ericbrok

More specifically answering your questions: As for our influence on product design, it has been mostly like us supplying ideas about what (A)FOLS would like, within a general scope or theme that is considered for two years from now. We don't get to see (yet) if and what specific decisions are being influenced. Besides me, several others scan Eurobricks occasionally. Seems I'm one of the few users that uses his/hers proper name on Eurobricks anyway... Apparently Eurobricks is not the center of the LEGO universe :) It was on many 'other' major websites of the communty. Personally I think that if important news is posted on LUGnet and LEGOfan, it's up to the other communties themselves to take notice and copy it forward. They reapplied and were selected. You're right. Jobless single females who never played with LEGO don't stand a chance to represent our community.

A few weeks ago on LEGOFan.org, the same question was raised about the 'presence' of LEGO Ambassadors. This was (part of ) my answer: "Please note that there are Ambassadors from different countries, each in some way or another involved in their local communities. Did you check out the Dutch or the German forums? E.g. After I got back from BrickFest, first thing I did was explaining the workings of the Factory concept on our two main Dutch LEGO forums. (snip) In any case, be assured that almost any LEGO forum is beeing kept an eye on by one or the other Ambassador (note we are not on an assigned roster - it's just our usual habit :) and if there's a specific issue or question you want to bring to our attention, just contact any ambassador. " Also, in response to this issue, a special forum 'Ask an Ambassador' was created on LEGOFan.org, so there's a place to contact us Ambassadors besides the Ambassador(s) you may know personally. In that forum, fellow Ambassador Lenny Hoffman also answered to this issue: http://www.legofan.org/FORUMS/ShowPost.asp...spx?PostID=2124 Also, please note that in his call for 2nd cycle Ambassador applications, Jake mcKee did list some activities the 1st cycle ambassadors were involved in. (http://news.lugnet.com/lego/?n=3495) And in my local call for applications in the Dutch forums, I gave a more elaborate impression. (If you can read Dutch: sixth message at http://www.debouwsteen.com/forum_viewtopic...ic.php?30.18729 .) So it's like you just have to shine the Batman searchlight around the sky to call on us ;)

Vikings anyone? :-)

I don't know those details; we'll have to wait for august. Personallly I would expect a palette similar to the contest, but that's speculation on my part.

This rumor is officially false. To prevent us a disappointment after all these speculations, I checked with TLG (Jake Mckee). Currently there are no plans to make avaliable the wide variety of brick ordering that was suggested. As of 1 august, the LEGO Factory ordering program will launch, as the next step after the LEGO Factory design contest last year. We will be able to design a model in LEGO Digital designer and then order the parts as a 'set', similar to the Mosaic. The most cool part about it, is that we can make our own creations available to other customers. But this program is not intended for bulk brick ordering. You're bound by a varied but limited pallette of available bricks, and those bricks come in certain amounts from assorted bags (like the Mosaic). The rumor must be the result of a misunderstanding when calling to shop@home, confusing the Factory offer with some dreamlike bulk offer. TLG very much understands our demand for bulk ordering of any LEGO element. In that respect TLG likes to view the Factory program as an important step in that direction. But to what extend this will ultimately lead to a dreamlike wide bulk variety will depend on what proves practically and economically feasible. So no promises there. So, while it will not be a bulk brick program, I think the Factory project is very innovative has much potential as a versatile platform for our creations and community.