[indiana-discuss] Re: [indiana=discuss] Name of Distro?

[Rob Giltrap]

Brian Gupta wrote:
>> The only solution for that, that I can see, is to either:
>> a) Change the name of the distro
>> b) Change the name of the community
>> c) Suffix the names (i.e.: everyone make a concerted effort to say
>> "OpenSolaris Distribution" vs. "OpenSolaris Community")
>>
>> The powers that be seem to not like (a).  The community will almost
>> certainly vote no on (b).  And (c) just seems to have potential for
>> further confusion.  If we couldn't get the messaging straight to begin
>> with, we'll undoubtedly fail at (c).
> I would like to propose a fourth option. OpenSolaris Express Edition.
>
> Express can be interchanged for a possibly more appropriate/desirable
> name. e.g. - Indiana, Standard, (Arbitrary Name), Foobar, Flare,
> Phenomenon, Halo, Neutrino, Fusion, Neutrino, Rapid, Mercury, Solar,
> Genesis, Stellar ... etc. 
A name is a brand and a brand is a VERY valuable thing that takes a 
great deal of time to establish. Ian/Sun are in the process of starting 
to pump significant resources into a brand, as such this discussion is 
very important.

Personally I hate the fact that the project was originally called 
OpenSolaris primarily because it puts up a barrier to the likes of IBM & 
HP, personally I thought this was a great opportunity to allow for a 
reunification of Unix (HP-UX, AIX, Solaris) on a common base but if I 
was from IBM I would be hesitant to market a product called "AIX - an 
OpenSolaris based distribution".

Having got that off my chest, I recognize that OpenSolaris has become an 
established brand over two years and through sheer weight of this brand 
I doubt that it is worthwhile trying to do a rebranding exercise when 
there is so much else to do.

On the basis that the community will remain named OpenSolaris then I am 
happy for the distribution to be named OpenSolaris. I do feel that 
eventually there will come a day when the OpenSolaris community further 
develops, that it may wish to find it's own unique brand.

Personally I do like the concept of the OpenSolaris distro being labeled 
a 'Genesis' distribution in that it would become the origin of Solaris, 
Benelix, Schillix etc