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Debian Logo Continues

weink writes "Debian is in the process of getting their logo in order. The vote will take place in about a week. After the logo contest at GIMP, here are the options. " I am so happy that I have my Debian box running again. apt is so good for lazy sysadmins. Oh, and I vote for Raul's design. Super smooth.

80 comments

  1. Hmmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    >What is Debian, anyhow, a 1960's TV show?
    IIRC the two people who first started Debian are named Deb and Ian. Thus 'Debian.' As for the logos, I personally like both Raul's and the fourth one, especially with the subtle background. Like you said, you can't please everyone.

    Reid G. Ormseth, Esq.

  2. Well, *that's* funny ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    GLX = OpenGL on X Window System.

  3. My vote is for Raul by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I totally dig the wicked-cool genie bottle. It seemed immediately obvious to me that the spiral represents Open Source Software "escaping" from the confines of the Closed-Source bottle. Or maybe I'm just insane. Either way, I want a bumper sticker now ;-)

  4. GUYS, check out this one. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now this one (with a Gnu and a penguin) is weigh kewl. It may not be practical (what do I know about art/logos/t-shirt iron-ons?), but I do know I like the looks of it.

  5. Hmmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Guatamnlad's is the best of the options, but it still needs to be fixed to look more like a "D". Raul's is nice, but I can't see the genie motif has anything to do with Linux or Hurd.

    Rob's is better than any of 'em. It 'otta be in the running. I just don't want to get stuck with a lame logo.

    This AC's first post

  6. Captain Blue Eyes is elegant by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


    'nuf said

  7. It's not a penguin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's a chicken... :)

  8. Well, *that's* funny ... It is not just Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I don't think option 4 will have any chance.

    One intention of creating a new logo was, that the chick (some really think is a penguin ;-) is Linux centric.

    Debian is not only Linux. There is also Debian GNU/Hurd. Some people even suggested a FreeBSD port.

    Therefore the word "Linux" can't be part of the final version of any of the options.

    Ciao,
    Martin

    Martin Bialasinski - martinb@debian.org

  9. reminiscent... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yeah, so. They all look nothing like each other.

    That comparison is so vague it's like saying all logos look "reminiscent" of each other because they all use the same design element, "text".

    What are you a courier junkie?

  10. Debian Logo Proposal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I have a logo proposal here. Basically, it's in the style of #4, but is more easily scaled and converted to black and white.

    http://users.bigpond.net.au/move/debian/

  11. Debian isn't just Linux, though... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    One of the reasons for choosing a new logo is that the old one is just too linux-specific. Debian is an independent project to create a completely free system, and that system is now running on both the Linux kernel and Hurd on Mach.

    While a penguin may be fine for their linux distro, it doesn't make a very good project logo.

  12. Hmmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Nope, I agree.

    Anybody else look at the submissions to
    contest.gimp.org (the cgi-script seems to be
    dead right now) - I'd say that geinder-3
    (I think, can't check now) is far above any
    others and there are a lot more logos there.

    Who decided these four should go to the final?

  13. Option 5 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I vote for option five. Anybody else?

  14. Hmmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now the cgi-script sayes I'm not allowed to use
    it, anyway I think it was geinder-2 rather than
    3 because they started from 0 and I think there
    was three of them.

    I'm still not sure about geinder though.

  15. Debian logo designs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The first one looks like a bug and a bug's head. Oh, great! Debian=bugs.

    The other designs do not communicate anything at all relating to Debian's free software mission. A spiral? A spiral comming out of a bottle? So, what?

    The "seal of approval"? Ha, ha. This is just a very tired, old cliche.

    The stylized DL is not at all attractive or compelling. It is stale and almost depressing to look at--bleak.

    The little red bird is at least charming and cute. It just looks like a little bird and I don't necessarily connect it to a penguine at all. I think the title should say GNU/Debian with no reference to Linux.

    Get the guy who designed the KMFMS "enraged Tux" penguine to submit a Debian design. (See ). Look at BRUTE!PROPAGANDA and Aidan Hughes at


  16. Debian l0g0 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I prefer raul's - nice "squiggly thing"® and good font for the text.

    ® is a registered trademark of Earth Ltd. :)

  17. Offtopic - Comment number bug? by Russian · · Score: 0

    Sorry for posting this offtopic. I think there is a bug on the main page of the /. when the number of comments are displayed. For the three last articles I see: (Read more... | 0 of 0 comments)
    Is it just me or everyone gets that?

  18. No a cat hasn't got my tongue.. by ir · · Score: 1
    Hey, what about Rob's slashdot logo for debian (above). It looks like the best choice to me.. unfortunately it doesn't seem to be on that page :(

    I actually don't mind the red penguin logo now that I've finally got used to it. Another thing to consider is that if we want anyone to remember the logo, we'll have to stop choosing a new one every 6 months or so!

    --
    Irina Romanov
  19. Neet by drwiii · · Score: 1
    Now that would look pretty sweet on some T-Shirts or something..

