Live Auctions (A sensible thread)

[badpenny]

A fortnight ago I got back from my weekend in Lincoln to find all sorts of high dudgeon flying around concerning the Buckley Bones. This week the ignition was barely untwisted when I discovered our beloved forum had for the first time in history ( I believe) had to lock a thread.

I wanted to answer the question from JRA

Hello all AGAIN,
Having read all the comments regarding the auction I can understand the reasons for the one a year approach (costs etc)
So if two a year is not possible why not alternate between north and south every other year? Just a thought.
Regards JRA.

Yes, it could be done that way, however not only do we get the favourable rates we do because it's every year. But: -
There's a small village just outside Coventry called Meridan for a reason.
We know that Coventry works.
Running an auction South of the gap increases the largest of our overheads by nearly 400%

Although we don't rule out any options we are not envisaging changing plans this time round.
We need to realise that wherever you place an auction it will always inconvenience somebody.
Historically I remember ..........
Cambridge & Huntingdon (not even on decent major roads) and not central
A poxy little village called Thringstone and somewhere on Cannock Chase that were on "B" roads all for no better reason than I was running pubs in those god forsaken places. They were well attended, I can't comment on what happened on a pier in North Wales (turn left after the second to last pine tree) except I seem to remember false promises concerning a Bryans Bumper that persuaded a few to stock up on Red Cross food parcels and forge a trail in that direction.

Coventry will do for us and seems to cover most people's needs. If we've whetted anyone's appetite to have a go, please do, we'll be happy to share our experiences of what does or doesn't work. It won't be through an open forum like this, it'll cost you a few pints at least in a pub more civilised than the ones I used to have.
Oh, you'll also need to be a mature, non self attention seeking trouble maker. I've never had a penchant for suffering fools in my day to day life, I sure as hell don't intend to allow my hobby to be so tainted.

Thank you one and all for letting Jerry and I explain the why's and wherefores behind Coventry. I repeat what I said at the end of the last post I did ................
None of what we do is set in concrete, every year Jerry and I approach the next auction as if it were the first, but with always the same objectives.

Give the hobby a great day, be legal, not lose money and not kill the goose with extortionate commissions. To do that we only really need two things your lots and your presence on the day.

edited one time because of my spilling

[JC]

Having been otherwise occupied over the weekend, I now find that what I had intended posting in the 'not so sensible thread' is now not possible because it's been locked. One way or another though, I WILL say what needs to be said. However, in the meantime, I'll just say the following in this 'sensible' thread:

Through my impetuous anger, my post in the 'not so sensible' thread included reference to a certain Mr Hunt, who actually had nothing to do with that particular topic. Whilst I can't do anything about his honesty or integrity, I shouldn't have called him names - and for that, I apologise.

Jerry

[jra]

Hello Badpenny,
Thank you for the explanation, Point taken.
Regards jra.

[coppinpr]

Looking at all the pros and cons of using Coventry, it has to be said that if there is to be only one auction per year, it should probably be in Coventry.
Having said that, I'd like to add a couple of comments, first, if someone is prepared to do it correctly and risk the cost, the only real way of finding out if (a) an auction in the South is a good idea and (b) if the hobby can stand two auctions per year, is to actually do it with the blessing and help of the people on this forum. Second, (and please don't anyone take offence at this, it's a fact, not my own idea) - although the physical boundary of the country falls about Coventry, the fiscal divide line is much further South. An auction close to London would, I feel, be better attended, be more attractive to sellers and generate more sales. It would, I'm sure, attract possible buyers with money to spend from outside the hobby and generate new collectors. Even lightly advertised in say 'Time out', it would attract a lot of casual lookers. My experiences of putting on antique fairs and the like would lead me to think a modest entrance fee would go much further than you might think to covering costs (1000 casual onlookers looking for something new to look at on a Sunday is a real possibility). The key would be a large entry of items for sale. I'll certainly help out all I can, but I work Tues to Sat, so not a lot of free time towards the weekend. So, anyone interested in trying to put it together? A group of us perhaps?

[doofus]

Fiscal divide! Bless you, how could anyone take offence at being lumped into the penniless-yokels-up-north category. It's an honour to be insulted by you, guv'nor. "Horse and Hound" or "Lady" might attract a better class of tyre-kicker, don't you think?

