Rec.toys.lego: Difference between revisions

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(long note justifying a possible January creation rather than February. maybe it's not needed or is too long)
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| caption = A rec.toys.lego message from late 1994 viewed in a Windows 3.1 [[Wikipedia:Newsreader (Usenet)|newsreader]] {{circa|1995}}
| caption = A rec.toys.lego message from late 1994 viewed in a Windows 3.1 [[Wikipedia:Newsreader (Usenet)|newsreader]] {{circa|1995}}
| screenshot_size =  
| screenshot_size =  
| launch_date= {{ubl|early 1993 (ATL)|{{start date and age|10 January 1994}} (RTL)}}
| launch_date= {{ubl|January 1993 (ATL)|{{start date and age|10 January 1994}} (RTL)}}
| type = [[Wikipedia:Usenet|Usenet]] [[Wikipedia:Usenet newsgroup|newsgroup]]
| type = [[Wikipedia:Usenet|Usenet]] [[Wikipedia:Usenet newsgroup|newsgroup]]
| url = [news:rec.toys.lego rec.toys.lego]
| url = [news:rec.toys.lego rec.toys.lego]
| founder = David Koblas (RTL)
| author = David Koblas (RTL)
}}
}}
{{lowercase title|title=rec.toys.lego}}
{{lowercase title|title=rec.toys.lego}}
'''rec.toys.lego''' (often abbreviated '''RTL''')<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/outsideinnovatio0000seyb/page/392/mode/2up?view=theater |title=Outside Innovation: How Your Customers Will Co-Design Your Company's Future |first=Patricia B. |last=Seybold |year=2006 |publisher=[[Wikipedia:HarperCollins|HarperCollins]] |ISBN=0-06-113590-9 |p=392}}</ref> is a [[Wikipedia:Usenet|Usenet]] [[Wikipedia:Usenet newsgroup|newsgroup]] dedicated to the discussion of [[LEGO]] products and LEGO-compatible toys.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/internetstarterk00engsrich/page/850/mode/2up?view=theater |title=Internet Starter Kit for Macintosh |edition=2nd |publisher=[[Wikipedia:Hayden Books|Hayden Books]] |year=1994 |first=Adam C. |last=Engst |ISBN=1-56830-111-1 |p=850}}</ref> It was one of the earliest online LEGO fan communities, starting in early 1993 as '''alt.toys.lego''' ('''ATL''')<ref name="Bender">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/legolovestory0000bend/page/24/mode/2up?view=theater |title=LEGO: A Love Story |first=Jonathan |last=Bender |year=2010 |pages=24–25 |publisher=[[Wikipedia:John Wiley & Sons|John Wiley & Sons]] |ISBN=978-0-470-40702-8}}</ref> before moving to the ''rec.*'' [[Wikipedia:Usenet newsgroup#Hierarchies|hierarchy]] one year later.
'''rec.toys.lego''' (often abbreviated '''RTL''')<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/outsideinnovatio0000seyb/page/392/mode/2up?view=theater |title=Outside Innovation: How Your Customers Will Co-Design Your Company's Future |first=Patricia B. |last=Seybold |year=2006 |publisher=[[Wikipedia:HarperCollins|HarperCollins]] |ISBN=0-06-113590-9 |p=392}}</ref> is a [[Wikipedia:Usenet|Usenet]] [[Wikipedia:Usenet newsgroup|newsgroup]] dedicated to the discussion of [[LEGO]] products and LEGO-compatible toys.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/internetstarterk00engsrich/page/850/mode/2up?view=theater |title=Internet Starter Kit for Macintosh |edition=2nd |publisher=[[Wikipedia:Hayden Books|Hayden Books]] |year=1994 |first=Adam C. |last=Engst |ISBN=1-56830-111-1 |p=850}}</ref> It was one of the earliest online LEGO fan communities, starting in early 1993 as '''alt.toys.lego''' ('''ATL''')<ref name="Bender"/> before moving to the ''rec.*'' [[Wikipedia:Usenet newsgroup#Hierarchies|hierarchy]] one year later.


