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

[Sara Dornsife]

Rob Giltrap wrote:
> 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".

The use of the trademark is by choice, not requirement, for a 
distribution. If AIX, for example, was in fact based on the OpenSolaris 
distribution, there is no requirement for IBM to call that out. There 
should be great benefit in it and that is what we are building, but no 
one HAS to use it.

That is the same for the code base as it stands today. If a distribution 
is based on the OpenSolaris code base, it can, but does not have to, use 
that brand. Fair use of the trademark allows anyone to say that they are 
based on/built on OpenSolaris if they are in fact based or built on. 
Naming a distribution OpenSolaris doesn't change any of that.

>
> 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
>
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