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| image_caption  = Header for issue 26
| image_caption  = Header for issue 26
| native_name    =
| editor          = Laura Kusumoto
| editor          = Laura Kusumoto
| editor_title    = <!--Director of Operations-->
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== History ==
== History ==
The first issue of ''The Galapagos Times'' was published on 20 August 1997.{{efn|The first issue is dated 19 August 1997 in its header, but was sent out the next day. Furthermore, its header lists the day as Wednesday, which 20 August fell on in 1997.}} Kusumoto started the newsletter to report news gathered from weekly manager meetings and keep "Darwinites" updated on events, policies, and projects.<ref name="GT01 intro"/> Starting in issue 3, Kusumoto credited each week's contributors.<ref name="GT03 fine"/> Publication paused during the Christmas season, as most of the LEGO Group's internal operations ceased from 23 December until early January.<ref name="GT14 holidays"/> After the 3 March issue, the newsletter went on hiatus for two months due to budget planning, which took up all computers in the office for several weeks until an accountant was hired,<ref name="GT26 financial"/> followed by editor Kusumoto going on holiday.<ref name="GT25 resuming"/> Publication resumed in May, though only two more issues are known to exist.
The first issue of ''The Galapagos Times'' was published on 20 August 1997.{{efn|The first issue is dated 19 August 1997 in its header, but was sent out the next day. Furthermore, its header lists the day as Wednesday, which 20 August fell on in 1997.}} Kusumoto started the newsletter to report news gathered from weekly manager meetings and keep "Darwinites" updated on events, policies, and projects.<ref name="GT01 intro"/> Starting in issue 3, Kusumoto credited each week's contributors,<ref name="GT03 fine"/> and in issue 14 the newsletter started accepting project stories from readers.<ref name="GT14 project"/> Publication paused during the Christmas season, as most of the LEGO Group's internal operations ceased from 23 December until 4 January.<ref name="GT14 holidays"/><ref name="GT16 dates"/> In early March the newsletter went on hiatus for two months due to budget planning, which took up all computers in the office for several weeks until an accountant was hired,<ref name="GT26 financial"/> followed by Kusumoto going on holiday.<ref name="GT25 resuming"/> Publication resumed in May, though only two more issues are known to exist.


The newsletter is named after the [[Wikipedia:Galápagos Islands|Galápagos Islands]],<ref name="GT01 intro"/> which [[Wikipedia:Charles Darwin|Charles Darwin]] visited in 1835 during his [[Wikipedia:Second voyage of HMS Beagle|five-year voyage]] aboard [[Wikipedia:HMS Beagle|HMS ''Beagle'']]; his studies of the archipelago's [[Wikipedia:Endemic|endemic]] species helped [[Wikipedia:Inception of Darwin's theory|inspire]] his theory of [[Wikipedia:Evolution|evolution]] by [[Wikipedia:Natural selection|natural selection]]. According to former Darwin employee Julian Gómez, ''Galapagos'' here referred to the "virtual space" being explored by SPU-Darwin's work, with the goal being the "evolution" of LEGO products from physical to digital.<ref name="Galapagos Archive"/> The newsletter referred to the office space that SPU-Darwin operated out of as the HMS ''Beagle'',<ref name="GT10 Beagle"/><ref name="GT19 Beagle"/> and the meeting rooms used after a move were named after [[Wikipedia:Wildlife of the Galápagos Islands|animals from the Galápagos Islands]] in a contest.<ref name="GT17 room"/><ref name="GT21 room"/>
The newsletter is named after the [[Wikipedia:Galápagos Islands|Galápagos Islands]],<ref name="GT01 intro"/> which [[Wikipedia:Charles Darwin|Charles Darwin]] visited in 1835 during his [[Wikipedia:Second voyage of HMS Beagle|five-year voyage]] aboard [[Wikipedia:HMS Beagle|HMS ''Beagle'']]; his studies of the archipelago's [[Wikipedia:Endemic|endemic]] species helped [[Wikipedia:Inception of Darwin's theory|inspire his theory]] of [[Wikipedia:Evolution|evolution]] by [[Wikipedia:Natural selection|natural selection]]. According to former Darwin employee Julian Gómez, ''Galapagos'' here referred to the "virtual space" being explored by SPU-Darwin's work, with the goal being the "evolution" of LEGO products from physical to digital.<ref name="Galapagos Archive"/> The office space that SPU-Darwin operated out of was referred to in the newsletter as the HMS ''Beagle'',<ref name="GT10 Beagle"/><ref name="GT19 Beagle"/> and the meeting rooms used after a move were named after [[Wikipedia:Wildlife of the Galápagos Islands|animals from the Galápagos Islands]] in a contest.<ref name="GT17 room"/><ref name="GT21 room"/>


