 | | | | | | |
| |
|
As some of you may have heard by now, the LEGO Company worked together with a
small group of AFOLs on the micro/LEGO Factory concept. As I’m sure many of you
are curious, about the details, I wanted to pass along a bit of history.
In early January 2004, I met with some great folks from the LEGO Concept Lab,
while I was on my “internal roadshow” introducing the AFOLs to the company.
Concept Lab is responsible for brainstorming and creating product ideas for the
near future. They are a different group from the product design team, as they
are responsible for things slightly further out. Think of it this way:
Concept Lab = Design R&D
Product Designers = Design Production, so to speak
Anyway, I found out that they were working on a concept they had code named
Micro City. After some discussion, Soren and I agreed that we should involve a
small group of AFOLs in the project.
For several months, Soren (with some help from me) worked internally to get all
the approvals we needed. I started working to find the small group of folks to
pull into the team. In March 2004, we kicked off the project. We had three weeks
to “create the biggest little LEGO city in the world”.
As my colleague from Concept Lab said:
“Our intention was to make it as much of a community project as possible, so we
found an AFOL team leader and set up a secure forum website for the small group
of fans to ‘play’ in. We only gave them a broad brief: build houses for a micro
city! And they ran with it”
Initially, Soren was hoping to push the micro city idea as a new retail product
line. The models that the small AFOL teams created (tons of them over three
weeks) were taken to the product design cycle meetings. These meetings are held
once a year to determine the upcoming products. The micro city designs got rave
reviews from our colleagues.
Soren told me: “I never expected that many models and professional enthusiasm;
I was overwhelmed by the quality and especially the amount of MOCs that were
designed by the fans. I found myself trying to keep up with processing all the
material coming in!”
But during this time, LEGO Factory was making its introduction to the company as
well. (LEGO Factory has been in discussion even before I started. We’ve
literally been working on it that long!) After some discussion with the LEGO
Factory folks, it was agreed that the micro city would be an amazing “theme” to
use in LEGO Factory’s launch, and the marriage of micro city and LEGO Factory
was performed.
From May until the last couple weeks, this small AFOL group has been giving
feedback on the concept, as well as tips and tricks, and inspiration models for
the site.
I must make a point to thank that for their hard work and incredible effort in
helping push the concept of this “micro city” thing.
Ashley Glennon (Who agreed to take on the lead role)
Brian Muzas
Joe Meno
Ross Crawford
Sean Kenney
Spencer Rezkalla
Todd Kubo
Ross Neal
John Neal
Soren Roberts
(I think that’s everyone. Did I miss anyone?)
I have been saying for months that good things are happening, but I couldn’t
talk about them. Hopefully this helps to clear things up.
This isn’t the last of this type of project. Since projects like this can’t be
discussed before it’s time, it’s hard to show exactly how much is going on. All
I can do is try to fill you in after the fact and pass along the internal
reaction.
Soren: “This project team sent shockwaves though our development organization.
And managers as well as LEGO designers were impressed with the quality and
amount of MOCs. So suddenly other development groups than LEGO Factory started
to shape their own groups of AFOLs to assist in their development (of cause I
can’t mention what they are doing)”
“Now the LEGO Factory site is running and people from all over the world can
get a feel of what these 10 guys were involved in.. Creating their own REAL
LEGO sets and co working, voting etc. There is no doubt! The work we did with
these guys, helped significantly in shaping the LEGO Factory idea that launched
last week!”
You may be wondering how to get on future projects like this. As Brad used to
say “Just keep doing what you’re doing, we’ll notice”. Keep on building and
growing as builders. But also be sure to let people know what you’re doing via
sites like LUGNET, 1000steine, FreeLUG, etc. Meet other fans in person or
online. Put on events. Show off your mad skillz and you never know what might
happen.
Hope this helps pull back the curtain a bit. I also hope this helps show that
we’re actually moving in the right direction.
I know this year started off rough between the AFOLs and TLC with the color
change debacle. But hopefully this helps round out the year in a good way.
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Team
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(snip)
| |
You may be wondering how to get on future projects like this. As Brad used to
say “Just keep doing what you’re doing, we’ll notice”. Keep on building and
growing as builders. But also be sure to let people know what you’re doing
via sites like LUGNET, 1000steine, FreeLUG, etc. Meet other fans in person or
online. Put on events. Show off your mad skillz and you never know what might
happen.
Hope this helps pull back the curtain a bit. I also hope this helps show that
we’re actually moving in the right direction.
I know this year started off rough between the AFOLs and TLC with the color
change debacle. But hopefully this helps round out the year in a good way.
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Team
|
So...
Bottom line... take lots of pics of your creations and get them up on brickshelf
or MOCpages...right?
Scott Lyttle
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
| |
As some of you may have heard by now, the LEGO Company worked together with a
small group of AFOLs on the micro/LEGO Factory concept. As I’m sure many of
you are curious, about the details, I wanted to pass along a bit of history.
In early January 2004, I met with some great folks from the LEGO Concept Lab,
while I was on my “internal roadshow” introducing the AFOLs to the company.
Concept Lab is responsible for brainstorming and creating product ideas for
the near future. They are a different group from the product design team, as
they are responsible for things slightly further out. Think of it this way:
Concept Lab = Design R&D
Product Designers = Design Production, so to speak
Anyway, I found out that they were working on a concept they had code named
Micro City. After some discussion, Soren and I agreed that we should involve
a small group of AFOLs in the project.
For several months, Soren (with some help from me) worked internally to get
all the approvals we needed. I started working to find the small group of
folks to pull into the team. In March 2004, we kicked off the project. We had
three weeks to “create the biggest little LEGO city in the world”.
As my colleague from Concept Lab said:
“Our intention was to make it as much of a community project as possible, so
we found an AFOL team leader and set up a secure forum website for the small
group of fans to ‘play’ in. We only gave them a broad brief: build houses for
a micro city! And they ran with it”
Initially, Soren was hoping to push the micro city idea as a new retail
product line. The models that the small AFOL teams created (tons of them over
three weeks) were taken to the product design cycle meetings. These meetings
are held once a year to determine the upcoming products. The micro city
designs got rave reviews from our colleagues.
Soren told me: “I never expected that many models and professional
enthusiasm; I was overwhelmed by the quality and especially the amount of
MOCs that were designed by the fans. I found myself trying to keep up with
processing all the material coming in!”
But during this time, LEGO Factory was making its introduction to the company
as well. (LEGO Factory has been in discussion even before I started. We’ve
literally been working on it that long!) After some discussion with the LEGO
Factory folks, it was agreed that the micro city would be an amazing “theme”
to use in LEGO Factory’s launch, and the marriage of micro city and LEGO
Factory was performed.
From May until the last couple weeks, this small AFOL group has been giving
feedback on the concept, as well as tips and tricks, and inspiration models
for the site.
I must make a point to thank that for their hard work and incredible effort
in helping push the concept of this “micro city” thing.
|
I really have grown to like micro scale. It’s great if you want to build a
realistic cityscape with limited pieces. OK, so I’ve only built one small pair
of micro models (not impressive, so don’t ask about them), but they’re still
great. Early Lego was microscale too.
| |
Ashley Glennon (Who agreed to take on the lead role)
Brian Muzas
Joe Meno
Ross Crawford
Sean Kenney
Spencer Rezkalla
Todd Kubo
Ross Neal
John Neal
Soren Roberts
|
Do they get royalties on the LEGO factory sets sold too?
| |
(I think that’s everyone. Did I miss anyone?)
I have been saying for months that good things are happening, but I couldn’t
talk about them. Hopefully this helps to clear things up.
This isn’t the last of this type of project.
|
I look forward to the next
| |
Since projects like this can’t
be discussed before it’s time, it’s hard to show exactly how much is going
on. All I can do is try to fill you in after the fact and pass along the
internal reaction.
Soren: “This project team sent shockwaves though our development
organization. And managers as well as LEGO designers were impressed with the
quality and amount of MOCs. So suddenly other development groups than LEGO
Factory started to shape their own groups of AFOLs to assist in their
development (of cause I can’t mention what they are doing)”
“Now the LEGO Factory site is running and people from all over the world can
get a feel of what these 10 guys were involved in.. Creating their own REAL
LEGO sets and co working, voting etc. There is no doubt! The work we did with
these guys, helped significantly in shaping the LEGO Factory idea that
launched last week!”
You may be wondering how to get on future projects like this. As Brad used to
say “Just keep doing what you’re doing, we’ll notice”. Keep on building and
growing as builders. But also be sure to let people know what you’re doing
via sites like LUGNET, 1000steine, FreeLUG, etc. Meet other fans in person or
online. Put on events. Show off your mad skillz and you never know what might
happen.
|
Do TFOLs count?
| |
Hope this helps pull back the curtain a bit. I also hope this helps show that
we’re actually moving in the right direction.
I know this year started off rough between the AFOLs and TLC with the color
change debacle. But hopefully this helps round out the year in a good way.
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Team
|
I, personally have been extremely impressed with TLC as of late. So much has
been done to bring up its image and make it more appreciated. I hate to bring
up an old topic, but I feel that TLC has more than made up for the colour change
with the all round change to the company.
I’m not just talking about Lego factory. The designer sets, 4679, legends and
this. In fact, it’s kind of a good thing my parents have stopped me from buying
Lego recently with all the changes... I’d be in serious debt before leaving
school.
Lego has become more interested in its fans. The interaction has expanded from
what seemed to be very little to huge in just the last year (or, I think so. I
guess these projects have been going on for a long time and only just come out
into the open.)
Anyway, a safe thing to say is that LEGO is very visibly interested in its fans.