== History ==
== History ==
The alt.toys.lego newsgroup was created at some point between January and early February 1993.<ref name="AFOL20"/> It was the first of a number of toy-related newsgroups in the ''alt.toy.*'' hierarchy; others created later in 1993 included alt.toys.hi-tech in May and alt.toys.[[Wikipedia:Transformers|transformers]] in September.<ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.hi-tech/c/sBl0SQFCYCA/m/I5gp9BxM-8oJ |title=Create newsgroup alt.toys.hi-tech |author= USENET news |date=20 May 1993 |newsgroup=alt.toys.hi-tech |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425123724/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.hi-tech/c/sBl0SQFCYCA/m/I5gp9BxM-8oJ |archive-date=25 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/7eSYCY7FFLM/m/X-gM3J57C1UJ |author=Steven Mar |title=Transformers E-Mailing List |newsgroup=alt.toys.transformers |date=12 September 1993 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425124527/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/7eSYCY7FFLM/m/X-gM3J57C1UJ |archive-date=25 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> ATL received continuous activity soon after its creation; however, the [[Wikipedia:alt.* hierarchy|''alt.*'' hierarchy]] was not well-propagated due to many [[Wikipedia:Dial-up Internet access|dial-up]] [[Wikipedia:Internet service provider|Internet service providers]] not offering it to subscribers. Suggestions were made in many ''alt.*'' groups to migrate to one of the [[Wikipedia:Big 8 (Usenet)|Big 7]] hierarchies.<ref name="AFOL20"/> A new LEGO newsgroup under the ''rec.*'' (recreation) hierarchy was suggested in September 1993,{{efn|A rec.toys newsgroup had previously been suggested in news.groups in April 1993, though it had not been created.<ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/news.groups/c/MRfAKwDRGtg/m/pUHEuJIF3hIJ |title=Test Baloon: rec.toys |author=E. Kontei |date=23 April 1993 | newsgroup=news.groups |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427091052/https://groups.google.com/g/news.groups/c/MRfAKwDRGtg/m/pUHEuJIF3hIJ |archive-date=27 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>}} with the goal of making the community more accessible.<ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/1PI-5-HDGSk/m/wl6CqpCDCIYJ |title=A thought for discussion... |author=Ron Carter |date=16 September 1993 |newsgroup=alt.toys.lego |[email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427091754/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/1PI-5-HDGSk/m/wl6CqpCDCIYJ |archive-date=27 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/m6dXkpdZ6bY/m/nr2ZUDPDC3cJ |title=OK, how about a modified suggestion (trying to please all :-) |author=Ron Carter |date=18 September 1993 |newsgroup=alt.toys.lego |[email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427095848/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/m6dXkpdZ6bY/m/nr2ZUDPDC3cJ |archive-date=27 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>
The alt.toys.lego newsgroup was created in January 1993.<ref name="AFOL20"/>{{efn|name=ATL}} It was the first of a number of toy-related newsgroups in the ''alt.toy.*'' hierarchy; others created later in 1993 included alt.toys.hi-tech in May and alt.toys.[[Wikipedia:Transformers|transformers]] in September.<ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.hi-tech/c/sBl0SQFCYCA/m/I5gp9BxM-8oJ |title=Create newsgroup alt.toys.hi-tech |author= USENET news |date=20 May 1993 |newsgroup=alt.toys.hi-tech |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425123724/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.hi-tech/c/sBl0SQFCYCA/m/I5gp9BxM-8oJ |archive-date=25 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/7eSYCY7FFLM/m/X-gM3J57C1UJ |author=Steven Mar |title=Transformers E-Mailing List |newsgroup=alt.toys.transformers |date=12 September 1993 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425124527/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/7eSYCY7FFLM/m/X-gM3J57C1UJ |archive-date=25 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> ATL received continuous activity soon after its creation; however, the [[Wikipedia:alt.* hierarchy|''alt.*'' hierarchy]] was not well-propagated due to many [[Wikipedia:Dial-up Internet access|dial-up]] [[Wikipedia:Internet service provider|Internet service providers]] not offering it to subscribers. Suggestions were made in many ''alt.*'' groups to migrate to one of the [[Wikipedia:Big 8 (Usenet)|Big 7]] hierarchies.<ref name="AFOL20"/> A new LEGO newsgroup under the ''rec.*'' (recreation) hierarchy was suggested in September 1993,{{efn|A rec.toys newsgroup had previously been suggested in news.groups in April 1993, though it had not been created.<ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/news.groups/c/MRfAKwDRGtg/m/pUHEuJIF3hIJ |title=Test Baloon: rec.toys |author=E. Kontei |date=23 April 1993 | newsgroup=news.groups |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427091052/https://groups.google.com/g/news.groups/c/MRfAKwDRGtg/m/pUHEuJIF3hIJ |archive-date=27 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>}} with the goal of making the community more accessible.<ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/1PI-5-HDGSk/m/wl6CqpCDCIYJ |title=A thought for discussion... |author=Ron Carter |date=16 September 1993 |newsgroup=alt.toys.lego |[email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427091754/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/1PI-5-HDGSk/m/wl6CqpCDCIYJ |archive-date=27 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/m6dXkpdZ6bY/m/nr2ZUDPDC3cJ |title=OK, how about a modified suggestion (trying to please all :-) |author=Ron Carter |date=18 September 1993 |newsgroup=alt.toys.lego |[email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427095848/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/m6dXkpdZ6bY/m/nr2ZUDPDC3cJ |archive-date=27 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>


