Rec.toys.lego: Difference between revisions

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{{lowercase title|title=rec.toys.lego}}
{{lowercase title|title=rec.toys.lego}}
{{Infobox website
{{Infobox website
| name = rec.toys.lego
| name             = rec.toys.lego
| screenshot = PnP rec.toys.lego screenshot.jpg
| screenshot       = PnP rec.toys.lego screenshot.jpg
| caption = A rec.toys.lego message from September 1994 viewed in a Windows 3.1 [[Wikipedia:Newsreader (Usenet)|newsreader]]
| caption           = A rec.toys.lego message from September 1994 viewed in a Windows 3.1 [[Wikipedia:Newsreader (Usenet)|newsreader]]
| launch_date = {{ubl|January 1993 (ATL)|{{start date and age|1994|01|10|df=y}} (RTL)}}
| type             = [[Wikipedia:Usenet|Usenet]] [[Wikipedia:Usenet newsgroup|newsgroup]]
| type = [[Wikipedia:Usenet|Usenet]] [[Wikipedia:Usenet newsgroup|newsgroup]]
| language          = English
| url = [news:rec.toys.lego rec.toys.lego]
| dissolved        =
| author = David Koblas
| predecessor      =
| successor        =
| area_served      =
| author            = David Koblas
| international    =
| url               = [news:rec.toys.lego rec.toys.lego]
| commercial        =
| registration      =
| num_users        =
| launch_date      = {{ubl|January 1993 (ATL)|{{Start date and age|1994|01|10|df=y}} (RTL)}}
| current_status    =  
}}
}}


'''rec.toys.lego''' (often abbreviated '''RTL''')<ref name="Seybold"/> is a [[Wikipedia:Usenet|Usenet]] [[Wikipedia:Usenet newsgroup|newsgroup]] dedicated to the discussion of [[LEGO]] products and LEGO-compatible toys.<ref name="Engst"/> 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.
'''rec.toys.lego''' is a [[Wikipedia:Usenet|Usenet]] [[Wikipedia:Usenet newsgroup|newsgroup]].


== History ==
== History ==
The alt.toys.lego newsgroup was created by David Koblas<ref name="RTL Pfeifer Koblas ATL" group="U"/> in January 1993.<ref name="Eaton AFOL 20"/>{{efn|The exact date of its creation is unknown. The earliest alt.toys.lego post archived on [[Wikipedia:Google Groups|Google Groups]] is from 18 February 1993.<ref name="ATL LaLiberte" group="U"/> An ''alt.*'' newsgroup listing from 5 February 1993 does not include alt.toys.lego;<ref name="AN alt" group="U"/> however, an archived message in alt.fan.warlord appears to reply to an ATL message dated 5 February 1993,<ref name="AFW Leverton" group="U"/> and ATL is mentioned in a news.admin.policy message from 8 February.<ref name="NAP Olivers" group="U"/> Koblas's RTL proposal from 14 October 1993 refers to ATL as having been active for nine months,<ref name="ATL Koblas proposal" group="U"/> and the FAQ post from 11 January 1994 claims ATL had existed for "almost one year".<ref name="RTL FAQ 940111" group="U"/>}} 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 name="ATHt created" group="U"/><ref name="ATT email" group="U"/> 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="Eaton AFOL 20"/> 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 name="NG Kontei" group="U"/>}} with the goal of making the community more accessible.<ref name="ATL Carter 930916" group="U"/><ref name="ATL Carter 930918" group="U"/>
The alt.toys.lego newsgroup was created by David Koblas<ref name="rec.toys.lego ATL question" group="U"/> in January 1993.<ref name="Brickset AFOL 20th"/>{{efn|The exact date of its creation is unknown. The earliest alt.toys.lego post archived on [[Wikipedia:Google Groups|Google Groups]] is from 18 February 1993.<ref name="alt.toys.lego LaLiberte" group="U"/> A list of ''alt.*'' newsgroups from 5 February 1993 does not include alt.toys.lego;<ref name="alt.newgroup listing" group="U"/> however, an archived message in alt.fan.warlord (a newsgroup dedicated to mocking bizarre [[Wikipedia:Signature block|signatures]])<ref name="Kehoe"/> quotes an alt.toys.lego message dated 5 February 1993,<ref name="alt.fan.warlord palms" group="U"/> and alt.toys.lego is mentioned in a news.admin.policy message from 8 February 1993.<ref name="news.admin.policy Erik" group="U"/> Koblas's rec.toys.lego proposal from 14 October 1993 refers to alt.toys.lego as having been active for nine months,<ref name="alt.toys.lego Koblas proposal" group="U"/> and the FAQ post from 11 January 1994 claims alt.toys.lego had existed for "almost one year".<ref name="rec.toys.lego FAQ 1994-01-11" group="U"/>}} It was the first of a number of toy-related newsgroups in the ''alt.*'' hierarchy;<ref name="Myers"/> others created later in 1993 included alt.toys.hi-tech in May and alt.toys.[[Wikipedia:Transformers|transformers]] in September.<ref name="alt.toys.hi-tech created" group="U"/><ref name="alt.toys.transformers email" group="U"/> Although alt.toys.lego received continuous activity after its creation,<ref name="Myers"/> 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 as a result.<ref name="Brickset AFOL 20th"/> 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 name="news.groups Kontei" group="U"/>}} with the goal of making the community more accessible.<ref name="alt.toys.lego Carter 1993-09-16" group="U"/><ref name="alt.toys.lego Carter 1993-09-18" group="U"/>
 
