fred67

Hah... so I headed on over there after reading your post this afternoon (a few hours ago, my time) and thought "hey, a few really nice expensive sets there... for 40% off I'd get a couple of Tantive IVs... so I just checked back (been out since then), and they're gone. Go figure. Edit: a few minutes later and now they're down to two pages... whittling it away so they don't have to "give away" cheap LEGO. Edit 2: every time I refresh there's less... LOL.

Very cool!

That's because Windows is an epic fail w.r.t. file-types (earlier MacOS was even worse... I don't know how it is now). Most file types have what's called a "magic number" embedded at the beginning of the data that should tell the OS exactly what kind of file it is (certainly both jpeg and png do). The reason is quite simple... if you have file.jpg and simply rename it file.png, the file is still a jpeg file and, depending on the application, Windows could fail to use the correct program to open it. The extension is something for humans as a commonly accepted nomenclature, it was never meant for the OS to rely on it. I could rename it "file.xls" and surely would't expect Excel to open it. Now, I know you probably all realize all of this, but it's one of those things that people should not confuse.

I still think people need to list their locations. Most people seem to be doing it, but some aren't. Even if you are willing to trade internationally, some people who may be reading your post might not be.

Technically, IMO, png is a better format... but jpeg is more widely supported. Since (if you're using decent software) you can adjust compression levels, the best thing to do is save in both formats with several compression levels and choose the best one. But honestly, jpeg is probably easiest and, unless you set the compression WAY too high, the quality will be very good. If you edit and re-edit pictures, save in a lossless format first and only export to jpeg or compressed png for uploading.

Well, I hate to sound like a jerk, but then it's not a good question. Maybe you want to know what is the best file format. But even if you rephrased the question to ask for file format, you have to specify what you mean by best. Smallest size? Best picture quality?

+1 prozac.

MMV, I think.

You see the annoying thing... The guy in Indiana says "Indianapolis TRU." That's OK, but I'm sure there's more than one, and if it's anything like it is around here, they are anything but equal. But what's worse is the guy who says he got some at "a TRU in Georgia." Hello! Despite what anyone might think, Georgia's not just a place to stop and get gas on the way to Florida... I have half a dozen TRU in (what I consider) driving distance. It's almost as bad as the people in the BST forum who don't say where they are.

Yet they are compatible.... and since we know nothing, I did, in fact, throw in "if it's a decent price." Meaning: more cost effective than LEGO track (which seems unlikely), but also if it's a decent price and includes something like different radius tracks. But it's all just speculation... we have no idea what ME is doing. Or, at least I have no idea what ME is doing beyond something to do with trains and 9V (based on the latest RailBricks).

+1 to each of: 6) Robot, Pharaoh & Mummy Entry (Build by lisqr) 18) Wrestler, Karate Master & Sumo Wrestler Entry (Build by gabe) 20) Nurse, Surfer & Space Villain Entry (Build by Darkblane) Props also to 27) Robot, Pharaoh & Space Alien Entry (Build by Gnewal Gwevus), an excellent idea and nicely done ship. And, for 8) Cheerleader, Surfer & Tennis Player Entry (Build by Cutlass_Iz), a well done entry for a non-existent contest... , and yet it made my short list for this one.

+1 each for: 32) Samurai Warrior Entry (Build by Dannylonglegs) 36) Elf Entry (Build by Oky Wan Kenobi) 49) Mummy Entry (Build by MstrOfPppts) Not only do they look great, these people obviously put a lot of time and effort into them; combined with creativity and excellent building techniques, these are my picks. As I was going through the list, it looked like the Fisherman entries were going to be the clear winners until I got near the end. Shout out to the fisherman entry by mrjensmeister. What a fantastic idea! If I was voting on concept alone I would have given all three to this one. The sea floor was also great... very well done.

Since you could use 9V track with PF, if it's a decent price, you can still "win."

Inspired by the X-Files, we start with a seemingly innocuous, unmarked container. However, inside something nefarious is happening... it seems the train is on it's way to a small facility in Southern Nevada with the occupant of a recently crash landed "weather balloon." Dr. Chopinsky seems to be enjoying the experience of finding out what makes our "visitor" tick ("It's for science!"), but assistant Ms. Igorvanka, documenting the "procedure," finds it all a bit distasteful.