Peter
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Peter Roberts wrote:
| |
I really have grown to like micro scale. It’s great if you want to build a
realistic cityscape with limited pieces. OK, so I’ve only built one small
pair of micro models (not impressive, so don’t ask about them), but they’re
still great. Early Lego was microscale too.
|
I agree! :)
| |
| |
Ashley Glennon (Who agreed to take on the lead role)
Brian Muzas
Joe Meno
Ross Crawford
Sean Kenney
Spencer Rezkalla
Todd Kubo
Ross Neal
John Neal
Soren Roberts
|
Do they get royalties on the LEGO factory sets sold too?
|
No, we don’t.
:)
| |
I, personally have been extremely impressed with TLC as of late.
...snip...
I’m not just talking about Lego factory. The designer sets, 4679, legends
and this. In fact, it’s kind of a good thing my parents have stopped me from
buying Lego recently with all the changes... I’d be in serious debt before
leaving school.
|
Ah, yes. I must admit, LDD does help assuage my need for plastic: I can get
colors and pieces that I don’t have in my physical collection....
| |
Lego has become more interested in its fans. The interaction has expanded
from what seemed to be very little to huge in just the last year (or, I think
so. I guess these projects have been going on for a long time and only just
come out into the open.)
Anyway, a safe thing to say is that LEGO is very visibly interested in its
fans.
|
Peter, I agree. There will always be ups, downs, missteps, and false starts,
but I too see plenty of positive signs.
--Muze
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
|
In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
> As some of you may have heard by now, the LEGO Company worked together with a
> small group of AFOLs on the micro/LEGO Factory concept. As I'm sure many of
> you are curious, about the details, I wanted to pass along a bit of history.
>
> In early January 2004, I met with some great folks from the LEGO Concept Lab,
> while I was on my “internal roadshow” introducing the AFOLs to the company.
> Concept Lab is responsible for brainstorming and creating product ideas for
> the near future. They are a different group from the product design team, as
> they are responsible for things slightly further out. Think of it this way:
snip
> I must make a point to thank that for their hard work and incredible effort
> in helping push the concept of this "micro city" thing.
>
> Ashley Glennon (Who agreed to take on the lead role)¬
> Brian Muzas ¬
> Joe Meno¬
> Ross Crawford¬
> Sean Kenney¬
> Spencer Rezkalla¬
> Todd Kubo¬
> Ross Neal¬
> John Neal¬
> Soren Roberts¬
Congratulations to you all. The efforts you made certainly shows in the
inspirational models. Thank you for representing the adult fan base so well
with high quality creations. I love the fact that micro is being taken up to
the next level.
Janey "Red Brick"
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
| |
As some of you may have heard by now, the LEGO Company worked together with a
small group of AFOLs on the micro/LEGO Factory concept. As I’m sure many of
you are curious, about the details, I wanted to pass along a bit of history.
In early January 2004, I met with some great folks from the LEGO Concept Lab,
while I was on my “internal roadshow” introducing the AFOLs to the company.
Concept Lab is responsible for brainstorming and creating product ideas for
the near future. They are a different group from the product design team, as
they are responsible for things slightly further out. Think of it this way:
Concept Lab = Design R&D
Product Designers = Design Production, so to speak
Anyway, I found out that they were working on a concept they had code named
Micro City. After some discussion, Soren and I agreed that we should involve
a small group of AFOLs in the project.
For several months, Soren (with some help from me) worked internally to get
all the approvals we needed. I started working to find the small group of
folks to pull into the team. In March 2004, we kicked off the project. We had
three weeks to “create the biggest little LEGO city in the world”.
As my colleague from Concept Lab said:
“Our intention was to make it as much of a community project as possible, so
we found an AFOL team leader and set up a secure forum website for the small
group of fans to ‘play’ in. We only gave them a broad brief: build houses for
a micro city! And they ran with it”
Initially, Soren was hoping to push the micro city idea as a new retail
product line. The models that the small AFOL teams created (tons of them over
three weeks) were taken to the product design cycle meetings. These meetings
are held once a year to determine the upcoming products. The micro city
designs got rave reviews from our colleagues.
Soren told me: “I never expected that many models and professional
enthusiasm; I was overwhelmed by the quality and especially the amount of
MOCs that were designed by the fans. I found myself trying to keep up with
processing all the material coming in!”
But during this time, LEGO Factory was making its introduction to the company
as well. (LEGO Factory has been in discussion even before I started. We’ve
literally been working on it that long!) After some discussion with the LEGO
Factory folks, it was agreed that the micro city would be an amazing “theme”
to use in LEGO Factory’s launch, and the marriage of micro city and LEGO
Factory was performed.
From May until the last couple weeks, this small AFOL group has been giving
feedback on the concept, as well as tips and tricks, and inspiration models
for the site.
I must make a point to thank that for their hard work and incredible effort
in helping push the concept of this “micro city” thing.
Ashley Glennon (Who agreed to take on the lead role)
Brian Muzas
Joe Meno
Ross Crawford
Sean Kenney
Spencer Rezkalla
Todd Kubo
Ross Neal
John Neal
Soren Roberts
(I think that’s everyone. Did I miss anyone?)
I have been saying for months that good things are happening, but I couldn’t
talk about them. Hopefully this helps to clear things up.
This isn’t the last of this type of project. Since projects like this can’t
be discussed before it’s time, it’s hard to show exactly how much is going
on. All I can do is try to fill you in after the fact and pass along the
internal reaction.
Soren: “This project team sent shockwaves though our development
organization. And managers as well as LEGO designers were impressed with the
quality and amount of MOCs. So suddenly other development groups than LEGO
Factory started to shape their own groups of AFOLs to assist in their
development (of cause I can’t mention what they are doing)”
“Now the LEGO Factory site is running and people from all over the world can
get a feel of what these 10 guys were involved in.. Creating their own REAL
LEGO sets and co working, voting etc. There is no doubt! The work we did with
these guys, helped significantly in shaping the LEGO Factory idea that
launched last week!”
You may be wondering how to get on future projects like this. As Brad used to
say “Just keep doing what you’re doing, we’ll notice”. Keep on building and
growing as builders. But also be sure to let people know what you’re doing
via sites like LUGNET, 1000steine, FreeLUG, etc. Meet other fans in person or
online. Put on events. Show off your mad skillz and you never know what might
happen.
Hope this helps pull back the curtain a bit. I also hope this helps show that
we’re actually moving in the right direction.
I know this year started off rough between the AFOLs and TLC with the color
change debacle. But hopefully this helps round out the year in a good way.
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Team
|
Hi,
I thought long before posting about this. Mainly because I don’t think I have
anything positive to add and it may seem negative at first glance, but what I am
hoping is for an explanation so I can understand.
See, I read your first post a few days ago about this factory website. You
sounded all excited and I thought : Nice, something positive from TLG for a
change! But then, I visited the website and it didn’t make me happy about
anything. Sure, it’s a nice website and all, but it doesn’t do much for me, the
average AFOL. I mean, I’m not a micro-scale town addict, although I enjoy the
great projects other show on various websites. So what is The LEGO Factory good
for if I’m not into that kind of building? Will it expand to something else
than town? Have I missed something? Maybe, I’ll admit I abandonned my research
quite hastily when I found out it didn’t appeal to me.
Then, you post this. Great, TLG has included 10 AFOLs in the project, in
secrety. It’s nice for them, it’s nice for the community to see that TLG has
accepted us as a part of their universe, but at the risk of sounding grim, I
like many others have not yet swallowed the color-change pill. I mean, TLG can
make cool websites with 10 AFOLs all they want, it won’t make the bricks any
better for us average AFOLs not included in these projects.
And before anyone starts ranting, this isn’t about the color-change at all.
It’s about respect for the AFOLs. This website is intended primarily for
children who like micro-scale towns, not for the majority of AFOL. I am sure
most people here do not really care about it. Although it’s a great tool for
those who are concerned, it’s not any good to most of us.
IMHO, TLG can’t expect us AFOLs to forgive and forget the way we were treated
with the color-change by asking 10 AFOLs to help them make a cool project even
better. But I am re-reading myself and I sound harsh. It is not my intention
to say that it’s pointless or anything, but rather that it is not something that
will help restore the way we feel about TLG.
I guess some may reply that they feel TLG has redeemed itself, that they didn’t
need to in the first place or things like that. I accept the fact that everyone
has his opinion. However, there is an important part of this community that
feels TLG has mistreated us and that we deserve a better treatment in the
future. I understand that AFOLs are not a big part of the market, so maybe we
don’t really matter in the end. But it saddens me to hear people rant (like me)
about how they love the LEGO bricks, but not the company anymore.
Is your excitement about the fact that for a change, TLG has included some AFOLs
in a nice project? Do I completely miss the point here? I hope I am and you
can explain to me why I should feel happy about this, so I can start saying “I
love and respect the LEGO company once again”... not just their older bricks.
Terry
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
| |
In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote: • snip
Hi,
I thought long before posting about this. Mainly because I don’t think I
have anything positive to add and it may seem negative at first glance, but
what I am hoping is for an explanation so I can understand.
See, I read your first post a few days ago about this factory website. You
sounded all excited and I thought : Nice, something positive from TLG for a
change! But then, I visited the website and it didn’t make me happy about
anything. Sure, it’s a nice website and all, but it doesn’t do much for me,
the average AFOL. I mean, I’m not a micro-scale town addict, although I
enjoy the great projects other show on various websites. So what is The LEGO
Factory good for if I’m not into that kind of building? Will it expand to
something else than town? Have I missed something? Maybe, I’ll admit I
abandonned my research quite hastily when I found out it didn’t appeal to me.