On 14 October 1993, David Koblas drafted a proposal for the creation of rec.toys.lego and rec.toys.misc, both unmoderated and under a new ''rec.toys.*'' hierarchy.<ref name="Myers"/><ref name="ATL Koblas proposal" group="U"/> Koblas had originally wanted to create ATL in the ''rec.*'' hierarchy, but did not believe it would pass a vote for creation at the time.<ref name="RTL Pfeifer Koblas ATL" group="U"/>{{efn|Newsgroups in the ''alt.*'' hierarchy can be created by anyone, while those in the Big 7 (later the Big 8) require discussion and voting to be created.<ref name="Barr"/><ref name="Caroll"/>}} 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 increase 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 enough to draw them away from that newsgroup.<ref name="Myers"/><ref name="NG Koblas" group="U"/> Voting for the two new groups began on 30 November and ended on 21 December.<ref name="ATL Bailey" group="U"/><ref name="Eaton AFOL TL"/> The results were announced on 3 January 1994: 243 users voted, and both newsgroups passed overwhelmingly.<ref name="Myers"/> The new rec.toys.lego newsgroup was created on 10 January 1994 under the following [[Wikipedia:Usenet#Moderated and unmoderated newsgroups|charter]]:<ref name="Eaton 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.}}
 
[[File:WotI Newsgroups Main Menu.jpg|thumb|rec.toys.lego seen in a list of ''rec.*'' newsgroups, {{circa|1994}}]]
 
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.
Within a few months, activity in rec.toys.misc had surpassed rec.toys.lego. Many other toy-related newsgroups were created in ''rec.*'' over the following years, though some groups like alt.toys.transformers remained active in ''alt.*''.<ref name="Myers"/> ATL was largely abandoned, though it continued to exist and receive occasional posts.<ref name="Eaton AFOL 20"/>
 
== Discussions ==
What content was discussed on RTL. Also a section about related sites, including fan sites, the reasons for LEGO.com, and LUGNET replacing RTL.<ref name="Randall"/>
 
== Related websites ==
Earthsea FTP, LEGO Information, RTL-Bricks, Pause, Brickshelf, LUGNET


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
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== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="Barr">{{cite web |url=http://www.math.psu.edu/barr/alt-creation-guide.html |title=So You Want to Create an Alt Newsgroup |first=David |last=Barr |year=1995 |publisher=[[Wikipedia:Pennsylvania State University|Pennsylvania State University]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/19970124072217/http://www.math.psu.edu/barr/alt-creation-guide.html |archive-date=24 January 1997}}</ref>
<!-- books -->
 
<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]] |location=[[Wikipedia:Hoboken, New Jersey|Hoboken]] |ISBN=978-0-470-40702-8}}</ref>