In June 2008<ref name="Galapagos Archive"/> Gómez uploaded an archive of ''The Galapagos Times'' issues to {{nowrap|''SPU-Darwin.org''}}, a website created to be a "digital gathering place" for former Darwin employees after its dissolution.<ref name="Darwin 2001"/>
In June 2008 Gómez mirrored an archive of ''The Galapagos Times'' issues to {{nowrap|''SPU-Darwin.org''}}, a website created to be a "digital gathering place" for former Darwin employees after its dissolution.<ref name="Galapagos Archive"/><ref name="Darwin 2001"/>


== Issues ==
== Issues ==
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|-
|-
| 4 || 10 September 1997 || {{flatlist|
| 4 || 10 September 1997 || {{flatlist|
* ''[[Klik Chix]]'' development started
* ''[[Klik Chix]]'' (''Girls' World'') development started
* ''[[Rubber Duck]]'' version 1.1
* [[Rubber Duck]] version 1.1
* Darwin 6 and AUF updates
* Darwin 6 and AUF updates
* New plans for the ATG move
* New plans for the ATG move
Line 92: Line 88:
|-
|-
| 7 || 1 October 1997 || {{flatlist|
| 7 || 1 October 1997 || {{flatlist|
* ''[[Burning Rubber]]'' development started
* [[Burning Rubber]] development started
* KIDS Group's concepts at the Input meeting
* KIDS Group's concepts at the Input meeting
* Awards for [[Primo]] Looper and [[Technic]] Scanner Truck toys
* Awards for [[Primo]] Looper and [[Technic]] Scanner Truck toys
Line 107: Line 103:
|-
|-
| 9 || 15 October 1997 || {{flatlist|
| 9 || 15 October 1997 || {{flatlist|
* ''Klik Chix'' project now in proof-of-concept stage
* ''Girls' World'' project now in proof-of-concept stage
* Darwin firewall online
* Darwin firewall online
* New office move dates for LEGO.com and ATG teams
* New office move dates for LEGO.com and ATG teams
Line 113: Line 109:
}}
}}
|-
|-
| 10 || 22 October 1997 ||  
| 10 || 22 October 1997 || {{flatlist|
* L3D switching from [[Wikipedia:3DMF|3DMF]] file format to [[Wikipedia:VRML|VRML]]
* Updated dates for office moves and LMX roof repairs
* Special product training course offered
* Suggestion box coming soon
}}
|-
|-
| 11 || 29 October 1997 ||  
| 11 || 29 October 1997 || {{flatlist|
* Testing new LEGO.com design with American children
* Software usability testing
* [[Lars Bo Jensen|Jensen]]'s car accident
* Volunteers for family room
* New Darwin representative
}}
|-
|-
| 12 || 5 November 1997 ||  
| 12 || 5 November 1997 || {{flatlist|
* Anthrobotics tool for Dynasty project
* Seating plans for the LMX building
* "Happy Landings" program
* DOGs computer systems management
}}
|-
|-
| 13 || 12 November 1997 ||  
| 13 || 12 November 1997 || {{flatlist|
* [[LEGO Mindstorms]] Learning Center unveiled in Chicago
* Darwin work bicycles
* Computer file management
* Darwin named the sloppiest group at LEGO
* Seating plan for LMX completed
* TimeCruiser calendar product failed user test
}}
|-
|-
| 14 || 17 November 1997 ||  
| 14 || 17 November 1997 || {{flatlist|
* Reader-submitted stories
* Tax on extra hours
* Darwin 6 follow-up
* Voice mail available
* 100 gigabytes needed for Burning Rubber and Spirit projects
* Networking during the holiday season
}}
|-
|-
| 15 || 3 December 1997 ||  
| 15 || 3 December 1997 || {{flatlist|
* Mindstorms software development
* New Mindstorm Learning Centres planned
* Working with kids at Darwin
* Darwin house-warming event
* Free drinks available and snacks discontinued
