Can't Say that In a Board Room [LWN.net]

Can't Say that In a Board Room

Posted Apr 7, 2005 19:28 UTC (Thu) by gduval (guest, #11868)
In reply to: Can't Say that In a Board Room by huffd
Parent article: Mandrakesoft announces name change

This is very natural to reject a new name, but we strongly believe that progressively, most people will all naturally associate "Mandriva" to the Linux distribution, without doing negative mental associations. When I created Mandrake Linux, I received as well *a lot* of complaints about the name. Someone - David Coursey writing for ZDNet - even wrote 'who would use a Linux distribution called Mandrake?' (and he said the same for KDE).

We were actually prepared to mixed reaction, because we knew that 'Mandriva' was not a consensual choice. But we wanted something *not* consensual because we plan to build a very strong trademark with Mandriva, and you don't build a strong trademark on a consensual choice.

Can't Say that In a Board Room

Posted Apr 8, 2005 14:55 UTC (Fri) by headsman (guest, #17057) [Link] (2 responses)

Hi Gael,

I'm glad you have a new name, because it also solve some suing problems. But as a french canadian, I also find that this is absolutely not a good name. Please, consider reading the mandrake club posts on the contest page (for the name propagation). I agree with the english posters. There are excellent counter propositions and i feel like the company should have made a pool to ask the community.

Can't Say that In a Board Room

Posted Apr 11, 2005 10:31 UTC (Mon) by gduval (guest, #11868) [Link] (1 responses)

Hi!

what's a "good name"? It doesn't exist! We wanted something that doesn't leave people without an opinion, so I think we at least succeeded on this side.

Additionally, we're very confident that in less than one year, people will just think about us and our products when talking about "Mandriva", there won't have other feeling associated with the name.

I read a post about someone who hated the brandname "Verizon" when it appeared, but now he thinks the name is OK...

Anyways, it's absolutely not time anymore to think about an alternative. All associated trademarks have been checked and registered, all our graphics and websites are being changed with the new name etc.

Can't Say that In a Board Room

Posted Apr 11, 2005 23:07 UTC (Mon) by headsman (guest, #17057) [Link]

Thanks for taking the time to answer because I know you have read/answer a lot of comments like mine! I had the week-end to think about all that, and I think you are right. I think I'll get used very quickly. Any-way this will not change my appreciation of Mandriva Linux and all the good stuff you compagny has bring.

"Anyways, it's absolutely not time anymore to think about an alternative."

Yep, at that point, it is now time to go forward (for me and others) and I'm eager to see the next release very soon! Good luck and keep up the great work. Be sure of my support despise my reaction to this new name.