dr_spock

You could keep the voting open until your fav win the round... wink wink.

Will corn guy get skunked by animal control?

Well done. Great job squeezing in all the PF. Looking forward to the video.

LEGO is a premium toy product and priced as such. Old sets tend to hold their value or go up if they are desirable. That wasn't the case years ago when LEGO wasn't as popular. Your best bet might to be wait for a sale on a current train set. The starter sets come with all the pieces to get the addiction going.

Welcome aboard. Depends on how much effort and money you want to put into it and also what parts you already have on hand. Multiple BrickLink orders from multiple shops can add up shipping/handling costs quickly. Complete used might end up being cheaper and easier. You need to grind out and compare numbers for your situation.

How about SKYLAB from the 1970's? It is not as big as the International Space Station.

Nice build. Is it digital? Rabbit is not going to find much to eat there.

Dang, that's a lot of gold and huge. Your settlement must be rich. Seems like a good place for a MRCA raid...

Congratulations on your win.

ERA I Highlights: ERA I for the Sea Rats was defined by two major events. The first was when the Eslandolian Anti-Piracy Squadron attacked innocent Sea Rats simply trying to trade for a living. The outrage that ensued almost began a war between the Eslandolians and the Sea Rats. However, after much debate and deliberation in the courts, the two nations were able to come to a compromise. A further result was that careful distinction was made when addressing Sea Rats to ensure that they were only called "pirates" behind their backs. The second event was the Battle of the Five Fleets. During Eslandola's attempt to break Mardier's blockade of Convict Town, they found themselves beaten at their own game. Having heard the rumors of Eslandola's plans to break the blockade, a Sea Rat fleet set out to plunder the plunderers. They met with great success, but at the cost of two of their most famous ships: The Queen Annetta's Revenge and The Jade Piranha. There were many more notable events such as the successful if not fool-hardy Sea Rat fleet that sailed straight through Hurricane Stepho with the loss of only one vessel and the daring raid on Tarlo. Browse the forum for past tales to read about more adventures!

Welcome to Eurobricks, Benjamin. What kind of cars do you repair?

It seems like they all use the same 750 mA resetable fuse. http://www.philohome.com/batteries/bat.htm

Viking and Queen for opera. Mandatory voting for the 3rd poll?

Very nice. Do the sliders work?

Settlements Bastion, Nest of Thieves (zone 18) Rassilon, Nest of Thieves (Zone 18) Takashii Village, Nest of Thieves (Zone 18) Charlatan Bay, Infero Pordejon (zone 24) Tortuga, Sea Turtle Island (zone 32) Poppy Port, Sabre Island (zone 26) Sereen Cay, The Rock (zone 31) Haven, Isla del Diablo (zone 21) Moray's Den, Isla del Diablo (zone 21) Black Rock, somewhere in New Haven Sea (zone xx) Membership ACTIVE Gustaf Von Bricktin (Roadmonkeytj) Lothario (Fraunces) Doctor Thaum (Professor Thaum) formerly Captain Meloche (Kwatchi) Susieh Cheng (dr_spock) Rodsh Derr (Bart) Oilskin Jonny (Tomskippy) Sean Greybeard (Count Vroskri) Captain James Rulthorpe (Rconn0) Captain Obadiah Shaw (Pdaitabird) Corwin Ragnarrson (Corweena) Captain Kane (NOD) Edward Zentonn (Monocle) Omni Al-Hash (omnihash_cz) William "will" Cutter (TheRiddlersMind) SEMI-RETIRED Sinbad (MKJoshA) Ethylene Glycol (pombe) Captain Leon Dracken (kaiju) Callia (Ulric Brickenheim) "Arrow" (Ukah-kamuta-na-ta-ta-fi-ra-ra) (SodorBricks) TBA (bmerrill) RETIRED Bartholomew "Lefty" Jones (Bob De Quatre) Richard Walton, Esq (CB4) Comrade Captain Darksten (Comrade Commander) Amara (Gulagurag) Shaman Azeban (ilulz) Captain Benjamin Morgan (Jacob Nion) Captain William Quick (MiloNelsiano) Captain Shen (nivremis) Esteban Escobar (Ron701) Jasper Soares (Savage_opress) Rhys Flaidd DeTaillefer (Vedauwoo) Captain Mengish (Mengish) Captain Matthew Hawse (RocketSeason) Islands On this map, the Sea Rats are in control of Nest of Theives, Isla Del Diablo, and Infero Pordejon. On this map, the Sea Rats are in control of Island #2 called Sabre Island and Island #12 called The Rock. Another map can be seen here with details here. We also have a settlement on Island #10 called Sea Turtle Island.