Then, you post this. Great, TLG has included 10 AFOLs in the project, in
secrety. It’s nice for them, it’s nice for the community to see that TLG has
accepted us as a part of their universe, but at the risk of sounding grim, I
like many others have not yet swallowed the color-change pill. I mean, TLG
can make cool websites with 10 AFOLs all they want, it won’t make the bricks
any better for us average AFOLs not included in these projects.
And before anyone starts ranting, this isn’t about the color-change at all.
It’s about respect for the AFOLs. This website is intended primarily for
children who like micro-scale towns, not for the majority of AFOL. I am sure
most people here do not really care about it. Although it’s a great tool for
those who are concerned, it’s not any good to most of us.
IMHO, TLG can’t expect us AFOLs to forgive and forget the way we were treated
with the color-change by asking 10 AFOLs to help them make a cool project
even better. But I am re-reading myself and I sound harsh. It is not my
intention to say that it’s pointless or anything, but rather that it is not
something that will help restore the way we feel about TLG.
I guess some may reply that they feel TLG has redeemed itself, that they
didn’t need to in the first place or things like that. I accept the fact
that everyone has his opinion. However, there is an important part of this
community that feels TLG has mistreated us and that we deserve a better
treatment in the future. I understand that AFOLs are not a big part of the
market, so maybe we don’t really matter in the end. But it saddens me to
hear people rant (like me) about how they love the LEGO bricks, but not the
company anymore.
Is your excitement about the fact that for a change, TLG has included some
AFOLs in a nice project? Do I completely miss the point here? I hope I am
and you can explain to me why I should feel happy about this, so I can start
saying “I love and respect the LEGO company once again”... not just their
older bricks.
Terry
|
I completely sympathize with you on the color change issue, but that didn’t stop
me from being excited about the LEGO Factory contest/micro town theme. Granted,
I would have been a lot MORE excited about the whole thing if the sets were
coming out in original colors.
I can tell you one thing: complaining about the color change in public isn’t
likely to get you invited into one of TLC’s AFOL A-Teams. Search for these
names:
Ashley Glennon
Brian Muzas
Joe Meno
Ross Crawford
Sean Kenney
Spencer Rezkalla
Todd Kubo
Ross Neal
John Neal
Soren Roberts
in these threads:
http://news.lugnet.com/lego/?n=533&t=i&v=c
http://news.lugnet.com/general/?n=47149&t=i&v=c
http://news.lugnet.com/lego/?n=672&t=i&v=c
and find out what the LEGO Factory team had to say about the color change. Short
answer: not much, and what little there was tended to be positive (or at least
critical of those who didn’t support the color change).
So, a better avenue for your dissatisfaction would be to build some great models
for the LEGO Factory contest that don’t use the new colors. Admittedly, I
haven’t done a very good job of this so
far, but I plan on making it a priority in future entries. Keep hope alive!
Marc Nelson Jr.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
|
I emphathize with your sentiments on the color change, Terry.
I'm very happy to see that TLG is truly making an effort to involve us
AFOL's much more deeply in the real nuts and bolts of the company, but I'm
always going to feel like it should've come sooner. If it had, then perhaps
I wouldn't have the bittersweet feeling that the color change always leaves
in my mouth when I see new product announcements. The Legends, MOC, and
Designer sets are indeed fantastic, but my joy is always undercut a little
by the knowledge that I'll be sorting a percentage of the set for resale. I
still love the brick, and I still love the company, but it's not the same
feeling.
On the bright side, perhaps with this increasing involvement we AFOL's can
make our voices heard loud enough to maybe get TLG to switch back? Wouldn't
that be incredible?! I could tolerate monkeys flying out of my butt if I
could buy new sets with the original greys and browns in them! Coke Classic
came back REAL QUICK.
Yours in hope!
Dave
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
| |
Is your excitement about the fact that for a change, TLG has included some
AFOLs in a nice project? Do I completely miss the point here? I hope I am
and you can explain to me why I should feel happy about this, so I can start
saying “I love and respect the LEGO company once again”... not just their
older bricks.
|
Note: I’m speaking for myself here, not Lego.
I think there are a couple of big things to be excited about:
1. From Jake’s original post: “If the idea catches on, we will open up the
virtual LEGO Factory for all LEGO fans to have their own models produced and
sold on-line”. The Lego Factory represents the first potential step in realizing
the ultimate Lego fan dream: on-demand fan-designed sets directly from Lego.
This has been a dream discussed for so many years by the fans. But dreams will
remain dreams without a business case to pursuit them. Finally an initial
business case has been developed and is now being tested through the Lego
Factory concept. The relative success of this concept will help dictate how far
Lego can take this in the future.
2. The potential for AFOL involvement in future Lego product development. Our
group was the first test case. If we failed, then you could probably write-off
any chances of AFOLs working with Lego development teams again. The good news is
we succeeded and delivered way above and beyond what was expected by Lego. As
Jake had mentioned, now other teams are looking into having their own AFOL
teams. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Lego only wants AFOLs to help develop
AFOL-type products. We are being looked at to help with a wide variety of
things. The Lego Factory proves this. Everything has a business case behind it.
Some, like the ISD, cater more to typical AFOL wants, while others don’t. The
good news is we may be asked for input into future products that are aimed at
older audiences (like ISDs, Mindstorms, etc) as well as others designed for
younger groups. That’s quite a potential stake in the future of things.
As to why micro was selected for the Lego Factory, I think the reasons are
fairly obvious. Small piece counts make designing and building the models on the
computer easier and fun - especially for younger builders. The theme itself has
basic appeal and most importantly, such designs are affordable to a wide
consumer base. It would be incredibly disappointing to a child to put together a
model that was just too expensive for their parents to order. As Jake said, we
started working on the micro-city as a product line and it was later determined
that it would be a perfect fit for the factory concept. But that doesn’t mean
that the Lego Factory has to be limited to micro-town in the future. Although
limited, I think the LDD factory palette is a pretty impressive mix of useful
elements that can be used for a variety of purposes. It’s easy to see that the
factory idea itself can be flexible and expandable.
Spencer
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
| |
I thought long before posting about this. Mainly because I don’t think I
have anything positive to add and it may seem negative at first glance, but
what I am hoping is for an explanation so I can understand.
|
Like you, I debated for a while on whether to respond. Text is such a bad medium
for communication, especially if you have a dry sense of humor like I do. Please
read the message is the most positive way you can, as I’m not at all upset as I
type.
| |
See, I read your first post a few days ago about this factory website. You
sounded all excited and I thought : Nice, something positive from TLG for a
change! But then, I visited the website and it didn’t make me happy about
anything. Sure, it’s a nice website and all, but it doesn’t do much for me,
the average AFOL. I mean, I’m not a micro-scale town addict, although I
enjoy the great projects other show on various websites.
|
With all due respect, I don’t think you’re seeing the bigger picture here. I
know you might not be into micro building personally. But there’s so so so much
more to this project than that.
We are, for the first time ever, allowing ALL consumers to participate in
designing and producing new products. Sure, it’s not a product that you,
personally, are into, but that’s not the bigger picture. I assume that you like
the concept of the MOC sets, right? Do you have to be into trains or castle in
order to appreciate the coolness of that concept?
| |
So what is The LEGO
Factory good for if I’m not into that kind of building? Will it expand to
something else than town? Have I missed something?
|
Who knows what will happen! That’s the point, and that’s the bigger picture. If
you set aside even a couple minutes to imagine how this thing *might* extend out
over time, you can imagine many many great ideas. We certainly have.
| |
Maybe, I’ll admit I
abandonned my research quite hastily when I found out it didn’t appeal to me.
|
Again, all due respect, but you hate something you didn’t fully research? It’s
hard for us to have a discussion about something you admit you didn’t fully
understand.
| |
Then, you post this. Great, TLG has included 10 AFOLs in the project, in
secrety. It’s nice for them, it’s nice for the community to see that TLG has
accepted us as a part of their universe, but at the risk of sounding grim, I
like many others have not yet swallowed the color-change pill. I mean, TLG
can make cool websites with 10 AFOLs all they want, it won’t make the bricks
any better for us average AFOLs not included in these projects.
|
Several points here I want to touch on:
In business, sometimes projects require NDAs, contracts, and secrecy.
Competitors are always keeping an eye on you, and to openly share your plans is
often an invitation for disaster.
It would be great to include the entire AFOL community in every project that
takes place, but that’s just not realistic. 10 AFOLs were chosen in order to
form a fast, effective, responsive group. Sometimes a project just makes sense
to have a small number of people on it. I used to have a boss that said that it
was a mathematical certainty that as the number of people in a working group
increased, the effectiveness decreased.
(And no, these 10 were chosen based on two things an two things alone: micro
building skill, and professionalism. I was the person responsible for choosing
the team, and I didn’t think one time about which side of the color change
debate the fell on. Not once.)
| |
And before anyone starts ranting, this isn’t about the color-change at all.
It’s about respect for the AFOLs. This website is intended primarily for
children who like micro-scale towns, not for the majority of AFOL. I am sure
most people here do not really care about it. Although it’s a great tool for
those who are concerned, it’s not any good to most of us.
|
You’re right, this site is targeted, mainly, to children. That’s our core
business. We’re doing as much as we can to deliver products that work for both
kid and adult audiences, but the reality is that a vast majority of our
consumers are kids.
