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Mandrakesoft Changes Name to Mandriva
joestar writes "Following its recent merger with Conectiva, Mandrakesoft has decided to change its name to 'Mandriva' for two reasons: "1. The recent Mandrakesoft - Conectiva merger calls for a new identity that better represents the combination of two key companies and their global presence. 2. The long-winding trademark lawsuit with Hearst Corporation has reached a point where we decided it is more reasonable for us to move forward.". Mandrake is dead, long life to Mandriva!"
Man...driva, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style, someday
This is a belated April Fool's joke, right? That's the dumbest name since International Harvester became Navistar.
the major advances in civilization are processes which all but wreck the societies in which they occur - A.N. White
Company names should be fairly nonsensical like this. Naming the company something Linux-ish ties them to exclusively Linux-based products. This is a bad idea not because it's Linux, but because it ties the company to a particular type of product, which limits their ability to spread the brand to other products. Note that most of the "Linux only" companies of the dot-com era (the ones that actually survived) changed their names to something more generic.
Yes, its a terrible name that one does not associate with Linux. They should have chosen a name like Maya, Excel, Trivoli, Firefox, Bryce or Java. You know names that don't just set a product apart but immediatly discribe what it does.
"I use a Mac because I'm just better than you are."
Not to mention the Google factor... a made-up name ensures anyone looking for you will find you without a bunch of irrelevant hits.
Garg
Garg
Alumnus, Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters
A little too close for comfort.
drivel - To slobber; drool. To flow like spittle or saliva. To talk stupidly or childishly.
trivia - Something of small importance.