The problem with M-motor and IR Receiver V2 is if you're using more than one M-motor on the same output. Otherwise, M-motor will work with IR Receiver V2. LEGO Power Functions V2 RC Receiver There has been some confusion regarding the new LEGO Power Functions V2 RC Receiver that is released in the Technic 9398 4X4 Crawler. This component is currently only available through the 9398 set, but was not made exclusively for this product. The V2 RC Receiver is updated with a CMOS motor driver giving less power loss. This is done to improve the user experience with longer battery lifetime and better motor performance. Unfortunately it has the drawback that it is not able to start 2 or more LPF Medium motors at the same output. As I will explain below this is not a problem with the motor driver, but a known issue with the LPF Medium motor. The raw motor currently used in the LPF Medium motor internally contains a relatively large capacitor (1 uF) across each of the 3 motor coils. This is done by the motor manufacturer for noise reduction. We knew that this would be an issue with the new CMOS motor driver (DRV8833). Since it can source a very high inrush current the over current protection will kick in sooner (typically after 2,25 us with a current exceeding 3,3 A). At start up the motor driver will first charge the input capacitance. With 2 or more LPF Medium motors at the same output this can trigger the over current protection. It will repeatedly try to start the motors and you will only hear a singing noise. For many reasons we have been searching for a higher quality solution for the LPF Medium motor and we now have an approved new raw motor. It has better quality commutation and only 1nF across the terminal. An updated LPF Medium motor will be released during 2013. Backwards compatibility is of very high importance when we choose new solutions. In this case our decision was that the advantages of the new motor driver together with the fact that we would update the LPF Medium motor would compensate for the inconvenience with the current LPF Medium motor. We hope this is not causing too many limitations to your model creativity. Gaute Munch The LEGO Group