}}
|-
|-
| 16 || 12 December 1997 ||  
| 16 || 12 December 1997 || {{flatlist|
* Level 4 specification for L3D database
* New staff configuration
* New CPUs for Burning Rubber and Spirit animation
* December event dates
* Netscape Calendar software
* Tax cards for 1998
* Darwin Christmas party aftermath
}}
|-
|-
| 17 || 17 December 1997 ||  
| 17 || 17 December 1997 || {{flatlist|
* Burning Rubber project story and gameplay
* Darwin house-warming update
* LMX building coffee setups
* Contest to name meeting rooms
* [[Wikipedia:Alias Systems Corporation|Alias Studio]] network licenses
}}
|-
|-
| 18 || 9 January 1998 ||  
| 18 || 9 January 1998 || {{flatlist|
* L3D database beta release
* Darwin house-warming event aftermath
* Physiotherapist services
* Netscape Calendar training
* Contacting MIT Media Lab
}}
|-
|-
| 19 || 15 January 1998 ||  
| 19 || 15 January 1998 || {{flatlist|
* [[Cybermaster]] (Spirit) announcement and press conference
* Burning Rubber's animation team
* LEGO.com launch date delayed
* All-night meeting
* Increased computing power thanks to [[Wikipedia:Silicon Graphics|SGI]] and Alias
* Office cleanliness
}}
|-
|-
| 20 || 22 January 1998 ||  
| 20 || 22 January 1998 || {{flatlist|
* ''Girls' World'' gets green light from [[LMI]]
* Multicultural communication
* Automatic translation software
* Physiotherapy consultants from BST
* LEGO Finance demands business trip expense reports
* Online version of {{interlanguage link|Gyldendals Røde Ordbøger|da|Gyldendals Røde Ordbøger}}
* "Name that room" awards
}}
|-
|-
| 21 || 3 February 1998 ||  
| 21 || 3 February 1998 || {{flatlist|
* SGI [[Wikipedia:RealityEngine|Reality]] Monster specs and using it to develop Burning Rubber
* Mailboxes in LMX building
* Netscape Calendar system online
* Meeting room names
* 1997 figures
}}
|-
|-
| 22 || 14 February 1998 ||  
| 22 || 14 February 1998 || {{flatlist|
* WiZards Projects developed on the SGI Reality Monster
* [[Programmable brick]] (Mindstorms and Cybermaster) press conference coverage
* Asking instead of taking
* Netscape Calendar installation follow-up
* Calendar netiquette
* Physiotherapist results
}}
|-
|-
| 23 || 23 February 1998 ||  
| 23 || 23 February 1998 || {{flatlist|
* Quality assurance and quality control for Burning Rubber, LEGO.com, and WiZards projects
* DOGs system administration news
* New food vending machines
* Pool car reservations
}}
|-
|-
| 24 || 3 March 1998 ||  
| 24 || 3 March 1998 || {{flatlist|
* LEGO Installation Toolkit announcement
* Real-time art demos from WiZards
* Administrative Group services survey
* Working with the Mindstorms team
* New Darwin managers
* ''The Galapagos Times'' archives
}}
|-
|-
| 25 || 6 May 1998 ||  
| 25 || 6 May 1998 || {{flatlist|
* ''The Galapagos Times'' hiatus
* Flooding in LMX building
* [[Wikipedia:1998 Danish general strike|Danish strike]]
* LEGO Developers' Network details and alpha testing
* Dark-roast coffee available
* LMX building repairs
* Massage service available
}}
|-
|-
| 26 || 14 May 1998 ||  
| 26 || 14 May 1998 || {{flatlist|
* [[Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen]] demonstrates Dynasty on TV
* Staff meeting
* Flood damages
* Cooling system for LMX building
* July holiday plans
* 1997 financial results for Darwin
* Cybermaster award pre-announcement
}}
|}
|}