<ref name="Caroll">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/1997internethand0000carr/page/158/mode/2up?view=theater |title=1997 Internet Handbook |edition=Educational |last1=Caroll |first1=Jim |last2=Broadhead |first2=Rick |last3=Cassel |first3=Don |year=1997 |publisher=[[Wikipedia:Prentice Hall|Prentice-Hall Canada, Inc]] |location=[[Wikipedia:Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough, Ontario]] |isbn=0-13-851487-9 |pages=156, 158-161}}</ref>
<ref name="Kehoe">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/zenartofinternet00keho/page/47/mode/2up?view=theater |title=Zen and the Art of the Internet |edition=3rd |last=Kehoe |first=Brendan P. |year=1994 |publisher=[[Wikipedia:Prentice Hall|PTR Prentice Hall]] |location=[[Wikipedia:Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey|Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey]] |isbn=0-13-121492-6 |page=47 |quote=The newsgroup alt.fan.warlord is a dumping ground for the most heinous of signature violations. In the course of reading news, people occasionally do follow-ups into alt.fan.warlord to show off their latest discoveries — talking whales, ten-line-high cacti, and a variety of other ASCII miracles.}}</ref>


<ref name="Eaton AFOL 20">{{cite web |url=http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/11594/20th-anniversary-of-the-online-lego-community |title=20th Anniversary of the Online LEGO Community! |first=David |last=Eaton |date=July 25, 2013 |website=[[Brickset]] Forum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150625050417/http://www.bricksetforum.com:80/discussion/11594/20th-anniversary-of-the-online-lego-community |archive-date=June 25, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
<!-- websites -->


<ref name="Eaton AFOL TL">{{cite web |url=http://www.suave.net/~dave/afol_history.pl?timeline=1 |title=The AFOL History Project |first=David |last=Eaton |date=10 September 2013 |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}} Text is [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/ CC BY-SA 3.0].</ref>
<ref name="Brickset AFOL 20th">{{cite web |url=http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/11594/20th-anniversary-of-the-online-lego-community |title=20th Anniversary of the Online LEGO Community! |first=David |last=Eaton |date=July 25, 2013 |website=[[Brickset]] Forum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150625050417/http://www.bricksetforum.com:80/discussion/11594/20th-anniversary-of-the-online-lego-community |archive-date=June 25, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
<ref name="Engst">{{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]] |location=[[Wikipedia:Indianapolis|Indianapolis]] |year=1994 |first=Adam C. |last=Engst |ISBN=1-56830-111-1 |p=850}}</ref>


<ref name="Myers">{{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=September 17, 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="Myers">{{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=September 17, 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="Randall">{{cite book |title=Plug-n-Play Internet |publisher=Sams Publishing |location=[[Wikipedia:Indianapolis|Indianapolis]] |first1=Neil |last1=Randall |first2=Celine |last2=Latulipe |year=1995 |url=https://archive.org/details/plugnplayinterne0000rand/page/150/mode/2up?view=theater |page=150 |ISBN=0-672-30669-7}}</ref>
<ref name="Seybold">{{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]] |location=[[Wikipedia:New York City|New York]] |ISBN=0-06-113590-9 |p=392}}</ref>
}}
}}


=== Usenet messages ===
=== Usenet messages ===
{{reflist|group=U|refs=
{{reflist|group=U|refs=
<ref name="AFW Leverton">{{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>
<ref name="alt.fan.warlord palms">{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.fan.warlord/c/0tlUuNfG1mg/m/NDxvDY4pLacJ |title=Re: LegoLand in England?? |first=Nick |last=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>


<ref name="AN alt">{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.newgroup/c/Vo_Jd10lNto/m/uWKSud65ffIJ |title=Another listing of newsgroups in the "alt" Usenet hierarchy |author=The Society for Reviling ATnT |date=February 5, 1993 |newsgroup=alt.newgroup |[email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428061839/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.newgroup/c/Vo_Jd10lNto/m/uWKSud65ffIJ |archive-date=28 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="alt.newgroup listing">{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.newgroup/c/Vo_Jd10lNto/m/uWKSud65ffIJ |title=Another listing of newsgroups in the "alt" Usenet hierarchy |author=The Society for Reviling ATnT |date=February 5, 1993 |newsgroup=alt.newgroup |[email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428061839/https://groups.google.com/g/alt.newgroup/c/Vo_Jd10lNto/m/uWKSud65ffIJ |archive-date=28 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="ATHt created">{{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 name="alt.toys.hi-tech created">{{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 name="ATL Bailey">{{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 | message-[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="alt.toys.lego Carter 1993-09-16">{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.lego/c/1PI-5-HDGSk/m/wl6CqpCDCIYJ |title=A thought for discussion... |first=Ron |last=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 name="ATL Carter 930916">{{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 name="ATL Carter 930918">{{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>
<ref name="alt.toys.lego Carter 1993-09-18">{{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 :-) |first=Ron |last=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>
 
