Ok, so basically what is happening is we have entered into an alliance with /r9k/ and with /x/. We are all living in very close proximity to each other. if you get on, be friendly with them. they helped us out a lot when we were brand new and poor.

As far as the base goes, we have the beginnings of a solid underground base. Its not too deep but we will layer obsidian and water once we are established. We are following the modular design, which means you treat each chunk like its own little base (make it secure). A rule of thumb for this is to imagine if the chunk you are building in was the only chunk we had claimed. Would enemies be able to get in without using TNT? if so you did something wrong. We currently have 2 chunks properly dug out and walled off. One is where the /f home and entrance are, and it will eventually be a miniature of the whole base, with a small farm, a small mine, and some storage. We will fortify it first (think 'inner sanctum')

I think a good plan for now is to expand from a 1x1 chunk fortress to a 3x3. Im just not sure what to fill the other 8 chunks with. So yeah, get on when you can and help us get our stuff ship shape, because raids are happening. Yesterday we witnessed a somewhat sizable raid on /r9k/ (that was repelled successfully). Though the attackers weren't equipped with tnt or any kind of wall breaching stuff, we are definitely on the radar. Food, tools, and obsidian are probably the 3 most important things to produce right now.
Good luck all.