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New FreeBSD Logo Contest to Close on June 30

Posted by timothy on from the free-chuckie dept.

xbsd writes "The Official FreeBSD Logo Contest is closing on June 30, 2005. As of June 23 they have received 429 compliant submissions, but if you got the skills you still have a few hours left to submit a proposal. Now, is it time for F/OSS projects to follow NetBSD and get a more polished (or as some would say, 'corporate') public image?"

42 comments

  1. Copyright? by ip_vjl · · Score: 3, Insightful
    The designer also certifies that the logo does not infringe upon the rights of any third party and that it does not violate any copyright.


    How is anyone supposed to certify that?

    You can certify that you aren't willingly or knowingly violating a copyright, but you never know if someone will pop out of the woodwork with a logo (you've never seen) that yours looks too much like.

    1. Re:Copyright? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Then it wouldn't be in violation of copyright.

      It may be difficult to prove in court, but I don't think they asked for that.

    2. Re:Copyright? by StonedRat · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Copyright doesn't work like patents. If you created it independently with no knowledge of the other similar logo then you haven't violated copyright. Although i think it is possible to violate trademarks in that manner.

      --
      "Religion is the most malevolent of all mind viruses." - Arthur C. Clarke.
    3. Re:Copyright? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      I guess they're oversensitive because of the Copyright and Trademark issuse surrounding the daemon/Beastie image (which are pwn3d by Marshall McKusick).

  2. The most popular candidates: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Here are the most popular candidates but they were disqualified because they seem to promote piracy.

  3. I like beastie by menkhaura · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I didn't see the other entries, but I like beastie, Christian fundamentalists notwhitstanding. FreeBSD won't be the same without the handsome little daemon.

    --
    Stupidity is an equal opportunity striker.
    Fellow slashdotter Bill Dog
    1. Re:I like beastie by MBCook · · Score: 2, Informative

      If you go to the linked site, they say that Beastie will continue to be the project's mascot, but they simply don't have a logo. If they put Beastie on something, someone either knows what the product is, or they don't. What they need seems to be something more like the "Slashdot" graphic in the top left of every page here on Slashdot. No-one said the logo can't include Beastie.

      --
      Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
    2. Re:I like beastie by nacturation · · Score: 3, Interesting

      And what they don't need is something that looks like a generic flag. Sorry, but I don't find NetBSD's logo (as linked in the summary) to be very creative. Maybe someone said the same thing about the Nike swoosh or McDonald's golden arches originally, but time will tell whether NetBSD's stands the test of time. Perhaps with enough marketing dollars thrown at it (hah!) it will last.

      --
      Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.
    3. Re:I like beastie by Shanep · · Score: 1

      Sorry, but I don't find NetBSD's logo (as linked in the summary) to be very creative.

      I hated it at first, but it has since grown on me. Although previous NetBSD images were not great anyway. I like FreeBSD's Beastie though.

      The much liked OpenBSD wireframe demon head T-shirt is not longer being made and they now have a wireframe puffy shirt which in my opinion does not look anywhere near as good. Lucky I bought two of the originals a while ago.

      --
      War crimes, torture, lies, illegal spying... Would someone give Bush a blowjob, already, so he can be impeached?
    4. Re:I like beastie by nacturation · · Score: 1

      The much liked OpenBSD wireframe demon head T-shirt is not longer being made and they now have a wireframe puffy shirt which in my opinion does not look anywhere near as good.

      I hadn't noticed the wireframe demon version, but I do like the puffy logo and the wireframe version of it. That's got character and it's a perfect subject for OpenBSD's focus on security. FreeBSD, being rather generic in focus, is a tougher one to design for. Maybe the guy who owns the beastie copyright will transfer it to FreeBSD (or grant unlimited license, etc.) and beastie will become official.

      --
      Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.
    5. Re:I like beastie by Shanep · · Score: 2, Informative

      FreeBSD, being rather generic in focus, is a tougher one to design for. Maybe the guy who owns the beastie copyright will transfer it to FreeBSD (or grant unlimited license, etc.) and beastie will become official.

      He's a cool guy actually. He's written books, papers and BSD code and most recently on a book on FreeBSD, so who knows. I don't know if FreeBSD would want exclusive rights to Beastie though. Since Beastie has such a general BSD history, FreeBSD would probably still want an image for their own identity.