On 14 October 1993, ATL user David Koblas drafted a proposal for the creation of rec.toys.lego and rec.toys.misc, both under a new ''rec.toys.*'' hierarchy.<ref name="RTM"/><ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/jr-vq7TSta8/m/ihgEiC4GMpUJ |title=RFD: rec.toys.lego and rec.toys.misc |first=David |last=Koblas |date=14 October 1993 |newsgroup=alt.toys.lego | [email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427092225/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/jr-vq7TSta8/m/ihgEiC4GMpUJ |archive-date=27 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> The name ''rec.toys.construction'' was alternatively suggested as a more inclusive name that would allow for discussion of other [[Wikipedia:Construction set|construction toys]]. Koblas rejected this idea, as his original intention was to double the LEGO newsgroup's readership by moving it out of the ''alt.*'' hierarchy, and he felt that the alternate name would not appeal to ATL's readers.<ref name="RTM"/><ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/jr-vq7TSta8/m/CGzOPpSSUjsJ |title=Re: CFV: rec.toys.lego and rec.toys.misc |first=David |last=Koblas |date=3 December 1993 |newsgroup=alt.toys.lego | [email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427111112/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/jr-vq7TSta8/m/CGzOPpSSUjsJ |archive-date=27 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Voting for the two new groups began on 30 November and ended on 21 December.<ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/jr-vq7TSta8/m/AdX38CoNxnEJ |title=CFV: rec.toys.lego and rec.toys.misc |author=Ed Bailey |date=30 November 1993 |newsgroup=alt.toys.lego | [email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427102402/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/jr-vq7TSta8/m/AdX38CoNxnEJ |archive-date=27 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AFOL TL"/> The results were announced on 3 January 1994: 243 users voted, and both newsgroups passed overwhelmingly.<ref name="RTM"/> The new rec.toys.lego newsgroup was created on 10 January 1994 under the following [[Wikipedia:Usenet#Moderated and unmoderated newsgroups|charter]]:<ref name="AFOL TL"/>
On 14 October 1993, ATL user David Koblas drafted a proposal for the creation of rec.toys.lego and rec.toys.misc, both under a new ''rec.toys.*'' hierarchy.<ref name="RTM"/><ref name="RTL proposal">{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/jr-vq7TSta8/m/ihgEiC4GMpUJ |title=RFD: rec.toys.lego and rec.toys.misc |first=David |last=Koblas |date=14 October 1993 |newsgroup=alt.toys.lego | [email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427092225/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/jr-vq7TSta8/m/ihgEiC4GMpUJ |archive-date=27 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> The name ''rec.toys.construction'' was alternatively suggested as a more inclusive name that would allow for discussion of other [[Wikipedia:Construction set|construction toys]]. Koblas rejected this idea, as his original intention was to double the LEGO newsgroup's readership by moving it out of the ''alt.*'' hierarchy, and he felt that the alternate name would not appeal to ATL's readers.<ref name="RTM"/><ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/jr-vq7TSta8/m/CGzOPpSSUjsJ |title=Re: CFV: rec.toys.lego and rec.toys.misc |first=David |last=Koblas |date=3 December 1993 |newsgroup=alt.toys.lego | [email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427111112/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/jr-vq7TSta8/m/CGzOPpSSUjsJ |archive-date=27 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Voting for the two new groups began on 30 November and ended on 21 December.<ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/jr-vq7TSta8/m/AdX38CoNxnEJ |title=CFV: rec.toys.lego and rec.toys.misc |author=Ed Bailey |date=30 November 1993 |newsgroup=alt.toys.lego | [email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427102402/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/jr-vq7TSta8/m/AdX38CoNxnEJ |archive-date=27 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AFOL TL"/> The results were announced on 3 January 1994: 243 users voted, and both newsgroups passed overwhelmingly.<ref name="RTM"/> The new rec.toys.lego newsgroup was created on 10 January 1994 under the following [[Wikipedia:Usenet#Moderated and unmoderated newsgroups|charter]]:<ref name="AFOL TL"/>


