Lots of very interesting points here. I'm going to have to think on them for a while.
Thanks for that, Roger. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roger Ackroyd" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 6:51 AM Subject: Re: Use of "Geronimo" as a project name > Jules Gosnell wrote: > > Guys, > > > > 'Geronimo', according to a quick google, is simply spanish for 'Jerome' > > and was a soubriquet given, probably by Mexican soldiers, to a > > particularly admirable Apache called 'Goyathlay'. > > > > > > Since it is not a native American name and already in widespread use, I > > really don't see anyone reasonable being offended by our adoption of the > > name. > > True. But is that the kinda wishy washy thing one might have to say and then > be quoted by the press-corps when this thing gets wheeled out. > > Look at all the rest of the Apache project names and there is not one that > links one individual in the history of any single nation until Geronimo. All > of them are thing or place nouns proper or otherwise, and in my view that is > the way it should stay. The names should be globally understood, globally > neutral, engaging, interesting as subjects in their own right and in any > speak. Apache project names in general adhere this. > > This project is still in the incubator. By implication meaning that there is > a good chance that it may never hatch. Yet it seems to have already taken a > name that holds some 'flagship' status alongside its parent Apache project > and over and above all of the other Apache projects some of which are > already earning their keep. What do you call the next project if this one > fails? > > Does the Apache project seek all the Hollywood style 'razz-a-ma-taz' alluded > to by Alex Rupp > ?http://nagoya.apache.org/wiki/apachewiki.cgi?ApacheJ2EE/WhyGeronimo > Why should it be such a honour? It could be taken to mean that the name and > memory or Geronimo has been reduced to a mere 'thing'. > > Indian names for western concepts and articles have been around a long time > 'Indian' motorcycles is one example but that died out or got sub-humed > somewhere, 'Tomahawk' cruise-missile is another, but they dont usually come > back at you. So many are used generically, but I still dont see that as an > automatic justification to use them. It is all old time, old fasioned > marketing crapola anyway. Apache project can do better! > > I am sorry Alex, you cannot assume the rest of the world is going to see it > all the way you do. Your 5 reasons are almost entirely US marketing centric > > What does Geronimo mean to a person from the Indian sub-continent or far > east? They are likely to do a quick google and find page after page of > negative stuff about the American Indian in the history of the US. Lets face > the fact that they probably wont get much positive. If they do the same on > say Turbine, Tapestry, Jakarta they will mostly get issue neutral, generally > positive facts about a place or thing. > > If somebody had suggested that name in Larry Ellison's office, I reckon they > would be ducking flying mallets. Try a google on the word 'mallet'. That > would have been an appropriate name because then you could have had a > Weblogic-Mallet, JBoss-Mallet, 9Ias-Mallet etc. to give the press-corps with > equal 'attack' in terms of beating the opposition, without any of the risks > alluded to with the name Geronimo: A 'Warrior' in the truest sense, that > lost. > > None of this of couse will make any difference and I dont think anyone is > taking any notice, as Geronimo is already in the class and package > structures issued thus far. The decision is taken. > > I for one think this naming decision is wrong. I hope it does not come back > to bite either itself, or the Apache project as a whole. Why does it even > take the risk of being 'scalped'? > If I am not the only one, then speak now or forever hold your peace. I > recknon now, is about the last squeak for getting it changed. Otherwise, I > shall consider the matter at a close for me and put up with it. > > Thanks if you took the time to read this > > Roger > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Shane Caraveo" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 6:17 PM > Subject: [geronimo-dev] Re: Use of "Geronimo" as a project name > > > > Hello, > > > > IMO If it doesn't matter to use a non-native name for your projects, > > then pick something non-native and avoid sensitive cultural issues that > > would only provide the possibility of sidetracking the project. > > > > > > Regards, > > Shane > > > > > >
