[1qaz2wsx3edc]

I have very similar stories with UO. I ran servers. I wrote scripts, in fact I owe much of my entry into my career to running private servers: it taught me how to run a server, how to setup a forum, how to program, how to setup a site, domain, etc, etc, etc. Ragnarok did much the same for me, it taught me about mysql, php (well I knew some by then). Time-warp and now I'm an expert in Rails/Ruby/Meteor/Node/Devops/etc. I really owe many thanks to gaming for giving me my entry and the devs whoms backs I stood on.

I agree that Minecraft is what UO was to our generation, although I'm a bit worried they're learning java, but I guess php is no better. Oh well, just more tools for the toolbelt. :D

[Justsignedup]

HEY! Nothing wrong with java! Except the standard libraries. If you want to badmouth java standard libraries I'll join you.

[of]

What's wrong with Java's standard libraries?

[yareally]

Can't say I'm overly fond of the standard library for Date/Time in Java prior to Java 8.

I've heard they've gotten better since Java 8 and Joda isn't as necessary now, but haven't used it since Java 8's release to know firsthand.

[CyberDildonics]

Says the guy who is an expert in Ruby and Node. I'm an expert at putting on pants in the morning. I'm also an expert at walking and chewing gum at the same time.