DLuders

After father+son have built the standard models that come in the Lego NXT 2.0 instruction booklet, recommend that they do what "Front" suggested -- visit the NXT Programs website. The Building Instructions and downloadable programs were discussed on this Eurobricks post. Once they get used to the various programs, they can think of their own creations and maybe share them here or on places like MindBOARDS (formerly NXTasy.org).

@ Andy D: You should try Sariel's "Model Scaler" tool: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=47723 .

The pieces that come with the Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 Set 8547 set has been intentoried on Peeron.com. There are set reviews on the bottom of this Shop.Lego.com webpage, on Buzzillions.com, on Squidoo.com, and (perhaps the best review) on The NXT Step.

"starlightrusty" just posted a of the stop-action assembly of the 8043 Motorized Excavator set:

Here's a fun posted by SEDNEP that shows a Lego Mindstorms NXT Rattlesnake (with real rattles) that "strikes" when you get too close!

Here's a YouTube video of the Lego Store in Berlin with a "Digital Box" displaying the Lego 10213 "Shuttle Adventure" set. You rotate the REAL box in your hands in front of the computer screen, and a DIGITAL Space Shuttle launches off of the box! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5gdSS0q_3w

On YouTube, "MegaGhidorah" found a "wierd glitch and a secret at the same time" on the Lego Universe game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNEg8ImvJNw

"piano000kr" just posted this 4-minute showing a quick, stop-action photo sequence of the 8052 Container Truck being built and operated.

M4X1994 just posted this 2-minute of the 8285 Tow Truck ("King of the Road") set being built in a quick, stop-action sequence. It covers "Building the Lego Technic Tow Truck (King of the Road) Step by Step. No. of Pieces - 1877. Year of Release - 2006."

If you have not seen it, MOCpages has their "MOC of the Day" (MOTD) featuring an "oldie by goodie" by Alexander Hoogerwerf -- "this beautiful oldtimer/Morgan-looking roadster. It has a gigantic 14-litre V16 witch works with a Power Functions motor. The front lights work a have a sort a bleuish looking tint like bi-xenon lights. This is the best car I have made. It is made of more than 1300 bricks. I hope you'll like it." "This is the luxious interior. It has satnav, six-speed automatic with sequal peddles on the steering wheel, it has airco, leather seats, etc." "This is the huge working V16 piston engine." Many more pictures are on his Flickr photostream. On Brickshelf, he is known as "DREAMCARS" and has posted 30 pictures there too.

If you want an opportunity to ask the Lego Technic designers about the 8043 Motorized Excavator, Conchas has a thread going in TechnicBRICKS: "Now that the new 8043 Excavator problems have been solved and the model is again available to ship from LEGOshop.com, it is time to do something that has been in the pipe for awhile. Once more TBs is going to run an interview with the LEGO Designers. This time about the 2010 LEGO Technic flagship model, thus with Anders Gaasedal Christensen (Goose Valley) who designed the model and Ricco Rejnholdt Krog, Design Lead for the LEGO Technic team. We decided however to accomplish some kind of innovation and involve our readership in the process, i.e. also let you submit your own questions to the Designers, about this model and respective design process. Please feel to ask as many questions as you like, by dropping them as comments to this post. In the meantime we will prepare our own questions and wait till Sunday (31.Oct) to gather all your inputs."

@ Jurgen Krooshoop: Yes, that's the one! I found it on Brickshelf and MOCpages. It is "A Mercedes CLK GTR (inspired) car in 1:8 scale. Fully functional supercar with suspension and gearbox (3+R)."

Here's another picture of that big Lego Ferrari Racer shown at BrickWorld 2010 (from Flickr): Another angle of the car can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/legoassistenten/3284486770/ . There are more pictures of the body detail on . The giant wheel (from Flickr): A nice Bugatti Type 35B (from Flickr): Does anybody know this gentleman (Dryw Filtairn) who made the Technic Supercar shown on ? Is there more information about it online somewhere?

