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I actually don't like "Signal" either, because it's such a common word that it makes it hard to search for it online. "Telegram" is marginally better, since ori
by simias 6y ago
I actually don't like "Signal" either, because it's such a common word that it makes it hard to search for it online. "Telegram" is marginally better, since original telegrams are not very relevant today.
But yeah Element is arguably even worse, it's a super common noun and it doesn't seem to have anything to do with communication.
But in the end these naming discussions are always going to end up as bikeshedding. If the tech is good it'll probably manage to be successful despite its mediocre name.
- partyboat1586 6y agoThis name is not mediocre, it's sub par. It's not searchable, memorable on its own or memorable in relation to what it's for. You need at least one of those.
- feteru 6y agoIn the post they described searchability as one of the strenghts, as the top hits were dictionary link. They also said they're currently #4 for Riot, proving the viability of "dictionary names." As far as memorability, the whole Element in Matrix network is a little corny/convoluted to me, but oh well.
- mycall 6y agoWait until they start adding to it. Element Prime Element Whisper
- rocha 6y agoIt is not great, but it is also not a disaster. See Go, React, Rust, Processing, Atom, Windows, etc...
- ethelward 6y agoI agree that these names are kind of meh, but they stand for things that will mostly be chosen on their technical merit, and that you don't have to sell to your friends/mom/gf/brother/etc; so it does not really matter.
- rocha 6y agoRight, good point. It is a quality of uniqueness for searchability and marketability. On top of my head I can only think of a couple of counterexamples: Windows and Messenger, but your point is still very valid. I guess in practice, for search purposes, we will see some kind of suffix attached to the name, Element Chat or similar.
- wolco 6y agoWindows makes sense. Windows to the world. Go has a sensible keyword: golang for searchability. Atom is awful. Rust is awful (programs rust and fall apart over time). React is not bad, it reacts to data changes. Processing is unknown to me.
- rocha 6y agoI was trying to address the point of the parent comment, that using common words is detrimental to searchability. I think that is true, but as shown by the examples I gave, it is not catastrophic and can be worked around. Processing: https://processing.org/ https://processing.org/
- badrabbit 6y agoAtom and rust have a technical audience
- anon_cow1111 6y agoMint's default image viewer is called Pix. I tried looking up a crash/bug I was getting... it's basically impossible to search for. I still don't know what some developers are thinking when they name things.
- mekster 6y agoWho would use a word "element" in their daily conversation that is indistinguishable from the context? You must be some scientist? I don't see people crying over the company name Apple.