The Sea Rats Nickname: Pirates Colors: Black, Yellow, Medium Blue Quick Glance: The Sea Rats are a rag tag group of scoundrels and rogues, who have found true freedom on the open sea. United under the common cause of self-determination, and defiance of Imperial rule, these folk heed no laws but those of the Pirate Code. (Which is really more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules, rather loose-like, you know.) These men and women are pirates, smugglers, con-men, and any kind of lawless scallywag which you can conceive of, but there are also rebel leaders, defectors from decadence, dispossessed traders and explorers, members of conquered nations, and any who find themselves disenfranchised from their societies. There are those who take advantage of the lawlessness to conduct crimes with impunity. well, actually that later category would likely count for most people. Membership: Sea Rats is open for members. Any man, woman, child, or what-have-you can be a sea rat! You needn't make your den in the Nest of Thieves, nor need you affiliate with other sea rats at all! We're the scourge of these seas, and swear fealty to no nation! If you'd like to captain a pirate ship and pillage and plunder, and riffle and loot the trade routes of the Empires, then join the Sea Rats! If you wish to take your crew on a roaring rampage of revenge against those nations that betrayed you, or perhaps your Quartermaster who led a mutiny against you, then join the Sea Rats! If you wish to swindle and connive, and con your way up in the world, then join the Sea Rats! If you've tired of oppressive reign of Kings and Queens and wish to make your own way in the world, then join the Sea Rats! Have adventure in your heart, a sword in your hands, and the salt wind in your hair? Then you're a Sea Rat, me hearty! To join, just sign up in this thread with an introduction post that shows your sigfig. A little background goes a long way, so we appreciate any backstory you would like to present with the fig! Reasons to Join: Sea Rats have a number of unique rules that other factions don't, some which are centered specifically around player piracy (known as 'black flagging'): 1) Under the Table: Sea Rats only pay 70% of a ship license and 50% of land property costs (except mines and forts). 2) Looters: Sea Rats are always managing to scrounge up valuable bits to sell for a coin or two. Upon capture, Sea Rats receive 20 DBs per cargo point of the captured ship as loot. Players from other factions do not gain any value for a capture beyond the ship itself. This replaces previous looting rules. 3) Results Driven: The black flag pirate crews of the Sea Rats often find provisions and supplies by... alternative means. Sea Rats pay no upkeep for black-flagged ships.  4) Underground Economy: All un-MOC'd ships captured by NPC Pirates and Black Flag players can now be condemned (i.e. sold) to the Prize Court for a value of 50%-75% of their regular license value. The rules for non-black flag players selling to the prize court remains unchanged. 5) Sea Rats earn an extra 30% yield on Artisan businesses. <- under review 6) No taxes! For those still uncertain of what faction to chose or how to sign up in a minute, we have some simple instructions here, which pretty much sum up everything Index A Detailed Look at the Sea Rats (this post) Settlements (second post) Membership (second post) A DETAILED LOOK at the SEA RATS 1. Leadership Susieh Cheng (@dr_spock, Co-Leader) Susieh Cheng loves sharp pointy objects. She doesn't like talking about her past like that incident with her eye. Rumours have it that she was kidnapped as a child by pirates. Having been raised by pirates, she developed a taste for gold and booty. Whatever you do, do not cross her. Those who do end up as shark bait after seasoned with 14 spices and stuffed with stale bread. Doctor Thaum - (@Professor Thaum, Co-Leader) The Pirate Council The Pirate Council is a group of influential captains and business folk, and here they hold their kangaroo courts. There is a certain honor among the thieves, and the most prominent business owners and pirates meet to discuss how best to conduct business and keep the people happy. Whenever there are enough issues the Council reconvenes to discuss them, but apart from that everyone does their own thing, and the most notorious pirate amongst them (currently Captain Reynard le Roublard) collects tithes for the greater good of them all... incase Corrington or Oleon comes knocking at their ports and they need a show of force to defend their freedom. These are the free folk, bound to no master but those they chose, and they do as they please, when they please to whomever or with whomever they please. Kind of anarchic-like. 2. Landscape The Port of Bastion MOC by Commander Red Hat Bastion is a town on the rocky shores of the Nest of Thieves populated by vagabonds and rogues, as well as the staunchly independent and dispossessed, the chaotic town is where the pirates have free port and may sell their ill begotten loot. There is not much of an organized structure to things on The Nest of Thieves, so Bastion grew without ordinance, leading to shoddy construction in some parts, and a lot of crime in the streets - but the people are tough, so they don’t really mind all that much. MOC by Darkdragon 3. Military Army: Sea Rats have no uniforms, so they wear whatever they see fit in the morning or nothing. It is recommended that you sail under a black flag, but if that is somehow not possible any other color will do the job! Navy: The Sea Rats have many ships in their fleet, which they rent out to their members for dastardly activities on the high seas. Apply for permission to use them in the Sea Rat group PM. Active Faction Ships Are: Corporal Milton - Class 5 warship Misfortune's Doom - Class 5 warship Hades' Tuba - Class 5 warship HMS Pendragon - Class 5 warship Godfreed Faulk - Class 2 trader MOC by Captain Braunsfeld 4. History and Culture Brief: The Sea Rats are a mixed bunch, but for the most part they consist of pirates, rogues, and thieves. Discovering the island soon afterwards to be known as The Nest of Thieves, the Sea Rats settled down and made its rocky shores their home, building the stronghold of Bastion on its nearly impregnable rocky eminences. Since then the Sea Rats have thrived in their new home, and piratical and other business is at its finest! Detailed: Unlike the Kings and Queens of the old world, Pirate leadership is dynamic, and mercurial – it is anarchistic, not dynastic. The top pirate or individual with the most personal influence gets to boss the others around until they themselves are deposed. The Sea Rats are comprised of a true hodge-podge of peoples from a variety of Nations, all of whom have forsworn their prior allegiances in favor of a free life of self-determination and self-reliance. Many of the original Sea Rats were those dispossessed by their nations during the first great rush for the new world. These betrayed sailors, clinging to the promise of wealth and glory, turned south from the closed gates of Nelissa, and, along with many old rogues who had earned their salt in the old world by piratical activities and such-like, settled the rocky shores of the island that would become "The Nest of Thieves." The city of Bastion was founded here on the skeleton of a former Eslandolan fishing village. With the great diversity of newcomers, no one nation could hold dominance here, and instead, a council was formed of the most prominent captains amongst them, many former Privateers and pirates of the Old World. This was the first Pirate High Council, where they determined that Bastion would remain forever free of the influence of the tyrannical empires, and that no one person could be their master! This pact laid the groundwork for Bastion to become the wretched hive of scum and villainy it has become, and united the Sea Rats as a people. In the absence of law and order, the streets of Bastion are in a constant state of chaos, with infamous pirate lords freely roaming the street, and pickpockets on every corner... but the people are a tough, resolute bunch, and despite the anarchy, business booms from the riches brought in by the pirates, and a healthy – if you like that kind of healthiness – economy of pirate raids, and smugglers has formed. Diplomacy: The Sea Rats are pretty indifferent when it comes to other factions. Of course, this type of indifference means something more like, "They see a ship and attack, without bothering to check whose flag waves from the mast head," rather than an indifferent kind of indifference. Neither do the Sea Rats particularly relish the idea of hanging by their necks until they be dead, so they naturally study to avoid any such unappetizing contingencies resulting from getting caught by a different faction which they had been preying on. (Note: Relationships are judged on a 1 to 5 scale; Very Friendly, Friendly, Indifferent, Unfriendly, Hostile) Sea Rat's relationship with: Corrington: Indifferent Eslandola: Indifferent Oleon: Indifferent Other nations relationship with Sea Rats: Corrington: Indifferent Eslandola: Indifferent Oleon: Indifferent 5. Membership To sign up, post a post a picture of your signature figure. You are welcome to include a bit of a description or backstory. Your signature figure, or sigfig, will represent your character throughout your MOCs within Brethren of the Brick Seas. (That does not mean that your sigfig has to be in every MOC you make). Within BoBS there are many possibilities. Build your own story, and since you're a Sea Rat, feel free to plunder and search the seas for treasure!

Welcome to Eurobricks. Impressive build.

Thanks. I don't have Lightroom or a RAW. I haven't advanced to pulling details out shadows yet. Something still to learn on the photography journey. Pretty good. There seem to be bit of blur. Her shutter speed was 1/8s. Generally I use the timer on my Canon A590is P&S and a tripod when shutter speed is below 1/60. '

You can mitigate some of the man in the middle intercepting the unencrypted login risks by not using your EB login password anywhere else.

That could be it. Jurassic Park(R) is a registered trademark of Universal Studios.

Nice job with the rendering and lighting.

Lumberjack, it's what real Canadian men do.

They are fun and bring traffic into the Special Theme forum which used to be pretty slow.

Your photos are showing up fine in Firefox.