But again, look at the big picture. Computers didn’t first start at $500 for a
3ghz machine. They started as room sized things that wouldn’t power my cell
phone today. If you were to look at the early days and say “well, average people
can’t use these room sized monstrocities, so computers must be irrelevant”, it
would be missing the bigger picture.
| |
IMHO, TLG can’t expect us AFOLs to forgive and forget the way we were treated
with the color-change by asking 10 AFOLs to help them make a cool project
even better.
|
I’m honestly confused. I thought you didn’t think much of the micro/LEGO Factory
concept. But now you’re saying you think it’s cool. Perhaps I missunderstood?
| |
I guess some may reply that they feel TLG has redeemed itself, that they
didn’t need to in the first place or things like that. I accept the fact
that everyone has his opinion. However, there is an important part of this
community that feels TLG has mistreated us and that we deserve a better
treatment in the future. I understand that AFOLs are not a big part of the
market, so maybe we don’t really matter in the end. But it saddens me to
hear people rant (like me) about how they love the LEGO bricks, but not the
company anymore.
|
There is a massive difference between small part of the market and thinking that
small part of the market “doesn’t matter”. I’ve always maintained that AFOLs are
a very important group of people. In the last two years, the thinking of many of
my colleagues has changed to that belief too.
Just look at the concept at play with LEGO Factory and then think about the
bigger picture... we’re allowing LEGO builders to actively be part of the
product design and product selection process. We’ve included a group of AFOLs in
the concepting process. We’ve designed the contest in such a way that 20% of
the winners will be adults. A few years ago, NONE of this would have happened.
Who knows where we’ll be in a few more years.
| |
Is your excitement about the fact that for a change, TLG has included some
AFOLs in a nice project? Do I completely miss the point here?
|
Once again, with all due respect (text is such a bad communication medium), you
admitted not having fully researched the concept. As such, I do think you are
missing at least some of the points of why this is so cool. It’s not all about
what’s here today, its about what we’ve started.
| |
I hope I am
and you can explain to me why I should feel happy about this, so I can start
saying “I love and respect the LEGO company once again”... not just their
older bricks.
|
I’m not sure I can explain why you should be happy. I can try to explain the
significance, and hope that makes you happy. I know the color change has had a
deep and harsh effect on you, and that you are upset to this day. I’m not sure
I’ll/we’ll ever be able to do anything to get you saying “I love and respect the
LEGO Company again”. If I’m wrong, please let me know.
Anyway, I hope this message is read with the voice I intended. I know it may
sound like I’m upset, but I’m not at all... just the nature of the text
communication.
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Team
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
|
In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
> In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
>
> > I thought long before posting about this. Mainly because I don't think I
> > have anything positive to add and it may seem negative at first glance, but
> > what I am hoping is for an explanation so I can understand.
>
> Like you, I debated for a while on whether to respond. Text is such a bad
> medium for communication, especially if you have a dry sense of humor like I
> do. Please read the message is the most positive way you can, as I'm not at
> all upset as I type.
Hello Jake
For once, we're on the same page :-) Text IS a bad media to express our
emotions and feelings. As I was reading your answer to my post I had to keep in
mind your warning about you not being upset at all, as some answer or comments
did seem to point out you could be. But then again, I sounded harsh in the
forst place and it wasn't my intention. As it won't be this time also, so
please understand that i'm inthe same mood as you, positive.
>
> > See, I read your first post a few days ago about this factory website. You
> > sounded all excited and I thought : Nice, something positive from TLG for a
> > change! But then, I visited the website and it didn't make me happy about
> > anything. Sure, it's a nice website and all, but it doesn't do much for me,
> > the average AFOL. I mean, I'm not a micro-scale town addict, although I
> > enjoy the great projects other show on various websites.
>
> With all due respect, I don't think you're seeing the bigger picture here. I
> know you might not be into micro building personally. But there's so so so
> much more to this project than that.
You are right. I've never shyed away from admitting I'm wrong. I do miss the
big picture. I didn't see the potential. But again, and this will probably be
true in the following parts of this post, I do not feel all happy because
potential is only potential as long as it's not something that happens, so I
don't see the reason to get excited yet. Not so soon.
> We are, for the first time ever, allowing ALL consumers to participate in
> designing and producing new products. Sure, it's not a product that you,
> personally, are into, but that's not the bigger picture. I assume that you
> like the concept of the MOC sets, right? Do you have to be into trains or
> castle in order to appreciate the coolness of that concept?
I didn't understand there was a possibility, a real one mind you, of creating
our own sets. But as I red this the first time, I didn't believe it, so the
fact that you repeat it makes me think it's possible, not just a fantasy that
has zero chance of happenning. Of course this would be aewsome. It would be a
great improvement for the way angered AFOLs feel.
> > So what is The LEGO
> > Factory good for if I'm not into that kind of building? Will it expand to
> > something else than town? Have I missed something?
>
> Who knows what will happen! That's the point, and that's the bigger picture.
> If you set aside even a couple minutes to imagine how this thing *might*
> extend out over time, you can imagine many many great ideas. We certainly
> have.
Indeed, I did miss that point also. I am a bit narrow-minded towards you and
TLG since the color-change issue. I'll take the blame.
> > Maybe, I'll admit I
> > abandonned my research quite hastily when I found out it didn't appeal to
> > me.
>
> Again, all due respect, but you hate something you didn't fully research?
> It's hard for us to have a discussion about something you admit you didn't
> fully understand.
There's a wide array of feelings between hate and "not appeal to me". Did I say
I hate it? I don't hate it, I simply didn't think it was good for me.
> > Then, you post this. Great, TLG has included 10 AFOLs in the project, in
> > secrety. It's nice for them, it's nice for the community to see that TLG
> > has accepted us as a part of their universe, but at the risk of sounding
> > grim, I like many others have not yet swallowed the color-change pill. I
> > mean, TLG can make cool websites with 10 AFOLs all they want, it won't make
> > the bricks any better for us average AFOLs not included in these projects.
>
> Several points here I want to touch on:
>
> In business, sometimes projects require NDAs, contracts, and secrecy.
> Competitors are always keeping an eye on you, and to openly share your plans
> is often an invitation for disaster.
>
> It would be great to include the entire AFOL community in every project that
> takes place, but that's just not realistic. 10 AFOLs were chosen in order to
> form a fast, effective, responsive group. Sometimes a project just makes
> sense to have a small number of people on it. I used to have a boss that said
> that it was a mathematical certainty that as the number of people in a
> working group increased, the effectiveness decreased.
>
> (And no, these 10 were chosen based on two things an two things alone: micro
> building skill, and professionalism. I was the person responsible for
> choosing the team, and I didn't think one time about which side of the color
> change debate the fell on. Not once.)
I didn't make these accusations of chossing the AFOLs according to their
feelings on the color-change issue. I didn't even think about it to be honest.
> > And before anyone starts ranting, this isn't about the color-change at all.
> > It's about respect for the AFOLs. This website is intended primarily for
> > children who like micro-scale towns, not for the majority of AFOL. I am
> > sure most people here do not really care about it. Although it's a great
> > tool for those who are concerned, it's not any good to most of us.
>
> You're right, this site is targeted, mainly, to children. That's our core
> business. We're doing as much as we can to deliver products that work for
> both kid and adult audiences, but the reality is that a vast majority of our
> consumers are kids.
>
> But again, look at the big picture. Computers didn't first start at $500 for
> a 3ghz machine. They started as room sized things that wouldn't power my cell
> phone today. If you were to look at the early days and say "well, average
> people can't use these room sized monstrocities, so computers must be
> irrelevant", it would be missing the bigger picture.
Errr... Yeah... Anyway, What I meant was that the concept is not as appealing
to castle-fans of space-fans, so I guess most of them (consider me part of both
groups) will wait for the Factory to widen its range of themes. But it's pure
speculation, I may be entirely wrong here.
> > IMHO, TLG can't expect us AFOLs to forgive and forget the way we were
> > treated with the color-change by asking 10 AFOLs to help them make a cool
> > project even better.
>
> I'm honestly confused. I thought you didn't think much of the micro/LEGO
> Factory concept. But now you're saying you think it's cool. Perhaps I
> missunderstood?
I said it didn't appeal to me, but I also said it was a cool tool for those who
are into that theme. Don't get me wrong, I'd love a real town series, not with
just police and fire-fighters, but with houses and stores. If Factory wasn't
about micro-scale, I'd totally be into it. Still, before we can produce our own
sets, there's just a website and a LEGO opening to AFOLs. It's still not enough
YET for me to say that TLG has made a real effort to gain our respect back.
> > I guess some may reply that they feel TLG has redeemed itself, that they
> > didn't need to in the first place or things like that. I accept the fact
> > that everyone has his opinion. However, there is an important part of this
> > community that feels TLG has mistreated us and that we deserve a better
> > treatment in the future. I understand that AFOLs are not a big part of the
> > market, so maybe we don't really matter in the end. But it saddens me to
> > hear people rant (like me) about how they love the LEGO bricks, but not the
> > company anymore.
>
> There is a massive difference between small part of the market and thinking
> that small part of the market "doesn't matter". I've always maintained that
> AFOLs are a very important group of people. In the last two years, the
> thinking of many of my colleagues has changed to that belief too.
>
> Just look at the concept at play with LEGO Factory and then think about the
> bigger picture... we're allowing LEGO builders to actively be part of the
> product design and product selection process. We've included a group of AFOLs
> in the concepting process. We've designed the contest in such a way that 20%
> of the winners will be adults. A few years ago, NONE of this would have
> happened. Who knows where we'll be in a few more years.
Agreed, but you make it sound as though the inability to adjust to reality
sooner and include AFOLs into the big picture is something that is okay and that
now that they have adjusted, we should praise them.
In Québec, we allowed women to vote in 1945 (or around those years, but in the
late 40). I don't think it would be okay to say "Hey, we allowed them to vote,
who knows where we'll be in a few more years. They might get full legal
reconition eventually!" The rest of the world had allowed women to vote much
earlier. We were late and I'm ashamed of this part of my countries' history.
