Subject:
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Re: It's Time AFOL Take Action!
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Wed, 3 Nov 1999 16:39:52 GMT
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Original-From:
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The WordMeister <dwilcox@wordsmithdigital.[nospam]com>
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Viewed:
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682 times
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I have only two significant gripes about TLG, and one of them occurs only
sporadically:
(1) The trend in macro-pieces (such as wall pieces, boat hulls, and columns)
which replace with one brick what could (and should) be several smaller
standard pieces. I _am_ going to start an on-line petition about this one
issue in the next week or so.
(2) A price/piece ratio that can be ridiculous for certain sets.
On the positive side, we've seen a large number of great things come out of
Lego ...
(1) Large "FreeStyle" buckets that usually contain a great selection of
bricks and special pieces for as little as $0.05 US per brick. There are
also DACTA sets, such as #9287 (if you can get 'em), that have a huge piece
count and great selection of pieces. There are "brick bins" containing 1,200
pieces that are somewhat boring, but great for providing the basics.
(2) A wide selection of parts packs are available; although slightly low in
piece count, they are a reasonable source for accessories.
(3) A wonderful Shop-at-Home Service (for the USA), both from a price and
delivery standpoint.
(4) A selection of themed sets that supports a wide variety of
interests--everything from _Star Wars_ to castles.
(5) And, of course, MindStorms _et al_--which, IMHO, easily outweighs all of
Lego's faults.
Is TLG perfect? Not by a long shot. Why did they produce the Fright Nights
line? Why didn't they reinforce the engines on the X-Wing set? (The
1/3-height black 2 x 2 cylinders which attach the back parts of the engines
are made from a different plastic that seems to act like a spring and make
the rear assembly pop off. I fixed mine by inserting #4 axles through the
engine assemblies.) Why are parts packs not available in more colors and in
higher piece quantities? Why is it taking so long to get an Internet-based
purchasing system up-and-running?
Ultimately, the reason this debate happens is because we're all crazy about
Lego. If we didn't care, we wouldn't care.
... Well, there's my $0.03.
--Doug Wilcox
-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Istok <gistok@umich.edu>
To: lego-robotics@crynwr.com <lego-robotics@crynwr.com>
Date: Wednesday, November 03, 1999 9:51 AM
Subject: Re: It's Time AFOL Take Action!
> Ralph, I agree with you. But I am probably in the minority. For me all • LEGO
> sets are only parts packs for my own buildings.
>
> Gary Istok
>
> Ralph Hempel wrote:
>
> > > > People, it is time to unite all the Adult Fans of LEGO from around the
> > > > globe and persuade or force TLG to take action that will benefit them
> > > > and us.
> >
> > <snipped a lot of (in my opinion) blather>
> >
> > I disagree. The LEGO Group is a very large company that has the intertia
> > of a supertanker. In other words, even if they magically got all of the • best
> > designs from the community and decided to make them real kits, we
> > would not see them for a couple of years.
> >
> > LEGO spends an excruciating ammount of time getting instructions just
> > right, gearing up their production lines, safety testing their kits,
> > and putting packaging together.
> >
> > As an AFOL, I would rather spend time building with my kids or posting
> > new creations on my website than complaining. 9 out of 10 apiarists
> > agree, it's easier to catch bees with honey than vinegar.
> >
> > If anyone doesn't like the quality of LEGO kits, then it should be a
> > personal challenge to come up with better ones and post them for the • world
> > to see.
> >
> > Comments and opposing viewpoints are always welcome....
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Ralph Hempel - P.Eng
> >
> > --------------------------------------------------------
> > Check out pbFORTH for LEGO Mindstorms at:
> > <http://www.hempeldesigngroup.com/lego/pbFORTH>
> > --------------------------------------------------------
> > Reply to: rhempel at bmts dot com
> > --------------------------------------------------------
>
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