Fans out - Users in

[Superkalle]

We LEGO enthusiasts are often called "fans", like in AFOL, Adult Fan Of Lego.

I don't like the word "fan". Makes it sound like TLG is our idol. Just like Michael Jackson is an idol. Or Elvis Presley.

"Enthuisast" would be better.

Specially for us LDD users, "fan" is an odd word. I mean, who has heard of an AutoCad fan? Or a Google Sketchup fan?

Nah, I say: out with "fan". In with "user".

Or possibly "enthusiast".

Or something else...

Now, who's with me?

[Saint]

So you want to be called AFODL ?? Adult Fan Of Digital Lego ? Or perhaps ADLF ? Adult Digital Lego Fan.. let's see... You may call me DALF then Dutch Adult Lego Fan !! Skip the "Lego " !! bit DAF is better !!

No seriously .. I think the term AFOL is a very broad term for us, and it's a good one.

Adult Lego Builder ?

Adult Lego Collector ?

Adult Lego Moc Builder ?

Nah... just an AFOL

[Superkalle]

DAF is great.

But being a Swede I think VOLVO is better

[Siegfried]

So how would one say "AEOL"? Or AUOL?

Personally I'm not a big fan of AFOL, but I think fan is appropriate. IMHO "Fan" is more used for "fun" things. Looking at your example, neither are particularly fun. I, for example, consider myself an Android fan... almost even a fanboy. (Almost as I'm probably going to get a Windows phone next, but that's off topic. ) It makes sense; smartphones are fun! Music is fun... and LEGO is fun too... isn't it?

When I was in the navy I was surprised how we often referred to ourselves as "pussers" and I resisted using it... but in time I accepted it. It's just a name afterall. I'm all for fighting convention when appropriate, but sometimes it's wiser to just call a spade a spade. Otherwise communication becomes rather hard.

But I wish you luck in your holy cause.

But being a Swede I think VOLVO is better

[pinioncorp]

ALE maybe? (Adult Lego Enthusiast)

[Aanchir]

I can see how "users" might be more appropriate in some respects, but there's also a place for calling ourselves "LDD Fans". After all, a fan will wait anxiously for new updates, speculate about possible improvements to the interface, and find great enjoyment in designing using the software. A user might just see the program as a tool. "Enthusiast" is a good middle ground that probably covers a wider range of "users", but that doesn't mean there aren't "fans" who go that one extra step in their devotion to the product.

Think of it this way: if you can be a "fan" of a video game system, video game, computer operating system, web browser, or smartphone brand, why can't you be a fan of design software? All that being a "fan" entails is a certain extraordinary amount of dedication, and I think a lot of the people in this forum have that in spades.

[Calabar]

As English is not my native language, I'm not the best person to judge the right use of a word.

In Italian I would use the word "appassionato" (who have a "passion" for), that according to the dictionary you can translate as "fan".

So "fan" seems a good word, according to my dictionary.

But obviously the dictionary is not enough, so... what "English language" people say about?

EDIT: oops, this should be post #2... I diverted my mind for a moment and many other posted before me!

[DLuders]

I'm an American with English as my native language, and I agree with this online dictionary definition of the word "fan":

"Fan -- an enthusiastic devotee, follower, or admirer of a sport, pastime, celebrity, etc.; a baseball fan. Origin: 1885–90, Americanism; short for "fanatic". Synonyms: supporter, enthusiast, partisan, booster, addict."

We are definitely "fanatics"!

[vynsane]

I've always preferred 'Enthusiast' - 'User' implies that you use it because it's there, if something else were there, you'd use that instead. 'Fan' implies a sort of blind devotion.

But these acronyms were in place long before I came out of my dark ages. I also dislike the acronym SNOT - UGH!

[fred67]

ALE maybe? (Adult Lego Enthusiast)

I've always like that term better. I agree, people are "fans" of music, a sports team, a TV show... passive activities, so I like 'enthusiast' better. Not enough to start a thread about it, but enough to agree with someone about it.

[Brickdoctor]

I think 'fan' is fine. Idols don't have fans; they have worshipers. Now if we were called AWOLs, aside from sounding like we deserted our respective militaries, then we would be considering TLG our idol.

Though I, too, prefer the 'enthusiast' term, I don't see the well-known AFOL acronym changing.

[mikey]

I like the sound of ALE - its easier to pronounce and tastes much better.

[Brickdoctor]

The ALE acronym isn't new, by the way.

AFOL

Adult Fan of LEGO. The most common term used to refer to LEGO fans who are adults. Generally pronounced to rhyme with “hay-foal.” See also ALE and ALH.

ALE

Adult LEGO Enthusiast. Some LEGO fans prefer to be called enthusiasts rather than fans, attempting to avoid the perceived stigma of the word “fanatic.” See AFOL.

ALH

Adult LEGO Hobbyist. Another alternative self-descriptive name preferred by some LEGO fans over AFOL or ALE

[CMP]

Hmmm. -anatic at the end of the 'fan' makes AFOL work for me.

[Ralph_S]

I tend to go for adult LEGO builder and don't use an abbreviation. I'm not just an enthusiast. I use the stuff to build ! I don't like the sound of 'user' either. It sounds too much like having a substance abuse problem. Then again, perhaps we do have that

Ralph

Edited November 20, 2011 by Ralph_S

[SpiderSpaceman]

I tend to go for adult LEGO builder and don't use an abbreviation. I'm not just an enthusiast. I use the stuff to build ! I don't like the sound of 'user' either. It sounds too much like having a substance abuse problem. Then again, perhaps we do have that

Ralph

Haha, right before I read this I myself was going to suggest "Junkie".

how about...

HEPDADDIOs

Humans, Ever Productive in the Digital Assembling of Diminutive Danish Interconnectable Objects

"I dig this cool cat's suggestion"

Edited November 20, 2011 by SpiderSpaceman

[Calabar]

The ALE acronym isn't new, by the way.

[...]

So it seems Superkalle is not the first worrying about this the same issue!

And it seems the final conclusions are pretty similar.

I'd like to know if English language have a word with the same "nuance" of the Italian "appassionato" I mentioned before and I think can perfectly fit. According to wordreferences, it seems "enthusiast" could be that word, but I perceive a different meaning instead. Other translations of the term could be:

"essere appassionato di" -> to be fond of, to be keen on, to go in for [sport, hobby]".

[SpiderSpaceman]

So it seems Superkalle is not the first worrying about this the same issue!

And it seems the final conclusions are pretty similar.

I'd like to know if English language have a word with the same "nuance" of the Italian "appassionato" I mentioned before and I think can perfectly fit. According to wordreferences, it seems "enthusiast" could be that word, but I perceive a different meaning instead. Other translations of the term could be:

"essere appassionato di" -> to be fond of, to be keen on, to go in for [sport, hobby]".

Yeah man, we have a direct correlation and it's pretty commonplace: aficionado. (which come to think of it has got to be blatantly stolen from one of the romance languages)

[nemo]

I would not describe myself as an Adult Fan Of Lego – the “adult” smacks of “protesting too much”, and “fan” implies being part of the audience (football fan, Hollywood starlet fan) rather than the creative person.

“Enthusiast” is a bit strong – I haven’t tried to convert anyone.

“Fanatic” is a bit worrying. “No! Stop! Come back! I’m only a bit fanatical.”

Then again, “User” is rather apathetic.

So what am I? Ego Legoist?

I’m amused that “builder” and “user” are so close in Danish: “bygherre” and “bruger” so there’s a pun to be had there... though the temptation of “He’s a real Lego Bruger” is strong. I’ve been called worse.