Subject:
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Steering Committee candidate Tim Courtney - backgrounder and position statement
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.cad.dev.org.ldraw
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Date:
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Fri, 5 Mar 2004 19:51:14 GMT
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I thought I would add my own backgrounder and position statement like Larry did.
I also encourage other Steering Committee candidates to do the same.
--
I’m encouraged and thankful that the community has decided to embrace the
LDraw.org Bylaws and move in the direction of a democratic organization. This
presents new and exciting opportunities for growth that the previous system of
self-selected volunteer leaders did not allow for. Its now time for the
community to evaluate the list of outstanding candidates for Steering Committee
office and carefully choose who will lead the organization.
I’d like to take the opportunity to explain who I am, why I am running for
Steering Committee office, and what my goals are for the organization and hobby.
I have been involved in the LDraw community as a user for about seven years now,
and as an organizer for about five. I worked closely with other community
members to launch the LDraw.org web site in early 1999, with the site going live
in July of that year. This site created a unique identity for the LDraw
community, in the wake of James Jessiman’s passing in 1997.
Since the launch of the site, I have worked hard to promote the LDraw system in
the fan community and to the public. I have maintained a strong presence in
community discussion issues online, sharing my views and listening to the views
of others. I have had the unique privilege of participating in numerous meetings
and community events, as well as events which have positioned me as an
ambassador for the LDraw community to the public. I have written about LDraw
tools in an effort to help both new and experienced users get more out of their
LDraw experience. And I have focused on building relationships across the fan
community that enhance what I am able to contribute to LDraw.
One thing that’s brought me great pleasure over the years is watching how the
LDraw system has transformed the LEGO hobby. I recall perhaps ten years ago,
when as a child I wanted a LEGO CAD system so desparately that I called LEGO
Consumer Affairs to beg they send me their internal software -- I wanted to
build with unlimited bricks. I was ecstatic when I discovered the original LDraw
program, and when I was able to figure out how to use it. Today, it’s great
seeing how many people the tools have touched. The LDraw system has allowed us
to share our ideas with people on the other side of the planet! It’s allowed us
to categorize and inventory parts, encouraging the exchange of parts that allow
for grand and glorious LEGO projects to be realized. The LDraw system has also
encouraged some gifted people to write software which allows us to wow each
other with stunning images of our work.
I’m excited to see this new direction unfolding for the LDraw community, and
believe it will bring even more opportunities for the hobby.
Larry summed up my feelings on focus better than I ever could in his
backgrounder and position statement here:
http://news.lugnet.com/cad/dev/org/ldraw/?n=2891. See his bulleted list of
items to focus on, I share in his sentiments.
In the first year of the community organization, I would like to see a few
things unfold:
- Resolve licensing and library distribution issues so the parts library can be distributed as one unit. This will cut dependence on the original LDraw software and allow more flexibility and ease of use for both users and developers.
- Work with the Jessiman family to resolve licensing and copyright issues around the original LDraw software to the benefit of both their family and the community.
- Encourage and support the development of tools that further lower the barrier to entry for users, while also benefitting developers.
- Encourage a few dedicated volunteers to join the web site staff and work to better LDraw.org’s web resources for all users.
Please feel free to write me at tim@tim(mylastname).net if you have any
questions or concerns. I will do my best to address them in a timely manner and
to your satisfaction.
Thanks!
-Tim
PS -- In the interest of full public disclosure, according
to Bylaws Subsection 6.02(a), that I am a part-time employee of the LEGO
Company, currently holding a retail associate position, as I continue to work on
my college studies.
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