I need a Minecraft geek who speaks English (not jargon) - please!

[MooseyMouse]

I thought I was computer literate. I can use all the standard PC and Mac programmes and I can edit a Wordpress website. I'm not daft but the world of Minecraft has me baffled.

I want to set up a small, closed server for my son and his friends (different areas of UK) to play together. I'd like him to have some Mods (for anyone else baffled, Mods are added functions that you buy as a pack and somehow attach to Minecraft).

I have tried (oh how I've tried) to set up a home-based server but hours (and hours and hours) later I've admitted defeat. I'd now like to use a hosting company but...

1. The smallest servers (for under ten users usually) don't seem to allow Mods (or do they - it's hard to tell)? One says "Vanilla Minecraft" whatever that is. If they do allow Mods, how to I add them once I've bought the server package?
   
   
2. Which Mods would allow him to do the cool stuff without bankrupting me? (I keep reading about needing The Forge pack but others say other incomprehensible things). I've also heard about mods that protect what they've built from destruction by the others.
   
   
3. Could he sign in from anywhere (like you would on email with e.g. Hotmail) or does it have to be from the computer he usually uses?
   
   
4. Finally, if he built a world and we wanted to to end the server contract, could we remove the world from the server to keep what he's built - basically are the buildings attached to his Minecraft account or are they on the server and lost if we stop paying?!
   
   If anyone can tell me EXACTLY what I need to do, in plain English, and which Mods I should get, you'll be a hero to me and my son!
   
   To complicate things he prefers to play on the Mac but we do have a Windows laptop which he'd play on if that's the best way forward.
   
   Please, please help!

[Donki]

ProMinecraftHost make it really easy to run some mods and will upload others for you if you send them details.
It is also easy to have a whitelist of allowed players (or to block someone) although to be honest we haven't found that necessary yet as only the YoungDonki's friends know the IP address of the server.

[Donki]

Mods shouldn't bankrupt you - they are free.

But some of them conflict with each other. Forge and I think FeedTheBeast (FTB) are mod loaders that help to limit problems between different mods.

Which Mods?
I'm no expert (it's like watching paint dry, I just can't get interested) but there are magic ones if they want magic or advanced tech type oned. The YD is currently running about 60!

He can sign in from any computer that has Minecraft installed using his Mojang Minecraft account. But it does need to be tge same verdion of Minecraft and (I think) have the same mods installed.

One of the good things about ProMinecraftHost is that they are helpful with tech support for the uninitiated parent (me)

The world is in principle downloadable if you wanted to move it. The YD never has the same mods for more than a few days, so it wouldn't be an issue here. But you would have to download the world to move it - it is not attached to you account as such.

I can't help on the Mac vs Windows front. We only have Windows.

HTH

Donki

[Donki]

Try moving this thread to Geek - there are some parents with much more knowledge than me (and older DC who might be able to help)

[MooseyMouse]

Thank you! I'll see if I can get the thread moved. Many thanks.

[yesnoyesnoyesno]

What went wrong with the home server? Did you get a basic one going using the download from minecraft site, on computers on the same wifi network? Haven't tried a paid server.

[Donki]

I think a network over wifi (The YD does this sometimes) is very different from setting up a server that can be accessed over the internet by friends in different areas. Security is a much bigger issue for one thing - which is why we went with a host.

[MooseyMouse]

Hi all

Home server seemed to go well right up to actually trying to use it when it wouldn't work.

However, I've followed Donki's advice and bought (for £6 a month) a ProMinecraftHost server and they're playing right now!! Not sorted mods yet but it looks easy.

Thanks. X

[HoneyDragon]

We use open DNS .... Mainly as it keeps minecraft as it is, so easier to load mods etc, and easier for me to safeguard it.

[Sillysarah49]

Technic Launcher:

www.technicpack.net/download

Good Launcher because it has very popular mod packs such as Tekkit and Voltz. You can also download different mod packs from the website.

www.feed-the-beast.com/

Very good launcher because it also has lots of mod packs (Direwolf20 is very very good. Also you tuber). There is also a Download Server button which will download a server to your downloads file but you have to configure it.

There is also a launcher called The AT Launcher but it is complicated because you have to put your own mods into it.
-------------------
Mod Pack:
Means a lot of mods into one.

Mod:
Means a modification to minecraft.

The above is from my nearly 11 yr old son. Hope this makes some sort of sense (it doesn't to me!!).

[DawnMumsnet]

Hi all,

Thanks for all your contributions so far.

We'll shortly be moving this thread to our Geeky Stuff topic to see if they can help further.

[MooseyMouse]

Thanks very much. We've taken huge steps forwards!!! Thanks (ESP to Silly's son)