The Eurobricks Brickjournal poll!

[Eilif]

With the new LEGO survey out, it seems like LEGO is taking a close look at Brickjournal. Why don't we do the same?

To reveal my bias, I am a big fan of Brickjournal, and I think it is an awesome resource for the AFOL community. I think it would be interesting to see if/how EB'ers are using Brickjournal.

Please take the Poll above. Some of the questions have a wierd last option, that's just because if you don't answer every question, it won't accept any of your answers.

Thanks.

[WhiteFang]

Eilif, the poll system doesn't allow us to exclude the questions that isn't selected. I believe this is a limitation in there. Not very sure about it, but I think its not possible.

[Peppermint_M]

Yup, I need multiples (Price and availiablity) and i can't answer some as i don't read it.

Not sure what to suggest as a remedy. It is rather rudimentary poll software.

[L-space]

Well I rarely read and then the online copy.

Shipping to Europe is way to much.

but I like it, occasionaly.

[Svelte]

I think Brickjournal is a great mag. For a fan-run publication which started as a freebie it is a real triumph due to the hard work and commitment of editor Joe Meno. He should get more credit, and if the recent survey suggests Lego is looking to formalise the link with Brickjournal, good on him (although independence has its advantages also).

It blends news, events, reviews and regular features fairly well, but where it really excels is having a good relationship and access to The Lego Group. I enjoy immensely the interviews with set designers (I still refer to the Jamie Berard interview produced when Cafe Corner was released) and behind-the-scenes features such as the recent SP3 story and linking interview with a classic Space designer. These types of articles are very revealing pieces, not only for the exclusive images & insights, but also as a sense of TLG's legacy and scope (eg, it's amazing the longevity of some of the staff, such as the sculptors).

The great advantage of a journal like this is that stories have room to breathe and grow, and you get a much more in-depth discussion than would be possible on somewhere like an online forum.

Sure, it's not perfect and I think the design needs a polish, if resources allowed it - but at $US3.95 via PayPal for the digital edition (shipping is too expensive to Australia and who needs more paper anyway?) it is a bargain and I download a new issue immediately when it becomes available - I can't say I'm that motivated about most other magazines I read.

[Dragonator]

I've only every read the free magazine they have on the website, but I reall enjoyed that. I am now considering purchasing some of the pdf files instead of a printed copy since it is impossible to get them shipped here at a reasonable price. Still, if it were available in print here then I would snap it up in a blink!

Nice poll idea by the way, thanks Eilif.

[tedbeard]

I subscribed from the first print issue and it is fantastic. It is a must-read magazine for adult fans. It represents an important step in the development of the hobby and I hope someday it can be made more widely available at a better price.

[prateek]

I don't read it but it sounds interesting

[blueandwhite]

With the online content currently available, I just don't have much need for Brickjournal. We've got several forums and websites dedicated to set inventory, building and displaying MOCs. I'm not saying that the publication isn't well-done. I just have no interest in it.

[Holodoc]

I started reading BJ three years ago when the older digitally issues were for free.

I downloaded them and printed them - two pages on one sheet of paper. Therefore it was rather small and black/white only, but I really enjoyed it.

Later, when Joe stopped the free download, I decided to buy some printed versions. I got them via 1001bricks, a french BL-store which sells them for 12$. Otherwise it´s too costly to get the printed versions off Meno´s website. I´m interested in the compendia, where 3-4 issues are combined in one bigger "book". If only the shiping costs were cheaper.

I´m eagerly awaiting what TLC is planning about BrickJournal. It looks like they want to "incorporate" the magazine.

For me it would be a great deal - if they are going to sell the mag in Germany then.

I enjoy immensely the interviews with set designers (I still refer to the Jamie Berard interview produced when Cafe Corner was released)

This was one of the best BJ issues! And that´s what I voted for in the last poll topic: "Insider information and news about The LEGO Group"

[Siegfried]

I read (and buy) them all via PDF, but I wish there was a cheaper way to get the print version. It might change when the colour e-ink readers become cheaper, but at the moment I vastly prefer reading printed material.

[Eilif]

I think Brickjournal is a great mag. For a fan-run publication which started as a freebie it is a real triumph...

...but where it really excels is having a good relationship and access to The Lego Group....

The great advantage of a journal like this is that stories have room to breathe and grow, and you get a much more in-depth discussion than would be possible on somewhere like an online forum.

Very much agreed. There are very few Online articles concerning LEGO that come anywhere close the kind of depth and quality that Brickjournal gets.

Nice poll idea by the way, thanks Eilif.

You're very welcome!

I subscribed from the first print issue and it is fantastic. It is a must-read magazine for adult fans. It represents an important step in the development of the hobby.

This is a big deal for me. One of the key indicators of a hobby's growth and degree of presence in the mainstream is whether or not it has it's own publication. The presence of Brickjournal goes along way towards that.

I´m eagerly awaiting what TLC is planning about BrickJournal. It looks like they want to "incorporate" the magazine.

For me it would be a great deal - if they are going to sell the mag in Germany then.

This is what I hope LEGO is investigating. Joe has maintained for a long time that he wants to preserve the independence of Brickjournal. I hope that LEGO isn't moving to take over or compete with Brickjournal, but rather that they take Brickjournal into worldwide circulation.

I read (and buy) them all via PDF, but I wish there was a cheaper way to get the print version. It might change when the colour e-ink readers become cheaper, but at the moment I vastly prefer reading printed material.

I think I might know the answer to this, but for those who named price as a factor for not purchasing Brickjournal, are you deterred by the price of the magazine, or the cost of shipping internationally?

I ask, because compared to most magazines I read or used to read (Economist, Bass Player, etc), Brickjournal is more expensive, but when it's size, ratio of content to adverts, and quality is compared to similar niche magazines, it's an absolute bargain at the cover price if you don't have to pay huge shipping costs.

[Captain Green Hair]

I never read it, so i could only vote that.

The poll results just scream for a big marketing campaign i think.

[Davey]

For the last question, I think you should allow people to pick the top 2 or 3 things they like about Brickjournal. My favorite part is the editorials about the hobby and community but closely seconded by event and club coverage. :-) Basically, I like anything in Brickjournal that is reporting on what the LEGO fan community is doing.

-Dave

ToT-LUG