<ref name="ATL Koblas 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>


<ref name="ATL LaLiberte">{{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 |author=Daniel LaLiberte |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>
<ref name="alt.toys.lego LaLiberte">{{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 |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>


<ref name="ATT email">{{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>
<ref name="alt.toys.lego Koblas 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 | message-id=[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>


<ref name="NAP Olivers">{{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 |message-id=[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>
<ref name="alt.toys.transformers email">{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/7eSYCY7FFLM/m/X-gM3J57C1UJ |first=Steven |last=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>


<ref name="NG Koblas">{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/news.groups/c/S0RSFxA-Yhk/m/AjU3eXYJn6UJ |title=2nd RFD: rec.toys.lego vs rec.toys.construction (straw poll vote) |first=David |last=Koblas |date=16 November 1993 |newsgroup=news.groups |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428083242/https://groups.google.com/g/news.groups/c/S0RSFxA-Yhk/m/AjU3eXYJn6UJ |archive-date=28 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>  
<ref name="news.admin.policy Erik">{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/news.admin.policy/c/oHfoOarG6Zw/m/0CpWejiaiKMJ |title=Re: Anonymous postings to non-personals newsgroups |first=Erik |last=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>


<ref name="NG Kontei">{{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>
<ref name="news.groups Kontei">{{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>


<ref name="RTL FAQ 940111" group="U">{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/rec.toys.lego/c/sIKvFzRKiz8/m/6FEfB-3QP-EJ |title=LEGO frequently asked questions |author=Tom Pfeifer |date=12 December 1994 |newsgroup=rec.toys.lego | [email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110104728/https://groups.google.com/g/rec.toys.lego/c/sIKvFzRKiz8/m/6FEfB-3QP-EJ |archive-date=10 November 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="rec.toys.lego FAQ 1994-01-11">{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/rec.toys.lego/c/sIKvFzRKiz8/m/6FEfB-3QP-EJ |title=LEGO frequently asked questions |first=Tom |last=Pfeifer |date=12 December 1994 |newsgroup=rec.toys.lego | [email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110104728/https://groups.google.com/g/rec.toys.lego/c/sIKvFzRKiz8/m/6FEfB-3QP-EJ |archive-date=10 November 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="RTL Pfeifer Koblas ATL">{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/rec.toys.lego/c/d41xLJ0jteY/m/j1Nx_Wqn7xUJ |title=Re: rec.toys.lego vs alt.toy.lego Question |author=Tom Pfeifer |date=12 December 1994 |newsgroup=rec.toys.lego | [email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110101153/https://groups.google.com/g/rec.toys.lego/c/d41xLJ0jteY/m/j1Nx_Wqn7xUJ |archive-date=10 November 2024 |url-status=live}} Quoting post by {{cite newsgroup |title=Re: rec.toys.lego vs alt.toy.lego Question |author=David Koblas |date=December 1994 |newsgroup=alt.toys.lego |[email protected] |quote=1 year and 11 months ago I created alt.toys.lego, since I didn't think that rec.toys.lego would pass a vote without some precidence... 11 months ago, I caused the creation of rec.toys.lego and rec.toys.misc based on the success of alt.toys.lego.}}</ref>
<ref name="rec.toys.lego ATL question">{{cite newsgroup |url=https://groups.google.com/g/rec.toys.lego/c/d41xLJ0jteY/m/j1Nx_Wqn7xUJ |title=Re: rec.toys.lego vs alt.toy.lego Question |first=Tom |last=Pfeifer |date=12 December 1994 |newsgroup=rec.toys.lego | [email protected] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110101153/https://groups.google.com/g/rec.toys.lego/c/d41xLJ0jteY/m/j1Nx_Wqn7xUJ |archive-date=10 November 2024 |url-status=live}} Quoting post by {{cite newsgroup |title=Re: rec.toys.lego vs alt.toy.lego Question |author=David Koblas |date=December 1994 |newsgroup=alt.toys.lego |[email protected] |quote=1 year and 11 months ago I created alt.toys.lego, since I didn't think that rec.toys.lego would pass a vote without some precidence... 11 months ago, I caused the creation of rec.toys.lego and rec.toys.misc based on the success of alt.toys.lego.}}</ref>
}}
}}


Revision as of 03:21, 14 August 2025

rec.toys.lego
A rec.toys.lego message from September 1994 viewed in a Windows 3.1 newsreader
Type of site
Usenet newsgroup
Available inEnglish
Created byDavid Koblas
URLrec.toys.lego
Launched
  • January 1993 (ATL)
  • 10 January 1994; 31 years ago (1994-01-10) (RTL)

rec.toys.lego is a Usenet newsgroup.