[JC]

The above, almost word for word, could have been written by either me or Jeremy a few years ago. Unfortunately, from experience, we might now take a less positive view. At the risk of going over already well-trodden ground, we did originally intend two auctions a year; one in Coventry (or somewhere in the Midlands) and one further south - seemed like a bloody good idea at the time!

We chose Sarratt, in Hertfordshire for the spring venue, which is ideally located within easy travelling distance from the M25. The first year (2007) went OK and was well supported but the second was frankly a bit of a flop. Now, that could just have been a fluke, and had we continued, the following year may have been a roaring success. We'll never know.

However, we took the view that one big event per year was probably the way to go and that trying to run two would merely dilute the limited material available, I.E. machines and other related items that sellers were able to offer as lots.

The yearly 'Coventry auction' since then has worked well and has become an event to which everyone (well, almost everyone) looks forward, probably because it only comes round once a year. I do still have doubts as to whether the hobby could support two such events.

Like it or not (and I certainly don't), ours is very much a specialist interest. Consider this: Fairground - modern, vintage, steam, whatever. Most members of the general public would consider anyone who counted 'fairgrounds' among their hobbies as erring perhaps just slightly towards the weird. I've just taken a look at the All the Fun of the Fair website (a great site by the way) - their forum has 2486 members. Now take a look at how many members our forum has.

Whilst I don't doubt there are members of the public who would share our interest, to one extent or another, the problem is creating awareness. I've no idea how much advertising in Time Out would cost, nothing short of an arm and a leg I suspect, but certainly a hell of a lot more than, say The Worlds Fair - in which I placed an ad. for our first Coventry auction. That ad. cost over £150, and I sold one catalogue as a result.

No one more than me would like to see our interest grow; to create massive public awareness and enthusiasm; to watch countless television programmes about slot machines rather than bloody Pop Idol (or whatever it's called these days), but as with many things in life, I do believe it's much easier said than done.

[coppinpr]

Fiscal divide! Bless you, how could anyone take offence at being lumped into the penniless-yokels-up-north category. It's an honour to be insulted by you, guv'nor. "Horse and Hound" or "Lady" might attract a better class of tyre-kicker, don't you think?

LIKE I SAID! please don't take offence, like it or not, the North South money divide is a FACT and LIKE I SAID! that is not my view just a fact of life. There are a lot more jobs in the South.

The above, almost word for word, could have been written by either me or Jeremy a few years ago. Unfortunately, from experience, we might now take a less positive view.

You may very well be right and, like I said, only trying it out will tell, perhaps no one will be willing to join me in giving it a try. Does anyone think it worth looking into it?

We chose Sarratt, in Hertfordshire

People in the South think Watford is the Midlands, just as people in the North think Hertfordshire is close to London. I guess that divide shows up again. My view would be to hold the Southern auction very close to London in the money belt (Surrey, and still on the M25). The basic idea of Coventry's position is it's got a big catchment area. Not a good idea to hold another within that catchment area. Pitch it at people who are too far from Coventry (i.e. on the other side of London). Yes, you might lose some of the regulars from North of Coventry, but you might as well hold two in Coventry if you want the same people to come. I'm thinking new people, collectors, forum members and walk ins. It may very well not work, but I think worth a try.

[treefrog]

I guess the question is how far is too far to travel....For me just under 3 hours, which I think is fine and even if I were selling items that should not be an issue for most. Having just google mapped a number of destinations all within 3 hours includes all the South (Excluding Cornwell), most of Wales and up far North as Darlington. Beyond that and you are at a disadvantage, so for people in Newcastle or Carlisle , your looking at 3.5 hours. Over the border and it's a different story. So in answer, I reckon Coventry is pretty central for 90% of UK (Within 3 hours) and Wales.
London is not far at all 1hr 50 mins by Car.

The only feedback I would mention, which was loosely brought up by Slider is space. Of course I know you may not want it to get much bigger, but space is a constraint, especially trying to view and for the porters. To be honest, having been to many auction houses, this problem exists everywhere (they of course dangerously often stack furniture), but I guess spilling into the next bar area is not an option and then there is always using some of the seating area, especially in from of the bar for more machines..

