Toastie

I'd take that as a "thank you". Regardless of what other honorable (this is >not< a joke!) EB fellows do think. I personally very much appreciate your approach, James. All the best, Thorsten

I did not get much sleep last night - due to this development. Too fast for me, too much energy. And in some posts too far away from adult fans of LEGO behavior (for me that is!). If there had been more "hate" and related things caused by this event, I would have quit being a member of EB. Now in contrast, we come to grips. Not endorsing what happened, but discussing in a way that is appropriate for AFOLs in this community. @Hod Carrier you have summed it up in such a nice way, there isn't anything I would like to add. And it makes me feel so much better. There is your clear statement (that I take as a community statement I fully support), there is a picture of how this community "works". Most importantly, I do want to praise the moderators of EB to not just jump on a "Hot Topic" and kick @Jimbricked out, but give him space and time to rethink. This is what makes this community so different from others that I know as well. I could not agree more with what you said. Thank you very much for that. All the best Thorsten

That is my point: >We< are the community. The community has ample of opportunities to react. The community is creative, active. I will ask it out loud again: What exactly happens to me/us, when I/we share an instruction, LXF, MPD or whatever file >openly< for all the members, lurkers, and remotely interested, just for the sake of it and somebody else picks it up, makes it look good, and asks for money? What happens? What do you guys feel then? I personally have no problems >at all< with this, because I know that I had put my stuff >on show case<. And again: To share ideas. To learn myself from responses. To be honest: There is this Google machine. It takes about a couple of minutes to figure out that the content posted somewhere for money is freely available somewhere else. Even when not using BitTorrents or .hu or .ru sites. Officially free. As on EB and elsewhere. Why don't people try that first? Why would they pay for it??? Because it is all in one place, nicely set-up, made easy, and all what I wanted? Do you guys do Starbucks? Although you can get most of the stuff for almost free at home? Don't tell me it is so much better, poured into a paper thing with a plastic lid on top. And then we pay what? $4 depending on where that joint is located? Because we can afford it? Here is another example: When you want to visit the US from a foreign country you have to do the ESTA thing. Hey, why not, I am fine with that. Type in "ESTA" into Google. Chances are, you will >not< directly land on the official Stars and Stripes website, but on a neatly set-up site that makes it much easier (and looks much better) for you to type in your data in your own language. On the bottom it says "On the next page your charges ($80) will be processed". Did it yesterday. I am traveling quite a bit to the US and I know the charge was $14 on the official site two years ago - and it still is. Now: Is it >me< or >them<? I was close to mail them "F**k you" and then realized that they said they will charge me that amount. So take the 3rd entry from Google's list an there you are, in the hands of Uncle Sam charging you only $14. First think, then click. Or buy. Or not. We >are< the Community and we should act as such. Smart. With a wider angle as just: "If someone makes money using my ideas I posted on the web, I am not going to share my ideas anymore". That is not what this "Community" should be about. Because we are hurting ourselves - and hopefully not because of personal feelings not belonging here. When you want to make money, set-up your own business. When you want to share ideas freely, do so. As a community, we should not lay the cards in a way that the others always win. That is stupid. I will never take down anything form this forum/my university cloud server/brickshelf because somebody figured out a way to make profit from that (which will probably never happen). Why not? To be honest: I would be a bit exited, once I'd figure that out. And give them a note: "Hey you suckers, that was my idea. Have fun wit it! And good luck." All the best, Thorsten

But we should maybe keep in mind that TLG is a multi-billion company (making a >awful< lot of money and >not< always in a forthcoming way - I always like to point to their < 50 cent worth Made in China wall wart power supply they sell off for 25(+) $/€, because it says "10V", which is totally unimportant for all LEGO devices, but we simply don't know about it) and we should ask ourselves what this guy represents. He had to free-up time from school to run his site (as he wrote here on EB), so I guess, we are not talking about a trans-continental Apple sized enterprise. Nor about problems with tax deductions because this guy shakes the stock exchanges around the globe. I believe we talking a lot about moral, don't we? BTW I do not indorse at all, in contrast, what he did. But I fear this here is simply going ballistic and looses ground potential EB usually provides. All the best Thorsten