      --
      War crimes, torture, lies, illegal spying... Would someone give Bush a blowjob, already, so he can be impeached?
    6. Re:I like beastie by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why don't they just slap him on there with "FreeBSD" written under it? Linux just has a Tux logo (and usually the word "Linux" under him) and people seem to get by just fine with that. Though maybe their problem is more that no one knows/cares what any BSD is, let alone their particular version of it.

  4. Beastie lives! by duncanbojangles · · Score: 1

    Long live Beastie! I love that little guy, and all the little beasties that once comprised the NetBSD logo. So, I propose a new logo: a simple one color silhouette of Beastie's face. Or maybe something to do with the pitchfork, kinda like what NetBSD did with their flag. Unfortunately, my GIMP skills are somewhat lacking, and even a simple logo is beyond my abilities.

  5. Long live Beastie by downt1me · · Score: 1

    I hate to see Beastie go! There's something special about that little guy.

    1. Re:Long live Beastie by nbritton · · Score: 2, Informative


      Beastie is NOT going anywhere.
      This is simply a logo for things like letterhead, marketing, conveying a "professional" corporate image, etc.

      What's the first thing that pops into your head when you look at this logo?
      What about this one?
      And this one?
      This too?

      Anyways.......

    2. Re:Long live Beastie by Picass0 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Or how about this one: http://www.metlife.com/

      Cartoon characters have a far greater public awareness than corporate icons. I bet if you travel the world you would find more people who recognize your favorite newspaper comicstrip character than the AT&T logo.

      Can you picture in your head an image of the logo for Ameritrade? How about Dagwood from Blondie? Or Charlie Brown?

      Beastie is known on every continent in the world. That's not too shabby. How do you think the new logo can improve on that?

    3. Re:Long live Beastie by nbritton · · Score: 5, Informative

      Here are a few reasons why we need a logo...

      1. Beastie is generic, it's associated with all of the BSDs and not specific to FreeBSD.
      2. We don't have a logo. Beastie is not, and never was, the logo for FreeBSD.
      3. Copyright and Trademark issues, Marshall McKusick holds all rights to him.
      4. Beastie is too complex, economically, for print media.

      Let me say again... Beastie is NOT being booted from FreeBSD and no, we did not cave into the demands of right-wing religious people. This is all about branding, marketing, and PR. And you could use the mozilla project as a case study of some of the positive side effects this could have for us.

    4. Re:Long live Beastie by Brandybuck · · Score: 1

      Snoopy is NOT the logo for Metlife. He's a mascot.

      --
      Don't blame me, I didn't vote for either of them!
    5. Re:Long live Beastie by Brandybuck · · Score: 1

      ...we did not cave into the demands of right-wing religious people.

      Primarily because there were not any right-wing religious people making demands. There are for more people on the worried about offending the someone with Beastie, than there people actually complaining about Beastie. You might be able to rustle up a dozen of so people among the entire computing population of the world that are offended by a picture of a daemon, but several thousand per BSD forum making an issue out of it.

      --
      Don't blame me, I didn't vote for either of them!
    6. Re:Long live Beastie by Renegade88 · · Score: 1
      1. Beastie is generic, it's associated with all of the BSDs and not specific to FreeBSD.
      Let's see:
      • OpenBSD has a puff fish for a mascot
      • NetBSD has a yacht flag for a logo
      • DragonFlyBSD has a stillwater aquatic insect for the mascot and a logo.
      Seems since the other BSD's have abandoned Beastie, he *is* specific to FreeBSD. How can you say you don't have a logo? Go to http://www.freebsd.org/. I see stylized text of FreeBSD, which has been used for years. That's a logo and a common law trademark.
  6. Suddenly Everyone is an Art Critic by Picass0 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Sometimes programmers should stick to programming. When they attempt to use corporate logos as the yardstick by which good art is measured, they only show that they need to get out more often.

    Why should a corporate looking logo have greater value to a FOSS project than a whimsical cartoon? The BSD 'Beastie' logo is recognized worldwide, making it more successful than 99% of the logos that companies paid big money for.

    We, as users and developers of FOSS, find much of the corporate attitude distasteful. Yet the FreeBSD group now seeks some official looking sterile abstract icon so they can show everyone their software is "Pro"?

    Suddenly it's the FreeBSD 'hippies' that need to take the stick out of their ass. Go take an art class and relax.

    As a graphic designer, let me speak from experience - Corporate art sucks.

    1. Re:Suddenly Everyone is an Art Critic by Zemplar · · Score: 3, Interesting

      "Sometimes programmers should stick to programming."

