Sheeps
There are two experimental ships set up as accommodation for new users. The first one is being run down, at /warp ship. The second one (at /warp ship2) is available for Exps and other staff to put new users into, rather like a temp hotel. The cabins have basic stuff in and the users can redecorate, as their region is just the internals.
Please use ship 2 for all new arrivals, ship one will be zapped as soon as two more people have moved ashore.
Cabins have a bed, a chest with some raw food and tools basics, plus a furnace and coal to cook, So they are enough to for a few minecraft days.
The ship has been useful in getting some people a good start on the server. They are both placed in free land, the same as the n,s,e,a and w warps. The difference is that users have somewhere to act as a base. Once established, ppl move off the ship and then migrate to towns, etc. Ill move the ships and tidy up the surrounding area once people have all moved on. This keeps the server nice and tidy.
It's quite likely that we might adapt the strategy and use it somewhere else. Its just that a ship is easily moveable, so i can tidy up afterwards.
Use your judgement whether people just need some space at one of the free warps, or whether they need a cabin. Its an experiment anyway,everyone is different.
Exp's - if you take a user to a ship, find a free cabin then ask mod/admin support for the region (its on a sign by the door) to have the user added as a member. They only need to /sethome in the cabin and /cprivate the doors and they are all comfy If everyone is organised, a free cabin will have an unlocked door....
Anyone else is welcome to go have a look, if you want, but the ships are meant to be for new users, so you won't get to live there You all got nice houses anyway. Its all protected, so you can't open chests or locked doors.
The idea of the experiment is to see if it benefits new users, or if its not needed. So far 8 people have used cabins, of which 5 have stayed on the server.
Comments and ideas are welcome, I know my ship-building is a bit average, but if you found it useful, please let me know.
meach