Ah yes, I had to do it. Had to talk about a game that is so simple, yet so complex at the same time.  Here is the twist to this post: I'm not going to talk about my love/hate relationship with this game, strategies, or how to ride a pig  ; instead I'm going to load you up with resources. 

Comments are welcome, I will try to keep this updated. Enjoy!

~Matthew
12.29.12 - Original Post
1.1.13 - Added more links, split launchers from tools section.

Getting Started 
Official Page https://minecraft.net/
Wiki                 http://www.minecraftwiki.net/
Forums           http://www.minecraftforum.net/
Developer     http://mojang.com/

Podcasts/Shows
OMGCraft     http://omgcraft.com/

Blogs
Surviving Minecraft, Minecraft Adventures! http://minecraftworld.wordpress.com/

Launchers
Magic Launcher
http://magiclauncher.com/
http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/939149-
"Magic Launcher is a new Minecraft launcher which can load mods dynamically without changing or patching the minecraft.jar."

Digiex Minecraft Launcher
http://digiex.net/minecraft/mcvtool/
"Digiex.net Minecraft Launcher is a custom launcher that allows you to use different versions of minecraft without needing to rename minecraft.jar all the time." Don't worry if you don't have other jar files, it lets you download them!

Tools
Rei’s Minimap
http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/482147-
Lots of handy features, check it out.

WorldPainter
http://www.worldpainter.net/
"WorldPainter is an interactive map generator for Minecraft. It allows you to 'paint' landscapes using similar tools as a regular paint program. Sculpt and mould the terrain, paint materials, trees, snow and ice, etc. onto it, and much more."

Painterly Pack
http://painterlypack.net/
"The Painterly Pack is a fully customizable, 16x16 graphics package for Minecraft which seeks to improve the graphics of the game, while still attempting to keep the overall spirit of the game intact. Featuring over 5000 graphics, textures and sprites, Painterly is still the original and largest repository of textures for making Minecraft look the way YOU want it to look."

Minecraft Painter Maker
http://www.goosk.se/painter/
Make custom paintings to hang inside the game.

MCPatcher HD
http://www.minecraftdl.com/mcpatcher-hd-fix/
"This is a java application that will allows you to switch between texture packs."  http://www.mcpatcherhd.com/ Is a good resource for texture packs.

MinerShoes
http://www.minershoes.com/
Create a custom skin for your miner, or use one someone else already made.

ModLaoder
http://www.modloader.com/modloader/
"Modloader is a base mod for the majority of the mods out there, it can be considered as a mod manager. It stops conflict between 2 or more mods that can cause serious problems.

However modloader also has its own special features! It creates a new folder in the .minecraft folder that allows you to put some of the mods’ zip file in and auto installs it for you!"  http://www.modloader.com/ Is also a good source for mods & info.

Mods
Minecraft DL
http://www.minecraftdl.com/
Minecraft mods & tools.

Dragon Mounts Mod
http://www.minecraftdl.com/dragon-mounts-mod/
"The Dragon Mounts mod is a mod that will allow you to ride the Ender Dragon and summon them whenever you need them with a dragon egg!"

    So far, this year has been a little lack luster for new games. A few good games are coming out but mostly sequels. The good thing about this drought, is that I have been able to catchup on my retro game collection. I recently purchased quite a few NES games but ran into one problem. I have to sit for half an hour just to make my games work. I have to adjust and adjust, then re-adjust. Put the cartridge in at the right angle. It just gets a little frustrating. Now I realize its a well aged machine but I thought to myself, "There has to be some way to repair it." I have gone through three NESs and I'm tired of it.
    After a little quick searching, I found a fix. The 72 pin connector can be replaced! This supposedly fixes 90% of the issues.  I then stumbled upon this website http://www.nintendorepairshop.com/. I looked at the site and even found a kit that comes with a security bit to remove the games motherboard from the case. The kit itself is only $17.99. They also just sell the 72 Pin connector for $9.49. I purchased the kit and replaced the connector and......It worked. The repair was pretty simple and straight forward. A few times I had to re-insert a few games, a good cleaning also helped, but I was back and gaming on my NES like it was brand new.
     The site is great. Not only do they sell those kits but they also sell accessories for all Nintendo systems. For good measure they sell accessories for two non Nintendo consoles, the Sega Genesis and the PS2. This site gets even better. They sell games and even have a Trade-In addition to the site for your games and consoles.
    All in all this site fits the retro gamers needs. They have videos on how to do the repairs and cleaning if needed. Also, if you don't feel up to repairing your console yourself,  then you can send them in and for around $30 get them repaired. One last addition is the fact that they still accept checks, for those who don't have credit or debit or for people who don't like to use there cards online. The customer service is also an A+. If your a retro only gamer or collector  then you should give them a look a see what you think.