Jim, please don't turn your entire channel down. I don't have the time to write an elaborate answer here, as the topic is very delicate and people have fuelled this topic to simply ballistic proportions, so I better be careful not to get into the crossfire. I did of course jump to your channel and browsed through it, once I heard about it. You know what? Of course I found many instructions, which are not yours, but I found them neatly lined up and very well prepared. How many times have I read in this forum: "Can't find this, can't find that". RailBricks down, we were all crying. Things splattered around BrickShelf (my own stuff is in there as well, don't get me wrong!) - a website with a design and functionality from the first days of the internet. And I am glad it exists, because I am too dumb to make it any better myself, nor do I have the time to do so. And then your nicely assembled a collection of unfortunately "stolen" content. Oh well. Read my opinion in the TrainTech thread. Could it be that you are not almost 60 years old, as I am? That I may have lets say 40 plus years of hanging around in this world and having had the chance to learn about IP, about free content, about what happens, when you step on (apparently big) feet? Fact is, most of the "affected" people did never realize this at all, although YT is available virtually everywhere in the world. Hmmm. And then all hell breakes loose, because it is brought to our attention. As in "presented" to us. Wrapping up (would love to talk to you in person): You royally f'ed up with regard to "IP" handling. Let us call "IP" better "my idea". Legally, IP really is a big word. How may people on EB have filed patent applications? It is madness. I have to. I believe IP is regarded here more as "my idea rights". I may be wrong. Filing a patent means not talking about it >at all< and certainly >never< on the internet. Patents are intended to protect your ideas, because >you want to make money<. And you don't talk about it at all. So all people talking about "IP rights" and "not wanting to make money" are saying "this is all about moral". Phew. Another very big word. You responded - as far as I am concerned - in the right way - given the time frame (we are talking about less than a day or two, with I don't know how many people firing at one single person: you). And they made their points very clear. Become more aware of the "art of asking people for permission". When you do that in a "polite" way, almost all of them will be glad to help out. It is in the nature of the people creating EuroBricks and others sites. This site is in the public domain - but not for poaching. Your YT channel is impressive - to me. I enjoy it very much!!! Again, please don't turn it down. And: There is no hate here. There is >bold<, but constructive criticism. If not, I'd quit EB >today<. Don't take "bold" inquiries from (old experienced people) too serious. You have answered every question in a fresh, friendly, positive way. IMHO. That may irritate "experienced" folks. They want to see - other things. "I am sorry" may not be enough. And "Have a nice day :)" is then a not so clever salutation. I am prepared to get a lot of flak for this - we then share a common thing :) All the best, Thorsten

Dear All, I fully understand the outrage - and I fully appreciate what is happening here. However, I also have pictures in my head of folks sitting with baskets full of popcorn and other stuff and watching the story to unfold - and see this guy drown. Almost live. Tenderlok couldn't post as fast as things were happening. It was stupid what this guy has done, it was unrightful. Bad. And then - this could be end of the story. BUT: Tenderlok was asking the question: And there I must say things become far less full forward - at least for me. When I post "stuff" - MODs, MOCs, programs, ideas, electronics, proposals, comments, etc. in an "open environment" - open as in the unprotected internet world - I deliberately do so. Because I have personally decided to do so. And I personally know that there are more than 7.6 Billion people out there of which about 50% in some way or the other have access to the internet. Of which a meaningless small number do have interest in LEGO for whatever reason, but meaningless low is still a very big number compared to 7.6 Billion. Knowing that, there are for sure bad guys among these. And they don't care about "giving credit". Whole companies (and don't blame just the Chinese, there are so many other examples) do exactly that. All over the world. Which does not mean that I don't get mad about that, in contrast. So this is my take on this: I put whatever piece of intellectual property on public access - and I don't >care< what happens. None what so ever. I do >hope< thought that the truly interested may learn, reply, change for the better, have new ideas, showing them for free. And I believe most folks do. I simply do not care about someone picking-up my stuff and turn that into profit. In contrast: It is really nice to see that happen because I did not want to do that - make profit - otherwise I wouldn't have posted it in the open internet. All I am saying is: It was my choice to do so. All the very best and only for the best. Sven, I fully understand your feelings to make that absolutely sure. And I am very happy that you shared this on EB. Another very good reason to simply enjoy and breathe the spirit of most of our fellow members here. I am proud to be a member of EB. All the very best, Thorsten

