What would you call a Propeller-based embedded network server? Finalized: "Sp
David Carrier
Posts: 294
Here at Parallax we often let our engineers name the products they develop. This can lead to names that are very accurate, but quite a mouth full, as can be seen in products like the "Motor Mount and Wheel Kit with Position Controller" and the "Propeller Professional Development Board". On occasion we have let everyone here suggest a name, then had a small team decide which one we would use. This has lead to much better product names, such as the Stingray, the QuadRover, and even the Propeller.
I want to take this further, by letting all of you suggest names for one of our upcoming products. I have posted about a new product under development — a Propeller web server, but the product does not have an official name. Let us know what you want the name to be. I cannot guarantee that we will use one of your suggestions, but they will be our primary consideration.
There are no limitations on your suggestions, as long as they are appropriate. (And any individual can suggest more than one name.) You can be technical, artistic, or downright silly. I must warn you though, that I am not a big fan of backronyms, but that does not mean you should suggest them. We will keep the suggestions opening until they start slowing down, then we will put out a last call, wait a few days, and make our decision. If we like you suggestion, we might just send you a free — well, whatever it is that we end up calling it.
Please use this thread for questions and comments about the name, and the New product under development — a Propeller web server thread for technical discussions. In case it provides any inspiration, the board will be relatively long and skinny, probably about 1.35 by 3.5 inches. We have not decided on a color for the board either, so let us know what you think it should be.
— David Carrier
Update: We have chosen "Spinneret Web Server", thanks Yendor and ElectricAye.
Post Edited (David Carrier (Parallax)) : 4/24/2010 1:27:50 AM GMT
I want to take this further, by letting all of you suggest names for one of our upcoming products. I have posted about a new product under development — a Propeller web server, but the product does not have an official name. Let us know what you want the name to be. I cannot guarantee that we will use one of your suggestions, but they will be our primary consideration.
There are no limitations on your suggestions, as long as they are appropriate. (And any individual can suggest more than one name.) You can be technical, artistic, or downright silly. I must warn you though, that I am not a big fan of backronyms, but that does not mean you should suggest them. We will keep the suggestions opening until they start slowing down, then we will put out a last call, wait a few days, and make our decision. If we like you suggestion, we might just send you a free — well, whatever it is that we end up calling it.
Please use this thread for questions and comments about the name, and the New product under development — a Propeller web server thread for technical discussions. In case it provides any inspiration, the board will be relatively long and skinny, probably about 1.35 by 3.5 inches. We have not decided on a color for the board either, so let us know what you think it should be.
— David Carrier
Update: We have chosen "Spinneret Web Server", thanks Yendor and ElectricAye.
Post Edited (David Carrier (Parallax)) : 4/24/2010 1:27:50 AM GMT
Comments
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May the road rise to meet you; may the sun shine on your back.
May you create something useful, even if it's just a hack.
'Too easy! PropNet
-Phil
More seriously, how about PINS (take off on PINK) for Propeller InterNet Server. If you go this route, you need to have a pin header on it for "something".
RED (as in a more "intense" PINK), and of course the board would need to be red.
OctoNet (Eight Cores, Network server)
PropelURL (said as a word, as in close to Propeller)
PropDotCom
InterProp
Netteller
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John R.
Click here to see my Nomad Build Log
(well, mostly because I like dragons --or more precisely, the idea of dragons, and dragon is one of those kinds of names where I would look out of morbid interest)
Of course, the board is dark colored, ideally a blue shade, with a nice, bright red, orange and yellow flame on it.
[noparse]:)[/noparse]
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Propeller Wiki: Share the coolness!
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Post Edited (potatohead) : 4/7/2010 2:56:23 AM GMT
Prop-IES (Prop eyes) - Propeller Internet Enabled Server
Netkeeper
Hornet
Cybernet
CyberProp
Bayonet
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Powered by enthusiasm
WebRogue
Rogue
To imply the idea that this thing goes it alone.
And also implies that its rugged and the MTBF is long. (and it is)
Names...
How about WebStick... it is like a stick .. NOPE - it's a trademark!
Do you have a box for it???