{{blockquote |text=To provide a forum for the discussion of all things and experiences relating to the Lego(tm), Duplo(tm) and compatible construction toys. Including interesting models that one has built, experiences one has had using legos, or questions about how to build particular components.}}
{{blockquote |text=To provide a forum for the discussion of all things and experiences relating to the Lego(tm), Duplo(tm) and compatible construction toys. Including interesting models that one has built, experiences one has had using legos, or questions about how to build particular components.}}


As it was proposed alongside RTL, the rec.toys.misc newsgroup was originally described as covering "non-LEGO toys topics, from {{sic|[[Wikipedia:Barbie|Barbi]]}} Dolls to [[Wikipedia:My Little Pony|My Little Pony]] gift sets." Its charter's wording was soon altered so that it would cover all toys that did not have their own newsgroup within the ''rec.toys.*'' hierarchy, without any reference to LEGO. Many other 'toy newsgroups were created in ''rec.*'' over the following years, although some like alt.toys.transformers remained active in ''alt.*''.<ref name="RTM"/> ATL was largely abandoned, though it continued to exist and receive occasional posts.<ref name="AFOL20"/>
As it was proposed alongside RTL, the rec.toys.misc newsgroup was originally described as covering "non-Lego toys topics, from {{sic|[[Wikipedia:Barbie|Barbi]]}} Dolls to [[Wikipedia:My Little Pony|My Little Pony]] gift sets." Its charter's wording was soon altered so that it would cover all toys that did not have their own newsgroup within the ''rec.toys.*'' hierarchy, without any reference to RTL. Many other 'toy newsgroups were created in ''rec.*'' over the following years, although some like alt.toys.transformers remained active in ''alt.*''.<ref name="RTM"/> ATL was largely abandoned, though it continued to exist and receive occasional posts.<ref name="AFOL20"/>


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
{{notelist}}
{{notelist|refs=
{{efn|name=ATL|The earliest alt.toys.lego post archived on Google Groups is from 18 February 1993.<ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/r3QlephBq0k/m/gkN7Tr6Q6HoJ |title=Lego strategy game |newsgroup=alt.toys.lego |date=18 February 1993 |first=Daniel |last=LaLiberte |message-id= |archive-date=23 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423104402/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/r3QlephBq0k/m/gkN7Tr6Q6HoJ |url-status=live}}</ref> A weekly USENET report from 14 February 1993 listed alt.toys.lego as having initially been under "Bad Newsgroups Received" before being created later during the previous week, though this may be for only a specific network.<ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/ba.news.stats/c/CrNKMEeQq4E/m/Jwf9AN1ONTwJ |title=Weekly USENET Report for net |date=14 February 1993 |newsgroup=ba.news.stats |[email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428035704/https://groups.google.com/g/ba.news.stats/c/CrNKMEeQq4E/m/Jwf9AN1ONTwJ |archive-date=28 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> An archived message in alt.fan.warlord replies to an ATL message dated 5 February 1993,<ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.fan.warlord/c/0tlUuNfG1mg/m/NDxvDY4pLacJ |title=Re: LegoLand in England?? |author=Nick Leverton |date=11 February 1993 |newsgroup=alt.fan.warlord |[email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428040859/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.fan.warlord/c/0tlUuNfG1mg/m/NDxvDY4pLacJ |archive-date=28 April 2024 |url-status=live |quote=In alt.toys.lego, article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Nick Pettefar) writes...}}</ref> and ATL is named in a news.admin.policy post from 8 February.<ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/news.admin.policy/c/oHfoOarG6Zw/m/0CpWejiaiKMJ |title=Re: Anonymous postings to non-personals newsgroups |author=Erik Olivers |date=8 February 1993 |newsgroup=news.admin.policy |[email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428041815/https://groups.google.com/g/news.admin.policy/c/oHfoOarG6Zw/m/0CpWejiaiKMJ |archive-date=28 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> A NewsStats report from 13 February 1993 listed alt.toys.lego as having 534 articles at the time.<ref>{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/news.lists/c/LZyvCFCMt0E/m/3eUtlIscAUAJ |title=NewsStats, article counts |author=Matthias Urlichs |date=13 February 1993 |newsgroup=news.groups |[email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423140807/https://groups.google.com/g/news.lists/c/LZyvCFCMt0E/m/3eUtlIscAUAJ |archive-date=23 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Koblas's RTL proposal from October 1993 refers to ATL as having been active for nine months.<ref name="RTL proposal"/>}}
}}