Makes perfect sense! Oh my. Why did I not think of this. We frequently get large "signs" (e.g., 1 x 2 m2 - there is about 3 feet in 1 m and 25 inches in one foot, just for the sake of intercontinental communication) - on the back covered with an adhesive layer. The instructions tell you to spray a mist of water based stuff, such as water, or much better sprays that evenly cover the surface (like Windex) onto the surface you want to place the sign (like a door or fume hood). Adjust, readjust, don't worry about blisters; wipe them away. The adhesive layer attaches to the even surface nicely and done. Of course that works - the water doesn't like the adhesive layer (and vice versa), so you can easily squeeze out the liquid by whatever means - in case of 1 x 2 m2 panels, they give you some sort of tool, which is essentially a squeegee. I guess with 1 x 5 mm2 LEGO stickers, other means will do. Press a little as the adhesive does like the even ABS surface very much - and done. Cool. (Well, I had hoped someone had an idea of how to support my beer approach, but - this is definitely it) Thank you very much for sharing @sed6!!! All the best Thorsten

I had the pleasure to organize a mass spec conference at our university, couple of years ago. Some 400 people showed up. I managed to convince one of the exhibition vendors to sponsor 1000 bottles of beer from a local brewery and promised that my group (including myself) would relabel them with whatever the come up with. After a couple of beers, every new label was spot on. I came to the conclusion the issue I have is size-related; I tried the beer approach with LEGO stickers as well: Not good Best Thorsten

It >is< a beautiful rendition of that beautiful engine. I am a bit disappointed though: Emanuele, someone with your qualifications would have no trouble finding ... a solution for brick-building such a motor with ample of detail (in 4-wide) fitting smack-on into the upper structure and directly driving all 4 axles. Thinking of it: Using Octane as propellant ... OK. Guess what: I am kidding. As I have read elsewhere, you like Blues Brothers a lot - maybe also Ghostbusters (the Original)? There is this scene: Janine, someone with your qualifications ... I stop it here. The very moment I see a new post of your work, I seriously rant and rave to my internet connection as it takes more than a second to load the corresponding Eurobricks page! This is another example of your dedication and building skills. Just knowing how to build is by far not all - there is so much more. For one, there is the 6-wide "scale". The larger this "scale", more and more detailing options become available (and here I would readily loose it again: I have no clue, none what so ever, how folks like Tenderlok and many others manage to do what they do, it is simply unbelievable to me). On 6-wide though, things become "picky". And then this appears. Comparing the photographs with your model: It is all there. The color scheme alone ... perfect. Wow. Oh well. Why am I not surprised ... looking forward to whatever you have in your treasure chest! All the best, Thorsten

That is not fair. We don't have that in Germany. Oh well, we happily accept the improved cost; €19.99 (but I'll never pay that). Which actually seem to feel good, as it is not bluntly €20.00 That really would have been too much of an improvement ... Yeap - same here. That is exactly what I wanted to say. (I simply do believe in BrickLink. I love that place.) Best Thorsten

98% chance here ... I am trying though to get that percentage lower and lower ...

Sorry for bringing this up again but "Cost improvement" made me laugh my - butt - off. This is really nice. I have to use that phrase next time when negotiating a research proposal with a partner from industry. @fred67 : The cost improvement is for both, TLG and for us: TLG makes more money, we don't have to think that much about where to put our money. Best Thorsten

Hey, that was my thought ... always the same with these folks (that I like so much!). Will go for it (the cheaper passenger train) just for the sake of the new controllers. Best Thorsten

This is what I like so much about your post: Putting things into perspective. It is so easy to just put the "crap" stamp onto something. I totally agree with what you are saying: It does not really look like the original, but it is really not easy to make it look better - within the constraints given. And even when you try, it becomes costly - which in turn means you are beyond the constraints. Personally, I don't like the Emerald that much. Your changes and additions to it are really spot on and make it much more appealing. But only possible at a certain extra investment plus some considerable time of thinking and trying. Which in turn means, they did a fairly good job over at TLG. Thanks for sharing! All the best Thorsten

