Eilif

Ok, I realize this is a touchy subject, and I do not want to start a flame-war-thread. Further, this thread is NOT a call to ban TFOLs there are a number of TFOLs here that contribute alot to the discussions, and don't wear their age on their sleeves. Thus, I'll try and focus this thread according to the following questions. 1) Have any of you noticed that many TFOL posts seem to be very easy to recognize? 2) How do you feel about this? I'll start 1) I have noticed that recently there seem to be more and more posts that are either juvenile (blood as blood) in topic or style, or casually -or not-so casually- mention that the poster is not an AFOL. I have not been at EB that long, but it seems -from my limited experience- to be on the rise. 2) I feel a bit conflicted, I recognize the contributions that many TFOLs have made to EB, but as an adult at a supposedly adult forum, I find it jarring to see folks mentioning that they "are a TFOL", or flauting the fact that they were here before the AFOL guideline was in place, or letting slip that they live with their parents, have a friend at school that doesn't respect LEGO, etc, etc, etc. Additionally, it is off-putting to see some of the more recent examples of clearly juvenile topics, and posts that have creeped in. I like the "don't ask don't tell" policy that EB has enacted, but is it too much to ask that the TFOL's at EB watch their posts and don't "tell"? I realize that their is some moral conflict in asking people to hide thier identity and lie about their age, but this is how I am feeling right now, and in the interest of preserving EB's target AFOL audience, I thought it would be appropriate to post this. I look forward to seeing other people's persepective, and I hope we can keep it civil.

I'm not at all surprised at the selling of MOCs, especially when they come with directions, at which point they become "custom kits" I know of a fellow who makes superb MOCs, and has sold one or two of them for more than the pieces are worth, and he doesn't even include instructions. I'm not sure about this particular "pieces missing" deal, (not worth for me, but for the right fan...)but if someone takes the time to create something unique or high quality, I see no reason not to sell it.

I'm afraid that's not really carving out a niche, more like blowing a hole in the mountain and founding a nation-state! But thanks for playing...

Well done. Not being a "classic" town collector, it's not a good set of guidelines for me. However for someone who wants to display their town sets in a manner similar to the catalog style's of the 80's and early 90's, you did a very good job and presented some very well-thought-out points.

Well done, a classic station with thoroughly modern facilites. (minus the toilet of course)... I also have an afinity for making MOCs that are limited to the bricks in a single set, but mine don't usually come out as well as what you have here. Even before your non-set-additions, it looks like it could have been a real set. I had planned to do something similar with mine, but I ended up canibalizing it for pieces before I had a chance to.

Those are some brilliant buildings you have there? The cafe looks even better in LEGO than in LDD. I like your use of alternating "profile" bricks on the yellow house. Definately some ideas in there I may borrow. One critique, the yellow pillared 2nd story windows on "Tony's" look a bit cartoonish. Perhaps something more subtle? Excellent job overall though. You've got the beginnings of a fine town there.

I hadn't looked at IA before this topic. I was very impressed by it, and just read it all the way through. Sorry if this is an older thread, but as a conclusion to IA hasn't come yet, I will offer the following suggestions. 1) Smaller, but more installments. Keep the installments shorter, and reveal fewer new charachters, creatures and vehicles with each installment, and take less pictures. With shorter installments and more installments you could: -have more actions and scenes in each location -have installments more often to keep interest up -do less work per installment -have less new stuff (creatures, charachters, etc) to keep track of with each installmetn -give you the chance to focus on charachter development. 2) Don't separate installments into #, and #.5. It makes for alot of repitition, and more work, for you, and less meaningfull installments. Think of it as a choose your own adventure book... 3) Whatever you do, don't leave us hanging. It seems like you may be tiring of this storyline, but IMHO you owe it to your readers to give some conclusion. Rather than a definate ending, or a definate conclusion, you could conclude this particular story line, and leave the posibility open for a future one to continue the saga. Again great work. Some delightfully unique MOC's came out of this project.