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<ref name="GT14 holidays">{{cite news |title=Networking through the holidays |editor-first=Laura |editor-last=Kusumoto |date=19 November 1997 |work=The Galapagos Times |volume=1 |issue=14 |url=https://www.spu-darwin.org/galapagos/gtv1r14.html}}</ref>
<ref name="GT14 holidays">{{cite news |title=Networking through the holidays |editor-first=Laura |editor-last=Kusumoto |date=19 November 1997 |work=The Galapagos Times |volume=1 |issue=14 |url=https://www.spu-darwin.org/galapagos/gtv1r14.html}}</ref>
<ref name="GT14 project">{{cite news |title=Tales of projects large and small |editor-first=Laura |editor-last=Kusumoto |date=19 November 1997 |work=The Galapagos Times |volume=1 |issue=14 |url=https://www.spu-darwin.org/galapagos/gtv1r14.html}}</ref>
<ref name="GT16 dates">{{cite news |title=December dates |editor-first=Laura |editor-last=Kusumoto |date=12 December 1997 |work=The Galapagos Times |volume=1 |issue=16 |url=https://www.spu-darwin.org/galapagos/gtv1r16.html}}</ref>


<ref name="GT17 room">{{cite news |title=Contest: Name the meeting rooms |editor-first=Laura |editor-last=Kusumoto |date=17 December 1997 |work=The Galapagos Times |volume=1 |issue=17 |url=https://www.spu-darwin.org/galapagos/gtv1r17.html}}</ref>
<ref name="GT17 room">{{cite news |title=Contest: Name the meeting rooms |editor-first=Laura |editor-last=Kusumoto |date=17 December 1997 |work=The Galapagos Times |volume=1 |issue=17 |url=https://www.spu-darwin.org/galapagos/gtv1r17.html}}</ref>
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Galapagos Times, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Galapagos Times, The}}
[[Category:1997 establishments]]
[[Category:1998 disestablishments]]
[[Category:Internal LEGO periodicals]]
[[Category:Internal LEGO periodicals]]
[[Category:Periodicals published in Denmark]]
[[Category:Periodicals published in Denmark]]
[[Category:Publications established in 1997]]
[[Category:Publications disestablished in 1998]]
[[Category:SPU-Darwin]]
[[Category:SPU-Darwin]]

Latest revision as of 23:30, 22 May 2025

The Galapagos Times
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

         The Galapagos Times
         an email newsletter

  SPU-Darwin, LEGO A/S, Planet Earth
   Dateline Thursday, May 14, 1998

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Header for issue 26
EditorLaura Kusumoto
FrequencyWeekly
FormatEmail
First issueAugust 20, 1997; 27 years ago (1997-08-20)
Final issue
Number
May 14, 1998; 27 years ago (1998-05-14)
26
CompanySPU-Darwin
CountryDenmark
LanguageEnglish

The Galapagos Times is an email newsletter that was distributed to employees of SPU-Darwin. Twenty-six issues were published on a weekly schedule between August 1997 and May 1998. It was edited and published by Laura Kusumoto, who was the Director of Operations at SPU-Darwin.

History

The first issue of The Galapagos Times was published on 20 August 1997.[note 1] Kusumoto started the newsletter to report news gathered from weekly manager meetings and keep "Darwinites" updated on events, policies, and projects.[1] Starting in issue 3, Kusumoto credited each week's contributors,[2] and in issue 14 the newsletter started accepting project stories from readers.[3] Publication paused during the Christmas season, as most of the LEGO Group's internal operations ceased from 23 December until 4 January.[4][5] In early March the newsletter went on hiatus for two months due to budget planning, which took up all computers in the office for several weeks until an accountant was hired,[6] followed by Kusumoto going on holiday.[7] Publication resumed in May, though only two more issues are known to exist.

