One thing that's kind of on the fence, in my opinion, is how creepers aren't able to blast claimed land. On the one side, it's nice to know that your property won't/can't every be damaged, but on the other, it kind of takes away from the thrill that comes from risk.

Well I know that it has helped me from not rebuilding and especially doesn't destroy my wheat farms, which is incredibly helpful.

If we authorize Creepers and others things to damage a claimed land, that also means some griefers will also be able to.

So, we should have a nice way to let users protect their lands and goods. Do you have some ideas about this?

the best plugin for that in my opinion is residence... though it does require a little knowledge... people can set up there own residences based on how much money they have. Individual people can set flags on there own property... everything from pvp to movement permissions to explosion damage. You can also have sub residences inside that residence. so you might want the public to enter one part of your house but not another. etc. People cannot open chest's/furnaces/doors in your residence unless you let them. It's very hands off for the admins when setup correctly. all you need in starting inventory is a wooden axe so people can claim an area

Mob catcher mod so you can buy, sell and use peaceful/angry mobs... skelly gaurds anyone

The anti-pillar plug in is just dumb sorry but its pointless.

Well if there isnt one then there is a glich. you cant hop up and put a block under you and at certain distances you cant place a block. makes construction very diffifult.

I've enjoyed a lot of things in the server, but there is quite a bit to be improved since it's in beta that I'll compose into a list:

1- The air plugin that only allows torches level 30 and above. I like this plugin, adds a bit of a challenge, but should be lowered to level 16 and above, as diamonds spawn level 15 and below. Otherwise gold is harder to obtain which is levels 32 and below, and the newer people need the gold to prepare for such low levels. Not to mention since we buy chunks, a lot of things are built underground and need light. The tree cutting plugin is also kinda buggy...I heard you switched from an old one where the whole tree falls down because it was too easy, but this one you can chop like 20 trees against each other, which is worse. I would switch back to the other one if it's less buggy and stuff.

2. Spawning seems a bit messed up. There are literally, yes, not figuratively, hundreds of ocelots running around near spawn and Lakeside. And there is a lack of normal animals like sheep. I understand the new people kill them easily, but could have a moderator spawn them in. I'll get to moderators in a couple points.

3. There is quite a bit of claimed chunks by people who don't play. I don't mean ones with actual homes, but ones with like a frame for a house, or some even left empty by someone who joined and left. These crowd the spawn area and make it look...well, crappy in all honesty. We want people to be amazed when they join the server. Other people who actually play could use them instead.

4. Another relating thing to that, is a lack of eye-popping structures. I plan to build some cool things like a clock tower for show, a working lighthouse, Statue, Etc, but that's not until I have enough resources which takes time. I understand you probably want the community to build stuff, but should have some structures made to impress people and inspire them to make stuff as good, or even better, and then expand from that. I know a giant clock tower would inspire me. A side note from that; I feel the spawning area needs more to it. Like a little tent/camp area, something settler looking like some people just got off a ship with goods. And info on where the big towns are, like Lakeside. When I joined, I saw no hint of it till later as it was out of the ways.

5. A big thing I think the server needs is people who have to time to work on it, therefore moderators. I understand you're really busy with, well ya know, life, but there needs to be some people to watch over the server. People who you can trust to improve the server, maybe through ideas mentioned above. Some things they could do:
-Fix some land near spawn to make it look nice, like holes.
-Add greenery like grass and flowers, perhaps trees when they get low.
-Same for animals when they are lackful. People spend ages making animals follow wheat across the ocean.
-Commands to despawn animal outbreaks like all the ocelots.
-Add structures and other cool things. But not too much, Kinda like one or two in sight so people would want to build around them and improve the area.
-Get rid of owned chunks that have nothing on it or just frames by people who were never seen except once.
-Haven't really seen it yet, but eventually there will be a spammer or someone who is just a complete...ya know.
-Be able to obtain ideas and feedback from the people who play on the server. Hearing what needs to be added by people who play regularly is probably the best feedback.

6- There is some coding problems, that sadly only you can fix. Melon seeds can't be crafted, some blocks can be mined on owned chunks such as heads, paintings, and frames, the nether gives you 4 nuggets instead of taking, and that's all I can think of at the moment.

7-I know a bit of people want fractions added, which probably would give people more things to do and feel like a community. Speaking of which...

8- The thing I think the community needs the most is, well, more of a feeling of a community. Hurts to say, but people can get pretty bored on the server. Having events, however, would change that. It would give a reason for people to get together in one place, have something to look forward to, and basically feel like a community! Trust me, people are dying for reasons to get together on minecraft. It's like real life when it comes to wanting to socialize. The best way to organize these events would probably be to have a blog in charge by someone to have a calender of events, reminders, pictures and stories of happenings in the community; just a way for the people to connect. It really needs to feel more like a community. Some events I had in mind: Pig racing where people could even place nuggets as bets, bowling on ice where you throw snowballs to land on pressure plates in holes, and with the newest update coming, a firework festival. There of course would be many more.

Now there is quite a lot of room for improvements, but things can only get better the way I see it. I took a lot of time to write this as I like the server, and I want to help make it better so others like it as well and get a couple more active members going. Also...I realize this post isn't really all on the bad stuff, but I kinda wanted to put a counter argument to give ideas on how to improve upon them. Hopefully that's okay, cause the difference between this topic and the one about the good things is a bit confusing. Hopefully my feedback is helpful to you, and hope to hear back!
-ManlyGreg

i know i'm new here but i'm in agrement with Greg,especialy about the Ocelots.

Good luck &Good Hunting Mineralshire.