[slider]

Looking at all the pros and cons of using Coventry, it has to be said that if there is to be only one auction per year, it should probably be in Coventry.
Having said that, I'd like to add a couple of comments, first, if someone is prepared to do it correctly and risk the cost, the only real way of finding out if (a) an auction in the South is a good idea and (b) if the hobby can stand two auctions per year, is to actually do it with the blessing and help of the people on this forum. Second, (and please don't anyone take offence at this, it's a fact, not my own idea) - although the physical boundary of the country falls about Coventry, the fiscal divide line is much further South. An auction close to London would, I feel, be better attended, be more attractive to sellers and generate more sales. It would, I'm sure, attract possible buyers with money to spend from outside the hobby and generate new collectors. Even lightly advertised in say 'Time out', it would attract a lot of casual lookers. My experiences of putting on antique fairs and the like would lead me to think a modest entrance fee would go much further than you might think to covering costs (1000 casual onlookers looking for something new to look at on a Sunday is a real possibility). The key would be a large entry of items for sale. I'll certainly help out all I can, but I work Tues to Sat, so not a lot of free time towards the weekend. So, anyone interested in trying to put it together? A group of us perhaps?

i for one would most certainly be interested in at least 'trying it out' in any capacity, financially as well as practically just to be part of it, and for nothing else than just the joy of taking part if that's all that ever came out of the whole enterprise... it would be nice of course to be able to break-even (or even make a small gain) but even so i'd still do it just for the craic + having worked in the past mainly in advertising (not law as someone wrongly implied, advertising being a job where good literacy is a requirement btw) perhaps i'd also be able to contribute something to it along those lines too e.g. adverts in time out's a nice enough idea albeit probably quite expensive, a better (plus far cheaper) working idea perhaps being along the lines of provoking public interest in the media with articles rather than expensive advertising in order to gain as much as poss an element of free advertising etc, e.g. a public 'first' (in anything really) tends to make the news if ya let enough people in the industry know about it, it could even make the early evening local tv news as an upcoming event for example, with people interviews for those involved + why we're doing it etc, with images of fancy + loveable old slots and the like etc etc... could actually work to promote lots of interest from the paying public, especially if it involved their families to some degree!

on another matter (and i didn't know where else to post this seeing as the other thread has now been locked + i wouldn't mind laying it all to rest) i tend to see now perhaps more why people have maybe been a bit 'off' with me shall we say? in which case please let it be known that i had absolutely nothing 'whatsoever' to do with that buckley bones other than as just another potential buyer... i mean, i can understand if, for some reason, people may have suspected i was on here promoting it with my win a prize competition, however nothing could have been actually farther from the truth + there is someone here who i know can actually vouch for that (i wont ask them to but they're most definitely here and know that not to be the case!), the actual reason i ran the competition being just my novel way of not only introducing myself to the group as a new member, but it also doubled as a way of my indirectly asking everyone what they actually thought a bones was worth so i could consider buying it myself + thus have some clue what (or how high) to bid...

and so now at least 'some' of the weirdest remarks i've received of late begin to make a bit more sense (like the guy who said i'd obviously been trying to pull the wool over people's eyes?? lol i really had trouble trying to figure 'that' one out, it was just crazy! + i'd wondered why the winner didn't claim their prize!) but in the light of the above i 'can' nevertheless possibly see now how that festering suspicion might have seemingly somewhat tainted anything else i subsequently said and did, plus i wasn't really 'slagging-off' coventry so much as just being an oliver twist asking for more? (more? more?? we'll give ya more! lol)

hehe and so anyway, back to the 'real' subject and substance of that by-now almost 'infamous' post ("infamy, infamy, they've all got it infamy! --kenneth williams i believe heh + yes here it is on youtube, so how handy is that! - - funny stuff) which was... putting it on the table as a suggestion to make/create (plus even maybe indirectly help to 'revive') the old slots world for all the reasons already stated elsewhere...

i particularly liked pennymachines picture of something along these lines...

quote... (+ ahem, edited for brevity )

A nice big venue hired for two days, to which all collectors are invited to bring a selection of their finest machines to be played and displayed for the mutual pleasure of all (including a ticket paying public). Such a fabulous exhibition of British slot machines would no doubt engender much bartering and trading.
a) collectors would bear the cost and aggro of transporting their machines for little more than the pleasure of showing them off;
b) someone was prepared to organize and run it;
c) ticket sales would support it;

plus one could add to that ways and means for people taking part to maybe cover their costs in some manner - e.g. and as stated/suggested previously: that brighton guy with all those really great machines under the pier might conceivably cover his costs via the public paying to play on his machines at the show, in which case it's also in his own interests to then take as many nice machines of his to the show as possible, especially if it was somewhat also out of season and he wouldn't be earning much otherwise kinda thing, potentially it could even boost his income!)

