this post was submitted on 03 Jun 2024
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[–] Floon@lemmy.ml 44 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (5 children)

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.

[–] chicagohuman@lemm.ee 30 points 5 months ago (3 children)

It should be renamed to GLIMPSE. Gnu/Linux Image Manipulation Program Special Edition

[–] ultratiem@lemmy.ca 3 points 5 months ago
[–] LunarLoony@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 5 months ago

I liked GLIDE, which was suggested a few years ago, though I can't remember what the acronym was now

[–] ultratiem@lemmy.ca 29 points 5 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] beefbot@lemmy.blahaj.zone 16 points 5 months ago (1 children)

It reeks of 12 year old boy saying “FART” to make his friends laugh

[–] ultratiem@lemmy.ca 10 points 5 months ago

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!

[–] baggins@beehaw.org 21 points 5 months ago

This. No amount of excuses or lengthy explanations. It's childish and unprofessional.

[–] state_electrician@discuss.tchncs.de 17 points 5 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] _MusicJunkie@beehaw.org 7 points 5 months ago

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.

[–] DavidDoesLemmy@aussie.zone 8 points 5 months ago (2 children)

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.

[–] Martineski@lemmy.dbzer0.com 25 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Meanwhile I still don't know what gimp is besides it being a graphics software.

[–] Liz@midwest.social 14 points 5 months ago (2 children)

A gimp is any of the following:

  1. A cripple
  2. A particular kind of BDSM role
  3. Twisted silk, worsted, or cotton with cord or wire running through it, used chiefly as upholstery trimming.
  4. (in lacemaking) coarser thread which forms the outline of the design in some techniques.
  5. fishing line made of silk bound with wire.

The last three I got from the internet.

[–] Mint@lemmy.one 12 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Gimp is a slur for people with physical disabilities in the UK at least

[–] Liz@midwest.social 3 points 5 months ago

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.

[–] ultratiem@lemmy.ca 3 points 5 months ago

Same in Canada and the US. If someone calls you a gimp, it’s a derogatory term that belittles your physical abilities.

[–] Martineski@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Ok, now the name is actually weird.

[–] reka@beehaw.org 2 points 5 months ago

"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?"

[–] ultratiem@lemmy.ca 20 points 5 months ago

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”?