Fugazi

Yep, an index would be a good place to start!

This would be a worthwhile endeavour, especially helpful for restoring old sets to a more period-accurate part selection. It would probably be impossible to derive precise dating for any part, because of the concerns noted above, but even an approximate bracket would be helpful. I have always mixed my sets though so I can't contribute much to an eventual database.

I was thinking about Superkalle's recent topic regarding how to determine the production year of a brick and how that kind of information is difficult to find, although I'm sure that it's somewhere out there. So I was wondering if the staff ever gave a thought to creating a sub-forum about collecting and the history of Lego where specific topics such as these could be discussed: - collectible set preservation, valuation, restoration - historical evolution of TLG: philosophy, manufacturing (moulds, colours, boxes, etc.) - old interviews, advertisements, exhibitions, archives I realize that this kind of discussion currently belongs to the 'general discussion and news' forum, but perhaps it would be useful to keep an historical/collector's corner section separate from the news and general topics? That way it would be easier to search for those topics and perhaps generate more interest in an aspect of our hobby that seems to gather steam -- for good and ill. Then perhaps this does not belong within Eurobricks' remit, as this place is more about creating with Lego than collecting them. Anyway, your views on this suggestion are welcome!

In the same spirit, do any of you use foam/cork or other roadbeds under your tracks to help with the noise and ride, or is it overkill? I was wondering if would improve things. On the other hand, the rail gaps and the absence of any suspension on the trains are perhaps worse noise offenders than the roadbed itself.

Great theme review, thanks CallMePie! Probably that a Lego PoP movie would have sold better in the theaters ahah! I don't know how far this theme could have been pushed had there been a second wave, but I'm quite happy with the sets that we did get. I love the part selection, the minifig prints, the animals, and the new colour that will survive to be used in other themes as well (by the way officially it's Medium Nougat, Dark Nougat is another colour altogether). I don't really mind that the theme didn't endure, I'd rather have one great wave of sets than a boring theme that keeps going forever *cough*Atlantis*cough*... Variety is the spice of life!

It's a difficult task and I can only offer this interesting web site, in Dutch but partially translated, about variations that some of the bricks underwent through the years. http://www.leggodt.nl/items/lego/en/ Peeron also distinguishes between major mould variations, but finer changes are (probably best) overlooked. And of course there was the major palette makeover of 2004, when grays, browns and a few other colours were changed to their modern counterparts.

Am I wrong in thinking that the various 4+/4 Juniors lines (Pirates, City) of the early 2000s may have been aimed at the Playmobil market share? The bigger minifigs looked somewhat like the Playmobil ones, and the simplified construction was a sort of compromise between serious Lego and Playmobil. (from Peeron)

Ha, excellent JD! I love the peeling paper effects and the computer mouse. Now this will require some strong form of retaliation, Oky!

This sounds like fun! I must admit those long-limbed minifigs are just a bit freaky. Oh, are we allowed to comment in your thread... like I just did?

Indeed, HP fans are quite spoiled! Not that I complain, I missed everything Potter since it came out during my dark age. I'm not a HP maniac, but in terms of part selection and variety the HP sets always have been generous. I don't know if I can fit this one in my Lego budget, but it's a tempting dilemma. Thanks for the pictorial review Ras, it's good to have a closer look at all the goodies in this set!

City sets, Creator and Racers pods at 25% off too.

42... like in the Answer to life, the universe and everything? Indeed too good a number to waste!

I'm slightly off topic, but I was wondering in what year did the catalogues disappear from the Lego boxes? It must have been during my dark age in the 2000s but can't figure out the exact year. I suppose that Internet spelled their doom, as people went online to get the latest set news.

Hey I love this vig! I find that Winter Lego scenes always have something really special. I wish I had tons of white bricks just to build a whole ski station! Anyways, my favourite so far, good work!

Like with everything Lego, beauty is in the eye of the beholder! For me, the interest stems from the huge variety of prints and accessories these minifigs add to the available range. How many times have we heard AFOL complain about the lack of torsoe variety in Lego City, especially of the civilian kind? With the collectible minifigs, we get plenty of generic torsoe prints, plus specific ones that we never even dreamed about! How many years would it take for TLC to release that kind of minifig variety in regular sets, not to mention that some themes will likely never even happen (zombies? mimes? prehistory?) Not to mention the new exclusive hair pieces, accessories, cloth elements... For MOCers, especially those who aren't quite ready to go the way of customisation when they need that special minifig, there's certainly plenty to celebrate! I'm not overly happy with the marketing of the collectible minifigs, but the product is certainly worth the hype IMO.

Actually the brick separator is quite a clever tool, and it works for tiles too. I don't have a picture or drawing handy, but basically you would position it the same as if there were studs on the tile you want to separate from the baseplate. Then instead of lifting the separator you would push it downwards (towards the baseplate). The separator will grip in that little groove around the base of the tile and lift it neatly. No need to bend the baseplate or use non-Lego tools. Try it! Edit: LegoBuilder, if you don't have a separator handy, see this post (and scroll down) for photos of the technique described by Aanchir above.

My home laptop is already too old, I have to use my work laptop every time I want to dabble with LDD . I just hope the hardware requirements remain the same between LDD 3 and 4. But I'm really glad that TLC keep investing in LDD development. I'm sure that user experience will be greatly improved in version 4.

Ooh this is lovely! They seem to have improved the looks of transparent bricks as well. I'm afraid this may require a graphics card way beyond what I have on my laptop though.

Oh yes, I'd like to join! I have limited mafia experience so far, I have only played PoP but closely followed Dystopia and Hogwarts, plus read up on some past games as well. I think it's time for me to join in a 'serious' game!

One recent example of a two-colour blended minifig weapon is the Dagger of Time from PoP. I can't think of any others though. (from Bricklink)

Very nice! I love how you achieved a very natural swimming position for Lara. I'm not familiar with that fishy blue creature/headpiece?, is it something from the Atlantis theme?

Better late than never, indeed! Welcome to Eurobricks! But seriously, it's nice for you to take the time and write a proper introduction, and congratulations on your knighthood!

For series 1 I chose the clown wig/afro, because it's totally different from any hair piece previously available, and I'm really happy to see it come back in black - arguably a more useful colour - in Series 2. For series 2 I chose the Spartan warrior's helmet, it's a real piece of art. Perhaps not so polyvalent, but it would also look good in a museum, a treasure horde or ship wreck underwater.

Well THAT is certainly the most exciting rumour about 2011, as far as I'm concerned! Bring back pink, purple, beach resorts and bikini-clad minifigs, ponies and palm trees, moustaches and dolphins, kitchen appliances and beach umbrellas! Hmm hope that didn't make me sound too much like a pervert?

I wouldn't be so sure about that! There are some serious geeks here! But regardless of the difficulty level, I must say that this raffle is loads of fun! The treasure hunt is a great idea!