The newsletter is named after the Galápagos Islands,[1] which Charles Darwin visited in 1835 during his five-year voyage aboard HMS Beagle; his studies of the archipelago's endemic species helped inspire his theory of evolution by natural selection. According to former Darwin employee Julian Gómez, Galapagos here referred to the "virtual space" being explored by SPU-Darwin's work, with the goal being the "evolution" of LEGO products from physical to digital.[8] The office space that SPU-Darwin operated out of was referred to in the newsletter as the HMS Beagle,[9][10] and the meeting rooms used after a move were named after animals from the Galápagos Islands in a contest.[11][12]

In June 2008 Gómez mirrored an archive of The Galapagos Times issues to SPU-Darwin.org, a website created to be a "digital gathering place" for former Darwin employees after its dissolution.[8][13]

Issues

The table below lists and describes all known issues of The Galapagos Times, based on the issues listed in Gómez's archive. The issue references has been simplified to "number"; the original issues are labelled with a volume (which is the same for all issues) and a "Ren" (eg. "Vol 1 Ren 5"), apparently short for "Rendering".

No. Date Topics covered
1 20 August 1997
  • Introducing The Galapagos Times
  • Current plans for future Darwin department moves
  • New mailing addresses
  • DOGs group testing new calendar system software
2 27 August 1997
  • Fast-Fill project starts at Darwin
  • Awards for "LEGO Underwater Base" and Build a Duck
  • Office migration for Darwin and LEGO.com teams
  • Darwin 6 seminar announced
3 3 September 1997
  • Yoda version 1.0 announced
  • Darwin 6 details
  • AUF representative requested
  • Fast-Fill bug report
4 10 September 1997
5 17 September 1997
  • KIDS Group finishing presentation for the Input meeting at LEGO Futura
  • Darwin 6 seminar aftermath
  • New Facilities Coordinator
6 24 September 1997
  • Redesigning LEGO.com for 1998
  • Darwin 6 documentation
  • ATG move date confirmed
  • Ventilation system costs for the LMX building
  • Improving the invoice process
7 1 October 1997
  • Burning Rubber development started
  • KIDS Group's concepts at the Input meeting
  • Awards for Primo Looper and Technic Scanner Truck toys
8 8 October 1997
  • New agreement for Internet services
  • Dynasty project by WiZard Group announced
  • Virtual library launched
  • Email virus warning
  • New reception service
  • ATG move date changed
9 15 October 1997
  • Girls' World project now in proof-of-concept stage
  • Darwin firewall online
  • New office move dates for LEGO.com and ATG teams
  • Timetable for improving Darwin operations
10 22 October 1997
  • L3D switching from 3DMF file format to VRML
  • Updated dates for office moves and LMX roof repairs
  • Special product training course offered
  • Suggestion box coming soon
11 29 October 1997
  • Testing new LEGO.com design with American children
  • Software usability testing
  • Jensen's car accident
  • Volunteers for family room
  • New Darwin representative
12 5 November 1997
  • Anthrobotics tool for Dynasty project
  • Seating plans for the LMX building
  • "Happy Landings" program
  • DOGs computer systems management
13 12 November 1997
  • LEGO Mindstorms Learning Center unveiled in Chicago
  • Darwin work bicycles
  • Computer file management
  • Darwin named the sloppiest group at LEGO
  • Seating plan for LMX completed
  • TimeCruiser calendar product failed user test
14 17 November 1997
  • Reader-submitted stories
  • Tax on extra hours
  • Darwin 6 follow-up
  • Voice mail available
  • 100 gigabytes needed for Burning Rubber and Spirit projects
  • Networking during the holiday season
15 3 December 1997
  • Mindstorms software development
  • New Mindstorm Learning Centres planned
  • Working with kids at Darwin
  • Darwin house-warming event
  • Free drinks available and snacks discontinued
16 12 December 1997
  • Level 4 specification for L3D database
  • New staff configuration
  • New CPUs for Burning Rubber and Spirit animation
  • December event dates
  • Netscape Calendar software
  • Tax cards for 1998
  • Darwin Christmas party aftermath
17 17 December 1997
  • Burning Rubber project story and gameplay
  • Darwin house-warming update
  • LMX building coffee setups
  • Contest to name meeting rooms
  • Alias Studio network licenses
18 9 January 1998
  • L3D database beta release
  • Darwin house-warming event aftermath
  • Physiotherapist services
  • Netscape Calendar training
  • Contacting MIT Media Lab
19 15 January 1998
  • Cybermaster (Spirit) announcement and press conference
  • Burning Rubber's animation team
  • LEGO.com launch date delayed
  • All-night meeting
  • Increased computing power thanks to SGI and Alias
  • Office cleanliness
20 22 January 1998
  • Girls' World gets green light from LMI
  • Multicultural communication
  • Automatic translation software
  • Physiotherapy consultants from BST
  • LEGO Finance demands business trip expense reports
  • Online version of Gyldendals Røde Ordbøger [da]
  • "Name that room" awards
21 3 February 1998
  • SGI Reality Monster specs and using it to develop Burning Rubber
  • Mailboxes in LMX building
  • Netscape Calendar system online
  • Meeting room names
  • 1997 figures
22 14 February 1998
  • WiZards Projects developed on the SGI Reality Monster
  • Programmable brick (Mindstorms and Cybermaster) press conference coverage
  • Asking instead of taking
  • Netscape Calendar installation follow-up
  • Calendar netiquette
  • Physiotherapist results
23 23 February 1998
  • Quality assurance and quality control for Burning Rubber, LEGO.com, and WiZards projects
  • DOGs system administration news
  • New food vending machines
  • Pool car reservations
24 3 March 1998
  • LEGO Installation Toolkit announcement
  • Real-time art demos from WiZards
  • Administrative Group services survey
  • Working with the Mindstorms team
  • New Darwin managers
  • The Galapagos Times archives
25 6 May 1998
  • The Galapagos Times hiatus
  • Flooding in LMX building
  • Danish strike
  • LEGO Developers' Network details and alpha testing
  • Dark-roast coffee available
  • LMX building repairs
  • Massage service available
26 14 May 1998
  • Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen demonstrates Dynasty on TV
  • Staff meeting
  • Flood damages
  • Cooling system for LMX building
  • July holiday plans
  • 1997 financial results for Darwin
  • Cybermaster award pre-announcement

