Server

A whitelist is a list of people that are allowed in certain events, servers, etc. You can whitelist your server in Minecraft, and it's super simple.

First go into the folder where you keep your Minecraft server data. Then go into the server properties. And where it says whitelist=false, erase "false" and type in true.

Here's a diagram:

Before:

whitelist=false

After:

whitelist=true



There should be no space between the equal sign and true.

Next go back to your server folder and open the "Whitelist" file. Put your Minecraft username and whoever else's on it like so:

Example:

njh3
hindmon
happycatfish1

So on and so forth.

You have now whitelisted your server! Congratulations!

FAQS:

I can't get in my server! I blame you!

Answer: Well, prepare to be blamed right back, because you probably didn't put your Minecraft username in the Whitelist or you spelled it wrong.

I did all the things in the last answer, but still can't get on! I blame you further!

Answer: Then you probably did something wrong in the server properties. Make sure there's no periods, spaces, yes's or no's instead of true's and false's.

-Nick

How To Make A (Free) Minecraft Server

Hey all! This is actually a very easy process! You can pay with your friends and completely control your world!

I'm just now learning some of this process myself, so bear with me, but I know this par by heart! I will make a video for this soon, so you can clarify anything your not sure about with that video, but you can also comment below and email at: minecarting@gmail.com.

Anyways, here goes nothing.

First you need to download LogMeIn Hamatchi at secure.logmein.com. Then make a new network. Congratulations! You have your server's IP address! The IP address is what will connect you to the server.

Next go to minecraft.net. Then click on download. Then at the bottom-most paragraph (in the middle) there should be a link in the next. Click on it and download it. It should say something about a server. Then make a folder somewhere and put that file in there.

Next run the file. Wait until it says Spawn 100% then go back to the folder. KEEP THE SERVER FILE RUNNING. This is your server, and you will need to keep it running in order for you or anyone else to play on it. Once your back into your server folder, click on server properties. Enter your Hamatchi network number where it says IP address.

Next enter Minecraft. Go to Multiplayer and "add server" enter whatever name you want and then enter that IP address. If all went well, you are in your Minecraft world.

To add your friends, they need to download Hamatchi. Then they need to join your Hamatchi network, therefor they need to know your network name and password. Also your Minecraft IP address. The they can join.

-Nick

Stop SOPA

Protest the SOPA and PIPA act and help the Internet become whole again!

Minecraft and minecraft.net will be affected, as well as several Wikis and most of the Wikia pages.

-Nick

Sign in the comments below, together we can bring information freedom back to the Internet!

A City Upon A Hill

Whether you're playing in single or multiplayer, cities are amazing. In servers running the Faction mod, cities are a must for Factions. On single player, they are just fun to make. So what makes an awesome city? What makes city walls so amazing? I'm going to tell you.

Architecture:

Architecture is basically an art form where you build buildings. Minecraft architecture is some the best in games, since gravity does not affect your blocks. Your architecture is your architecture. Everyone has a different style, whether it be Roman or modern. And no one should tell you how you build it. But make sure your city, old looking or modern, has good architecture.

Lighting:

Lighting is necessary if you don't want creepers and other creepy-crawlies running amuck. So if you need it, make it look nice. Like an NPC village's light system.


All it is is two fence posts with black wool stacked on top with torches placed around it.

How To Build:

A great, organized way to build your city is called the "block" method. You should have roads or pathways in your city with twenty by twenty spaces every four spaces away. Your city will look like it is made of several "blocks," thus naming it the blocking method.

Utilizing The Block Method:

Have four lamp post at each corner of the block. You can build buildings in these spaces, pavilions, and gardens. This makes a very organized space and, depending on the size of your city, will help you and whoever else navigate it better.

The Wall of Your City:

A fine wall needs a good gate. It also needs to be massive. If you are savvy with pistons and redstone, you can even make the gate go up and down with a touch of a lever.

In multiplayer you can prevent the use of Ender Pearls by placing lava in between your wall. Just hope they don't teleport over the gate.

You could also, of course, make it so high they die from falling damage, thus making it easier for you to collect your spoils of war.

In the end, cities in single player earn you bragging rights and in multiplayer it earns you protection. Everyone wins.