== References ==
== References ==
Line 29: Line 31:


<ref name="AFOL TL">{{cite web |url=http://www.suave.net/~dave/afol_history.pl?timeline=1 |title=The AFOL History Project |first=David |last=Eaton |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919201210/http://www.suave.net/~dave/afol_history.pl?timeline=1 |archive-date=2021-09-19 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="AFOL TL">{{cite web |url=http://www.suave.net/~dave/afol_history.pl?timeline=1 |title=The AFOL History Project |first=David |last=Eaton |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919201210/http://www.suave.net/~dave/afol_history.pl?timeline=1 |archive-date=2021-09-19 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="Bender">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/legolovestory0000bend/page/24/mode/2up?view=theater |title=LEGO: A Love Story |first=Jonathan |last=Bender |year=2010 |pages=24–25 |publisher=[[Wikipedia:John Wiley & Sons|John Wiley & Sons]] |ISBN=978-0-470-40702-8}}</ref>


<ref name="RTM">{{cite web |url=https://www.toymania.com/resources/usenet/toyhist.shtml |title=A Brief History of Toy-Related Usenet Newsgroups |first=Eric G. |last=Myers |date=1996 |website=Raving Toy Maniac |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425105223/https://www.toymania.com/resources/usenet/toyhist.shtml |archive-date=25 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="RTM">{{cite web |url=https://www.toymania.com/resources/usenet/toyhist.shtml |title=A Brief History of Toy-Related Usenet Newsgroups |first=Eric G. |last=Myers |date=1996 |website=Raving Toy Maniac |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425105223/https://www.toymania.com/resources/usenet/toyhist.shtml |archive-date=25 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Revision as of 06:03, 28 April 2024

rec.toys.lego
A rec.toys.lego message from late 1994 viewed in a Windows 3.1 newsreader c. 1995
Type of site
Usenet newsgroup
Created byDavid Koblas (RTL)
URLrec.toys.lego
Launched
  • January 1993 (ATL)
  • 10 January 1994; 30 years ago (10 January 1994) (RTL)

rec.toys.lego (often abbreviated RTL)[1] is a Usenet newsgroup dedicated to the discussion of LEGO products and LEGO-compatible toys.[2] It was one of the earliest online LEGO fan communities, starting in early 1993 as alt.toys.lego (ATL)[3] before moving to the rec.* hierarchy one year later.

History

The alt.toys.lego newsgroup was created in January 1993.[4][note 1] It was the first of a number of toy-related newsgroups in the alt.toy.* hierarchy; others created later in 1993 included alt.toys.hi-tech in May and alt.toys.transformers in September.[5][6] ATL received continuous activity soon after its creation; however, the alt.* hierarchy was not well-propagated due to many dial-up Internet service providers not offering it to subscribers. Suggestions were made in many alt.* groups to migrate to one of the Big 7 hierarchies.[4] A new LEGO newsgroup under the rec.* (recreation) hierarchy was suggested in September 1993,[note 2] with the goal of making the community more accessible.[8][9]

On 14 October 1993, ATL user David Koblas drafted a proposal for the creation of rec.toys.lego and rec.toys.misc, both under a new rec.toys.* hierarchy.[10][11] The name rec.toys.construction was alternatively suggested as a more inclusive name that would allow for discussion of other construction toys. Koblas rejected this idea, as his original intention was to double the LEGO newsgroup's readership by moving it out of the alt.* hierarchy, and he felt that the alternate name would not appeal to ATL's readers.[10][12] Voting for the two new groups began on 30 November and ended on 21 December.[13][14] The results were announced on 3 January 1994: 243 users voted, and both newsgroups passed overwhelmingly.[10] The new rec.toys.lego newsgroup was created on 10 January 1994 under the following charter:[14]

To provide a forum for the discussion of all things and experiences relating to the Lego(tm), Duplo(tm) and compatible construction toys. Including interesting models that one has built, experiences one has had using legos, or questions about how to build particular components.