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Links to other interesting threads:
· Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBlade,·RamBlade,·SixBlade, website
· Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
· Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
· Emulators: CPUs Z80 etc; Micros Altair etc;· Terminals·VT100 etc; (Index) ZiCog (Z80) , MoCog (6809)·
· Prop OS: SphinxOS·, PropDos , PropCmd··· Search the Propeller forums·(uses advanced Google search)
My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBlade Props: www.cluso.bluemagic.biz
On that note, Spider sounds cool, too.
A·Spider has 8 legs >> cogs, and can be on the/a web!
Then we can be creative with SPIDER
Servant/Server
Propeller
Internet
Device
Ethernet
Reciever
Maybe make the board the shape of a spider, and make it black or brown.
Post Edited (Yendor) : 4/7/2010 3:15:45 AM GMT
OBC
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Are you Propeller Powered? PropellerPowered.com
Visit the: PROPELLERPOWERED SIG forum kindly hosted by Savage Circuits.
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Nyamekye,
TCP/IPropeller
But S.P.I.D.E.R. is pretty darn good one if I don't say so myself.
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Ken Gracey
Parallax Inc.
Follow me at http://twitter.com/ParallaxKen for some insider news.
For products aimed at education, and the technical field, then realistically, it is ideal for the name to practically describe the device.. Especially when the advertisement space demands a limit on the amount of words used - like when you need to fit numerous products on a page or less of space.
Spider relates to the web and the 8 cogs relate to the legs. I think people will 'get it', from a marketing standpoint.
We need it black, with 2 (8?) red LED 'eyes' for the Tx/Rx ethermet activity (heh, and make them pulse) The ethernet port will be the head, and the other circuits will be the abdomen. Put a red "P" on the back, like a black widow, for parallax or the propeller.
I can see it on the back of Nuts & Volts now...
"What's black with red eyes and 8 processors on the web...and can make your apps scream?"
'The Parallax Spider Web Server! Let it take a byte out of your network!" (groan!)
Shoot, I'd buy the product, the hat, and the tee-shirt.
Parallax is a relly cool name within itself, but does it serve the same significance? What about Apple?
[noparse][[/noparse]edit]
...and writing·your web apps in spin?· This is getting too good!
Post Edited (Yendor) : 4/7/2010 6:13:15 AM GMT
Bah to boring, insipid and prosaic product names - what you need when sailing the dangerous shoals and reaches of the internet is a Spinnaker!
Ross.
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Catalina - a FREE C compiler for the Propeller - see Catalina
Elektor recently sent me a free Spyder (by Freescale) with my Elektor subscription. Have a look here for how they are milking it
www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/prod_summary.jsp?code=USBSPYDER08
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Timothy D. Swieter, E.I.
www.brilldea.com - Prop Blade, LED Painter, RGB LEDs, 3.0" 16:9 LCD Composite video display, eProto for SunSPOT, PropNET, PolkaDOT-51
www.tdswieter.com
Other Ethernet modules have names like "XPort" (a direct connection to adult material?), "NetBurner" (for sabotaging fishing gear?), and "Charon" (for ferrying dead data packets across the river Styx?).
A non-descriptive name can, indeed, catch on and become associated with the product if it's marketed aggressively enough. What's the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear "Amazon"? A female warrior or a river in Brazil? Probably not any more.
But then, in stark counter-example, there's Ron Popeil (a marketing genius, IMO) with "Salad Shooter", "Drain Buster", "Steam Away", and "Pocket Fisherman". All his products had memorable, yet descriptive names.
Anyway, I'm certainly no marketing wizard. I came up with "HoBoProp". Ken countered with "Propeller Backpack". Guess which one stuck.
-Phil
BTW: Black pcbs look great but they are a nightmare for pcb manufacturers as you cannot see faulty pcbs which were marked in pre mask testing. Caused my TriBlades to be double tested. And users cannot see the tracks either through the resist.
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Links to other interesting threads:
· Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBlade,·RamBlade,·SixBlade, website
· Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
· Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
· Emulators: CPUs Z80 etc; Micros Altair etc;· Terminals·VT100 etc; (Index) ZiCog (Z80) , MoCog (6809)·
· Prop OS: SphinxOS·, PropDos , PropCmd··· Search the Propeller forums·(uses advanced Google search)
My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBlade Props: www.cluso.bluemagic.biz
Once again as suggested above, spin, web, etc. Could put a web design motif on the overlay.