@ Jurgen Krooshoop: Wow, what a show! I liked the Lego band animatronic figures. Did you display any of your MOCs at BrickWorld 2010? Kids must have had a great time seeing the BIG displays there, and "driving" their imaginations wild! From Flickr:

On his Brickshelf gallery, "snegroj" has an ENTIRE FLEET of Lego trucks, which he built digitally using LeoCAD. The LDRAW files are available for download. On Brickshelf, he wrote that they are "Scania and volvo trucks and trailers...and a Kenworth - 8wide - Click next for more images - All models built in LeoCad....Any comments or questions about these models?? Send me a mail: snegroj@home.se -- Jörgen Andersson."

On MOCpages, "Techn0m0ves" posted a 1.34-meter-long CAR TRANSPORTER made from the 8258 Crane Truck and 8285 Tow Truck. There are many pictures and explanations on that webpage. He wrote, "This cabin looks very similar to the cabin of the 8258 A-model, but I've changed a lot of small details. Also the interior is different. The footboards are marked with blue pins. The back-side of the truck, on the other hand, is totally my own design. Also the front- and back-side of the second carriage is totally my own design. There are also some nice details in the second carriage": "The first function is a pneumatic rotating dividing wall. Behind this wall lays the PF Battery-box. Behind the first left side compartment is the pneumatic pump and a switch is positioned above it. By rotating the wall, you can take the PF Battery-box out more easily. Two other manual functions are the winches. For the lower winch, the button is behind the first left side compartment and a release switch is behind the first right side compartment. For the upper winch, the button is behind the second right side compartment and a release switch is left to the winch. The last manual function is in the rear part of the truck. Behind the first left side compartment is a button and when you turn it, it will put out a pair of beams and make the truck stand on its own legs." "The motor is positioned in the chassis of the truck and right after it, there is immediately a gear-switch. This switch is operated from the second right side compartment. When the switch is turned to the rear of the truck and the electricity is turned on by the electric switch behind the first right side compartment, a linear actuator will put down a pair of driveboards and a car can be pulled on the truck by the winch. When the switch is turned to the front of the truck and the electricity is turned on by the electric switch behind the first right side compartment, a pair of beams will put down the upper level of driveboards. This pair of beams is geared down by a worm wheel. With the same motor, you also can operate the functions in the second carriage. The axle in the motor is lengthened and a homo-kinetic connection is used to make a hinge. Behind the first right side compartment is a switch. When the switch is turned to the rear of the truck and the electricity is turned on by the electric switch behind the first right side compartment, a linear actuator will put down a pair of driveboards and a car can be pulled on the second carriage by the winch. When the switch is turned to the front of the truck and the electricity is turned on by the electric switch behind the first right side compartment, a pair of beams will put down the upper level of driveboards. This pair of beams is geared down by a worm wheel." "The yellow jeep in the movie is also made out of the 2 used sets."

@ Jurgen Krooshoop & TechnicFreak: It was me who (inadevertently) changed the title of this topic. I merged TechnicFreaks' new topic (about praising Jurgen's bucket design), and the NEW post's topic overwrote the old topic's title. I changed THIS TOPIC's title back to a hybrid of the two. Sorry about that.

I wrote an e-mail directly to TLG about this topic. We'll get the story right from the horse's mouth.

Maybe Blakbird will decide to make one of his beautiful RENDERS of your MOC!

During the 2008-2009 Lego Ambassador cycle, there were several people chosen by TLG that were from the SAME Lego User Group: http://www.brothers-brick.com/2008/06/03/lego-ambassadors-announced-for-2008-2009-news/ . I see two members from NELUG, two from MOCpages, and two from Flickr. So, Conchas' assertioon that there can be only one Lego Ambassador per LUG is not correct. Are there any nominations or volunteers? C'mon, many of us have been wanting TLG to produce a Supercar, Technic sets in colors other than red, Ultimate Collector Series sets, kits like Crowkillers and Nathanael Kuipers have made, etc. I am willing to be nominated, but are there any supporters? If you don't want me, then SOMEBODY from this forum should step up!

