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Firebird Name Debate Enters a New Stage

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the browser-by-any-other-name dept.

An anonymous reader writes "As many readers will know, mozilla.org was asked to change the name for their standalone browser, Phoenix as another browser had the same name. After months of discussion, the new name was announced as Mozilla Firebird. Despite the new name being approved by AOL Legal, supporters of the FirebirdSQL database were quick to object (though the name is also used by many other people). A coincidentally named supporter of FirebirdSQL, IBPhoenix, put up a slightly immature request for their readers to participate in mass posting campaign targetting mozilla.org developers' email accounts, newsgroups and even forums at independent sites such as MozillaZine and Slashdot. FirebirdSQL's official site later reiterated this message. However, IBPhoenix have now declared this shock-and-awe stage of their campaign over, heralding it a success. Their second stage calls for a more focussed email protest at just two of mozilla.org's members: Mitchell Baker (mozilla.org's leader) and Asa Dotzler (announcer of the name change). In addition, they ask their readers to move away from 'derogatory messages' and to show more 'courtesy'. Unsurprisingly, the beleaguered admins of affected sites such as MozillaZine have welcomed this change of direction. This is getting very interesting!"

17 of 683 comments (clear)

  1. I got a name for em! by Nate+Fox · · Score: 5, Funny

    how bout Daawtrtdfw? Google turns up nothing, so I'm sure its not taken.

    smile, you'll live longer. :)

    1. Re:I got a name for em! by klui · · Score: 5, Funny

      New tag line: It's spelled Daawtrtdfw but pronounced Phoenix. Hell, I sure can't pronounce how it's spelled.

    2. Re:I got a name for em! by smcn · · Score: 3, Funny

      I was going to suggest TBFKAP, as in "The Browser Formerly Known As Phoenix", but can you believe it? That's taken too!

  2. No, by pb · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think that's a well-known Welsh browser, actually.

    Are you sure you weren't searching English-only? :)

    --
    pb Reply or e-mail; don't vaguely moderate.
  3. I see it as Mozilla.org's duty by Sevn · · Score: 5, Funny

    to completely ignore these idiots and definitely
    keep the name to spite them now. It might not be
    a bad idea to write some sort of redirection or
    "pitty party" filter code that rewrites the
    offending morons websites like Opera did with
    MSN.

    --
    For every annoying gentoo user, are three even more annoying anti-gentoo crybabies. Take Yosh from #Gimp for example.
  4. HotWings by sssmashy · · Score: 4, Funny

    In keeping with the Fiery Bird Motif of Firebird and Phoenix (a mythical bird that bursts into flame and is reborn)...

    May I suggest that they change the name to "HotWings" to avoid futher disputes. Has a nice ring to it, eh?

  5. Just name it like all unix executables by Sexy+Commando · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'd pick the name "br" as my first choice. Self-explainatory, too.

  6. Re:Shock and Awe? by Draigon · · Score: 5, Funny

    Where do I sign the petition to prevent the words "Shock and Awe" to ever be used together again? If I have an aneurysm, you'll know why.

    --
    -Rabbit
  7. New name idea... by Znonymous+Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Let's just call it "Browser" and "eMail". That's what everyone calls them anyway...

    Example

    "My browser just crashed."

    or

    "I can't check my email."

    --

    Karma: The shiznight, mostly because I am the Drizzle.

    1. Re:New name idea... by panaceaa · · Score: 5, Funny

      We should merge both into one project called "The Internet".

      Example

      "The Internet isn't working."

      That's what everyone calls their computers anyway...

      --
      my blog
  8. Re:The new name by D+iz+a+n+k+Meister · · Score: 4, Funny

    What about Stingray?

    IMHExperience, everything named Stingray was cool, and Phoenix was definitely worthy of such a name. Firebird is a pretty weak allusion to Phoenix.

    --

    He painted a unicorn in outer space. I'm askin' ya, what's it breathin'?
  9. Phallus? by starvingartist12 · · Score: 4, Funny

    How about Phallus? I don't think anyone else will fight for that project name.

    I hope.

    1. Re:Phallus? by dkh2 · · Score: 5, Funny

      I can see the promo now...

      Mozilla Phallus It's one F#(%ing fast browser!

      Bummeroskies, Dude. The folks at slashdot have eliminated my ability to use a style="" in my <div>.

      --
      My office has been taken over by iPod people.
  10. Phallus was already suggested by dereklam · · Score: 5, Funny
    How about Phallus? I don't think anyone else will fight for that project name.

    In fact, it's already been suggested: Most People Agree: Phallus is a Really Bad Name for a Browser 8-)

  11. I agree... by cjpez · · Score: 4, Funny
    This is getting very interesting!
    I agree. If by "interesting" you mean "stupid."
    --
    Al Qaeda has ninjas!
  12. Its obvious, Prince did it by unDiWahn · · Score: 3, Funny


    We just need to give the browser a symbol from some obscure font, and start referring to is as "The Browser formally known as Phoenix"

  13. Re:"Interesting" My Foot by N3WBI3 · · Score: 3, Funny
    How else would you explain the steady 30,000+ downloads a month for the last 18 months?

    Ok I admint it it was me I donwloaded it 28,763 times I dont know what the other 1,237 times were. I had nothing to do and I just my my BB connection in, sorry for screwing up the usage stats..

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