Some folks have managed to get noticed by creating a unique niche for themselves in the LEGO hobby. I use the term niche to describe someone doing something unique or different as opposed to someone who excells in a larger field. I read about the young man who invented RAMM, and he makes a good point about people developing their own niche or sub-theme as a way to stand out. I've noticed that this kind of specializaiton is something that a few people have done, whether it's taking Blacktron to the absolute limit, or taking the lead in reviving a long forgotten theme (fabuland?) What are EB'ers doing to stand out from the crowd? I'll start, I wouldn't say that I am "standing out" yet, but I am trying to develop a niche of modular buildings with interchangeable floors built on the Market street standard. I hope to develop this niche over the next year to include larger buildings composed of Market street modules that can be rearranged into different buildings. Hopefully it can be entered into the "individual layout" competition at Brickworld '09.

What LEGO said (should be listed here for folks who didn't see the earlier topic) Most folks posting here seem to miss the statement LEGO makes about "economies of scale". The implication LEGO is making is that they are selling alot of product in the USA. Selling more and charging less is how you keep a brand viable. And it is true that there is absolutely tons of competition in the marketplace. The USA doesn't try to ban other brands like certian other contries. It's an open market, and Coby/Bestlock, MB, and Knex are both putting out a construction product at price points that are much lower, lower and equivalent, respectively. If the US was charging European prices, LEGO simply woudn't sell, and then LEGO would really start losing money. USA prices will rise some, but significant raises in US prices simply are not an option if LEGO wants to remain viable in the USA market. The suggestion that LEGO is subsidizing "losses" in the USA with European sales is unfounded. The profit margin may be smaller, but there is nothing in the quote from LEGO suggesting that the USA market is some kind of gigantic "loss-leader" for the company. Of course LEGO could lower it's European prices and accept lower profits, but as long as LEGO continues to sell at it's current prices it is unlikely that european prices will change. Further, as LEGO has only recently returned to profitability, and is by no means "out of the woods" they are unlikely to do anything to damage their bottom line. LEGO is not a bargain toy, it's a premium toy, and if there is one lesson their recent history has taught us it's that in order to survive, they need to charge what the market will bear.

Great job. A very effective color scheme, and the staggered tiling on the stairs is simple and striking. I never thought of putting the single piece staircases next to each other. Even within the LDD palete, I think there is still posibilities for more detail, especially in the courtyard, but it looks very good thus far.

Great review. I've been quite enamored of small planes lately. Seems like a really great set with some good parts: shop window, tools, octan brick, etc. Do you know which airlines sold this set when it was new?

I'm fairly new here, but I'd like to say that I really like the EB ideas of a forum that is geared toward adults. I apprecate this place where irrevernt, and sometimes off color humor (sex in Belleville...) sits side by side with great MOCs and real depth of content. I personally despise "1337 speak" and AIM shorthand when used outside of their appropriate venues, and am very glad to see that the MODs are taking steps to see that the form of the posts reflects the intended "Adult" audience. EB is definately casual, but casual need not, and should not, be equated with sloppy. Lastly, I don't mind underage users, but I'm very much in favor of correcting them when thier age becomes apparent in their postings. That however is a matter for Mods.

Could Brickington get added to the list? http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=19833

Thanks for posting this review. I have one or two of those tiles, and I always wondered what they were. I have an ice cream vender cart on my layout, and now I can add some LEGO ice cream tiles!

Great, hope you can make it. Eurobricks rules/guidelines being what they are, you may want to edit your post regarding your age though...

Two blue 32x32 baseplates from bricklink. Yup, Brickington (http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=19833&hl=) can grow! Also some katanas, inverse arches, and 20 tan lions-head bricks.

Thanks, Yup, NILTC, and you're in luck, Cantigny is an annual show for us. This year it will be on the 6th and 7th. Come by and say hi. You can keep an eye on our schedule here www.niltc.org.