Here's what The Lego Group says about the "LEGO Ambassadors": http://www.lego.com/eng/info/default.asp?page=ambassadors . Nowhere on that website (or on the Lego Ambassador rules above) does it say that there is a LIMIT on the number of Ambassadors. For 2010, there were 40 (including Fernando Correia ("Conchas") from TechnicBRICKS, and Mickael Sjöstedt ("CopMike") from Sweden, so far the only Eurobricks Lego Ambassador). I don't see why TLG wouldn't want A LOT MORE than that, since they want two-way communication, feedback, and greater understanding. Everything is done online, so what difference does it make if there are 40 people in a TLG e-mail distribution list or 100?

@ Conchas: Thanks for serving as a Lego Ambassador for the past few years. Your TechnicBRICKS website is a great source of news and technical information! I diagree with you, however, when you say that the Lego Ambassador rules (above) only allow for one reprentative from Eurobricks. "CopMike" doesn't really represent the EB "Technic, Mindstorms, and Model Team" Forum. In fact, when I did an "Advanced Search" of his name in the Eurobricks search tool, the last original post he had was on Oct 1, 2008 (over 2 years ago). A lot of new EB Technic Forum members never even heard of him, because he no longer actively participates there. His Eurobricks profile: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showuser=148 . EACH FORUM in Eurobricks should be able to submit their own Lego Ambassador nomination -- the Technic Forum, Star Wars Forum, Pirates Forum, etc. -- basically, each "Theme" listed on http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?act=idx . You don't really expect JUST ONE Eurobricks member to represent literally THOUSANDS of Eurobricks members by himself/herself, do you? I bet you that if the EB Technic, Mindstorms, and Model Team Forum members nominated somebody to represent THIS FORUM, it would get accepted. WHAT HAVE WE GOT TO LOSE? Many folks ON THIS FORUM have been clamoring for MORE FEEDBACK from TLG, so the Lego Ambassador program is the mechanism for effective information transfer.