-Nick

How To Update Your Minecraft To 1.1

To update your Minecraft to version 1.1 (which includes spawn eggs in creative mode), you just simply can just open your Minecraft and select update Minecraft.

But if you play on servers, you may need a version of 1.0.0. In that case you need to do the following:

1. Open the roaming data folder. To do this go to start and put %appdata% in the search bar.

2. Open roaming then open .minecraft.

3. Open the bin folder.

4. Make a folder in the bin for the backup minecraft folder(s).

5. Backup your Minecraft to there.

Now you can just switch those out!

Note: this is also useful for when a mod goes wrong and you want vanilla Minecraft back.

-Nick

Mining Techniques

Mining can be very fun. It's also the most important thing in Minecraft. Well it is called Minecraft. So it's kinda obvious.

You obtain the best equipment through mining. The only equipment you don't get from mining is wooden things, and that stuff is to help you obtain stone materials, which helps you get iron materials which you can mine better and better stuff.

So here's some techniques:

1. Staircasing:

This is a great way to obtain materials. You start digging in a promising looking spot and then dig a stair looking hole downward. NEVER DIG STRAIGHT DOWN! If you fall into lava there's no hope for you. You may also fall into mobs or other horrors, so it's best to use this method to dig down to the bedrock.

Equipment needed:

Torches. Lots of them.

Two iron picks, or one diamond pick, or thee stone picks.


2. Spiraling:

This has the benefits of digging straight down without the dangers of straight down digging. Make a four by four or a six by six hole and start digging down. Leave blocks as stairs in a spiraling fashion.

Equipment needed:

Torches.

Three iron picks, or one diamond pick, or four stone picks.

3. Branching:

This mining technique is like having a home underground and may take several Minecraft days. So dig down using the staircasing technique until you get down to Y 16 or so. Check your Y, X, and Z coordinates by pressing F3. Y is your "floor level," so to speak, on your Minecraft map.

Once you get down to your desired level (note that 16 and below is where diamonds are more common), make a twenty by twenty space with a five by five squared off home for you. The reason for it being squared off is that monsters come in when the house isn't a perfect square. Then proceed to put torches up all over the place.

Then make a crafting table and place it in your home. Then craft a door, two chests, a bed, and a furnace. You want to sleep in your bed to make it your respawn point. The chests are for placing your goodies in. Make an extra large chest by placing the two chests next to each other. Make a cutout for the door. Now you have a home underground!


Now it's time to mine. Start by making a two-block high one-block wide tunnel. Make it about twenty blocks long. Make sure to put torches so you can see all the ores. Once you've made the tunnel, make another one two blocks away. Do this until you've covered the entire twenty by twenty space. Then make stairs and go right under or above your mine and repeat the process.

This is the coolest way to mine things, but it takes the longest and requires a lot of stuff.

Equipment needed:

Torches. About two stacks of 64.

Five iron picks. Two diamond picks. Or ten stone picks.

Three stacks of 64 wooden planks for crafting/smelting.

Mining can be tough, but it can be fun!



-Nick

A City Upon A Hill

Whether you're playing in single or multiplayer, cities are amazing. In servers running the Faction mod, cities are a must for Factions. On single player, they are just fun to make. So what makes an awesome city? What makes city walls so amazing? I'm going to tell you.

Architecture:

Architecture is basically an art form where you build buildings. Minecraft architecture is some the best in games, since gravity does not affect your blocks. Your architecture is your architecture. Everyone has a different style, whether it be Roman or modern. And no one should tell you how you build it. But make sure your city, old looking or modern, has architecture.

Lighting:

Lighting is necessary if you don't want creepers and other creepy-crawlies running amuck. So if you need it, make it look nice. Like an NPC village's light system(seen at the bottom of the post).

All this is is two fence posts with black wool stacked on top with torches placed around it.

How To Build:

A great, organized way to build your city is called the "block" method. You should have roads or pathways in your city with twenty by twenty spaces every four spaces away. Your city will look like it is made of several "blocks," thus naming it the blocking method.

Utilizing The Block Method:

Have four lamp post at each corner of the block. You can build buildings in these spaces, pavilions, and gardens. This makes a very organized space and, depending on the size of your city, will help you and whoever else navigate it better.

The Wall of Your City:

A fine wall needs a good gate. It also needs to be massive. If you are savvy with pistons and redstone, you can even make the gate go up and down with a touch of a lever.