History

The alt.toys.lego newsgroup was created by David Koblas[U 1] in January 1993.[1][note 1] It was the first of a number of toy-related newsgroups in the alt.* hierarchy;[3] others created later in 1993 included alt.toys.hi-tech in May and alt.toys.transformers in September.[U 8][U 9] Although alt.toys.lego received continuous activity after its creation,[3] 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 as a result.[1] 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.[U 11][U 12]

Notes

  1. ↑ The exact date of its creation is unknown. The earliest alt.toys.lego post archived on Google Groups is from 18 February 1993.[U 2] A list of alt.* newsgroups from 5 February 1993 does not include alt.toys.lego;[U 3] however, an archived message in alt.fan.warlord (a newsgroup dedicated to mocking bizarre signatures)[2] quotes an alt.toys.lego message dated 5 February 1993,[U 4] and alt.toys.lego is mentioned in a news.admin.policy message from 8 February 1993.[U 5] Koblas's rec.toys.lego proposal from 14 October 1993 refers to alt.toys.lego as having been active for nine months,[U 6] and the FAQ post from 11 January 1994 claims alt.toys.lego had existed for "almost one year".[U 7]
  2. ↑ A rec.toys newsgroup had previously been suggested in news.groups in April 1993, though it had not been created.[U 10]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Eaton, David (July 25, 2013). "20th Anniversary of the Online LEGO Community!". Brickset Forum. Archived from the original on June 25, 2015.
  2. ↑ Kehoe, Brendan P. (1994). Zen and the Art of the Internet (3rd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: PTR Prentice Hall. p. 47. ISBN 0-13-121492-6. The newsgroup alt.fan.warlord is a dumping ground for the most heinous of signature violations. In the course of reading news, people occasionally do follow-ups into alt.fan.warlord to show off their latest discoveries — talking whales, ten-line-high cacti, and a variety of other ASCII miracles.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Myers, Eric G. (September 17, 1996). "A Brief History of Toy-Related Usenet Newsgroups". Raving Toy Maniac. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024.

Usenet messages

  1. ↑ Pfeifer, Tom (12 December 1994). "Re: rec.toys.lego vs alt.toy.lego Question". Newsgroup: rec.toys.lego. Usenet: [email protected]. Archived from the original on 10 November 2024. Quoting post by David Koblas (December 1994). "Re: rec.toys.lego vs alt.toy.lego Question". Newsgroup: alt.toys.lego. Usenet: [email protected]. 1 year and 11 months ago I created alt.toys.lego, since I didn't think that rec.toys.lego would pass a vote without some precidence... 11 months ago, I caused the creation of rec.toys.lego and rec.toys.misc based on the success of alt.toys.lego.
  2. ↑ LaLiberte, Daniel (18 February 1993). "Lego strategy game". Newsgroup: alt.toys.lego. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024.
  3. ↑ The Society for Reviling ATnT (February 5, 1993). "Another listing of newsgroups in the "alt" Usenet hierarchy". Newsgroup: alt.newgroup. Usenet: [email protected]. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024.
  4. ↑ Leverton, Nick (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...
  5. ↑ Olivers, Erik (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.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ Pfeifer, Tom (12 December 1994). "LEGO frequently asked questions". Newsgroup: rec.toys.lego. Usenet: [email protected]. Archived from the original on 10 November 2024.
  8. ↑ USENET news (20 May 1993). "Create newsgroup alt.toys.hi-tech". Newsgroup: alt.toys.hi-tech. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024.
  9. ↑ Mar, Steven (12 September 1993). "Transformers E-Mailing List". Newsgroup: alt.toys.transformers. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024.
  10. ↑ E. Kontei (23 April 1993). "Test Baloon: rec.toys". Newsgroup: news.groups. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024.
  11. ↑ Carter, Ron (16 September 1993). "A thought for discussion..." Newsgroup: alt.toys.lego. Usenet: [email protected]. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024.
  12. ↑ Carter, Ron (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.
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