The point I am trying to make is that being late on something and then catching
on is not something to be proud of in my opinion. There's still catching up to
do. AFOLs have been creating MOCs way cooler than the models sold by TLG for
years, yet TLG just started to look for our help. Jon Palmer make amazing
models with about as many parts as a normal A-wing, but with much more style.
Yet LEGO still makes models as horrible as the Tie-Bomber (I "hate" this model
and regret having bought it). But I've gotten a bit out of the discussion here.
Back to our discussion.
> > Is your excitement about the fact that for a change, TLG has included some
> > AFOLs in a nice project? Do I completely miss the point here?
>
> Once again, with all due respect (text is such a bad communication medium),
> you admitted not having fully researched the concept. As such, I do think you
> are missing at least some of the points of why this is so cool. It's not all
> about what's here today, its about what we've started.
Indeed. I did miss some points. Thanks for pointing them out.
> > I hope I am
> > and you can explain to me why I should feel happy about this, so I can start
> > saying "I love and respect the LEGO company once again"... not just their
> > older bricks.
>
> I'm not sure I can explain why you should be happy. I can try to explain the
> significance, and hope that makes you happy. I know the color change has had
> a deep and harsh effect on you, and that you are upset to this day. I'm not
> sure I'll/we'll ever be able to do anything to get you saying "I love and
> respect the LEGO Company again". If I'm wrong, please let me know.
You are wrong. I could and hope I will learn to respect and love the company
again. But for this, I think AFOLs (and i don't mean me, I'm not as good as
some AFOLs I see here day after day like Jon Palmer or Eric Sophie to name only
two) have to be treated with way more respect. This means telling us in advance
what is coming up if we will be affected by it. It means promising (and keeping
those promises) that color or such significant issues won't be changed again
without a fair warning so we can stockpile. It means above all being treated
not as a small market, but as a small partner in the way that we make free
publicity for the products. I don't know of any other company that can claim
they have such a strong community-based adult fanclub.
> Anyway, I hope this message is read with the voice I intended. I know it may
> sound like I'm upset, but I'm not at all... just the nature of the text
> communication.
Same here.
Terry
Average AFOL.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
-- snip tons of good stuff --
Thanks for the long response. Not much to follow-up on, save this one thing:
| |
| |
I’m not sure I can explain why you should be happy. I can try to explain the
significance, and hope that makes you happy. I know the color change has had
a deep and harsh effect on you, and that you are upset to this day. I’m not
sure I’ll/we’ll ever be able to do anything to get you saying “I love and
respect the LEGO Company again”. If I’m wrong, please let me know.
|
You are wrong. I could and hope I will learn to respect and love the company
again. But for this, I think AFOLs (and i don’t mean me, I’m not as good as
some AFOLs I see here day after day like Jon Palmer or Eric Sophie to name
only two) have to be treated with way more respect. This means telling us in
advance what is coming up if we will be affected by it. It means promising
(and keeping those promises) that color or such significant issues won’t be
changed again without a fair warning so we can stockpile. It means above all
being treated not as a small market, but as a small partner in the way that we
make free publicity for the products. I don’t know of any other company that
can claim they have such a strong community-based adult fanclub.
|
You make very good points. Think what you will about the company, but when you
think of me personally, know this:
I joined the LEGO Company 4 years ago in the early days of LEGO Direct. It’s
been fun, it’s been tough, and it’s been one of the most difficult and mentally
challenging jobs I’ve ever had.
I’ve worked my tail off every day (most weekends included) to carry the word of
the AFOLs to all corners of the company. I spent countless hours, day, night,
weekend trying to come up with ideas to make AFOLs happy. I’ve tried to place
myself in every part of the company to know as much as is possible about what’s
going on.
I’ve not once lied to AFOLs, or exaggerated something I know to be something
else. I’ve had a strong and unbroken philosophy of maintaining an “open and
honest relationship” with the AFOLs and AFOL community.
Are we going to mis-step? Yep. Am I going to be able to catch and react to
absolutely every issue AFOLs might possibly object to? Doubtful. Most days, I
feel like the CIA or FBI... it doesn’t matter if I catch 4 million problems,
it’s that one slipping through that’s all anyone remembers. But hey, that’s the
job. And I love it.
The color change was bad news, and a major mis-step. I’ve apologized, I’ve
mentioned that people inside the company now realize the effect it had and it’s
had a big impact. Like the CIA’s results, however, you won’t see them unless
something goes wrong. And if I’m doing my job right, nothing goes wrong.
To say that we’ve not made progress is to not fully understand where we were
starting four years ago. I know much of this is hard to see, and I know you’re
seriously uninterested in trusting me, but all I can say is... “trust me”.
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Team
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
| |
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
-- snip tons of good stuff --
Thanks for the long response. Not much to follow-up on, save this one thing:
| |
| |
I’m not sure I can explain why you should be happy. I can try to explain
the significance, and hope that makes you happy. I know the color change
has had a deep and harsh effect on you, and that you are upset to this day.
I’m not sure I’ll/we’ll ever be able to do anything to get you saying “I
love and respect the LEGO Company again”. If I’m wrong, please let me know.
|
You are wrong. I could and hope I will learn to respect and love the
company again. But for this, I think AFOLs (and i don’t mean me, I’m not as
good as some AFOLs I see here day after day like Jon Palmer or Eric Sophie
to name only two) have to be treated with way more respect. This means
telling us in advance what is coming up if we will be affected by it. It
means promising (and keeping those promises) that color or such significant
issues won’t be changed again without a fair warning so we can stockpile.
It means above all being treated not as a small market, but as a small
partner in the way that we make free publicity for the products. I don’t
know of any other company that can claim they have such a strong
community-based adult fanclub.
|
You make very good points. Think what you will about the company, but when
you think of me personally, know this:
I joined the LEGO Company 4 years ago in the early days of LEGO Direct. It’s
been fun, it’s been tough, and it’s been one of the most difficult and
mentally challenging jobs I’ve ever had.
I’ve worked my tail off every day (most weekends included) to carry the word
of the AFOLs to all corners of the company. I spent countless hours, day,
night, weekend trying to come up with ideas to make AFOLs happy. I’ve tried
to place myself in every part of the company to know as much as is possible
about what’s going on.
I’ve not once lied to AFOLs, or exaggerated something I know to be something
else. I’ve had a strong and unbroken philosophy of maintaining an “open and
honest relationship” with the AFOLs and AFOL community.
Are we going to mis-step? Yep. Am I going to be able to catch and react to
absolutely every issue AFOLs might possibly object to? Doubtful. Most days, I
feel like the CIA or FBI... it doesn’t matter if I catch 4 million problems,
it’s that one slipping through that’s all anyone remembers. But hey, that’s
the job. And I love it.
The color change was bad news, and a major mis-step. I’ve apologized, I’ve
mentioned that people inside the company now realize the effect it had and
it’s had a big impact. Like the CIA’s results, however, you won’t see them
unless something goes wrong. And if I’m doing my job right, nothing goes
wrong.
To say that we’ve not made progress is to not fully understand where we were
starting four years ago. I know much of this is hard to see, and I know
you’re seriously uninterested in trusting me, but all I can say is... “trust
me”.
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Team
|
Oh well, I tried. I honestly tried to give it a chance, but seriously, how
could I take this whole thing seriously after a post like this?
I complain about the way The LEGO Company treats us and all you answer back is
that you are working hard, you are entitled to make mistake, you helped make
progress, you, you, you...
Sometimes, I wonder how come a Community Liaison can “forget” to tell us
something as major as the color change in advance and still keep the respect of
most of the community.
And then, someone tries to get simple answers from this Liaison guy and all he
does is talk about how hard he tries, hos great hiw job at LEGO is, even though
it’s tough at times, when people like me are unhappy with the way TLG treats us.
We complain about the fact that probably the biggest and more dramatic change wa
snot told to us before it was to late and we get told that we complain for a
simgle problem that wasn’t solved, although 4 millions other were, as if this
problem was a simple error, a common mistake with little impact.
I tried to give you, Jake, a chance to reddem himself after the color-change
fiasco. I said before I thought you should resign from this job as you totally
failed to warn us before it was to late, to defend us from this major mis-step
as you said yourself. A big part of this community jumped to your defense,
amongst them many influent people in this community. “He’s working hard, it’s
not his fault, he’s on our side, etc”, they said.
Since then, what did we get from the person who, as I understand it, is the LEGO
employee supposed to be the link between this community and TLG? Well, first,
we got a nice comic book about AFOLs. Then, we got a children-orientated
website with a contest supposed to make us feel all good and happy. We get a
list of colors who won’t change unless they change their minds.
I say it’s not enough. Not even close.
Sometimes, trying hard is NOT ENOUGH. Maybe this isn’t the job for you Jake.
Maybe you should step down and let someone more, better qualified to defend us
take the job, instead of occupying it and making comic books and kid websites
while the big guns ignore what we have to say because they fail to get the
message we try to send.
Trust you? You may be honest Jake, that I don’t doubt, but you’re not fit for
the job and I can’t trust you for defending our interests. Not my interests,
mind you, as I don’t consider myself more important than anyone else in this
community, but the interests of ADULT fans of LEGO.
You pride yourself of such small progress made in all those years, yet so much
more could have been done. Sure, you’re friendly and people like that, me too,
you’re a good person from the little I can say, that’s probably why so many
AFOLs will defend you, but being nice just doesn’t cut it. Nothing personnal,
although judging by you precedent post, you will probably think I hate you,
yourself and you. I just think a real AFOL would be better suited for the job.
