Noob alert...

I just got a better computer and now I can actually play online... or so I thought. Whenever I say anything, the server says nobody can hear me, no matter what channel I'm on, and I don't understand where one should build. My spawn point appears to be in the middle of a field of nuclear fallout with abandoned temporary bases, and I don't have any clue what to do.

Can someone either tell me how to get started or direct me to a "Minecraft: The Kingdoms for Dummies" post?

Yup, that's spawn, for now. As of your chat problem I have no clue, but it should only say that if you are in local and no one can hear you...

Hope this helps.

Adrian + OP powers + an untouched area= Tnt sphered

The abandoned spawn village has been tnt'd as well now