a big enough event would, i think, also almost definitely arouse public interest (why are we doing it questions in the media etc etc also = free advertising + maybe advertising sponsors could thus also be found to help offset costs)

that what we 'can' do here is 'brainstorm' the event (so to speak) the idea being to list all the requirements and desirable ideas

e.g...

a/ what kind of event it should actually be (my suggestion e.g. being a show initially with side/off sales)
b/ who and what should be invited to participate (i'd suggest everyone and everything basically haha, from pinball machines to old bandits, juke boxes to old cash registers, pussy shooters to bowling lanes + steer-a-balls to mutascopes - everything iow! the lot! we could even invite elements of the carters steam fair along (i say elements if only because i have a bit of difficulty envisaging a venue actually large enough to accommodate a full size helter skelter and chair-o-planes! lol lol + that's a joke btw)
c/ a fair price for all + what time of year to do it so as to maximise everything + give ourselves a chance of at least breaking even the first couple of years or so...

it would also be a real challenge to actually... carry it all off successfully

but oh what a challenge!

[markymark]

Can I just add my comments (well, everyone else is!!! lol)

I attended one of the Coventry Auctions about 3 years ago. It took about 2 hours from Hertfordshire, the venue was a little cramped, lots of machines perched on wonky tables, typical "spit and sawdust" floors, and two guys who throughout the auction, lifted and held up high for all to see, each machine (for which I salute you both, thanks)..... And as for the whole auction and day.... It was one of the best days out to something that allowed me to mingle with like minded people (mechanical slot heads!!!!), loiter around and touch and view an array of old penny machines. (I wouldn't care if you held it in a barn..!!!)

I'd just like to say thank you for organising the events, they do what it says on the tin.. allows us to See, Touch, Play and Buy on the day!
I really appreciated the day you put on, so from me (and I'm sure others on here) a big thank you.
Cheers guys!

PS. No further North though eh guys.. HaHa!!!

[toibs]

We had exactly the same thoughts and issues with Pinball, which whilst I would say has a slightly larger following, has still limited interest.

So - the first "pinball show" was in one of the suites in Aston Villa footie stadium. People were requested to bring games along, and in return would be granted free entry to the show (saving £10/day). However, this was all niche and really only members of the pinball "group" came from all around the country. No real general public. The event struggled to break even, in fact, I don't believe it did.

So - fast forward to last year (2011). Pinball show in Daventry. There's sort of two shows a year now - The pinball show in Daventry (these have all ended up Midlands based because of the convenience and ease for all of those both north and south to get to), still working on the promise that those that bring machines get some costs paid. Over 130 machines last year at the venue. Show is sponsored, and I think may have covered all costs and even made a little last year. There's also "replay" which was originally a video games show in Blackpool, however with a smaller number of machines taking part (60-70), however despite the niche market, still very well attended.

I guess what I'm saying is the Midlands has to be THE venue if it's an annual occurrence, since more people will travel 2 hours than would 4 hours - in fact most come and stay the weekend!

Could there not be something set up alongside the yearly auction to entice people in? Maybe an exhibition on the Saturday where some could show off machines etc., etc., then the auction on the Sunday. Or maybe latch onto another show and tie them in together - you could have the auction as part of the "show" on the Sunday or something, in a separate room in the same venue...

Don't get me wrong - I haven't made it to the Cov auction (I'm only local, however only joined around the time when it took place and didn't know what was going on!), and I cant even begin to understand the amount of behind the scenes work that goes on. I guess I'm just trying to draw parallels with another dying breed of machine owner

Paul

[badpenny]

Hi Paul ....

I attended the pinball show at The Albion I remember it was quite heavily sponsored by one of the computer gaming hardware companies, was it Nintendo or Sony? Anyway I had a great time.

To address the issues you and others are making about making it into a show and tagging the auction on. Attracting members of the public etc.