(And before anyone asks, no, I don’t propose “I” would be a good choice.)
Terry
A simple AFOL like many others
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
| |
You pride yourself of such small progress made in all those years, yet so
much more could have been done. Sure, you’re friendly and people like that,
me too, you’re a good person from the little I can say, that’s probably why
so many AFOLs will defend you, but being nice just doesn’t cut it. Nothing
personnal, although judging by you precedent post, you will probably think I
hate you, yourself and you. I just think a real AFOL would be better suited
for the job.
|
Terry, until you said that, I was saying to myself “Well he’s entitled to his
opinion”. But to say Jake is not a real AFOL is laughable. Just search through
his Lugnet messages - you’ll find many posted before he even joined LEGO, on so
many varying aspects of LEGO it’s not funny. And do you think a non-AFOL would
put the effort into developing a site like bricksonthebrain.com?
Now like I said, you’re entitled to your opinion about Jake’s performance, and
there’s probably people who agree, but making demonstrably inaccurate statemnts
like that is not gonna do anyone any good.
ROSCO
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
| |
I tried to give you, Jake, a chance to reddem himself after the color-change
fiasco.
|
Who the heck are you to be giving Jake “chances to redeem himself”? You’ve got
a lot of brass, I’d say, to be coming off the way you do.
I’ll give you this part.
Adult? I have my doubts. Especially when you put up an entire post that consists
of one word (“stupid”) repeated 100 or more times.
Fan? Fan of yourself talking, maybe, but fan of LEGO? Again, I have my doubts.
You’re not at all like me. And you don’t speak for me either. So save it. I’m
tired of it and tired of your whining, it’s not constructive. Eric K. had it
right. Save it, save time to build. If you’re not buying new, fine. Build with
your old collection and be happy with what you have. Building is a lot more fun
than complaining anyway.
I’ll take one Clark putting up useful resources to help us cope with the change
(which I do not like but I don’t stamp my foot about it) out of love for other
fans and an honest desire to be helpful, over 100 people like you complaining
about it without doing one thing to make it better, any day.
Stamping your foot does not count, sorry.
Jake rocks. You’re just a rock in the road, an obstacle to moving forward.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
| |
In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
| |
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote: • snip
|
Sometimes, I wonder how come a Community Liaison can “forget” to tell us
something as major as the color change in advance and still keep the respect
of most of the community.
And then, someone tries to get simple answers from this Liaison guy and all
he does is talk about how hard he tries, hos great hiw job at LEGO is, even
though it’s tough at times, when people like me are unhappy with the way TLG
treats us.
We complain about the fact that probably the biggest and more dramatic change
wa snot told to us before it was to late and we get told that we complain for
a simgle problem that wasn’t solved, although 4 millions other were, as if
this problem was a simple error, a common mistake with little impact.
|
I know that you don’t want to hear that it wasn’t Jake’s fault... but that
wasn’t Jake’s fault. He was just as blindsided by the color change as the rest
of us, and so were most of TLC’s employees. Some of them still don’t know about
it!
For whatever reason, the geniuses in Denmark didn’t think that the guy whose job
it is to communicate with the public needed to be told about the color change.
It’s hard (for me, anyway) to me mad at Jake just because he works for a company
whose business model seems to be a chicken with it’s head cut off.
Why not do something useful and write to the new CEO at TLC (Jørgen Vig
Knudstorp) and tell him how you feel about the color change? Or take the advice
I gave you earlier in the thread and build
a model for the LEGO Factory contest using only old colors. TLC is giving AFOLs
a chance to dictate new sets - you’d be foolish not to take it.
Marc Nelson Jr.
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| |
Terry
A simple AFOL like many others
|
Your message has been sanitized.
Please resume building activities.
Ed
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
I very rarely post to these threads as they are not directly building related,
but....
Not really going to spend time refuting Terry’s opinion. It’s is own and
despite whether I agree or disagree with it, I doubt we’ll change either other’s
take by any sentiments expressed here. It’s his and that’s all there is to it.
This is just a bump for Jake. Nearly every company, especially toy companies,
never even create a community liaison. Jake is not only competent, informed,
engaged and active in the community, but perhaps most importantly he brings FUN
to the process. Yep...good ol’ fashion fun through his interaction, ideas and
proposals on how to improve both the product and the manner it is delivered.
Every man has his detractors, but Jake has a supporter in me and many, many
others. Good on ye, Jake.
Ya this is just more ‘happy-yay’ posting...but hell, like the world needs less
of that? :)
-Gil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Gil Shaw wrote:
> This is just a bump for Jake. Nearly every company, especially toy
> companies, never even create a community liaison.
Well Hasbro had one for Transformers, but had to "call it quit" after a while:
http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=29410
I don't know any detail but transfans are about the most immature bunch so that
is not surprising.
> Jake is not only
> competent, informed, engaged and active in the community, but perhaps most
> importantly he brings FUN to the process.
I agree.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
| |
Oh well, I tried. I honestly tried to give it a chance, but seriously, how
could I take this whole thing seriously after a post like this?
Trust you? You may be honest Jake, that I don’t doubt, but you’re not fit
for the job and I can’t trust you for defending our interests. Not my
interests, mind you, as I don’t consider myself more important than anyone
else in this community, but the interests of ADULT fans of LEGO.
You pride yourself of such small progress made in all those years, yet so
much more could have been done. Sure, you’re friendly and people like that,
me too, you’re a good person from the little I can say, that’s probably why
so many AFOLs will defend you, but being nice just doesn’t cut it. Nothing
personnal, although judging by you precedent post, you will probably think I
hate you, yourself and you. I just think a real AFOL would be better suited
for the job. (And before anyone asks, no, I don’t propose “I” would be a good
choice.)
Terry
|
Wow what a load! It hurt my head trying to figure out what you typed Terry. I
had to read it twice to figure it out, once to get past the poor grammar and
spelling, then again to try and put together what you were actually
saying...after all that I realized that you were full of it. If anybody owes
anyone anything, you owe me the 15 minutes of my life back that I wasted reading
your post.
Jake is doing an awesome job. He is the first to have the position of community
liaison so he has to build the position from the ground up. That’s quite a feat
if you ask me. I can remember the days were there was no one but the fictional
Susan Williams for the LEGO community to communicate with and that never got you
too far.
Shame on you Terry for trying to put all your frustrations with the LEGO Company
personally on Jake, maybe it’s time for you to get a new hobby.
jt
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
snip
| |
You pride yourself of such small progress made in all those years, yet so
much more could have been done. Sure, you’re friendly and people like that,
me too, you’re a good person from the little I can say, that’s probably why
so many AFOLs will defend you, but being nice just doesn’t cut it. Nothing
personnal, although judging by you precedent post, you will probably think I
hate you, yourself and you. I just think a real AFOL would be better suited
for the job. (And before anyone asks, no, I don’t propose “I” would be a good
choice.)
Terry
A simple AFOL like many others
|
Terry doesn’t speak for me. After reading the newsgroups here at LUGNET, and
attending BF, as well as checking out other websites/venues regarding our chosen
hobby, and partaking in many discussions about LEGO, TLC and out chosen
hobby--sometimes “Jake” comes up in the course of conversation and I can
personally attest that Terry doesn’t speak for a great many AFOLs either.
Jake, from me, and for many people who feel as I do, keep up the excellent work.
Thank you for all your efforts on behalf of the greater LEGO community. I’ve
met with you, and your enthusiasm for “the brick”, as well as your appreciation
for the AFOL community in general, is quite apparent.
Every once in a while, quite the opposite of Terry’s sentiments, I get the
feeling that it is we, as the AFOL community, who should ask you what we can do
for you (not that I’m thinking of JFK right now)--That’s more than likely the
‘overgrown boyscout’ in me, but I do feel that way sometimes. Then I hang out
with rtl a bit, and that feeling gets beaten out of me. ;)
I know you get paid for it, Jake, but thanks for what you do.
Take care,
Dave K
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In lugnet.lego, David Koudys wrote:
| |
Every once in a while, quite the opposite of Terry’s sentiments, I get the
feeling that it is we, as the AFOL community, who should ask you what we can
do for you (not that I’m thinking of JFK right now)--That’s more than likely
the ‘overgrown boyscout’ in me, but I do feel that way sometimes. Then I
hang out with rtl a bit, and that feeling gets beaten out of me. ;)
|
While we’re not all rah-rah “We Love The Lego Community!” up here (well, not
most of us) we’re defintely supportive of what Jake and Lego have done for us.
I agree with Dave--let’s be thankful for what HAS been done for us (which has
been a lot: Everything from LEGO Factory to Roadshow to Train Flyers To Event
Kits), and ask where we can help instead of demanding more and being selfish
(and ridculous, in all honesty).
Terry, you’re WAY out of line.
Calum
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In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
I just think a real AFOL would be better suited
| |
for the job. (And before anyone asks, no, I don’t propose “I” would be a good
choice.)
|
If you had ever met Jake you wouldn’t be saying this.
The way you’ve been acting, I’m starting to think the “A” in your AFOL means
something other than “Adult.”
Jake, we know you’re working hard. Space.
-Grand Admiral
.space Curator
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In lugnet.lego, Mark Sandlin wrote:
| |
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
I just think a real AFOL would be better suited
| |
for the job. (And before anyone asks, no, I don’t propose “I” would be a
good choice.)
|
If you had ever met Jake you wouldn’t be saying this.
The way you’ve been acting, I’m starting to think the “A” in your AFOL means
something other than “Adult.”
Jake, we know you’re working hard. Space.