I am not a graphics guy, but what about a spider web with the spider having it's abdomen as the prop logo (i.e. colored like the prop cap with the prop on top).
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Links to other interesting threads:
· Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBlade,·RamBlade,·SixBlade, website
· Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
· Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
· Emulators: CPUs Z80 etc; Micros Altair etc;· Terminals·VT100 etc; (Index) ZiCog (Z80) , MoCog (6809)·
· Prop OS: SphinxOS·, PropDos , PropCmd··· Search the Propeller forums·(uses advanced Google search)
My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBlade Props: www.cluso.bluemagic.biz
Generally yes! Descriptive product names are a good thing. You get all the elements needed for successful branding, marketing, and even differentiation in one small package! There are considerations surrounding this however.
When a name space is crowded, a device is needed to make that name more potent, and more importantly to establish the branding and alignment messages surrounding that product as being distinctive as well. For Apple, that device is the lower case "i". (and it's brilliant, because that one little device more or less means Apple owns the idea of "different")
To me, and potentially many others, a web server isn't all that exciting. It's powerful, useful, etc... I think, in terms of the Propeller world, having one available as a module that's "plug 'n play" is big news! Don't get me wrong there. The overall value of the Propeller is significantly increased with this kind of product offering, but communicating that with a mere name that is descriptive is difficult. There are a lot of concepts to pack into a name that is memorable, easy to articulate, accurate, and catchy.
Enter the device! That's what "Dragon" or "Spider" is!
Following that, there are layers to this kind of thing. On one layer, there are prospective users of the device, knowing it exists, educating themselves about the product, and understanding how that product is differentiated from other products. On that basis, "Dragon" or "Spider" (which I like as a name, BTW) isn't very useful. Another layer is one hearing about the product by reference. The longer the name, the more difficult the overall reference is, and the device serves as a short hand, handle that is good enough to get one to the product, with a low chance of confusion. That's important for word of mouth, viral marketing kinds of things.
I see expanding the Parallax product offerings in this kind of way as a similar problem. Truth is, I would spark a discussion about a series of names, how they are formed, and how they are distinctive from others in the field, and apply that going forward. Each can be uniquely identified, remembered, all with a low level of potential confusion, and a high level of distinctiveness.
So then, there is "Dragon Embedded Web Server", along with "Propeller Powered", which is already out there, and only needs to be reinforced to continue to be effective. That's an example of the full name, one would quickly find their way to, by way of casual reference above. A use case for this might be somebody landing on the Parallax home page, and simply entering dragon at the search prompt, finding the right product, the first time.
Before I go further, there is something about statements in general, I call the elements. The elements, are the core ideas, indivisible, that would express the meaning of the statement in a discrete way. For marketing purposes, the elements are those impressions and product differentiators that the name invokes in the average person. How easy things are to say is also an element, but not generally given the highest priority. Quite simply, people like to say some kinds of names more than they do other kinds of names.
For the above, here are the elements:
Dragon = powerful, cool, flames, dangerous (could be bad) etc...
Embedded = small, special purpose, micro controlled, etc...
Web Server = internet peer, world wide web, http, networked, etc...
There are lots of other associations, and whether or not they apply is another discussion, where excessive levels of detail cause more trouble than not.
Now, once that layer has been addressed, there are casual, word of mouth, and other references to the product. These can be "Parallax Dragon", or just "Dragon Web Server", or just "Dragon".
And substitute whatever device makes sense here, and it all kind of works. "spider", for example, would only change a few of the elements, where "propserv", has a significantly different set, not all of which would communicate "web server", BTW.
The beauty of that structure is the ready association, reinforced by the sophisticated branding and marketing, happens to be "Cool" and "powerful", and perhaps "Dangerous", which for us, isn't always a bad thing [noparse]:)[/noparse]
So that's really what I was thinking. If it were me, I think I would introduce a "Powered by Propeller" series of goodies like this, and prototype that branding with this product, which is differentiated from the already existing boards and propscope, in that it's a lego piece, to be used with the other things, not a core, foundation, entry product.
