I'm pretty new to Minecraft.  I'm an older guy at age 55.  I've followed the history of video games ever since my Dad bought the Super Pong game console back in 1975.  From there it went to Atari, then Intellivision in the late 70s.  Then in 1986 came the Nintendo Entertainment System.  After that, Sega Genesis was the hottest thing going. 

I got my first computer in the late 90s and lost interest in game consoles.  As the Playstations gave way to XBOX, the games seem to have reached a level of sophistication that required more time and attention than I was willing to give.

But Minecraft is different.  There is a simplicity at work in this game that is for me, very attractive.  There are complexities as well, but the game seems designed in such a way as to permit the user to determine the level of complexity to which he or she is most comfortable.

I'm fascinated by the whole block thing, along with the crafting recipes.  In contrast to these simple concepts are the complex underground caves that seem to riddle the Minecraft planet.  I'm completely intrigued by the extra-dimensional "Nether," which after considerable effort, I finally managed to create the portal, only to die within 20 seconds of arriving.

Anyway, this seems like a good place to talk about the game, and get some clarification from the more experienced crafters.

Thanks for having me,

drew70