What if in minecraft you could fly or have a mini map? you could have all of these things with mods. But why install these? we install these mods to make the game more fun for us to play, or to make it easier to build. some of the best things built in minecraft are the work of mods. Notch the main man of minecraft (Jeb_ is also important.) Is working on mod API as you read this. Hopefully all Future updates will ad some cool new thing to be exploited by mods. everything that people make for mods make the game very fun to play. If you are a mod developer you should be proud of yourself. mods are awesome! below are some links for some of the coolest mods out there!

Risugami's Mod loader!
www.minecraftforum.net/topic/75440-v173-risugamis-mods-updates/

Zombe's mod pack
www.minecraftforum.net/topic/91055-v173-zombes-modpack-26-mods-v429-upd-8jul/

Lawheran's Mods (mini map mod)
www.minecraftforum.net/topic/91544-17jun-30-lahwrans-mods-zanmini-17-nethermap/#ZansMini

Millenaire Mod ( Npc villages) by Kinniken
www.minecraftforum.net/topic/227822-166-millenaire-npc-village-085b-small-fixes/