Mindrunner, the interview

Mindrunner ... You have already seen this nick if you frequent the forum BrickPirate. But in the end you know very little about the person who oversees the proper functioning of this space for meeting, discussion and exchange around which we all gravitate.

In a few questions, here is something to get to know a little better this sympathetic, discreet and devoted character whose MOCs and work in progress are visible in his gallery: Mindrunner Web Gallery (Don't miss its MoonBase 2012 project, it's heavy).

Hoth Bricks: BrickPirate, ex LEGOpirate, has become the center of the French TFOLs / AFOls community. In a few words, what is the history of this forum, when was it created and how has it evolved over the years?

Mindrunner: Legopirate was launched in January 2006, as far as I know. Nicolas (legopirate) then went around the sites and forums to promote its forum, as many others did for theirs elsewhere. Originally Legopirate was a personal site associated with a forum, on the theme of LEGO and manga. I myself arrived in October 2006, I was the twenty-seventh member. I quickly became a moderator, then an administrator. I've been playing this role for a long time now, the departure of Nicolas formalized things.

HB: You are the administrator of the forum, can you tell us a little more about this "work"? How much time do you spend on it per day?

M: I am the administrator of BrickPirate but also its webmaster. My main responsibility is to maintain BrickPirate in optimal working order: Deployment of software, maintenance of databases, modification of the code according to our needs, contact with our host, especially in case of server failure ...

As an administrator, my role theoretically consists in making the decisions. In practice, BrickPirate is led by a united and very capable team, we take decisions together. It is also the administrator who promotes moderators and grants the corresponding permissions. And then, I am also the moderator.

How much time do I devote to it? It is mainly based on my professional availability. A lot of my free time I would say. And when I do something else, MOCer for example, I still have a tab open on the forum.

HB: You are a very active member of the community, yet you remain discreet. Isn't it sometimes frustrating to work behind the scenes so that the community can benefit from a space for discussion and exchange?

M: Well actually, no. I would even say that I like it. It's in my character I guess.

HB: You have seen the community evolve over the years through the members of the forum. What are the most significant changes in the profile of these AFOLs / TFOLs who frequent the forum?

M: What strikes me most and comes to my mind first is the increase in the number of LEGO fans. The enthusiasm and motivation of the internet community has compensated for the lack of communication of LEGO and assos (associations, editor's note). In France anyway. People have rediscovered LEGOs, are interested in them again and many have gone from nostalgic to AFOLs. Far from me, moreover, the idea of ​​minimizing the role of associations, but we must admit that their communication on the web has long been very limited. It is, however, an essential vector. The existence of the two big forums that are BrickPirate et SeTechnic allowed many people who thought they were isolated to meet virtually, to share their passion, to discover the AFOLs community, its essential sites and its tools. And subsequently, sometimes, to end up irl (in real life: in real life, editor's note), participate in exhibitions and join associations. We have complementary roles.

To come back to AFOLs, another thing has also changed a lot: They are much more uninhibited, they take more responsibility for their passion, I think. And the level has generally evolved, especially thanks to emulation. Talented MOCeurs have made themselves known in the French-speaking community, before being rightly noticed by the international community.

HB: You are obviously drawn to the Space Classic themes and your Moonbase Project is progressing steadily. What are your television, cinematographic or other influences?

M: Most of my influences are not visual, they are novels. Essentially SF. But certain films have influenced me a lot in one way or another. Alien, Aliens the return, Dune, that of Lynch, Star Trek until tenth, Starship Troopers. Series also: Cosmos 1999, Space Beyond and Above, Galactica (The original series), San Ku Kaï. And a lot of anime, starting with Albator, and a few video games.

HB: Can you explain to us in a few words what the standard called "Moonbase" corresponds to?

M: It goes back a few years already, 2002 I believe, the goal is to design all interconnectable modules to create, often in exhibition, a collaborative lunar base. In order for this to work, a number of standards have been developed. Dimensions and locations of junction points, corridors, surface (by 48 x 48 plates), etc ... I have summarized the key points on this topic from the BrickPirate forum: Moonbase standards

One of the big advantages of this system is that you can, during exhibitions, build a large, even very large moonbase with complete strangers. I must however specify, that I do not use the current Monnbase standard, question of size and ease of transport, only. Maybe someday. The other advantage is modularity. You can modify, enlarge, develop your base by arranging the modules differently, by adding modules.

HB: Do you plan to exhibit your creations including the Mallory and the Moonbase this year, and at what event?

M: The S. Mallory has already been exhibited. Twice in 2009, in Cholet (49) and in Fanabriques in Rosheim. But he will come back to the exhibitions. This year if I have the chance, later if not. And he will be accompanied by an escort frigate this time around. I started its construction ten days ago, it is already well advanced, I hope to finish it by mid-June.