    Let's just hope Bill Gates' Corbis doesn't patent spirally things in logos. :-)

  20. Question from fellow lazy sysadmin by David+Greene · · Score: 1
    The install docs don't mention anything about this. It's something that should be in there, though.

    That's one other thing I forgot to mention about Debian: lack of documentation. Not for the software (there's lots in /usr/doc), but for the newbie, it's a little confusing. The install manual is pretty bare-bones. And to be fair, it looks like the Debian Website is getting some docs together (though most are in the early stages of development).

    Oh, and one other thing: kernel-package is pretty neat. It lets you compile kernel source, make a kernel image package and install it all with just a few commands. It even updates LILO for you. This way you can keep up with new kernels while still maintaining a sane package environment. And with multiple image packages, switch back and forth is a breeze.

    --

  21. Question from fellow lazy sysadmin by knghtbrd · · Score: 1
    On the documentation front we are working on it. There is the developer's reference which is starting to come together, there's the user's guide which is not the easiest to find a printed copy of but it is good, and there are Debian Unleased and other books being worked on.

    (I won't plug my own book because it's not being published yet, but when it gets to that point I'll be sure to bug everyone about looking for/at it. It is kinda focused on the new user but it should be cool for all users to read..)

  22. Rob's Logo!! Rob's Logo!! by avm · · Score: 1

    I vote for Rob's rendition of "Debian". IMO, it's simple, not specific to Linux, and undoubtedly distinctive.

    The question remains however....would it look ok in b/w or 8bit? Maybe I'll mess with it a bit.

    (funny. I don't even use Debian. But I do appreciate good graphics & logo designs.)

  23. I'm sorry but... by gavinhall · · Score: 1

    Posted by rayola:

    I'm a bit disappointed to see five choices. That's a shame, considering many of the two hundred or so entered were great.

    I admit, I contributed a few myself... where did they go? First of all, the requirement to make the logo with GIMP limits it quite a bit. Vector is the only way to create a logo, period. How well does a bitmap scale? Are we really going to just make an icon and call it the logo for everything that Debian stands for?

    Under these circumstances, lots of people made great logos, and I don't see any of those on the list of five. That's a big shame. I had a feeling this would happen. How can you choose between those?

    I was anticipating seeing a better logo for debian, but I agree that we're wasting our time with this skimpy selection and poor criteria. I think this should be re-evaluated.

    I think this vote should be put off, for now. I completely agree with alpha's points.

    -raymond

  24. Raul, yes! by gavinhall · · Score: 1

    Posted by JoeyRamone:

    It has to be Raul, nah. It realy is super-cool (to be honest it's the coolest logo I've yet seen in the Linux-world (sorry everybody else :) )).

    A pole would be oke, I think, so we know ahead who'll win :). Yeah... then we could gamble

  25. I second Rob's opinion by Timmy · · Score: 1

    Raul's design is so far and above the others, it's not even a contest.

  26. jeanette makes the best t-shirts...IMHO by V. · · Score: 1

    I'd wear a T with that big bug head. :D

  27. Question from fellow lazy sysadmin by robin · · Score: 1

    apt is the Debian package management tool. It understands dependencies and downloads:

    apt-get install foobar

    will upgrade your system to the latest version of package foobar, including any libraries, etc it needs. Run from cron, and never worry about security updates again. More info at Debian.

    As to why it's generating a buzz -- I don't really know. I switched from Red Hat to Debian, and it just seems to hang together nicer. Remember the libjeg debacle on Red Hat (5.0?)? That sort of thing doesn't seem to happen with Debian. Other things are nice too: when an X program is installed it installs a menu file. Each window manager comes with a program that takes all the menu files and builds a menu tree: switch window managers and keep your menu items without having to learn Yet Another Window Manager Configuration Format. There are a hell of a lot of packages as well, clearly separated into free and non-free, which is a bonus. No way I'm going back.


    --
    W.A.S.T.E.
    --
    W.A.S.T.E.
  28. Debian == bug? by robin · · Score: 1

    A logo consisting of what is essentially an enormous bug (an ant?) doesn't seem like a great idea to me -- might as well have a big, steaming ... well, it's just not a very good idea.
    --
    W.A.S.T.E.

    --
    W.A.S.T.E.
  29. Or Sega Linux? by slim · · Score: 1

    Raul's looks a wee bit like the Dreamcast logo.

    I heard Sega were already having to make the spiral blue, not orange, in Europe, to avoid similarity to some European company's logo.
    --

  30. Hmmm by Daniel · · Score: 1

    I agree too, for what it's worth. Although I prefer the current line-art penguin until a better logo shows up..

    Daniel

    --
    Hurry up and jump on the individualist bandwagon!
  31. Debian isn't just Linux, though... by Daniel · · Score: 1

    Ah, I see. I think that a penguin is better than a neutral but ugly logo, though. :-)

    Daniel

    --
    Hurry up and jump on the individualist bandwagon!
  32. Oooohhh. Penguins, penguins! by Tim+Moore · · Score: 1

    That's actually the current logo that they're trying to replace!

    I always kinda liked it, too, but they're trying to not be Linux-specific. And there's no liberal-use logo for it.