Just make sure that it doesn't go "everywhere" over time. I had this issue far less pronounced with silicone based stuff. For the switches, this looks really good! Thanks for the video! All the best, Thorsten

Did "we" ever have one? Over in Scale Modeling they have an American diesel train (SD whatnot) in the banner, the Starwars folks have their "feel the force" type banner, but here it was the plain vanilla thing that the front page shows. I can't really remember. But the Easter-Bunny thing is more than outdated, isn't it? Well at least when looking at the tray with the chocolate Easter eggs: All gone. Since long ...

Same issue is with all plastic PF switches, so in addition to the metal plate there must be more. I was grinding (almost away) the two "bulges" on the plastic lever moving the point, which resides in a channel of the switch body with matching recesses. Upon doing that the point moves almost entirely freely, so I guess there must be two issues: One related to the metal bumps (I did not work on) and then the plastic lever. Good to know! Best Thorsten

The thing is that the surfaces to be lubricated are rather nicely confined within the switch. I tried it, it works depending on the amount you use. After a while though, any lubricant making it to the areas of interest also make it to other regions. You may then have some issues with clutch power of anything attached to the switch point e.g. a motorized switch drive. I used silicone based as well as WD40 (and the like) - no harm to ABS at all. Don't use too much though, rather wait longer times, try and add more if necessary. After a couple of months you may find that the lubricant is not lubricating that good anymore but has turned into a more viscous stuff that may not let the spring operated switch point part not get back to its initial position. Best, Thorsten

Hi Bartosz, regardless of 9V or PF: It is always the plastics (ABS that is). I have "opened" a number of 9V switch points. The metal used inside (9V conducting rails, and the spring mentioned by icemorons) was always shiny and in good shape. These pieces hardly can cause such friction. ABS though can, when resting without any pressure in one position and then all of a sudden being forced into a less free environment. This is happening inside the switch. Also, it depends on how often the switch was thrown in its lifetime and how the plastic material did (very little, but that is enough) suffer from that. Even brand new switch points may behave like that. It really is a result of the design and the fact that ABS is ABS. And it is really simple to take care of that issue provided you have no problem taking apart a LEGO piece (not designed to be taken apart by using a drill), then sanding off some ABS, then putting it back together by very carefully applying some super glue (cyan acrylate based, works very nicely with ABS!). Happy to provide more info (on this horrible procedure for LEGO purists). Best wishes, Thorsten

Yes: Real interest. Figuring it out. Time consuming. You need find that valuable in some way or the other. In the days of LEGO as a miracle thing, this translated to: Fun. Being involved. Having a good time. And that was it. The bricks are essentially the same - but have become so much more diverse - in shape and in number. As have our demands as AFOLs and MOCers. A kid though may not follow that path. You basically nailed it: Your kids had fun when sorting blocks. That is nice! Next step would be assembling the blocks - this way or the other - the outcome is by definition wonderful. Then go back and forth on individual aspects with them - and then wait until they take off. Or not ... But again: I certainly would buy the current sets for my kids. No doubt. Thing is I have two daughters, 20 and 22 years old. They are into other things - and were all the time. This is why I took over All the best, Thorsten Believe me, I'd love to do that. And I am sure it would be a wonderful and rewarding time. All the best Thorsten

Hmmm. This is a little weird: A voltage regulator is designed to regulate. What is the input voltage min/max? With plain vanilla regulators such as 7805 you should always have 2 ... 3 V above the 5V. But there are low drop voltage regulators as you may know (e.g. L4945, which works reliably with 6V input voltage). No. These are 1.5V batteries. I don't believe 3.6 V will work. Best Thorsten

