Finding other AFOL's

[Paul B Technic]

What are some of the best ways to find other AFOL's in my local area?

Paul

[Ras 74]

This is tricky for sure.

It all depends on were you live. I tryed to contact one member that I saw was living in Sweden when I started up.

There was not many Swedes around at that time that hang out on forums back then.

So I decided to PM this guy and try to see what he was like. We did this back and forth some before I gave him my number.

He called me up and we decided to meet. We did, and from that moment on he has become a really close friend of mine.

This is just one way. I have also talked to toystores and try to see if there is other adults that buys alot of LEGO

and if they talk about there hobby when they are there.

Then there always is the LUG´s or big conventions that is really good to get contact with others.

Attend at different events is another good thing as well, were I also met several persons.

Those are the ways I have done so far and today I have several friends that I talk to daily, weekly or monthly.

I see several of them a few times per year and some even more often.

Hope this helps you some.

[Paul B Technic]

This is tricky for sure.

It all depends on were you live. I tryed to contact one member that I saw was living in Sweden when I started up.

There was not many Swedes around at that time that hang out on forums back then.

So I decided to PM this guy and try to see what he was like. We did this back and forth some before I gave him my number.

He called me up and we decided to meet. We did, and from that moment on he has become a really close friend of mine.

This is just one way. I have also talked to toystores and try to see if there is other adults that buys alot of LEGO

and if they talk about there hobby when they are there.

Then there always is the LUG´s or big conventions that is really good to get contact with others.

Attend at different events is another good thing as well, were I also met several persons.

Those are the ways I have done so far and today I have several friends that I talk to daily, weekly or monthly.

I see several of them a few times per year and some even more often.

Hope this helps you some.

Thanks for the reply, some really good advice there.

Paul

[DLuders]

In their Eurobricks Member Profile, if folks would indicate what COUNTRY they live in, other AFOLs could know their countrymen by the Eurobricks posts they make. If you look along the left side of a typical Eurobricks post, about 90% of the members don't have anything listed but their pseudonym. How are AFOLs supposed to meet other AFOLs in person, if folks don't even list their country? For big countries (like the USA), their HOMETOWN would be nice to know too. Don't be shy....

[Ras 74]

In their Eurobricks Member Profile, if folks would indicate what COUNTRY they live in, other AFOLs could know their countrymen by the Eurobricks posts they make. If you look along the left side of a typical Eurobricks post, about 90% of the members don't have anything listed but their pseudonym. How are AFOLs supposed to meet other AFOLs in person, if folks don't even list their country? For big countries (like the USA), their HOMETOWN would be nice to know too. Don't be shy....

You live in USA, why haven´t you listed your hometown

Seriously though it is a good idea. However some people have no real interest to meet other AFOL´s IRL and are

satisfied with the contact they get via forums and such. But sure if you do want to find others, it is a very

good idea to at least put that information in your profile yourself first before wanting to meet others.

[Norro]

Although outdated the Lug Map gives a snapshot of what did exist, may prove a useful starting point...

God Bless,

Nathan

(if you're in Ireland check out brick.ie)

[Ricecracker]

There is also this group on flickr. It has some useful topics, and many members from around the world.

[DLuders]

You live in USA, why haven´t you listed your hometown.

Until the recent upgrade to the Eurobricks website, my USA hometown WAS listed right under my user name automatically. Now, Eurobricks just lists the country on any given post. However, if one clicks on any username, the hometown (if typed in by the member) appears on the Member Profile's "Location" field.

Edited June 22, 2010 by dluders

[Eilif]

I'd recommend going to all the Major LEGO forums (EB, Classic Castle, Classic-Space, FBTB, and Lugnut, and searching their forum for your state or town.

Also, the Lugnet Member list, lists members by country (and state, but only for US). http://www.lugnet.com/people/members/bycountry.cgi#us

Even if you just cold-mail those folks, I'm sure they'd be willing to point you in the right direction.

[Paul B Technic]

Thanks, I am in Tasmania Australia so not that many people around close to me.

Paul

[Paul B Technic]

I have now found a local forum and Facebook group which have a few local members :)

[Vindicare]

Something that could be done that would make it easier to find people would be to have a regional section of the forum. Like on an RC car forum I'm a part of has regional(by state, it's USA based). But, you could make it by country. For US, you could include sub forums for states. Id be interested to know if there's anyone around me as well.

[meyerc13]

I've seen similar regional threads on other forums I've been on. It's a nice way to meet people from your area. I think with an international forum like this it would be tricky but could be done. You'd almost want a category for 'regional threads' with further subdivision by continent, with threads by state/country.

Edit: One additional tip, search lego sites using Google to see if you can find your city/state/country listed in someone's post. I've found a few people in my area on Brickset because they've posted about specific stores in my area using City names.

Example Google search: site:eurobricks.com appleton

This would search for posts on this site with my City in the post.

Edited May 7, 2011 by meyerc13

[drdavewatford]

There's a new forum over at Brickset which is specifically aimed at AFOLs and excludes under 16's. On the forum is a 'sticky' which lists Lego User Groups and events around the globe. It's early days yet, but people are gradually adding details of groups and events to the list. When people join the forum, they often post an introductory message stating where they're located, and many of those posts become discussion threads where others in the same area respond. So you might want to check it out, if you're over 16. URL is http://www.bricksetforum.com/

D.