Microsoft Windows Accurate Naming Platform
Which sounds more exciting to you: “Atlas” or “ASP.NET 2.0 AJAX Extensions?” I certainly understand the need for having descriptive product names – but I still call “Windows Presentation Foundation” by its original (beta) title. Not only is “Avalon” easier to type, but it’s easier to remember as well. Why does Microsoft suck at naming things? Simple: partners and platforms typically come before the user.
And lest you think I’m insane, think about why “Xbox 360″ wasn’t called “Microsoft Windows Media Extender Games and Entertainment Edition.”
I hear all this talk about how Zune is going to kill the iPod, but… that really remains to be seen. The only thing that’s going to kill the iPod is the iPod itself. At least “Zune” sounds better than what “Zune” rumors to be. But it’s not too late! I’m willing to bet that Zune will be renamed “Microsoft Portable Windows Media Wireless Extender Networking Pocket Communications Edition” before it actually sees the light of day.
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5 Comments
Joe Dempsey, Sr.
September 13th, 2006
at 7:29am
Thank You, Chris.
I thought I was the only one who held that opinion.
Microsoft is notorious for giving their products ugly names.
The most infamous of which is “Windows”. Totally unimaginative.
Michael Markman
September 13th, 2006
at 10:12am
A practical factor: it’s easy to slap a cool codename on a project. Clearing that name for worldwide trademark usage (and snagging a URL) is something else entirely. It adds time and significant cost to any project. If it’s a major new platform like Xbox or Zune, it’s worth it. If it’s a cool feature, it’s hard to justfiy the costs.
Joe Dempsey, Sr.
September 13th, 2006
at 5:31pm
You bean counters seem to have an excuse for everything. And it always seems to come down to the Almighty Dollar. Some things are more important than money. Now I dare you to ask me to justify that last statement.
Michael Markman
September 16th, 2006
at 6:27pm
This is the first time in my life that I’ve been called a bean counter. I’m moved to quote Bugs Bunney, “He don’ know me very well.”
Joshua
August 27th, 2009
at 3:15am
@Joe Dempsey
I don’t think Windows is an unimaginative name, IMHO it’s a pretty good name. It gives impressions of possibly freedom, a portal or some kind of a “window” to opportunities and experiences. Unlike the Macintosh…what the hell is that anyway…isn’t it like a raincoat or something…