Hello Everybody... I am a new BSG fan, being that I was introduced to it earlier this year by my boyfriend, BlueSquad2001. When I was growing up we, of course, watched only the TV programs that Dad watched. He was not into Sci Fi of any kind. I totally missed out on BSG as a kid.
I won't beat around the bush about why I joined today. The reason is because I think there is indeed a huge misunderstanding going on. I want to try to ask those who are upset to take three deep breaths, exhaling slowly, and then read on:
First of all I would like to ask those involved in this "argument" to please acknowledge that it is pretty easy to have misunderstandings on the internet. For the most part, we don't know each other personally, we may come from very different backgrounds, and when we communicate in text only, then the recipient of the message misses out on tone of voice and facial expressions.
Although I am not a model-builder, I have always loved making things... anything, whether it be ceramic frogs, flower pots, macrame owls, or sock monkeys. Naturally I was interested in the BSG models that BlueSquad2001 was working on as well.
I've been through this entire process with BlueSquad2001 and would like to point out a few things. The order in which things happen is important I think.
1. Yes, BlueSquad2001 was upset about the way information is hoarded and protected, making it hard for people to create their own accurate models. This is TRUE.
2. When people began to send him information (which was about the shuttle, not the viper) and asked him NOT to share it with anybody, he expressed to me that he had no choice but to keep these images and blueprints to himself. He hasn't given them to anyone, and he does not intend to. I would be mad at him if he did.
3. He has spent about $1500 on models to collect all the necessary greeblies for the Galactica, Viper, Cylon Raiders, and the Blaster. Many of these models haven't been in production for many years. It was quite a task for him to find all of these models and purchase them. There has been about $1000 more invested in this project by me (getting supplies, tools, a place to do the work, etc.)
4. After purchasing the models, he went through the painstaking task of identifying every piece that was used on a BSG model. He has probably spent 3 months on this. His "sources" for the viper and galactica have been photographs that he got off the internet and also from taking movie stills and magnifying them many times and was NOT any secret information/data that somebody entrusted him with.
5. He spent the $$, did the research, and took the time to deal with figuring out the greeblies. THIS information, which is based on his own research, is what he is willing to share with others. He does NOT want anybody else to have to go through this kind of expense and research to build a model.
As for his personality, he too has made the mistake of taking a defensive posture when no attack was intended. It happens. I've seen him apologize for doing so. His approach can often come across as quite abrasive, and I fuss at him for it big time. (When you see that somebody is acting differently than normal, then please realize that some people have bad days... I won't get into his personal life here, but BlueSquad2001 has recently been revisited by some very traumatic memories. I'll leave it at that.)
I think it would have been better for the person upset with him to contact him personally and privately to discuss the matter and make SURE that there was no misunderstanding happening. To go and trash somebody's reputation without taking all precautions first is completely irresponsible and juvenile behavior. I find such a person who is liberal with blame and insults to be severely lacking in credibility.
Now for the name-calling... It doesn't matter who started it. Just stop it. Both of you. I don't care if you're having a bad day or whatever... just calm down and don't post until you can act nice (and more adult-like).
Sorry that I had to introduce myself this way. Can we just be nice now? (Group hug???? OK - OK - I won't push it... LOL) :love
