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In lugnet.build, Richard Morton wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> For some time now, a group of us have been discussing the concept of a LEGO
> site that the community could truly call its own-- community owned,
> designed, and operated. To this end, we have been endeavoring for more than
> half a year to bring that concept to life. After the recent announcement
> concerning WorldLUG, we decided that it would be a good time to bring this
> into the public eye.
Perhaps it is time to have another revolution. After all, LUGNET was at least
partly founded as a response to user's dissatisfaction with some problems
inherent in r.t.l (one of them , ironically, being that r.t.l was too open a
system which led to abuse).
If it is time to throw down the old order, let's first consider what it is. To
me, when I think of LUGNET, there is the dream of what it was meant to be and
the reality of what it is.
For the first several years of its existance, I believe the reality of what
LUGNET was trying hard to capture the dream of what it could become. One of the
first implementations of the dream was the creation of the newsgroups and the
newsgroup structure. This formed, and I would argue *still forms*, the core of
what LUGNET is. The gathering of the LUGs into the newsgroup structure is also
what I consider part of the core of LUGNET. The taking over of the Pause Lego
set database and creation of the LUGNET Guide created yet another pillar for
LUGNET. And there are many supporting services that are great (such as the
integration of .dat file sharing) that makes LUGNET a hub of fan activity.
But, as has been said by Todd himself, certain parts of the dream have never
been implemented or come to fruition. When I look at LUGNET's failed or stunted
development, I think of the Marketplace that was never implemented, Brickwise
reports which never developed fully or became very useful, a practical and
useful repository of set inventories, an updated calendar, an up-to-date set of
links to fan sites, and the now defunct (although v. cool while it lasted)
CLSOTW.
There is some question, to me at least, whether LUGNET still *wants* to be all
the things it could have been. If not, perhaps it is time to reorganize and
refocus the site's mission. Central questions have to be asked and answered.
What are the core services LUGNET provides (from my perspective - newsgroups,
set reference guide). Is LUGNET willing to share this hugely valuable pool of
data and thereby give up the reins to a degree? How does it benefit LUGNET to
do so?
One of the disturbing elements of the proposed LEGOfan.net site is that its plan
developers did not consult with the owner of this huge data resource
collectively referred to as LUGNET. I seem to recall in the early days of
LUGNET, Todd wanted to host r.t.l but backed away when the users felt he was
trying to co-opt the competition (at the time).
Could LUGNET provide more easily accessible links to external websites and data
sources (thus diminishing the need for LEGOfan.net?) Could or does LUGNET want
to be an umbrella site?
In a lot of ways, it seems that LEGOfan.net would reap the rewards of others'
labor. Why should Todd maintain a server whose data is gathered at another
site? Why should any of the principle site and content deliverers? The only
answer I can come up with is "for the greater good of the community." Is this
sufficient reason to give up so much control?
I am undecided about what should happen. Certainly, LEGOfan.net will develop
and some sites will participate and some will probably not. It's a big risk for
that site's developers as well as the participants and even non-participants
(who risk being side-lined).
As for LUGNET, whether or not this issue becomes dominant in its future growth,
I would like to see some redefining and clarification in its purpose and goals.
Part of that process might include the trimming of rarely used services and more
concentration on the core services. I would like to see a trimmer and neater
package, especially if it does not want to be the panacea for all things adult
fan of Lego related anymore. It doesn't have to be to still be a great site!!
--
Thomas Main
thomasmain@myrealbox.com
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | LEGOFan.net - central community run hub for all areas of the LEGO community.
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| Hi everyone, For some time now, a group of us have been discussing the concept of a LEGO site that the community could truly call its own-- community owned, designed, and operated. To this end, we have been endeavoring for more than half a year to (...) (20 years ago, 11-Feb-04, to lugnet.build, lugnet.castle, lugnet.general, lugnet.lego, lugnet.publish, lugnet.space, lugnet.starwars, lugnet.trains) !!
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