On this TechnicBRICKS post, Conchas informed us about the "open enrollment period" for the "Lego Ambassador" program . He wrote, "TLG (LEGO Community Engagement and Communications team) announced last Tuesday a four week open enrollment period for the LEGO communities to apply for the Program. There are some modifications which basically I can summarize in: • Broader and clear rules definition for the groups which can qualify for the Program (online and offline LUGs, interactive blogs and forums) and how to get in. • The community representative (LEGO Ambassador) selection process is now tottaly in the hands of the community being represented. • No time limit for ambassadorship and new enrollment periods every six months. • No more NDAs, thus perhaps lighter scope. Still worth it I'm sure! Then we have also definitions for the new Program format, tasks and touch points, etc... In case you have some leadership role into a LEGO Community, you may have interest to now more about the new Program format, and read the Program Outline with all the details." The link to the "Program Outline" above is a Microsoft Word document. Conchas indicated that he was "not intending to apply for LA [Lego Ambassador] representing my LUG [nor] TBs in the coming enrollment windows." So, should somebody from THIS EUROBRICKS FORUM apply to be a "Lego Ambassador" for LEGO TECHNIC concerns? I believe that there should be SOMEBODY representing the Technic theme. Any volunteers or nominations? * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * In case you don't have Microsoft Word, below is the the entire "Program Outline" text. I have highlighted certain key portions IN RED TEXT as they apply to this Eurobricks "Technic, Mindstorms, and Model Team" Forum: The LEGO Ambassador Program - 2011 and beyond Overall Purpose: Give the AFOL Community a gathering place to be represented as a whole to the LEGO Group, interact with members of the LEGO Group and interact with one another. The LEGO Group’s Promise to the AFOL Community: The Goal of the LEGO Group in this endeavor is to give a highly engaging discussion platform to the chosen representatives within the AFOL Community, and to provide consistent interactions that will encourage participation. The LEGO Group’s hope is that the AFOL Community is able to gain more insight into how the company works and also have a direct line to the employees of the LEGO Group in order to share their ideas and suggestions. The LEGO Group wants to give the AFOL community special access to put forth ideas that can affect the way the company does things. The LEGO Group will check the forum regularly, respond to every thread, and feedback for other parts of the LEGO Group will be reported directly to the correct parties. What the LEGO Group hopes to gain from this program: The LEGO Group hopes to build relationships with, gain insights and ideas from, and provide feedback to the LEGO Ambassadors and the AFOL communities they represent. Contents: Section 1: Definitions of the Groups Represented Section 2: Format Section 3: Gaining Membership Section 4: Tasks and Touch Points Appendix A: Example LUG qualifications application Section 1: Definitions of the Groups Represented LUG: LEGO User Group. This is a Group of Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOLs) who gather together in person or via online communities around their common interest in the LEGO Hobby and all things associated with it. Different types of LUGs can include: - In person clubs centered around a city or region - Online communities centered around specific themes - Interactive Blog sites that focus on the LEGO product and AFOL community. AFOL Community: Adult Fan of LEGO. This is anyone above the age of 18 who still chooses the LEGO hobby as one of their primary hobbies. Many choose to be part of the AFOL community but it isn’t necessary to be part of the online/offline community to be considered an AFOL. TFOL: Teen Fan of LEGO. This is anyone between the ages of 13-17 who chooses the LEGO hobby as one of their primary hobbies. TFOLs interact as part of the AFOL Community. LEGO Group Employees: The main point of contact within the LEGO Ambassador program will be the LEGO Community Engagement and Communications Team, but there will be opportunities for many other aspects of the company to be involved. - LEGO Community Engagement and Communications (CEC): This is the entity within the LEGO Group charged with interacting with online and offline LUGs. This group has been referred to as the LEGO Community Team (LCT). Section 2: Format The idea behind the LEGO Ambassador Programs format is to give LUGs the opportunity to choose a representative of their group to act as their Ambassador and voice to the LEGO Group. The entire program will therefore be as thorough as possible a representation of the entire AFOL community. Format: Entry (expanded in more detail in section 3): - The LEGO Ambassador Program will consist of representatives from all LUGs that meet the requirements for entry into the program and submit their qualifications to the LEGO Group during the “open window” periods to sign up. - “Open Window” Periods to sign up for the Program will occur every six months and will last for four weeks at a time. LUGs that do not turn in their qualifications during one “open window” will have to wait for the next one. - Once a LUG has gained entry into the program they will be able to keep a representative in the group indefinitely as long as they continue to meet the qualifications. Interactions (expanded in more detail in section 4): - Discussions will take place in an online forum provided by the LEGO Group. - There will also be occasions where Ambassadors may have the opportunity to meet LEGO Employees in person at various AFOL events. How to treat information received in the program: - No NDA’s will be signed so that dialogue and discussions can be shared back with the LUGs - In some cases the LEGO Group will ask member to wait before sharing certain information, but these instances will be made very clear in the forums. - A release form will be required in order to give LEGO Ambassadors the freedom to submit ideas directly to the LEGO Group. Section 3: Gaining Membership Joining the LEGO Ambassador Program is a two step Process: Step 1 - submit your qualifications: Apply as a LUG for a spot in the program. Groups seeking a spot in the LEGO Ambassador Program will be asked to provide specific information in the following categories to show what part they play in the AFOL Community. Membership: - When submitting an application and then every three months onward LUGs will be asked to provide a current member figure. This figure can be: o For offline clubs: Number of members who attend meetings or are on the LUG’s forum o For online communities: Site traffic for the previous year month period and number of registered users. Why membership figures are important: It helps the LEGO Group know how many people are being represented by the LEGO Ambassador Program and therefore how effective the overall program has the potential to be. Requirements for your application: Offline - Your LUG should have a minimum of ten active members before you apply to the program. Active members are members who have participated in at least one LUG activity in the last year. Online - You LUG should show that there are at least 10 people that contribute to your site (people putting up posts/forum threads and people commenting on posts/ forum threads). Longevity: LUGs must be able to prove that they’ve been in existence for at least one year in order to gain representation in the LEGO Ambassador Program. Why longevity is important: This is important because it rewards groups who have taken the effort to establish themselves and solidify their identities within the AFOL Community. Activity: LUGs need to show that they are an active community. - LUGs must provide information to show that they have actively engaged in community oriented activities within the previous year. For example: o Forums and Blogs should tell the LEGO Group how many new posts they’ve had in the previous six months. o Offline LUGs should report what shows they have participated in (with public attendance if available). o Online and offline LUGs should include a list of all community oriented activities they have participated in (contests, swap