I would also suggest finding a seed you reeeealy like before putting the effort into the world. I despise large snow and ocean biomes, and like to have a mushroom island biome close to the origin of the map (no farther than 2000 blocks out). I have a list of seeds with descriptions in a text file, and I find playing them is much more enjoyable than a random seed.
Once you have one you really like, explore it a while on creative, maybe use one of the mapping utilities like Cartograph or such to make a picture of the layout, then start up a 'keeper' game on it. You should already have an idea of where you want to build your base, and hopefully you can make it to or close to that spot on your first day, alleviating the need to abandon your first shelter.
Once you have one you really like, explore it a while on creative, maybe use one of the mapping utilities like Cartograph or such to make a picture of the layout, then start up a 'keeper' game on it. You should already have an idea of where you want to build your base, and hopefully you can make it to or close to that spot on your first day, alleviating the need to abandon your first shelter.
or go here: http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/1324387-bmans-nomad-adventure/
there is reader involvement, too!