Mine is up at the Schaumburg Illinois (Woodfield Mall) LEGO store. As for how getting to display, I think your best bet is to just ask the store manager. I think the names of the managers may even be up at the LEGO website. (maybe)

The size of the baseplates varies quite a bit. Most of the cottages are built on 32x32 baseplates. None of the downtown buildings is built attached to a baseplate, but they are all 16x16 or 8x16 modules that rest on a built base (which is of course built on baseplates). You can see what I mean here: 16x16 modules and a previous incarnation of the built up base http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=329059 my most recent 8x16 modules http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=329791

I just had the privelige of putting a display in the LEGO Store "Community Window." I know some other EB'ers have had this opportunity, including Holodoc's spectacular post office. Perhaps a thread liek this would be a good place to collect the various EB displays that have occupied LEGO Store Community windows? I'll start. I called it Shangri-La (yeah, it's a pretty cheesy name, but I was in a rush) because it had that whimsical utopia feel, paired with a bit of danger that always seems to be a part of the recipe for most classic utopian stories. I was going for the kind of displays I saw as a kid from LEGO. They had alot of action and fun, and all kinds of nooks and cranies that rewarded a closer look. It was a really quick build. It took me one evening to stack the modules from my modular town of "Brickington" (http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=19833), attach some ladders and balconies, and add a small ground level scene. Without further ado... Here's Shangri-La, a happy land far up in the mountains. People live peacefull ordered lives They work... they play... and convicts rarely escape from jail. But no one who ventures down from the heights is ever heard from again. Perhaps it has something do do with the bloodthirsty natives, and large crocodiles... Some adventurers from affar have stumbled onto the lower levels of Shangri-La. Hearing the hum of voices above, they break open the doors and venture into the uninhabitted lower levels of the city. Will they find Shangri-La an irresistable paridise? Will they ruin it's peace with stories of civilization and true freedom? Or will they just fall prey to the bloodthirsty natives who prowl the cavernous lower reaches of the city, and who are not unaware of the adventurer's approach?

Thanks so much! I don't want to hijack the thread anymore than it has been, so I'll start a new thread about the display a bit later. One more hint about Loyalty cards and the LEGO store: If you go to the LEGO store and they don't have a set in stock, you can ask them to check LEGO online. If it is in stock online, they will order it for you and ship it to your house free of charge! The best part is, if you order it while you are at the LEGO store, they will give you whatever stamps on your Loyalty Card you would have gotten if it had been in stock at the store. I don't recall if they charge tax, but it's definatley worth it to save on shipping and get the stamps. one more... LEGO store does price matching with their own online deals.

Thanks, I'm glad you folks enjoyed it. Basiliscus, The yellow house is a Sears "Aladdin" model prefab kit. Back in the day, you could order a house from Sears, and it would come with all the supplies necessary, and lumber precut. All you had to do was assemble your own house. For a previous show in Batavia, each member did an historic house from the town, and the Aladdin was my assignment. The owner was thrilled to see her house in LEGO! Fatespuppet Keep at it, your town will come together. I've been building alot lately but one of the neat things about modular building is that you can build as slowly as a floor at a time. My first setup was just the 4 country houses, and the first downtown (pictured at the top) didn't get added until a couple months later. As for detail, alot of my best detail ideas came from pics found online (Eurobricks and Brickshelf especially) and taking pictures of other people's creations. Also, I'm reluctant to admit it, but having a quarter of the layout covered by tracks and a quarter covered by water makes your layout seem alot bigger that it really is. As far as actual built area, Brickington is only about two baseplates wide by 9 baseplates long!