Getting a bit off topic, but a combination of PF and 9V precludes the need for the much more expensive DCC option... some people are already using old dead 9V motor bogeys as pick ups from 9V rail to power PF.

The problem is we're not just talking about warfare - the cops don't have guns, either... yet the "cowboy" does, and that's not licensed. And revolvers are used all the time to commit crimes and are still used in places by police... at LEGO scale there's little difference in revolvers. I'm not arguing with their policy - I know they won't do an official LEGO realistic army tank or bazooka... I just think that while both hands are mostly on the same page, making statements like this really limits them... or they violate the policy at will... they should just not make a big deal about publicizing it is all I'm saying.

Can any minifigures hold a straight bar in both hands?

It's not just modern, it's "realism." Death Star is completely fictional, but I agree in substance with a lot of what you said. The question is why do they insist on publicizing this policy (in fact, repeating it over an over again) when that's the issue. I've never heard anyone complain about LEGO sets being too violent (maybe I just missed something), so I don't see why they jump to defend themselves. Even if people did complain, the fact is that when you sell millions of products to millions of people, you're always going to get whiners. IOW, like I said, I don't have a problem with their policy... but they don't seem to mind violating it (at least in spirit) if they can make money on it (like Star Wars and, more importantly, Indiana Jones - whose time frame is recent enough to be considered "modern"). I remember LEGO apologists saying the reason HP was discontinued (and they stated emphatically "they will not release more") was because HP was getting "too dark." Can you understand why, while I have no problem with their policy, I think they should just stop publicizing it? They come off as hypocrites. They mostly try to avoid violence in sets... but if they said that, it would just sound stupid.

Agreed... I would like to throw out there, though, that team sports figures would conceivably be in more demand than solo sports figures, one would think. It's not an "army," but it's the same idea. Also agreed. I like this series overall more than S3, but don't think any single figure will be as in demand as the Elf or Spartan. I think the Dwarf will be popular for the same reason, but not as popular since we already had dwarves.

What I've noticed is in the discussion boards. You can't have discourse with people there... it takes hours or days for them to "approve" comments, and if you say anything negative in the slightest it doesn't get approved... and when I say "negative," I don't mean inappropriate language or harassing other users or anything. I ultimately decided it was pretty pointless.

I think TLG should just keep quiet about their policy. They can do whatever they want, but they seem a bit hypocritical. I mean, what is "modern?" In some sense any firearms after Muskets are "modern," a WWII style rifle is just as deadly now; and just because semi-automatic handguns are popular doesn't mean revolvers aren't just as "modern." In addition, when you in sets like the the flying wing (we all remember what happens) from Indiana Jones or Darth Vader's gruesome transformation, the policy makes little sense. This is especially true of younger audiences where there's little difference between fantasy or real violence. What I'm trying to say is that I don't mind their overall policy if that's what they want to do, but they shouldn't keep patting themselves on the back for it when they continue to release sets with violent themes and parts.

Yup. Sorry, don't want to make a frivolous post, but this is I think the second time the subject has come up... you don't need credit cards in the U.S., most bank issued debit cards will function identically... and then there's no interest or bill to pay every month.

Nobody thinks that PAB is cheaper overall than LEGO, but I have found pieces on PAB for less money on occasion; moreover, sometimes with the quantities that you might want, the multiple shipping charges you'd incur from BL outweigh the cheaper prices.

Interesting, cimddwc; I don't know what to make of any of this (and the ME Models link does not work for me), but the rails in the picture above have tabs; the rails on the train don't. I could, of course, be reading too much into this, but roamingstudio's post really piques my interest.

Wow... that would be great. I haven't had time to look at the latest issue, but will have to make time. I was thinking about how much I like these single segments to build a more "LEGO-y" style track instead of the big track pieces, and it occurred to me that then 9V wouldn't work like that... Before I continue, for the record, I am a mostly 9V collector (I just ordered a couple of AAA battery packs and the new motors, though), but I had a lot of those 16L pieces and used them mostly for display. Now I use new track for display, but I've dabbled in mini trains and use Indy track (which is only curves) and the single pieces. Ok, back on track... then I though, why not? Why couldn't these single pieces by molded to fit 9V? But then... I don't know how they used to do this as I've never used these kinds of pieces for a real layout, but looking at the old pieces on BL I don't see why it's not possible. If a third party makes compatible current carrying rail, I am SO THERE, even if I've accepted using new PF stuff for the newer trains.