-Grand Admiral
.space Curator
|
Everyone at Lego including Jake works hard and diligently to bring us the best
products in the world - new lightup minifigs and all. Thanks Jake. I finally
see that my work IS being recognized by the TLC! Very gratifying.... I’m glad
I was able to think of the idea and bring it to the public’s eye so Lego could
make them too! Thanks everyone for your support.
Rob Hendrix
http://www.brickmodder.net
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(canceled)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
| |
Since then, what did we get from the person who, as I understand it, is the
LEGO employee supposed to be the link between this community and TLG?
|
Instead of “link”, after a post like this, “filter” seems more correct.
-Tom McD.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(snip a lot of crap)
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
| |
Trust you? You may be honest Jake, that I don’t doubt, but you’re not fit
for the job and I can’t trust you for defending our interests. Not my
interests, mind you, as I don’t consider myself more important than anyone
else in this community, but the interests of ADULT fans of LEGO.
You pride yourself of such small progress made in all those years, yet so
much more could have been done. Sure, you’re friendly and people like that,
me too, you’re a good person from the little I can say, that’s probably why
so many AFOLs will defend you, but being nice just doesn’t cut it. Nothing
personnal, although judging by you precedent post, you will probably think I
hate you, yourself and you. I just think a real AFOL would be better suited
for the job. (And before anyone asks, no, I don’t propose “I” would be a good
choice.)
Terry
A simple AFOL like many others
|
Wow, I didn’t think you could stoop any lower in my opinion. Thanks for proving
me wrong. It’s been fun.
-Tim
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Terry Prosper wrote:
Terry, stop saying 'we' as if you are talking for other people than
yourself!
You are certainly not talking for us (The Isaksson family)!!!
--
Anders Isaksson, Sweden
BlockCAD: http://w1.161.telia.com/~u16122508/proglego.htm
Gallery: http://w1.161.telia.com/~u16122508/gallery/index.htm
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
|
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
> Sometimes, I wonder how come a Community Liaison can "forget" to tell us
> something as major as the color change in advance and still keep the respect
> of most of the community.
It really seems like that's your issue with Jake. Just the fact that he didn't
warn the community about the color change. Was there anything else?
Now, I don't know what happened at the time. Looks like Jake made his first post
on the issue on Nov. 17th 2003, and his first official statement (still needing
details) on Nov. 18th, 2003 (http://news.lugnet.com/lego/?n=533) The first time
it looks like the color change was published on Lugnet is Nov. 15th.
I'm not sure Jake even was aware of the color change at that point, or, if he
did, whether or not he knew what colors would be affected. I mean, would anyone
be crying this big of a river if Light Pink changed instead of the three major
colors that DID change?
Like I said, I don't know. But my guess is that the problem stems from Lego not
communicating internally, NOT lack of communcation EXTERNALLY. The problem with
the color change is that people INSIDE the decision to change it didn't think
twice about it. New color looks nicer, end of story. Continuity and fan reaction
wan't given much thought. Hence, they didn't tell anyone except if they needed
to, or maybe more just in passing. I doubt there was a consorted effort to tell
the community liason. But there should have been.
Jake's fault? Maybe if he knew the details before it happened. But even then,
how much time before it's really a mistake? And even then, does this one mistake
merit Jake stepping down? Let's hope not!
My guess is it was a mistake elsewhere within Lego. And as Jake talked about at
BrickFest '04, the attitude at Lego is changing. He said that once upon a time
he was the one doing all the chasing of information. Now for the first time
people were chasing HIM down to tell him things. I wouldn't be suprised to find
out that the color change contributed to that shift in communication. And as
we've seen, Jake HAS been *phenomenally* good (from what I've seen) at reporting
things to the community.
> I say it's not enough. Not even close.
What would be enough? Jake stepping down? Someone new who is unknown at TLC who
people don't know internally, suddenly uninformed because people don't know who
he is? A HUGE part of Jake's job is establishing lines of communication. And,
unfortunately, those lines are often personal as well as professional. Someone
new would have to rebuild those bonds. Could someone new do better? I suppose
it's possible, but I don't see any evidence to that fact. I only see that as
detrimental to both the company and the community.
Beyond that, what would be enough? Should TLC make another sweeping change like
changing plate heights from 3.2mm to 4.8mm, and having Jake warn us? Should they
change the colors back? Would that be enough? How can TLC "treat AFOLs with
respect" sufficiently to appease you?
DaveE
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, David Eaton wrote:
> Now, I don't know what happened at the time. Looks like Jake made his first post
> on the issue on Nov. 17th 2003, and his first official statement (still needing
> details) on Nov. 18th, 2003 (http://news.lugnet.com/lego/?n=533) The first time
> it looks like the color change was published on Lugnet is Nov. 15th.
Coincidentally, that was almost exactly 1 year ago!
Anyhow, I think Jake does a great job of dealing with us sensitive AFOLs. He
always manages to maintain his professionalism even when things are directed
towards him personally (when it's not even his fault!) I even get the
impression that he actually enjoys this job! :)
-Bryan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
| |
Terry
A simple AFOL like many others
|
When LEGO Factory was announced I can’t say how excited I was - I saw it as such
a breath of fresh air. Creativity. Design by design. Community building..
Then this post comes to remind me of the Dark Side of AFOL-dom. Some of youse
guys is NUTS.
You’re a better man than I am, Gunga-Jake.
Darrell
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
|
At the risk of adding absolutly nothing constructive or positive to this
“discussion”, I feel the need to say my piece.
Shortly after I became a member of Lugnet, I jumped into a discussion between
Lugnet and a Lego employee. I have no idea who it was, but I’ll say that I
didn’t treat him very nicely. I got away with it though, for the most part, I
think because the whole “constructive dialouge between fans and company” was
still a fairly new idea, also, Lugnet wasn’t entirely keen on the idea of Lego
potentialy mining Lugnet for marketing information.
Three and a half or four years later, I have to say I have nothing but respect
for Jake (who may or may not be the aforementioned employee).
Most of the information and news that he shares with us doesn’t do a whole lot
for me. But that’s because I’m picky and hard to please. I also suffer from a
case of apathy. For instance, I could care less about the color change. In
fact, as much as I like building with Lego, I’m not worried about the potential
they currently face at being bought out or going bankrupt, for me, it would
simply be yet another hobby gone down the drain...I’ll find something else to
spend my money on.
But there is one thing that really sickens me. That swine like you, Terry,
think you are entitled to something more than you deserve. Anytime something
doesn’t go your way, you will be there to ridicule and belittle everyone
involved. And at the end of the day, all you are really saying is, “what about
me?”, “the color change wasn’t for me”, “micro-scale is not for me”, “the list
of lock-down colors will prove fallible and does not have me in mind”, “Jake’s
information doesn’t reach me fast enough”, “me, me, me”...an endless stream of
“ME”s.
You’re a disgrace to this community. If the only “constructive” suggestion you
can come up with involves Jake being replaced, then the only constructive
suggestion I can offer you is to shut up.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
| |
Terry
A simple AFOL like many others
|
<SNIPPAGE of the most outrageous thing I’ve ever read on LUGNET>
How to react to your post? On one hand, I feel flushed with anger towards your
imbecility, but on the other, I laugh at your comical puerility. On the other
hand, I marvel at your total lack of civility. Yet on the other it saddens me
that there may indeed be others in this world like you. But ultimately, it is
with deep embarrassment of you as a fellow AFOL that compels me to post. But
enough of you.
To LEGO: Please disregard the rantings of this person. Although he is entitled
to his opinion, I would daresay that he is the only person who holds the views
he expressed here. I felt compelled to post to state that I am indeed very
grateful of the work Jake has done as our community liason to you. I honestly
cannot imagine a better person (whom I’ve met through Fests and now know
personally) to have in the job he has. We are BOTH lucky to have him.
Jake is an ASSET to the AFOL community, whereas Terry is simply an....
(There, I have restrained myself from incorrigible wordplay)
Leg godt,
JOHN
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
To Terry
A simple ASSHOLE like many others.
I’ll dare say it. Like many others have done here (without the actual word)
I myself is not to happy about the colorchange but this is a company thing AND
not related to Jake. But an attack like this is just plain stupid.
I’ve met Jake. And a bigger AFOL will be hard to find.
He was choosen to a VERY diffecult job and you’re not making it any easier.
So sell your Lego and do something else. You don’t belong among REAL AFOL’s
Ten cheers for Jake
Hip, Hip Hurra,Hurra,Hurra,Hurra,Hurra,Hurra,Hurra,Hurra,Hurra, HURRAAAAAA.
Per
A REAL AFOL
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Hell!
In lugnet.lego, Per Langkilde wrote:
| |
To Terry
A simple ASSHOLE like many others.
|
Oh please......
Jojo
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In lugnet.lego, Per Langkilde wrote:
| |
To Terry
A simple ASSHOLE like many others.
|
Trying to stay neutral, but could A-Hole have been used? Here we have an AFOL
who may be an A-Hole soon to go AWOL.
-Patrick
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Per Langkilde wrote:
| |
To Terry
A simple ASSHOLE like many others.
|
Where are those admins when you need them?
Marc Nelson Jr.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Terry Prosper wrote:
| |
Sometimes, trying hard is NOT ENOUGH. Maybe this isn’t the job for you Jake.