      Precisely why they are asking for your help in submitting a logo!

      "Yet the FreeBSD group now seeks some official looking sterile abstract icon so they can show everyone their software is 'Pro'?"

      Obviously a little more PR and advertising of the BSDs are needed. Almost everyone has heard of Linux, however, very few outside of more "serious" IT circles or IT hobbyists have even heard of BSD, let alone FreeBSD. John Q. Public needs to know there is a better alternative and solution than Linux or at least they would have the knowledge that more options exist and they may choose either route themselves.

    2. Re:Suddenly Everyone is an Art Critic by WebHostingGuy · · Score: 3, Insightful

      As a graphic designer, let me speak from experience - Corporate art sucks.

      Yep. But as a graphic designer you also know that most, if not all corporations don't use cartoon looking daemons. FreeBSD obviously wants to change its perception and unfortunately this is one part of that transformation.

      Now, I'm off to buy some daemon t-shirts before they are gone forever...

      --
      Quality Hosting e3 Servers
  7. Beastie isn't going anywhere. by ulib · · Score: 4, Informative
    From the Fine Article:
    Q. Please save Beastie!

    A. Beastie will continue to represent the FreeBSD Project as our mascot. We won't kill Beastie. The closest logo-like thing that we have now is shown below, and we are looking for other options to be used like there. The new logo design may or may not include Beastie, or even a stylized representation. Again, Beastie is still alive!
    There are times when you want to present yourself with a logo, not with an image of the mascot. That's how I understood it, and to me it makes a lot of sense.

    --
    Requiem for the FUD
  8. Some Suggestions by fuzzybunny · · Score: 5, Funny

    Here are a few to please corporate marketing, sales and management types (yes, they're work safe):

    http://prague.tv/galleries/funny-pics7/freebsd.jpg -- Remember, sometimes less is more.

    http://www.nrg4u.com/freebsd/baby-doll-1-small.jpg (yeah yeah, I know, but they could learn a thing or two from them)

    http://intdata.homeip.net/img/freeBSD-girl.jpg (mmh, amazing how many critical pieces of infrastructure are held together by duct tape)

    Redundant components: http://tinyurl.com/a2uhp

    One for the marketing department: http://www.servepath.com/images/better_devil_250x2 80.jpg

    One to compensate for corporate randomness: http://images-jp.amazon.com/images/P/483990930X.09 .LZZZZZZZ.jpg (what is it about Japanese graphics that just screams "weird!"?)

    And finally of course, http://homepage.tinet.ie/~cullenm/2dart/regi.jpg (just to piss off the zealots)

    Ok, of course I'm single-minded, but seriously, folks, stick to working on the (fantastic) OS, let the sysadmins smuggle it into the enterprise like they've been doing for years :)

    --
    Cole's Law: Thinly sliced cabbage
    1. Re:Some Suggestions by neshort · · Score: 1

      Dude. These are not all that "work safe." ... at least not in *this* office.

    2. Re:Some Suggestions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Dude. These are not all that "work safe." ... at least not in *this* office.

      Well, could be worse - he could have slipped a goatse into there in the middle.

    3. Re:Some Suggestions by Homology · · Score: 1
      Dude. These are not all that "work safe." ... at least not in *this* office.

      Well, could be worse - he could have slipped a goatse into there in the middle.

      You are misinterpreting the GP : The pictures are indecently decent, and thus the resounding "no no" on his workplace.

    4. Re:Some Suggestions by bcrowell · · Score: 1
      Penguins have teeth!?

      Demons have penises!?

      --
      Find free books.
  9. Christian fundamentalists? Whatever... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hell, I'm a "Christian fundamentalist" (by that I mean that I believe the Bible is true) and I think the Beastie mascot rocks! I'm glad the FreeBSD project isn't getting rid of it. Pshaw on idiots who have theirs heads so far up their asses that they think Beastie is evil because "it's a demon". Long live Beastie!

    1. Re:Christian fundamentalists? Whatever... by jaygray · · Score: 0

      Yea I hear ya.
      Long live Beastie !

      --
      -- "He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper a
    2. Re:Christian fundamentalists? Whatever... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Have you considered a career in science?

