The server's most important rule.

In previous versions of the NOTS Mod Pack (and its associated server), we have had problems with certain individuals finishing the game extremely quickly and then ruining the fun for newcomers by giving them overpowered technology as soon as they log in for the first time. To combat this, we are instituting a new rule for the NOTS Mod Pack Server, Version 6.

If you're familiar with Star Trek, then this should be self-explanatory. If you're not, the relevant parts of the Prime Directive from the show can be summed up as:

• If a world doesn't know that extraterrestrial life exists, don't tell them that extraterrestrial life exists
• If a world doesn't have warp technology, don't give them warp technology
• If a world doesn't have replicators, don't give them replicators unless they can offer something significantly valuable in return
• If a world doesn't have phasers, DO NOT give them phasers unless they have the means to make phasers themselves anyway

On our server, the purpose of this rule is to prohibit one player giving another player technology that cuts time off of their game. For example, it takes time to build tools and mine diamonds, so if you give a brand new player diamonds, you are cutting time off of their game and violating the Prime Directive. It takes time to make an IndustrialCraft ore processing system, so if you give a vanilla-level player a set of IndustrialCraft machines, you are cutting time off of their game and violating the Prime Directive.

While trade is not specifcally prohibited, it breaks the Prime Directive if the items you are trading have significantly different values (e.g., wood planks for diamonds, or copper for red matter.) Under our Prime Directive, you are only allowed to trade with players who are near the same stage of the game as you-- you may not trade with players who are significantly less advanced or who have progressed significantly more than you.

Because you are allowed to trade with players at the same stage of the game as you, playing the game as a group is allowed. If you and your friend join the server at the same time, you will be at the same technological level, and as such you are allowed to share resources freely. In the case of playing as groups, the Prime Directive regulates inter-group trade and interaction, but intra-group trade and interaction is not bound by the Prime Directive as long as everyone was the same technological level when they joined the group.

So, to sum it up:

• If you have things that another player has never held before, you are probably not allowed to give them to that player, even if you're trading
• If someone else offers you things that you don't have the means to make yourself, you are not allowed to accept them
• You can only trade with players who have the same level of technology as you
• "Gifts" are almost always prohibited
• Sharing group resources openly is allowed, as long as everyone joined the group at the same time and level

This rule is designed to keep the game fun for everyone by making sure that everyone has the opportunity to play through the tech progression fairly. If you just want to experiment with machines and items without building them yourself, you are free to start a private creative world to use as a sandbox.