As it was proposed alongside RTL, the rec.toys.misc newsgroup was originally described as covering "non-Lego toys topics, from Barbi [sic] Dolls to My Little Pony gift sets." Its charter's wording was soon altered so that it would cover all toys that did not have their own newsgroup within the rec.toys.* hierarchy, without any reference to RTL. Many other 'toy newsgroups were created in rec.* over the following years, although some like alt.toys.transformers remained active in alt.*.[10] ATL was largely abandoned, though it continued to exist and receive occasional posts.[4]

Notes

  1. ↑ The earliest alt.toys.lego post archived on Google Groups is from 18 February 1993.[15] A weekly USENET report from 14 February 1993 listed alt.toys.lego as having initially been under "Bad Newsgroups Received" before being created later during the previous week, though this may be for only a specific network.[16] An archived message in alt.fan.warlord replies to an ATL message dated 5 February 1993,[17] and ATL is named in a news.admin.policy post from 8 February.[18] A NewsStats report from 13 February 1993 listed alt.toys.lego as having 534 articles at the time.[19] Koblas's RTL proposal from October 1993 refers to ATL as having been active for nine months.[11]
  2. ↑ A rec.toys newsgroup had previously been suggested in news.groups in April 1993, though it had not been created.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Seybold, Patricia B. (2006). Outside Innovation: How Your Customers Will Co-Design Your Company's Future. HarperCollins. p. 392. ISBN 0-06-113590-9.
  2. ↑ Engst, Adam C. (1994). Internet Starter Kit for Macintosh (2nd ed.). Hayden Books. p. 850. ISBN 1-56830-111-1.
  3. ↑ Bender, Jonathan (2010). LEGO: A Love Story. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 24–25. ISBN 978-0-470-40702-8.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Eaton, David (July 25, 2013). "20th Anniversary of the Online LEGO Community!". Brickset Forum. Archived from the original on June 25, 2015.
  5. ↑ USENET news (20 May 1993). "Create newsgroup alt.toys.hi-tech". Newsgroup: alt.toys.hi-tech. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024.
  6. ↑ Steven Mar (12 September 1993). "Transformers E-Mailing List". Newsgroup: alt.toys.transformers. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024.
  7. ↑ E. Kontei (23 April 1993). "Test Baloon: rec.toys". Newsgroup: news.groups. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024.
  8. ↑ Ron Carter (16 September 1993). "A thought for discussion..." Newsgroup: alt.toys.lego. Usenet: [email protected]. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024.
  9. ↑ Ron Carter (18 September 1993). "OK, how about a modified suggestion (trying to please all :-)". Newsgroup: alt.toys.lego. Usenet: [email protected]. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Myers, Eric G. (1996). "A Brief History of Toy-Related Usenet Newsgroups". Raving Toy Maniac. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Koblas, David (14 October 1993). "RFD: rec.toys.lego and rec.toys.misc". Newsgroup: alt.toys.lego. Usenet: [email protected]. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024.
  12. ↑ Koblas, David (3 December 1993). "Re: CFV: rec.toys.lego and rec.toys.misc". Newsgroup: alt.toys.lego. Usenet: [email protected]. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024.
  13. ↑ Ed Bailey (30 November 1993). "CFV: rec.toys.lego and rec.toys.misc". Newsgroup: alt.toys.lego. Usenet: [email protected]. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Eaton, David. "The AFOL History Project". Archived from the original on 2021-09-19.
  15. ↑ LaLiberte, Daniel (18 February 1993). "Lego strategy game". Newsgroup: alt.toys.lego. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024.
  16. ↑ "Weekly USENET Report for net". Newsgroup: ba.news.stats. 14 February 1993. Usenet: [email protected]. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024.
  17. ↑ Nick Leverton (11 February 1993). "Re: LegoLand in England??". Newsgroup: alt.fan.warlord. Usenet: [email protected]. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. In alt.toys.lego, article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Nick Pettefar) writes...
  18. ↑ Erik Olivers (8 February 1993). "Re: Anonymous postings to non-personals newsgroups". Newsgroup: news.admin.policy. Usenet: [email protected]. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024.
  19. ↑ Matthias Urlichs (13 February 1993). "NewsStats, article counts". Newsgroup: news.groups. Usenet: [email protected]. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024.

External links

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