Notes

  1. The first issue is dated 19 August 1997 in its header, but was sent out the next day. Furthermore, its header lists the day as Wednesday, which 20 August fell on in 1997.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Kusumoto, Laura, ed. (19 August 1997). The Galapagos Times. Vol. 1.
  2. Kusumoto, Laura, ed. (3 September 1997). "Fine print". The Galapagos Times. Vol. 1, no. 3.
  3. Kusumoto, Laura, ed. (19 November 1997). "Tales of projects large and small". The Galapagos Times. Vol. 1, no. 14.
  4. Kusumoto, Laura, ed. (19 November 1997). "Networking through the holidays". The Galapagos Times. Vol. 1, no. 14.
  5. Kusumoto, Laura, ed. (12 December 1997). "December dates". The Galapagos Times. Vol. 1, no. 16.
  6. Kusumoto, Laura, ed. (14 May 1998). "Financial health at Darwin". The Galapagos Times. Vol. 1, no. 26.
  7. Kusumoto, Laura, ed. (6 May 1998). "The Galapagos Times is back". The Galapagos Times. Vol. 1, no. 25.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Gómez, Julian (11 June 2008). "The Galapagos Times Archive". SPU-Darwin. Archived from the original on 20 May 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2025. Date obtained using wget.
  9. Kusumoto, Laura, ed. (22 October 1997). "H.M.S. Beagle". The Galapagos Times. Vol. 1, no. 10.
  10. Kusumoto, Laura, ed. (15 January 1998). "Ship-shape on the HMS Beagle". The Galapagos Times. Vol. 1, no. 19.
  11. Kusumoto, Laura, ed. (17 December 1997). "Contest: Name the meeting rooms". The Galapagos Times. Vol. 1, no. 17.
  12. Kusumoto, Laura, ed. (3 February 1998). "Meeting room animals". The Galapagos Times. Vol. 1, no. 21.
  13. Gómez, Julian (6 November 2001). "SPU-Darwin.org". Archived from the original on 6 December 2001.

External links