Maybe you should step down and let someone more, better qualified to defend
us take the job, instead of occupying it and making comic books and kid
websites while the big guns ignore what we have to say because they fail to
get the message we try to send.
|
Jake has only made one mistake he should regret - responding to you. Jake, don’t
wrestle with pigs. You just get dirty and the pigs enjoy it.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Hi Jake:
In the past you’ve been commendably willing to address my concerns directly,
despite the particular role that I fill here on LUGNET. I can’t really address
any of Terry’s comments, but I wanted to offer a few points that I think might
clarify some of his positions that others may or may not share.
| |
You make very good points. Think what you will about the company, but when
you think of me personally, know this:
|
Unfortunately, in this forum there is no Jake Personally; there is only Jake
Officially. What Terry or anyone else thinks about you in this forum is, by the
very definition of your role, what they think about the company. And to be
honest, I’m a little surprised to hear a Liaison of the company seeking to
protect his personal image while encouraging dissenters to “think what (they)
will about the company.” That seems like a strange “official” view to espouse.
| |
Are we going to mis-step? Yep. Am I going to be able to catch and react to
absolutely every issue AFOLs might possibly object to? Doubtful. Most days, I
feel like the CIA or FBI... it doesn’t matter if I catch 4 million problems,
it’s that one slipping through that’s all anyone remembers.
|
My goodness! Allusions to the CIA, with its current party-line purges, might
not be the diplomatic magic bullet you’re looking for in this context! 8^)
More seriously, I don’t think anyone expects TLG to anticipate every possible
AFOL objection, and certainly no one’s asking you to do so. But some issues
obviously have a greater impact upon the AFOL community, and these are the
issues that one hopes would be addressed more openly and productively. If the
problem is whether or not two red 1x1 bricks will be in the same polybag inside
a set, I don’t think anyone really cares if that one “slip(s) through.” But if
the issue that slips through is that decades’ worth of investment in gray bricks
is suddenly rendered obsolete, then sure, people are going to remember. I think
you risk cheapening your position when you apply this sort of implicit
all-issues-are-equal-and-we-fix-most-of-them argument. As an AFOL yourself, you
can surely assess which are the likely “big” issues and which are not; it’s
better to let a small issue slide, rather than a big one.
| |
The color change was bad news, and a major mis-step. I’ve apologized, I’ve
mentioned that people inside the company now realize the effect it had and
it’s had a big impact. Like the CIA’s results, however, you won’t see them
unless something goes wrong. And if I’m doing my job right, nothing goes
wrong.
|
With respect, your penitence is admirable but doesn’t really count for much if
the underlying problem isn’t fixed. And realistically, it’s not for you to
apologize, except officially and on behalf of the company; you didn’t make the
color change decision, and presumably you didn’t make the call to withhold the
info from the AFOL community. Instead, your public apology simply makes you a
sacrificial lamb without offering anything further of merit. Your apology can
only really be appreciated for its own worth; at the end of the day, TLG’s
message is still “the colors are changed, so deal with it.”
| |
To say that we’ve not made progress is to not fully understand where we were
starting four years ago. I know much of this is hard to see, and I know
you’re seriously uninterested in trusting me, but all I can say is... “trust
me”.
|
I think that just about everyone here will agree that progress has been made,
but if you require AFOLs to trust you and be patient, then it’s not unreasonable
for AFOLs to ask you to be understanding of the particular nature of their
impatience.
Dave!
Anyway, the LEGO factory is a cool idea.
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In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
| |
From May until the last couple weeks, this small AFOL group has been
giving feedback on the concept, as well as tips and tricks, and inspiration
models for the site.
I must make a point to thank that for their hard work and incredible effort
in helping push the concept of this “micro city” thing.
|
**snip of several names**
Hey John, is that your son Ross? Not to pick nits, but does he actually qualify
as an AFOL? I thought he was younger.
Not that there’s anything wrong with young kids--I myself am quite fond of one
in particular.
Dave!
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Dave Schuler wrote:
> In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
>
> > From May until the last couple weeks, this small [{_AFOL_}] group has been
> > giving feedback on the concept, as well as tips and tricks, and inspiration
> > models for the site.
> >
> > I must make a point to thank that for their hard work and incredible effort
> > in helping push the concept of this "micro city" thing.
>
> **snip of several names**
>
> > Ross Neal¬
> > John Neal¬
>
> Hey John, is that your son Ross? Not to pick nits, but does he actually
> qualify as an AFOL? I thought he was younger.
>
> Not that there's anything wrong with young kids--I myself am quite fond of
> one in particular.
I was glad to see Ross' name on the list. After seeing his micro city with
working train so many years ago, I think he was an obvious choice to be a part
of the team.
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=339270
jt
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| |
|
In lugnet.lego, James Trobaugh wrote:
> In lugnet.lego, Dave Schuler wrote:
> > In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
> >
> > > From May until the last couple weeks, this small [{_AFOL_}] group has been
> > > giving feedback on the concept, as well as tips and tricks, and inspiration
> > > models for the site.
> > >
> > > I must make a point to thank that for their hard work and incredible effort
> > > in helping push the concept of this "micro city" thing.
> >
> > **snip of several names**
> >
> > > Ross Neal¬
> > > John Neal¬
> >
> > Hey John, is that your son Ross? Not to pick nits, but does he actually
> > qualify as an AFOL? I thought he was younger.
> >
> > Not that there's anything wrong with young kids--I myself am quite fond of
> > one in particular.
>
>
> I was glad to see Ross' name on the list. After seeing his micro city with
> working train so many years ago, I think he was an obvious choice to be a part
> of the team.
>
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=339270
Well, having seen Ross' other work, I theorize that he's actually John's older
brother, whom John forces to sleep in a small bed to preserve the illusion of
youth. I conclude this logically, because *I* certainly wasn't producing stuff
like Ross' when I was his alleged age.
Dave!
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Dave Schuler wrote:
> Well, having seen Ross' other work, I theorize that he's actually John's older
> brother, whom John forces to sleep in a small bed to preserve the illusion of
> youth. I conclude this logically, because *I* certainly wasn't producing stuff
> like Ross' when I was his alleged age.
>
> Dave!
I've met Ross, he's a great kid. The standing joke in the GMLTC is every time
we see his Dad displaying some of of Ross's work we ask "Does his mother build
with Lego?", feigning that there's no way he could have gotten than talent from
his *dad*... <grin>
Keep up the good work, Ross! And I suppose, you too, John... ;-)
JohnG, GMLTC
fut. ??
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Dave Schuler wrote:
> Well, having seen Ross' other work, I theorize that he's actually John's older
> brother, whom John forces to sleep in a small bed to preserve the illusion of
> youth. I conclude this logically, because *I* certainly wasn't producing stuff
> like Ross' when I was his alleged age.
Well, not to belittle Ross' building ability (heck, it's way better than mine
even though I'm probably much older than he is), but how many teenagers have
access to the motherload of parts that Ross has access to?! :)
-Bryan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Bryan Wong wrote:
> In lugnet.lego, Dave Schuler wrote:
> > Well, having seen Ross' other work, I theorize that he's actually John's older
> > brother, whom John forces to sleep in a small bed to preserve the illusion of
> > youth. I conclude this logically, because *I* certainly wasn't producing stuff
> > like Ross' when I was his alleged age.
>
> Well, not to belittle Ross' building ability (heck, it's way better than mine
> even though I'm probably much older than he is), but how many teenagers have
> access to the motherload of parts that Ross has access to?! :)
>
> -Bryan
Not nearly enough of them!!!
JohnG, GMLTC
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, Dave Schuler wrote:
| |
In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
| |
From May until the last couple weeks, this small AFOL group has been
giving feedback on the concept, as well as tips and tricks, and inspiration
models for the site.
I must make a point to thank that for their hard work and incredible effort
in helping push the concept of this “micro city” thing.
|
**snip of several names**
Hey John, is that your son Ross? Not to pick nits, but does he actually
qualify as an AFOL? I thought he was younger.
|
Sorry, I just came across this post, Dave! Yes, that is Ross my son. Well, he
used to be younger;-) (He’s actually 15 now) 8^0
I think Ross’ age really didn’t come into play; he was chosen based upon a lot
of the micro-MOCs he had built in the past. To be honest, I was probably on the
team only as his adult guardian (for legal purposes). It wouldn’t be the first
time I rode on his building skill coattails:-)
JOHN
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.lego, John Neal wrote:
| |
In lugnet.lego, Dave Schuler wrote:
| |
In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
| |
From May until the last couple weeks, this small AFOL group has been
giving feedback on the concept, as well as tips and tricks, and inspiration
models for the site.
I must make a point to thank that for their hard work and incredible effort
in helping push the concept of this “micro city” thing.
|
**snip of several names**
Hey John, is that your son Ross? Not to pick nits, but does he actually
qualify as an AFOL? I thought he was younger.
|
Sorry, I just came across this post, Dave! Yes, that is Ross my son. Well,
he used to be younger;-)
|
What do you mean? I don’t understand. 8^)
| |
I think Ross’ age really didn’t come into play; he was chosen based upon a
lot of the micro-MOCs he had built in the past. To be honest, I was probably
on the team only as his adult guardian (for legal purposes). It wouldn’t be
the first time I rode on his building skill coattails:-)
|
Hey, I’m fine with his age, but I think that TLG is missing an opportunity here.
Sure, it’s nice that AFOLs have contributed to this project, but if he can
legitmately assert that teens/children have likewise contributed, then it would
seem to offer wider consumer appeal.
Dave!
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Great news, Jake!
I think this shows a fundamental shift in the LEGO company’s attitude toward
AFOL’s. Prior to this, I think we were perceived as a bunch of mostly harmless
weirdos with a lot of time on our hands. But now, it looks like LEGO is
starting to get that we can serve as role models and mentors to their primary
audience: kids. In other words, there needn’t be a conflict between the needs
of AFOL’s and KFOL’s; supporting AFOL’s by letting us act as mentors to KFOL’s
helps the primary business of selling to kids.
Jake, I’m curious if you’ve been using language like this (“mentor”) when
dealing with management?
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