Mindrunner... You've already seen this username if you frequent the BrickPirate forum . But ultimately, you know very little about the person who ensures the smooth running 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 friendly, discreet and dedicated character whose MOCs and works in progress can be seen in his gallery: Mindrunner Web Gallery (Don't miss his MoonBase 2012 project, it's a big one).
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 ) was going around to various websites and forums to promote his forum, like many others were doing for theirs. Originally, Legopirate was a personal website linked to a forum, focused on LEGO and manga. I joined in October 2006, as the twenty-seventh member. I quickly became a moderator, then an administrator. I've held this role for quite some time now; Nicolas's departure 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 and also its webmaster. My main responsibility is to maintain BrickPirate in optimal working order: software deployment, database maintenance, code modification according to our needs, contact with our hosting provider, especially in case of server failure...
As an administrator, my role is theoretically to make the decisions. In practice, BrickPirate is run by a supportive and highly capable team; we make decisions together. The administrator also promotes moderators and grants them the corresponding permissions. And, of course, I'm also a 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'd even say I like it. It's in my nature, I suppose.
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's most striking and what immediately comes to mind is the increase in the number of LEGO fans. The enthusiasm and motivation of the online community has compensated for the lack of communication from LEGO and the associations (members of the LEGO community ). In France, at least. People have rediscovered LEGO, become interested again, and many have gone from being nostalgic to AFOLs (Adult Fans of LEGO). Far be it from me to downplay the role of the associations, but it must be said that their online communication was very limited for a long time. Yet it's a crucial channel. The existence of the two major forums, BrickPirate and SeTechnic, has allowed many people who felt isolated to connect virtually, share their passion, and discover the AFOL community, its essential websites, and its tools. And afterwards, sometimes, we meet up irl ( in real life ), 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: This goes back a few years now, 2002 I think. The goal is to design interconnectable modules to create, often for exhibitions, a collaborative lunar base. For this to work, a number of standards were developed. Dimensions and locations of junction points, corridors, the surface area (in 48 x 48 cm tiles), etc... I summarized the key points on this topic on 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 at Fanabriques in Rosheim. But it will return to exhibitions. This year if I have the opportunity, later if not. And it will be accompanied by an escort frigate this time. I started its construction about ten days ago; it's already well underway, and I hope to finish it by mid-June.
