this post was submitted on 03 Jun 2024
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The name holds it back more than you know. No EP or AD wants to put "The GIMP" on their software list for a project. I have to have a conversation with someone ensuring we're good on all our licenses, and they ask, "What is this GIMP thing?" Answering it makes me sound like an unprofessional jackass. The company would rather just pay Adobe.
Most of the world does not have English as a first language and thus the meaning of the word "gimp" is not widely known. Personally I do agree that the name is dumb, but it's a very English as a first language issue. My daughter is learning to do basic stuff with GIMP in school because it's free. The name is not an issue because nobody knows what a gimp is.
I'll use the cliche meme of "I was today years old when I learned where the name comes from". Just made the connection when I read this article, and I love Pulp Fiction.
But I too am not a native English speaker. Just always accepted the clunky acronym as the reason for the name.
This. No amount of excuses or lengthy explanations. It's childish and unprofessional.
It should be renamed to GLIMPSE. Gnu/Linux Image Manipulation Program Special Edition
I liked GLIDE, which was suggested a few years ago, though I can't remember what the acronym was now
YES! 👏👏
I guess you can't quantify how much the name has helped it. How many people remember it because of its quirky name. Without knowing both numbers it's hard to know if it's a net positive or negative.
No one. No one remembers it fondly because it’s got a “quirky” name. That’s not how software works. People use software because it’s useful. Not because it’s edgy or has memorable branding. I would rather a competent design tool period. The name is irrelevant. We aren't selling cookies or an energy drink. We are empowering people to get things done. You think your spoon with a hole in it is going to sell because you call it “Faggot”?
Meanwhile I still don't know what gimp is besides it being a graphics software.
A gimp is any of the following:
The last three I got from the internet.
Gimp is a slur for people with physical disabilities in the UK at least
Same in Canada and the US. If someone calls you a gimp, it’s a derogatory term that belittles your physical abilities.
It's kinda a slur in the US in the sense that people claim it's a slur, but I've never heard anyone actually use it that way.
Ok, now the name is actually weird.
"Eww, like the coarser thread which forms the outline of the design in some lacemaking techniques!? That is just a bit gross don't you think?"
I don’t even want to tell people I use it because of its name. I would never bring it up in a work setting in this day and age when I look at Slack and see everyone list their pronouns.
The fact they haven’t clued into this is just wild to me. A shame it throws the work of so many people under the bus.
Also, to call it after the Pulp Fiction character is insane to me. Let alone that everyone on the team signed off on it. What were the second choices? Diarrhea? Herpes? Like dafuq.
It reeks of 12 year old boy saying “FART” to make his friends laugh
Or some edgelord trying to get people to watch 2 girls 1 cup back in the day. The scene in the movie was deeply disturbing. It actually made my partner at the time cry because she had been SAed before. Even for me, I did not enjoy and while the movie was amazing, the scene only took away from the film (I know the entire thing was hyper violent and disturbing).
I can’t even imagine referring to it let alone thinking back on it fondly. I always thought GIMP was an acronym. This news shook me because I’m actually on the contributor list.
Also, I would never admit its origin in this day and age. I’m still in shock learning this!