I say to those thinking about trying an event elsewhere give it a go and throw your energies at it. I hope you have better luck than JC and I had trying that. If you take the time to research all of the threads on this site you'll note that it was only a couple of years ago we dropped the titles of "Show" and "Event" from the Coventry auction.

However pick it up and have a go, things may have changed. We tried all sorts of events and attractions, those attending mainly wanted to turn up, examine the lots, bid, pay and go. Doesn't mean it would always be that way especially South in The Hinterland. Could be a different animal all together.
We shall continue with Coventry so long as we have the lots and buyers turn up, perhaps we're both several years older than when we started and young blood and energy will succeed in areas and methods we didn't.
Some bits of serious advice, do your research, also visit The Elephant House events for further comparison. Go to the large Auction houses that at times sell machines , expensive parking plus horrendous commissions. Rule one in any business so far as I learnt is identify what the customer wants, what's important to them and meet it.
Finally the idea that : -
that brighton guy with all those really great machines under the pier might conceivably cover his costs via the public paying to play on his machines at the show, in which case it's also in his own interests to then take as many nice machines of his to the show as possible, especially if it was somewhat also out of season and he wouldn't be earning much otherwise kinda thing, potentially it could even boost his income!

Is so unbelievably wide of the mark it makes you want to shake your head................ Like I said do your research.

[toibs]

BP,

Was Nokia (and whilst it was "sponsorship" i believe it wasnt a large thing, surprising as they had banners all over the place!), however i guess the point i was trying to make was.... Still didnt break even.

Thing is, currently it works as and where it is. If it aint broke....

[slider]

Finally the idea that : -
that brighton guy with all those really great machines under the pier might conceivably cover his costs via the public paying to play on his machines at the show, in which case it's also in his own interests to then take as many nice machines of his to the show as possible, especially if it was somewhat also out of season and he wouldn't be earning much otherwise kinda thing, potentially it could even boost his income!

Is so unbelievably wide of the mark it makes you want to shake your head................ Like I said do your research.

by all means shake your head sagaciously if you think something isn't correct, but you could then at least explain your reasoning behind it instead of just expecting everyone to automatically understand and go along with it?

i mean, i don't know the guy concerned but presumably he already covers his costs and overheads in brighton from and via the paying public, that is unless he's doing it all entirely out of the goodness of his own heart and nothing more? (which i rather doubt)

in which case he could then 'conceivably' earn an extra 2 days average income (plus possibly a little more if a 2-day show was well attended and thus logically maybe even cover his travelling expenses as well) particularly if he was already closed after the season ends in brighton (i don't know if he does actually close or not for the season btw, but you get my drift i'm sure)

in which case please explain your thinking...

[slider]

Thing is, currently it works as and where it is. If it aint broke....

ahem, we're discussing the possibilities of doing something 'independent' of coventry as an 'extra' event, not that of 'replacing' and/or 'fixing' coventry itself... no one has even suggested anything of that nature, nor anything like it + it would have to be a much larger venue than coventry anyway, and possibly farther south for the reasons already suggested by coppinpr... a 2-day annual event

[slotalot]

Hi slider I know the chap that runs the Brighton arcade, he is a good friend of mine, and I think he would tell you that he is far too busy out of season to take on any other events, and I know for a fact that the last weekend in November takes up most of his spare time. If you think about what I have just posted here, and read between the lines, the penny might just drop
As Badpenny says, research is the key.

[slider]

Hi slider I know the chap that runs the Brighton arcade, he is a good friend of mine, and I think he would tell you that he is far too busy out of season to take on any other events, and I know for a fact that the last weekend in November takes up most of his spare time. If you think about what I have just posted here, and read between the lines, the penny might just drop
As Badpenny says, research is the key.

well thanks for the info... but (smile...) i'd have to beg to differ... (you knew i would heh) - in that if he discovered that many of his friends and peers were to be in fact attending some new + extra annual event in the old slots calendar (in this instance an old slots show), he might just change his mind about fitting it into his own calendar if only as being another opportunity in the year to meet up with his friends again, this time with a selection of his 'best' machines!

i mean, we're not exactly currently over-run with annual events are we

plus please look again at pennymachines initial idea (he wasn't exactly overly-enthusiastic about it and was perhaps just even being sarcastic, but it's a neat idea/concept nonetheless)