@Haddock51 it took me some time of thinking (not of giving a "reasonable" answer!) - I do share all of your - let me call it (and only me) - sentiments. Your vision. Your experience. You certainly have >a lot< of experience of working in larger companies. Whenever I read your posts, I wish we could talk in person. Let me try to give a - not so reasonable answer to your question. Swiftly beyond the - as @SavaTheAggie has commented - "buying a box on train wheels thing" (I very much liked that). Maybe we should extrapolate a bit. So far we blamed everything on TLC: They apparently provide crap - and >we< are disappointed. As parents(?). But how is this: They provide simple, kids-oriented crap. Nevertheless, complete playable sets. But no add-ons, no separate cars ... Why don't we work more on educating >parents<? I have a terrible feeling: When you can't find it at Amazon, it does not exist. When you can't get a nicely shaped hopper wagon: Blame TLC. Why do parents not BrickLink for their children? No time? No interest? No believe? Parents complaining about "lack of extensions" should maybe become aware of alternatives such as the secondary LEGO market. And of bricks in boxes. Bad part: You need to figure it out yourself. That was the idea of LEGO anyway. I recently got interested in 4.5V and 12V trains. That is fun! And you know what? Because a stud her and there does not matter. Because the colors blue, red, white, black, green, yellow were truly colorful. Actually, my BrickLinked 4.5 steam train looks "beautiful". In its simplicity that is. And in my imagination it is a true steamer. But don't tell kids. These days are gone. Today, things are slick. Studless. Remotely controlled via smart phone. But not when you are >with them<. When you talk about the Magic. Many kids of friends and neighbors have been in my attic. You still can get them into the Magic. It may be different from what was "before" - but it works. Particularly when you tell them its okay when "things break". LEGOs don't break. You simply have to reassemble them. "Swiftly go beyond" what TLC supplies. With non-catalog items that we, parents, should try to find. Today we can order virtually everything imaginable by touching the "check out" button. In essence, I believe that parents got wasted. Not TLC. In my view, TLC has become - over the decades - a world-wide operating (big) profit making enterprise. Competing with world-wide operating enterprises far, far less caring about any extra "value": Customer base wise, being loyal, what not. Just caring about revenue. And yes, in this regard I truly believe that a catalog from TLC is still - very different. Certainly from the past - but name another catalog that is organized that way and I stay (honesty) correct. As I said - I fully agree to almost everything you posted. With very best regards, Thorsten

Hi Bartosz, I am powering the PF IR receiver with the 4.5 V provided by the 4.5V train battery car (3 x AA batteries in there) using a "custom cable" (which is nothing more than two 4.5V plugs wired to the 9V/0V PF terminals (the two outer wires, check polarity). The PF receiver then powers the 4.5V train motor with another custom cable. There should be no problem in supplying 5V to the PF receiver, which then powers a 9V train motor. Naturally, you don't get the same torque/speed from the 9V train motor as compared to a 9V powered PF IR receiver. There is more info over at TrainTech. Or just PM me. All the best and good luck with your project! Thorsten

@Bartosz works like a charm. Even 4.5 V work - I am powering 4.5 V trains /w original motor and battery car with the PF IR receiver. 5 V for sure, at 4.5 V it sometimes misses a signal. Best Thorsten

Oh my ... Could somebody please clarify what this ... outrage is about? As ALCO said: We are talking about pieces of dumb plastic pieces from dumb molding machines that folks turn simply into magical things. Man, sometimes I hate the internet. Too many keyboard keys pressed way too fast. First think and think again, then judge, then think, then gauge, then press keys. I feel bad about EEZ leaving this forum. I can clearly see what he is talking about. We should not "accept" what he is writing because it is not reflecting what this website is about. We should get him back. And show him, what this community is about. As I have been warned here once on EB for not going along the lines of this forum (and still do appreciate that >very much<) : How about calming down before hitting the keys, how about thinking about what a message may mean to others, how about gauging first who is asking for advice with what kind of background? When new members explicitly state that they are new and they have questions which are >apparently< surprising, then why not answering in a most polite way? When I was joining EB I didn't know sh*t about so many things. I have learned here. As I do every day. In a very welcoming and comfortable way. The phrasing could be "Why don't you try this", "did you look there", "have you seen that", "this may be a bad idea because of this, this and that"? And leave all the legal stuff to the folks who'll never get what LEGO is all about. Best regards, Thorsten