Suitable Naming Conventions For Workstations?

spectre_240sx writes "We've discussed server naming a fair amount in the past, but I haven't seen much about workstations. Where I currently work, we embed a lot of information in our workstation names: site, warranty end date, machine type, etc. I'm of the opinion that this is too much information to overload in the machine name when it can more suitably be stored in the computer description. I'd love to hear how others are naming their workstations and some pros and cons for different naming schemes. Should computers be logically tied to the person that they're currently assigned to, or does that just cause unnecessary work when a machine changes hands? Do the management tools in use make a difference in how workstations are named?"

Comments

Names are important.

[refactored]

I have a long running argument with some of my coworkers about names for software deliverables.

I insist on something you can pronounce and preferably something that makes sense and gives a strong indication what it is. If you are really desperate, call it something cutesy that people will at least remember.

They want to use incomprehensible, unpronouncable, random strings of characters One True Official Company Blessed "product codes".

I asked them for where the One True dictionary of product codes is. There isn't one.

Ok says I. I'll call the software deliverable that if I can look at the back of the hardware device and see that string of characters.

Nope. Can't.

So the three of them overrule me and I left them to it.

Much though I detest the army... ye olde british army storemans habit of general to specific naming is Good. "Trousers - Mens - Battle dress - Khaki - Large" at least allows a dumb troopie to search through a pile of trousers and sort them on to the right shelf.

(Hint: if you can't think of a good meaningful sentence describing what you are building... you probably shouldn't be. You are building a hodgepodge and a mess.)

Two hours later I came back and they were _still_ arguing about _which_ was the The One True Company Blessed Product Code.

Hokay says I. You have convinced me. You have convinced me that if you want to change the names of the software deliverables to these garbled bits of line noise that you guys can't even agree on... you'll have to do it yourself. I won't.

Last I looked my readable / understandable names still held.