meets, etc.) Why activity is important: This helps us know that the LUGs being represented within the LEGO Ambassador Program are alive and well. It also helps us keep track of some of the great things LUGs are participating in so we can share it with our colleagues. Requirements: Each applying LUG needs to show at least 2 activities for the previous year. Who needs to provide this information? - All LUGs seeking to gain entrance into the program during the “open window” period. - All LUGS already in the program that wish to continue in the program. How often does this information need to be updated? Every LUG that participates in the LEGO Ambassador Program will need to provide updated information every three months to remain qualified for the program. The information that needs to be continuously submitted is: - Accurate member figures for offline LUGs and site traffic/number of registered users for online LUGs - List of events with public attendance numbers for offline LUGs and list of special activities for online LUGs Note: If your LUG has not participated in a show or activity during a three month period LUGS should just submit an email stating this. It will not disqualify them from the program. The LEGO Group wants to be kept up to date as best as possible though. LUGs that have no activities over the course of a one year period will be asked to leave the program. Step 2 - provide a representative: Part of the application process is for the LUG to select a representative. The process for choosing a representative needs to take place inside each LUG and then the representative should be submitted to the LEGO Group as part of the application. Is there a process that the LEGO Group wants LUGs to follow when selecting a representative? No, this process should be internal to the LUG and the LEGO Group will not interfere with the LUG’s selection. Note: Only one representative per LUG. What to expect during the “open window” period: When the LEGO Group posts for an open window the LUG will need to send their qualifications application with a representative to the appointed LEGO Group Employee. LUGs will be contacted back after their email is received to acknowledge receipt of that email. Once the LEGO Group has processed the qualification applications they will let the LUGs know whether or not they have met the qualifications. Once this has happened the LUG can let the LEGO Group know who their representative will be and this person will be added to the LEGO Ambassador Discussion list. Expectations for how to treat one another: All members of the program will be expected to live up to a few expectations: - Respect your fellow fans - Respect the LEGO representatives you’re interacting with - Actively participate in the program - post at least once a month Summary: Please treat everyone involved in the program with respect and do your best to actively participate in the program. Removal from the LEGO Ambassador Program: If the LEGO Group feels a representative is not living up to the above expectations they will send that representative a warning email to let them know how their behavior is negatively affecting the program. The representative will be asked to adjust their behavior. If the representative shows no desire to adjust their attitude then the LEGO Group will remove them from the program and request a new representative from the LUG they represented. If the LUG does not wish to send a replacement then they will be removed from the program altogether. Section 4 -Tasks and Touch Points Tasks Discussion: The LEGO Ambassadors will be expected to participate in discussion topics brought up by the LEGO Group and by their fellow Ambassadors. You do not need to comment in every topic but please be involved where you’re able to be. Gain feedback from their LUGs: Work with the LUGs you represent to gain feedback either on your own initiatives or to answer questions posed by the LEGO Group. Ask Questions: This is your opportunity to ask whatever you want of the LEGO Group either on your own behalf or on behalf of the LUG you represent. Present ideas: If you have ideas then this is the place to bring them. You have signed a release form specifically for this purpose. Spread News: Occasionally the LEGO Ambassadors will be given news to spread to the rest of the AFOL community, but the focus of the program is not to be reporters for the LEGO Group. Any information shared via the the LEGO Ambassador Program may be shared with the rest of the community or public. Press releases and new items will be reported directly via the LEGO Affiliate program (this is a mailing list that all Ambassadors will be added to). Touchpoints: Online - LEGO Project Rooms This is the online forum where LEGO Ambassador discussions take place. New representative s will be given access to this forum once they enter the program. Offline - the LEGO Community Engagement and Communications team will post events they will be attending on the LEGO Ambassador Forum so that LEGO Ambassadors have the opportunity to link up with them in person and get to know them better. Expectations - how much time will be put into the program? The program is a vehicle to give the LEGO Ambassadors opportunities to work with one another and with the LEGO Group. The members of the program (including the LEGO Group) will get out of this program what they are willing to put into it. The LEGO Community Team will work to schedule people as best as possible to minimize downtime from the LEGO Group within the discussion forum. Forms to be signed: Representatives that become a part of the LEGO Ambassador program will be asked to sign a release form upon entry into the program. This will allow them to freely submit ideas to the LEGO Group. The release form is a waiver acknowledging that the LEGO Ambassador in question does not desire to retain ownership of the ideas they are giving to the LEGO Group. This is to give the AFOL community the best possible ability to feedback into the company what they want out of LEGO Products and the LEGO Group. Appendix A: LUG Qualifications Application Example Here is an example of the form you’ll need to submit with your qualifications to the LEGO Group. We would like to see the forms as either PDFs or MSword documents. Remember you are applying on behalf of the whole group and not as individual members. BrickLUG (placeholder name) Eurobricks "Technic, Mindstorms, and Model Team" Forum LUG Qualification Application General information: Group Name: BrickLUG EUROBRICKS "TECHNIC, MINDSTORMS, AND MODEL TEAM" FORUM LUG Location: [LUG location for offline, blogs and forums can put primary language/nation or denote global coverage here] GLOBAL COVERAGE Website: [if you have one] http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showforum=115 Primary contact person: [name/email] NEED NOMINATION OR VOLUNTEER HERE Identity: [Write a short description of what aspect of the AFOL Community you think your LUG represents.] Membership: Overall Number of Members: [total number of members for an offline club and registered members of a site for online LUGS.] HUNDREDS Active members in the Last six months: [Number people who have shown up to at least one LUG activity or posted online that you would consider members] SEVERAL DOZEN Longevity: [Describe when your LUG was started and how long you have been doing things together as a LUG.] SEVERAL YEARS Activity: Events (if applicable): Name of event Location of the event Number of club members participating Number of public visitors at the event (to the best of your knowledge) Repeat for as many events as you have participated in within the last six months. Site Traffic (if applicable): How many unique visitors did you have in the last six months? How many registered members does your site have? How many posts have gone on your site in the last six months? Special Activities (if applicable): Has your LUG put on any contests? Has your LUG done any other types of community building that you think are relevant here? How to list your activities: Events and special activities: Name of Activity: Date of Activity: Location of Activity: (physical or on the website) Number of LUG members who participated: Number of public attendees: Description of your representative: Name of Representative: Age: Brief description of Representative (one paragraph please)