"Golden years" I would like to thank my parents for skipping duplo, and buying me LEGO at the tender age of 3 or 4. I got my first LEGO in the very early 80's. I'm not sure why they did. None of my friend's were into LEGO, my dad didn't play with LEGO as a kid (though his little brother did), and truth be told, we were on the very edge of poor (i.e. we had used WIC, but not food stamps). I chalk it up to my folks liking "educational" stuff and being aware of the expandable play value of LEGO. Castle and Pirates were my favorites, though I had alot of town and some Space also. I played with them up through middle school, but when I discovered the "fairer" sex, they got played with ALOT less. "Darker Ages" I didn't purchase hardly any in high school, but I still built off and on, and in college, I picked up the unitron monorail at a garage sale and set it up in my summer apartment, though I didn't build much beyond that. In about 8 years of almost no purchasing, I managed to miss Adventureres, Ninja, Stingrays, and Wild West. Ouch! "Reborn!!" At the end of college I got married, since I had a stable location and finances I brought my LEGO from home and began to sort it and build. The next christmas I discovered LEGO store's Pick A Brick and the Engine house and I dived back into LEGO. A year and a half later I joined NILTC and now I have a "structured" reason for building, a venue for displaying, and some new friends.

Great job, I flipped through your brickshelf, and for all those looking, there's alot of great sides to this model not shown here. I like the fact that it's not blocky, but has wings, differing roof elevations and angles, etc. Brilliant job modeling people sitting in bed. I will definately use that trick some time. Two suggestions for improvements. Some of the interiors are rather sparse and could benefit from cabinets, sinks, computers, housplants, seating, etc. Also, the very top roof is a bit bare, perhaps it could use a small edge wall, atennas, perhaps an A/C unit or some vents.

Layout My seaside village has undergone some improvments. Here is the former incarnation of the downtown Below is the new version, from NILTC's Layout at the Barrington Illinois' Public Library) ______________________________________________________________ Seeking to expand, the residents formally incorporated, choosing the stately name of "Brickington" in the hopes of encouraging more tourism. We'll come back to the downtown, but for now let's start at the southern edge of the village. Here is Brickington pictured from the south. In the far right is part of the windmill. Built by Pepa Quin, this structure is only temporary, as he has refused to incorporate into Brickington. It has already been "removed" to make way for future expansions of Brickington. A frontal view of the house: next door, and up a small hill is the home of a friendly, but somewhat reclusive hunter. His son and fiance have just stopped by, and his father is in the woods hunting. Next up are the green and yellow houses From the rear, who is that young man in brown waving to? of course, it's his neighbor's daughter, the girl next door. Ah, summer romance... Moving further down. Citing the rising price of rent, the surf shop has purchased space above an industrial building just inland of their former location. In it's new corner address, Tomaselli's Sicillian is even more successfull than before. The red mansion formerly located at the far south end has been recreated in the downtown area, with a comercial space underneath. Next door is creepy Jimmy's "Gift Island", and a stack of small rentable condo's for the vacationer that likes to be right in middle of the action. Now incorporated as a town, the citizens have recognized the need for a constabulary, and have erected a fine new police station right next to Lee's Cantonese dining. Also, clearly visble are new curbs, erected after popular outcry in town (and at eurobricks) regarding the possiblity of cars accidentaly driving or rolling into the ocean. One area that hasn't changed much is the north corner of Brickton, the same stately greystone, industrial/condo building, and the Double-Shark Bar and Seafood restaurant. Visible here is the new wider boardwalk. Finally we round the corner, and our journey has come to an end. Almost.... Things are happening behind the scenes... Some n'er-do-wells congregate around a suitcase in the alley. At the other end of the alley, public works is slowly disposing of some hardware left behind by lazy members of the the Northern Illinois LEGO Train Club. Suddenly, realizing that they are being observed by a supervisor, they spring into action! Lastly, surrounded by sharks, on an island just north west of Brickington, an escaped fellon bides his time... Thanks for visiting scenic Brickington. The Brickington planning comission has approved plans for an expanded marina downtown, and a separate seaplane facility at the south end, so please come back to visit soon. _____________________________________________________ Suggestions for improvement, comments, etc are appreciated. More pics, available here after moderation. http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=332409 Earlier pics, including in progress, detailed shots of "gift Island", and the blue and white condo building. are available here: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=309896 Construction on the above mentioned expansion slated to begin mid-late august.