I'm still here, and mostly recovered from Summer Reading, which I'll have more to say about later. Right now, though, let's talk crafting.
My server has been hosted in my boyfriend's basement for the past 6 months. FINALLY everything is in place and I've just moved to a new server hosted from my library--which means instead of a string of nonsense, my teens now just have to use www.cmpl.org to log in (I'm clearly not an anonymous blogger).
I decided to take this opportunity for a fresh start, and just make a brand new server. The steps are all the same as they were before, but now I'm really researching and adding anti-griefing software. Those sixth grade boys, you guys. They are destructive MONSTERS! Right now my list of plugins is:
CreeperHeal
Essentials
WorldEdit
WorldGuard
libelulalogger
That last one is something new and untested, but the description sounds good and I can't wait to try it. It says it can tell me exactly WHO messed with a block, which will help with the banning of the griefers!
I'm most excited about World Guard, though. As I get to know it I will post more about how it works and how I use it in the world. I should be able to use it to make different zones, so that players who want PVP can have an arena for that, and people who want to build in peace can do that. I'll let you know how it works out!
I've been getting LOTS and lots of basic questions from people looking to start new servers, and my best advice is to just GO FOR IT and try things! Also, for me it's important to regain a decent amount of control over the server. Some people have trouble accessing theirs to try out different plugins and things, and I do so much tinkering that that would certainly not work for me!
Here's that first "How to Get Started" post, if that's where your server is right now!
http://teenbrarian.blogspot.com/2013/04/minecraaaaaft.html