One company that made good use of this kind of thing was SGI, where they had some very distinctive computers. The long product name would be something like, "SGI R12K Octane Personal Workstation", which was very descriptive! We know who made it, what CPU it has, and what it's core intent is. Most all other references were either just "Octane", or "SGI Octane", and the idea of powerful, muscle, cooking with gas, etc... was always reinforced in the many different layers of product communication.
This has the additional advantage of community, in that the casual references are fun, efficient, clear, etc... and not part of the competitions lexicon, keeping Parallax distinctive, in a cool way.
If there is a series of these kinds of offerings planned, and more importantly, if they will be combined with things like the AVR Simon kit, emphasizing those products that use the "in-house" Propeller in this kind of way, would do well to highlight those things in a positive way, without diminishing other core tech, while also communicating confidence and enthusiasm for the field as a whole.
I may reconsider this post tomorrow, when my brain is a bit less fried. On the off chance I end up thinking poorly of this post, but you consider it of value, I suggest you capture it, because I may well remove it [noparse]:)[/noparse]
BTW: I think "Propeller Backpack" is an excellent product name, with a lot of positive and distinctive elements, done with only a coupla words.
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Propeller Wiki: Share the coolness!
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Safety Tip: Life is as good as YOU think it is!
Post Edited (potatohead) : 4/7/2010 8:01:20 AM GMT
In talking with David and Ken about this product I learned that the product has two markets. One market is those people who want an off-the-shelf plug and work device for attaching BasicStamps or (insert other micro name here) or other devices to the web/Ethernet. The second market is for those who wants to make or experiment with the Propeller as a web/Ethernet enabled device. In other words the product is a end-user product as well as a development tool.
A long time ago I started working with the name PropNET as a name for a device I was working on. It recently was reincarnated as a Propeller Platform Module - a prototype of sorts for the upcoming Parallax Propeller Web Server product. I still like that name and would be willing to give it up for the great good if wanted. I don't mind the name Propeller Web Server, but I don't care for the name Web in a product however I can see how this name has marketing appeal. I was calling the device Propeller Network Server, but I can see how that is vague as well but to me I liked this name because I think of a network as a lot more opportunities than the web which is usually associated with web page and there is a lot, lot more to ethernet/network than web pages.
The product will be able to server web pages (if the user wants) or maybe it will be there to simple receive some specialized UDP messages from another device on the network. I like the "generic" names because as others have said there are many ways this product could be used and a name that expresses those ideas may be difficult to come up with rather than a name that through marketing and use becomes associated with those ideas.
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Timothy D. Swieter, E.I.
www.brilldea.com - Prop Blade, LED Painter, RGB LEDs, 3.0" 16:9 LCD Composite video display, eProto for SunSPOT, PropNET, PolkaDOT-51
www.tdswieter.com
Another name following on from the Propeller Backpack. What about Propeller Webpack? It is certainly not like the backpack product, but I don't think that matters. It would get shortened to the Webpack but gets the Propeller branding across.
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Links to other interesting threads:
· Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBlade,·RamBlade,·SixBlade, website
· Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
· Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
· Emulators: CPUs Z80 etc; Micros Altair etc;· Terminals·VT100 etc; (Index) ZiCog (Z80) , MoCog (6809)·
· Prop OS: SphinxOS·, PropDos , PropCmd··· Search the Propeller forums·(uses advanced Google search)
My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBlade Props: www.cluso.bluemagic.biz
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He died at the console of hunger and thirst.
Next day he was buried. Face down, nine edge first.
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'Necessity is the mother of invention'
'Those who can, do.Those who can’t, teach.'
'Convince a man against his will, he's of the same opinion still.'
·
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For me, the past is not over yet.
Propeller
Host
Internet
Server
Hub
Make it like a fish - We then need it green with green led eyes - or in·this case maybe just one or one on either side!·[noparse]:o[/noparse])
lol!
The phrase, "Now we are talking!", hit me this morning. What hits your mind, after reading that in this context? I also really like the points made about the network being more than hypertext.
LOL @ Yendor. Excellent creativity!
Now we are talking! ...and your projects will too, with our new [noparse][[/noparse]product with no catchy name yet!]
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Propeller Wiki: Share the coolness!
8x8 color 80 Column NTSC Text Object
Safety Tip: Life is as good as YOU think it is!