From this Bricklink sort, here are the two Lego Ferrari sets that Squizz is talking about: Brickset's 8653 Set Reviews: http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=8653-1 -- "Compared to the 599 (8145) it is technically more advanced thanks to the wing doors. It has a very nice mechanism and although it does not always work perfectly it is the nicest detail of this set. What I don't like are the oblique placed bricks behind the front wheels which should represent the wheel arches. It´s much to square and it doesn't represent the real Enzo's wheel arch very well. Technically the set might be a bit disappointing because the car doesn't have wheel suspension, gearbox etc. but than again it's a Lego Racers set and not a true Technic set. Overall it's a nice set which looks great on a shelf in your room and if you're a Ferrari and/or Lego enthusiast, you definitely should get one!" SeTechnic's 8653 Set Review, in the original French and in the Babelfish English translation. Brickset's 8145 Set Review: http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=8145-1 -- "At last, you can build the amazingly detailed and functional Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano in an incredible 1:10 scale! With its sophisticated design, V12 engine with working pistons, opening doors and hood, and working steering system, this authentic LEGO TECHNIC model is perfect for any fan of Ferrari racing, cars, or building. Doors, hood and trunk really open! Working steering system turns front tires! Features V12 front mounted engine with working pistons! Model measures 18" (46 cm) long!". HispaLUG's Full 8145 Set Review, in the original Spanish and in the Babelfish English translation.

Yes -- try BrickStore: http://www.brickforge.de/software/brickstore/index.en.html .