Too bad he made the new "visible chunks" an overall server setting instead of making it a "per user" setting. :/
It does look like he made a couple other changes to reduce the overall packet load.
I think what that does is determine how many chunks (distance from current chunk) the server sends to clients. In other words, if tekie turned it way down, it might be possible for you to play. Then again, doing so would make it impossible to take pictures like this...
TPU
! It is an exact mirror of the "P Stairwell"
Stairwell shaft dug to bedrock--walls are finished with the floors laid out:
Stairwell built from bedrock up:
Sandstone, glass, and glowstone shroud completed:
Appoximately 8000 blocks were mined, hundreds of smooth slabs were used, close to a thousand sandstone used. It took hours to mine but less than an hour to build the stairwell and shroud since I already had all the materials.
If you're curious how the other letters were built, that pretty much sums it up.
Edit: Now it's time for renovations (replacing torches with glowstone) on the other TPU letters. I'll post pictures of a nude "U" soon (what it looked like before it was shrouded in lava and water). I have to stop the lava anyway to gain access to the torches under it (yes, they are there but lava is opaque).
Edit: The renovated, naked U (it took forever to beat that lava down
):
Edit: Renovations complete:
Note: Do NOT try to swim up in the T from ground level. It's a death trap.
It is possible to swim up or down below water level, just make sure to stop at all the exposed floors for air. Swim in the center when going up and swim on the edge when going down.
"T" is for "Tank!" XD