Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!wuarchive!udel!mmdf
From: C503719@umcvmb.missouri.edu (Baird McIntosh)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Computer names (was Re: What's ST mean?)
Message-ID: <1112@nigel.udel.EDU>
Date: 9 Oct 89 02:46:50 GMT
Sender: mmdf@udel.EDU
Lines: 50

This belongs in comp.names.meanings or some such place, but I don't know
if there is one of those or how to get it, so...

Question: Is a computer's name a factor in how well it is received/known
          by/to computer users and the public in general?  If it *is*
          a factor (SURE it is!), then how big a factor?
                                                           ,
          Should computers have interesting, bold, or risque (?) names that
          bring a distinct non-computer image to mind and/or should they have
          an ingrained social message?  For example:

            The Commodore Amiga--  the sea captain's female friend?
                                   Is Commodore trying to increase the world's
                                   awareness of the Spanish language and/or
                                   Spanish culture?  Should we study up on
                                   Naval ranks and history?

            The Apple Macintosh--  Shouldn't that be 'Macintosh Apple'?
                                   Is Apple trying to increase the world's
                                   awareness of a specific type of apple and/or
                                   fruits in general?

          Or, should computer names bring a non-distinct, technical, and/or
          military image to mind?  For example:

            IBM anything-- is this an improper acronym for intercontinental
                           ballistic missile?  Does IBM want to bring to mind
                           a serious, 'we mean BUSINESS' computer by using
                           acronyms?  Of course, by calling it's computer
                           the PC, IBM has successfully created the false
                           idea that when one speaks of one's Personal
                           Computer, one is referring to an IBM machine;
                           this is actually quite shrewd marketing.

            Atari ST--     the acronym here has a real meaning, but it may be
                           lost on most people (like so many other XL, GT,
                           EXP, CX, CXI, TPI, etc. acronyms used in product
                           names [not just computers]).  Perhaps it isn't a
                           very interesting name, but you can see the reason
                           behind it. (ST= sixteen thirty-two)

Maybe we should start naming computer's after adverbs or adjectives like
the 'NeXT' computer.  How about the 'First' or the 'Last' or the 'Hairy'
or the 'Platinum' or or or....  There are so many angles to this thing...
The possibilities are endless...but you don't want to read an endless post,
and I have babbled far too long.  Sorry if I made fun of anyone's favorite
computer/computer name.  Now I will sign off and go play with MandelVroom :-)

 # Baird McIntosh  "...Why do people choose to live their lives...this way?"  #
 # INTERNET: c503719@umcvmb.missouri.edu <-or-> BITNET: c503719@umcvmb.bitnet #