In multiplayer you can prevent the use of Ender Pearls by placing lava in between your wall. Just hope they don't teleport over the gate.

You could also, of course, make it so high they die from falling damage, thus making it easier for you to collect your spoils of war.

In the end, cities in single player earn you bragging rights and in multiplayer it earns you protection. Everyone wins.

-Nick

How To: Build an Impenetrable Fortress

A good, sturdy home is very important in Minecraft. A squared off home prevents mobs from breaking in when you sleep. Obsidian discourages people from breaking in your home in multiplayer, unless they have a diamond pick.

Let's start with the basics. A good, sturdy home need to be squared off (in the shape of a square with no cutting corners), have a way of entry like a door or minecart ride (that sounds fun), and be sturdy enough to not be devastated by a creeper blast.

Why does it need to be squared off? Because when you sleep at night , monsters can come in. So you'll be fighting monsters all night instead of dreaming about you being king over the NPCs.

The best example of a great home is that of an NPC. A good squared off home, decorative, and, with some, a flat roof and a ladder do that you can snipe mobs. Some have gardens in the front with a fence around it. A good idea. Not only does it look nice, it helps protect creepers and other creepy-crawlies from getting near your home.

That being said, some NPC homes are not such a great example. With no doors and what-not. That's the perfect invitation for a mob to intrude upon your dreams of laughing at your NPC peasants.

In multiplayer, mobs are the least of your worries. Players will break into your home just to steal your goodies. Door or not. So make a home out of obsidian so only people with diamond picks can quickly break into your home. People with iron picks can break in, but it will take them one minute to break one obsidian block. That's one Minecraft hour. So for them to actually break in, it will take them two Minecraft hours. Not to mention obsidian is explosion-proof, so they can't blast their way in.

If you really want to be mean, you can make a secret entrance only you know about. Then make a big, obvious entrance with an iron door. Iron doors can only be opened by a switch. So place a button for the door on the outside, but not the inside. So they'll be trapped. Of course they can always dig out, but make a pool of lava underneath the blocks. Just the block they're standing on separating them from their fiery doom.

Of course all this would be useless if you are playing on single player.

-Nick

The Explorer's Guide: Settling In

Once you've found a suitable place to call home, don't rush the building. Make the home as nice as you want and when night rolls around, dig a hole three blocks deep and cover the top. Wait until night is over and come out of the hole, get materials for your home, and get to building. Once the walls are done, make a roof. Once the roof is done, make a door. Once you have a furnace and a crafting table, you can get to decorating. It's neat to have a kitchen, living room, and an outside porch.

Here are some ideas for decorating your home:

That dirt, sand, or rock underneath your home isn't the most decorative flooring. Destroy any existing floor and put a more a more decorative flooring.

Decorating your home is an art and can require lots of materials. For instance, to make a chair with arm rests, make a wooden step and two signs. Place the two signs on both sides of the chair and, BOOM!, you have a chair.

Put three wooden steps in a row and put signs on both sides and you have an extra long chair. Put a pressure plate on top of a single fence post and you have yourself a table.

Bookshelves are a great decoration, too. Next to the long chairs they look great.

Make a little corner for your kitchen and replace four of your floor with marble and place two blocks of marble outward so that you have a counter for your kitchen.

A porch is a cool edition to any home. Why not make one in Minecraft? Dig out the desired space for your porch and then fill it in its your favorite block. Next fence in your porch since there are no monsters welcomed near your home. Make sure to have a fence gate so you can get in and out. If you're going for a cozy cabin feel, make a chair or two and put it on your porch. If you're into gardening, get some flowers and plant them.

Those enchantment tables, cauldrons, brewing stations, and crafting tables look absolutely awful in the main room of your home. Make a side room for them.

Furnaces, believe it or not, actually do look good for some home's decoration. Put some (two blocks high) in the middle of one of your walls and they look great. Don't just put one column, though. Make at least two two block high columns. Though make sure there's an even number of wall blocks on both sides of your wall.

Paintings look great over furnaces or chairs.

Windows allow you to see the world outside your home. But don't use glass blocks. Use the window blocks made by glass blocks. You'll have some left over unless you're making a house made of glass. Windows look best when there is an even number of blocks on both sides of them.

-Nick