    3. Re:Christian fundamentalists? Whatever... by geekwithsoul · · Score: 1
      I'm a "Christian fundamentalist" (by that I mean that I believe the Bible is true)

      Pshaw on idiots who have theirs heads so far up their asses

      HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

      Sorry, but those two sentences said by the same person just made me laugh coffee up my nose

  10. Finally it is nearly over... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I have been waiting for the contest to end, so I could see the top contestants. Probably it will take another 90 days for the judges to pick one. Yawn. Will there be a gallery? Will there be controversy, oh the geekiness, the corporateness...

    For me, an OpenBSD freak, I just have to wait 6 months to see the new theme-based art, based on what ever is pushing Theo's buttons. Some is better than others, some of it has stunk, but it changes Every Six Months, I like that.

    Puffy has taken on a timeless glow, I think he'll be around for a while.

    Go for it, make an image for your self!

    1. Re:Finally it is nearly over... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      From the Announcement:

      Submission deadline
      31 May 2005 23:59:59 (UTC)

      Maybe they extended it so they could choose from more than 3 submissions.

      My guess, a big Flaming F. Then there would be endless discussions on what the F meant, which would draw more attention, which would mean more users, more clueless bosses (Is that improved version of "C"?), more traffic on the mailing lists, which means more FreeBSD servers to handle the load, more., more, more.

  11. Reality check by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative
    // Please *don't* mod this up. It has already been done! Thx

    ... facts are facts. ;)

    FreeBSD:
    FreeBSD, Stealth-Growth Open Source Project (Jun 2004)
    "FreeBSD has dramatically increased its market penetration over the last year."
    Nearly 2.5 Million Active Sites running FreeBSD (Jun 2004)
    "[FreeBSD] has secured a strong foothold with the hosting community and continues to grow, gaining over a million hostnames and half a million active sites since July 2003."
    What's New in the FreeBSD Network Stack (Sep 2004)
    "FreeBSD can now route 1Mpps on a 2.8GHz Xeon whilst Linux can't do much more than 100kpps."

    NetBSD:
    NetBSD, for When Portability and Stability Matter (Oct 2004)
    NetBSD sets Internet2 Land Speed World Record (May 2004)
    NetBSD again sets Internet2 Land Speed World Record (Sep 2004)

    OpenBSD:
    OpenBSD Widens Its Scope (Nov 2004)
    Review: OpenBSD 3.6 shows steady improvement (Nov 2004)
    OpenSSH (OpenBSD subproject) has become a de facto Internet standard.

    *BSD in general:
    Deep study: The world's safest computing environment (Nov 2004)
    "The world's safest and most secure 24/7 online computing environment - operating system plus applications - is proving to be the Open Source platform of BSD (Berkeley Software Distribution) and the Mac OS X based on Darwin."
    BSD Success Stories (O'Reilly, 2004) (pdf) ~ from Onlamp BSD DevCenter
    "The BSDs - FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, Darwin, and others - have earned a reputation for stability, security, performance, and ease of administration."
    ..and last but not least, we have the cutest mascot as well - undisputedly. ;)

    --
    Being able to read *other people's* source code is a nice thing, not a 'fundamental freedom'.

  12. BSD Statuette by Denis+Lemire · · Score: 1

    Speaking of the good ol' beastie, does anyone know whatever happened to the BSD statuette that was once on FreeBSD's site. I've been meaning to get one of those but they have since seemingly disapeared...

    1. Re:BSD Statuette by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      I am not sure if you are talking about the same product, but a Australian Outfit by the name of Silicon Breeze Pty Limited used to produce FreeBSD, Linux or Other open source jewellery. Including Beastie, Tux and Apache Quill/Feather statues out of quite a number of metals and alloys including Gold.

      However they seem to have gone out of Business.

      Their web address used to be:
      http://www.siliconbreeze.com/ it doesn't exists anymore.

      Here is Internet Archive link to the old site:
      http://web.archive.org/web/20040209165643/www.linu xjewellery.com/beastie/
      OR
      http://tinyurl.com/892st

      For what its worth here is the postal address:
      Silicon Breeze Pty Limited
      49 Yarrabung Rd
      St Ives NSW 2075
      Australia

      DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with the Silicon Breeze company.

      ~AC

  13. My sweet lord... by tepples · · Score: 1

    If you created it independently with no knowledge of the other similar logo then you haven't violated copyright.

    But how can you know what you have knowledge of? Courts have found in Bright Tunes Music v. Harrisongs Music and Three Boys Music v. Michael Bolton that subconscious copying of a copyrighted work, in these cases a song that the defendant had heard 10 years ago, is actionable infringement.