A nice big venue hired for two days, to which all collectors are invited to bring a selection of their finest machines to be played and displayed for the mutual pleasure of all (including a ticket paying public). Such a fabulous exhibition of British slot machines would no doubt engender much bartering and trading.
a) collectors would bear the cost and aggro of transporting their machines for little more than the pleasure of showing them off; (plus we're discussing at this point how costs could possibly be offset so as to minimise them if poss, plus others probably 'would' do it for free and/or the chance of bartering/trading anyway)
b) someone was prepared to organize and run it;
c) ticket sales would support it

EDIT.........

i'll add... that obviously already being a good enough business man to maintain his brighton arcade, i'm pretty sure i could convince him that taking part in a show that also advertises (on site) his own arcade's location and wares in brighton to the paying public, would, if nothing else, be a pretty good business idea that potentially generates new visitors! e.g. people might thus decide to go to brighton for the day instead of say: eastbourne or hastings, just to again see/enjoy his machines, and/or he could, for example, hand out flyers at the show offering discounts for anyone bringing said flyers/vouchers along to brighton! something he could certainly afford to do coz they'd all be extra visitors he wouldn't have otherwise had)

[badpenny]

Hi slider I know the chap that runs the Brighton arcade, he is a good friend of mine, and I think he would tell you that he is far too busy out of season to take on any other events, and I know for a fact that the last weekend in November takes up most of his spare time. If you think about what I have just posted here, and read between the lines, the penny might just drop
As Badpenny says, research is the key.

well thanks for the info... but (smile...) i'd have to beg to differ... (you knew i would heh) - in that if he discovered that many of his friends and peers were to be in fact attending some new + extra annual event in the old slots calendar (in this instance an old slots show), he might just change his mind about fitting it into his own calendar if only as being another opportunity in the year to meet up with his friends again, this time with a selection of his 'best' machines!

i mean, we're not exactly currently over-run with annual events are we

plus please look again at pennymachines initial idea (he wasn't exactly overly-enthusiastic about it and was perhaps just even being sarcastic, but it's a neat idea/concept nonetheless)

A nice big venue hired for two days, to which all collectors are invited to bring a selection of their finest machines to be played and displayed for the mutual pleasure of all (including a ticket paying public). Such a fabulous exhibition of British slot machines would no doubt engender much bartering and trading.
a) collectors would bear the cost and aggro of transporting their machines for little more than the pleasure of showing them off; (plus we're discussing at this point how costs could possibly be offset so as to minimise them if poss, plus others probably 'would' do it for free and/or the chance of bartering/trading anyway)
b) someone was prepared to organize and run it;
c) ticket sales would support it

Hi slider....

I was of course only jumping to conclusions that he would be far from interested in being involved. He would of course need to confirm or deny that himself.
You should of course be the one to make any approaches. I thought your efforts would be wasted due to: -

The efforts and work involved in dismantling his mounted machines in Brighton and transporting them in his small van up the motorway in order to remount them, and then repeat the exercise in reverse wouldn't be overly attractive to him.

He tends to be open most weekends of the year and would have to weigh a pretty well known income against closing and moving the whole shebang up the road. Or are you thinking of having an event mid week?

The fact that you publicly rubbished his activities co-running the Coventry Auction and p'eed him off to the point he felt compelled to call you a tosser and a F*ck-wit kind of leads me to assume he's not likely to feel favourable towards anything you'd want to do.

He He LOL innit peeps heh

[slider]

The fact that you publicly rubbished his activities co-running the Coventry Auction and p'eed him off to the point he felt compelled to call you a tosser and a F*ck-wit kind of leads me to assume he's not likely to feel favourable towards anything you'd want to do

totally understanderble hehehe... otoh oliver twist wasn't exactly 'rubbishing' the workhouse so much as just asking for more? and well, this isn't actually about 'me' (or even him come to that) so it's probably best to just leave personalities out of it altogether shall we folks?

rather, what this IS about being something everyone here already 'admittedly' loves and condones: all these lovely old slots!

and that's all that really matters innit peeps eh? hehehe

Ps... plus in the spirit of perhaps healing some old wounds, let's just say instead rather + a little more positively: that as a first time visitor coventry 'inspired' me to aspire to seeing some kind of 'different' event? something i, and maybe others, might also wish/like to see too, some kind of show for example... (better?)

[doofus]

Some forums have a facility to ignore certain members - trolls and idiots for example. Is there such a feature on this site?