Subject:
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Re: Questions about fan involvement with TLC
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.general
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Date:
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Tue, 11 Apr 2006 23:18:17 GMT
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Viewed:
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2023 times
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In lugnet.general, C. L. GunningCook wrote:
> After an interesting chat about "Fan involvement with TLC" the other night, a
> few concerns/questions came up, and I can't seem to shake them.
>
> Historically a large portion of AfoL/ALE's have wanted a closer relationship
> with TLC and over the last few years we have been witness to that happening.
> Now more than ever, it seems as if the company is involving the fan base. I
> don't have the luxury of knowing how many ppl are under a NDA (non-disclosure
> agreement) currently, but the numbers must be high. (1)
>
> Off the top of my head, the original test project for the factory, and the
> subsequent phase, and projects such as this train committee, the cycling
> ambassadors, certified artists, and the nxt, clan just to mention a few.
>
>
>
> So we know, a lot of our "high profile" community members from various themes
> and interests (from trains to robotics and sculpture through micro) and are more
> than likely also those members that often posted, having very in depth or
> insightful posts about products and development etc are now under NDAs.
>
>
>
> I have 5 questions I'm looking for ppl (both those under NDA or and those that
> are not) to consider responding to.
>
> Q1. Are the NDA keeping our most prolific quiet? (Aside from the obvious, I
> understand they can't discuss certain things, but are there people that would
> have been posting otherwise that are now remaining silent, in fear that even
> guessing or hypothesising might end up being factual, and then be some violation
> of their agreement?)
>
> Q2. Is this hindering or benefiting our communication as a community?
>
> Q3. a) Is the help/advice/feedback those under an NDA are providing to Lego
> really being taken in account, or it just be considerd dandling carrot by the
> company? (2)
> b) If so (based on Q3a), is this a reasonable price to pay to have so many
> of our high profile members unable to discuss things openly?
>
> Q4. Are members spending many of their community hours behind the scenes that
> they don't have time as much free time to dedicate to the public forums that
> they once had?
>
> Q5. If the individual departments within TLC alone can not corelate information
> with each other in a timely manner, are they capable of doing so with the
> various fan/company groups they are spearheading?
>
>
>
> Personally, I don't really know. I really want to believe that the fans having
> some input must make some improvements, but I wonder if the price we are paying
> is outweighing what is gained. I guess since no one can clearly let us know
> what is being gained, its difficult to judge. I have the feeling that other
> members here might have opinions and much better insight on this than I do.
>
> Curious,
>
> Janey "Red Brick"
>
>
>
> 1. After 5 minutes (exhaustive) research I came up with a verifiable list of 81
> fans names that currently are under an NDA. Since I could only find out about
> half of the nxt group, that number should be at least 131, so I assume the
> actual number is significantly.
>
> 2. Is this a case of "Be careful what you wish for?" or are great strides
> being made behind the scenes between fan and company? (Aside from the brief
> mentions of the original NXT group saying their feedback affected the actual
> outcome of the product) details from direct relationship between fan and company
> and results of this alliance have been scarce. This is not to say it hasn't
> happened, it must have, I just have yet to see any announcement saying anything
> to the contrary, (although quite possible that I have missed it). For example,
> was Batman a result of fan involvement? Was that cute little one by one smooth
> slope?? Are the changes to the Factory? Etc.
I think this is an interesting and valid set of questions.
I think the answer to Q1 has two pieces. Yes, the NDA acts to silence people
from making observations and suggestions because those comments may conflict
with known facts. And yes, it keeps people who might otherwise post more often
quiet because their available time is now shared between things they can and
cannot talk about. So, in essence, a lot of their Lego time goes under wraps.
Question 2 brings up the sad fact that I find myself responding to posts but
seldom originating new ones. Again, because my time is spent building in secret.
My answer to 3a is I think Lego are taking AFOLs seriously. They won't do
everything we ask for or suggest, but where decisions may be on the fence, I
feel confident that our input helps. So, per 3b, if my wants and desires do, in
fact, represent what other AFOLs in my chosen theme of greatest interest go,
then even if I am temporarily out of the loop as far as being able to publically
discuss what I have been doing goes, I believe it will have been well worth it.
Per Q4, I have spent close to 100% of my available time working on stuff which
is covered by the NDA I am working under, out of choice I may add. The temporary
lapse in public communication that has resulted will eventually be replaced by
an equivalent glut of information I hope.
I don't fully understand the sentiment behind question 5. My personal take on
what little I have gleaned about the inner workings of the design and
development groups within the company would lead me to believe there may be more
communication between groups and more awareness of the value of consulting with
the customer/fan base than some people may imagine. Simply recalling Jake's
descriptions of spreading the AFOL involvement message should aid that
underestanding.
As to the overall "look and feel" of TLG's current policy of accepting our
input, I think the positives far outweigh the negatives. My hope that there are
some of us involved in finding a way to keep AFOLs being invited to show their
stuff at train shows and others being involved in discussing set design from the
perspective of increasing potential AFOL interest in it is great!
JB
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Questions about fan involvement with TLC
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| After an interesting chat about "Fan involvement with TLC" the other night, a few concerns/questions came up, and I can't seem to shake them. Historically a large portion of AfoL/ALE's have wanted a closer relationship with TLC and over the last few (...) (19 years ago, 10-Apr-06, to lugnet.general) !!
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