THE rec.toys.lego Geek Code
Well, everyone else has their version of the Geek Code, so here's the rec.toys.lego version. This is always a work in progress, so feel free to let me know if you have any ideas. The ground rules--I wanted a code that was shorter than others out there, so in that spirit, feel free to selectively pick and choose which parts of the code you put in your sigfile. However, keep the order in which the parts of the code are listed. Also, the prefix for the code will be "LEGO:". I considered AFOL but decided on something that even the most inner-child deprived person would understand. Also, don't worry if you don't know how to use one of these codes; examples can be found throughout this file. The Ratings for each part of the code consist of "+"s and "-"s, with each additional "+" or "-" denoting the degree to which you like or dislike that item. The descriptions of each part of the code should not be taken literally; rather, the description given is a general statement as to your feelings on each issue.
When describing yourself, it is sometimes desirable to have something to
identify a range of feelings. For Example:
/ indicates a range: S-/++ Sometimes S-, but usually S++
> indicates a desire: LS>+++ I want to sort pieces better
@ indicates no set opinion: A@ I don't have an opinion on auctions
Enough talk...here we go!
Out of all the themes, there are some that you love, and some you love to hate...so here's how to let everyone know which is which! Also, you'll notice that the negative doesn't go too far down--it's all LEGO, after all. reflected in the Themes category with the MOC abbreviation.
Ratings (replace the "x" with relevant themes)--
x-- Why are they still selling this?
x- I wish this didn't take up as much shelf space
x Hmmmmm
x+ I own a few
x++ My NLSO/roommate/pet can pick out this theme in my collection
x+++ I buy this theme whenever I have money
x++++ They make other themes?
Place the themes in order of how much you like them, first to last. Place a "c" after the theme if you're complete in it. Note that "complete" is a rather vague term, you must use it at your discretion. That is, if you're complete in every US set released in a certain line, go ahead and put a "c" in your code. It's the thought that counts, really. Everyone has a favorite set. Maybe it was the one you got when you were four years old, maybe it's one you bought in an auction for $2,000. Simply put, deep down inside, there's that one set that means the world to you. Don't deny it. In the interest of space (and keeping our non-english friends in mind) this section will just use the set number. To indicate your favorite sets in each theme, place the set number in parentheses after the other information for each theme. For example:
LEGO: TO+++c(554) (I'd love to see that person's collection) Here's the themes-- DU DUPLO FS Freestyle/Basic FL Fabuland HM Homemaker BV Belville TO Town BO Boats TR Train PA Paradisa SP Space CA Castle PI Pirate/Imperial Guard/Islander AQ Aquazone MT Model Team TC Technic MOC My Own CreationsNote that, in the interest of saving space, one can seperate themes that one feels the same about by commas and then give them one generic rating. Ex:
LEGO: TR,PA,AQ,TC++
If you care enough to count your instruction booklets (I do), you'll know approximately how many sets you have (not all sets have instructions, you know!). The "#" is followed by a variable number of "+" symbols, denoting how many sets you own.
# 0-9 #+ 10-49 #++ 50-99 #+++ 100-149 #++++ 150-199 #+++++ 200-?Our example so far:
A topic that occasionally rises on rtl is that of the specialized piece--for example, BURPs, CRAPPs, single pieces that could be made from many pieces, and ad nauseum. You know the drill by now.
S---- Why do they make minifigs? Talk about a specialized piece! S--- All I buy are Freestyle sets and Buckets S-- I _would_ have bought that set, but... S- Is the CRAPP really necessary? S Who gives a $%!#, it's all LEGO S+ I use them without a second thought S++ I've found all kinds of uses for those "specialized pieces!" S+++ I scrounge up all of them I can find. I've built K2 out of BURPs. S++++ I buy sets just for the specialized pieces, and throw the rest away.
Do you sort your LEGO? If so, to what degree? LS--- It's all in one big pile on the floor LS-- I keep it in buckets, containers, shoeboxes--wherever it'll fit LS- I sorted it once, it sucked LS One of these days... LS+ Regular bricks in one place, minifigs and the like segregated LS++ It somehow...bothers...me when the bricks get out of place LS+++ I have a seperate place for each different color minifig hand
Why do _you_ think the baggies that our beloved LEGO comes in have holes in them?
Hri Easier to rip with holes Hrr More rip-resistant with holes Hap If they didn't have holes, they would explode in airplanes! Hsu So kiddies don't suffocate Hal So the LEGO doesn't suffocate (it's alive!) Hsa Think of how much money LEGO saves with the holes! Hsp Think of how much money LEGO spends on the holes! Hlp The bags weigh a LOT less with the holes (less plastic) Haw OK, see, the holes let the air out, so it WEIGHS LESS! H!? Who gives a rat's a**
If you're a member of your respective country's LEGO club, indicate it with an "M+" in your code.
A staple of rtl is the LEGO auction. Auctions are one way of making sure you don't get the LEGO set you want.
A--- I unsubscribed from the group once 'cause of all the auctions A-- Money-grubbing sales-mongering scum! I hate auctions! A- Would you at least put 'Auction' in the title so I can killfile it? A Enh. A+ Auctions are fine. I may have even bought a set in one. A++ I've sold a few items in an auction. A+++ I spend oodles on auctions each year, and sell oodles to pay for it. A++++ I financed my wedding via an auction
For this category, since not everyone is still a young pup, you can just put the year you were born instead of your age ;) Actually, the real reason is ease--your age changes, while the year you were born doesn't. Hence, less editing over time. It's simple--use a "YB" with the last two numbers of the year, followed by "m" or "f." The final example:
LEGO: TO+++c(554) PA+(6403) TC+ FS+(1715) SP- #++++ S-/++ LS+ Hsu M+ YB63f
That's all for now. If you have any additional comments, suggestions, or hate mail, post it to rec.toys.lego or email it to Derek Schin at: schindf96%cs39@cadetmail.usafa.af.mil (he is the author of this code)...
Thank you to Derek Schin for allowing the use of this information and contributing to this page.
Copyright 1996
This page last updated: 1 January, 1996.
This page created and maintained by Jeffrey T. Crites.
crites@cc.purdue.edu