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Subject: 
Re: Problems with Brickshelf?
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.general
Date: 
Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:49:05 GMT
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I’m not sure where to post this in this thread, so I’m just going to throw it out there. If anyone here decides they want to take action (as I said, I’m not sure what) to build or rebuild the sort of service we had with BS, I want to make one suggestion: Use people’s real names.

In my experience Lugnet is one of the few web-services I’ve seen that does this. But I prefer it! Some reasons why:

One concern voiced in this thread is that the work of AFOLs who have passed on or otherwise left the hobby was accessible only through sites like BS. But even with such sites, it is almost impossible for some viewers to know which AFOL is tied to which username. (Okay, with me it’s a tad easier since my typical user name is the same nickname I’ve had since before there was an internet, but you get my point.) Even if BS was running, does everyone know the nicknames and usernames of each other well enough that if a favorite builder went away that we’d be able to search for his MOCs? I know I couldn’t. ...Except here on Lugnet, I can search for the name I know them by - the same name I might have met them as at a convention or train show or gaming event.

Further, the more sites each of us joins - Flickr, BS, BL, LUG boards, Blogs, Lego.com, etc. etc. - the more variations of fake usernames we’re likely to have. E.g., I try to use Hendo when I join a new site, but sometimes it’s in use so I have to add a digit (which I hate because there should be only one!) or I go with a variation like Hendotron. But even so, it’s all still a variation of my real name. If we use real names only, it’s easier to find each other.

And finally, I’ve always felt this feature strengthens the community. Somehow, responsding to a Lugnet post has always been more “real” to me. I like knowing I’m talking to Joseph Smith of Queensland Australia who is married with a daughter, as opposed to internet chatting with jqueen102. This difference here at Lugnet has helped us get to know each other better, and connect more quickly if/when we meet in person. ...And isn’t connecting what this hobby is all about? :)

So, despite that I posted earlier that my hands feel tied when it comes to helping on the BS issue, I nonetheless put forth this idea to whomever might ever try to offer a similar service to BS - please consider using full, real names as Lugnet has.

Thanks!

-Hendo



Message has 1 Reply:
  Re: Problems with Brickshelf?
 
(...) Brickshelf used to use real names but there have been some laws passed in the past few years that make that problematic. For one thing, there are laws against collecting certain information online from people under the age of 13. The idea is (...) (17 years ago, 15-Jul-07, to lugnet.general, FTX)

Message is in Reply To:
  Problems with Brickshelf?
 
Just been to Brickshelf and it reports Brickshelf has discontinued operation. We apologize for any inconvenience. Maj still seems to be up Tim (17 years ago, 14-Jul-07, to lugnet.general) !! 

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