  33. Question from fellow lazy sysadmin by planet_hoth · · Score: 1

    I have a question about Rob's post. What is apt
    and why do I want it? Debian is generating
    tremendous buzz recently, and I am wondering why...

    --

  34. Hmmm by Lamont · · Score: 1

    Am I the only one who thinks that all of these designs are ugly?

    No, I'm with you on this one too. The only one that is even passable is Raul's. The rest are just bad.

  35. No, I got that too by Lamont · · Score: 1

    it's not just you, there's something broke.

  36. New Logo, lets get it right this time by akehurst · · Score: 1
    I agree with Leper about Raul's design. There might be some concerns with the logo looking similar to one already being used by Sun.

    Whatever logo is picked, I would like it to have a clean, distinguished look, much like what Raul has done.

    --
    -
  37. Debenhams Linux? by Alex+F · · Score: 1

    Option 4: guatamnlad looks trademark-infringingly close to the Debenhams logo (www.debenhams.com)

  38. I think they should wait by cthonious · · Score: 1

    I don't like any of those. The old one is better.

    --

    support gun control: take guns from cops
  39. Oooohhh. Penguins, penguins! by John+Fulmer · · Score: 1

    I like Option 5, with the stylized red penguin. Real snazzy..

  40. Hmmm by dmaze · · Score: 1

    FWIW, I'm not too fond of any of them myself. Of the five, I like #2 the best as well, genie bottle or otherwise. (The bottle at least seems to go decently with the spirally thing, even if it doesn't add any meaningful content.)

  41. Hmmm by siglercm · · Score: 1

    The current logo is quite nice, its only drawback as I understand it is that its a penguin logo. Debian now has a Hurd distribution so they wanted to get away from being all penguins.

    I submitted several logos but the authoritarian figure at gimp.org running the contest threw mine out without even notifying me. It didn't fit a narrow interpretation of his rules, so out it went without so much as a thank-you-try-again.

    Anyway, all these logos suck except for the current one. I may not be a graphic designer, but I know a good logo when I see one. I guess this goes to show you that good developers don't necessarily have to have skills in the graphic arts :^)

    --
    sigfault (core dumped)
  42. I like the penguin by scratch · · Score: 1

    I'd second that. Why change the penguin? If there's concern about including Hurd, a Gnu drawn in similar style would be a nice way to keep the Debian 'brand' visible across it's product line.

    1. Re:I like the penguin by KingBob · · Score: 1

      Aren't you six days late for a comment like that?

  43. Well, *that's* funny ... by flanker · · Score: 1

    Its got the water buffalo behind it if you look very closely. An editorial by the author perhaps?

    --
    Left shift 1 for e-mail...
  44. Question from fellow lazy sysadmin by Tas · · Score: 1
    APT is a rather nice package managment tool. The following two commands will upgrade your system to the latest binaries (that are in the stable distribution by default):

    apt-get update
    apt-get dist-upgrade

    If you don't want new packages (that would be default on for a new install) added, you can use 'upgrade' instead of 'dist-upgrade' above.
    It automatically downloads all the .deb files it needs and then installs the new packages in the correct order.

    --
  45. Where is the vote? by Tas · · Score: 1

    The official vote is probably going to be a debian developers only type vote like it was for the debian constitution.

    --

  46. Question from fellow lazy sysadmin by devinoni · · Score: 1

    It was most likely added in Potato. Apt was updated, with a lot of new features.

    :)

  47. Which one is the best? by devinoni · · Score: 1

    First of all why did Debian want a new logo?
    IMHO I believe it is because Debian is now no longer just a Linux distribution, it is porting the Debian system to GNU/Hurd. Secondly they were hoping for a better looking logo which would do well on their webpages, and in printed medium, at true-color, 8-bit, and grey-scale. Also a new logo would be released under a new Logo license (don't know what the license says though :)


    So the Logo team picked 5 choices from the those submitted to the gimp contest. And the best way to choose is to analyze all and see which one best fits Debian's needs.

    Q: Overall impression.

    Option 1 (jeanette):
    What does an ant have to do with Debian? Maybe the idea of a community working together for the common good of the community as a whole.

    Option 2 (raul):
    Now I am confused. What's the spiral have to do with anything? And what's with that genie bottle. Maybe this. By opening up the Debian Genie bottle, your going to be able to make your dreams come true by using Debian. (I know that was lame, I couldn't think of any other reason.)

    Option 3 (villate):
    It's "debian's seal of approval." Hahaha. I didn't find it that funny.

    Option 4 (guatamnlad):
    The big D. You can definately see the D for debian and the L for linux. And in the offical there is the shadow of a gnu. Nice and simple

    Option 5 (Captain blue-eys):
    The old logo, nice and simple.

    Q: What's wrong with them?

    Option 1:
    Ant doesn't have much to do with Debian.

    Option 2:
    The spiral hasn't got much to do with Debian. Looks a lot like other company logos.

    Option 3:
    The spiral doesn't have much to do with Debian. The logo shouldn't look very good at 8-bit or grey scale.

    Option 4:
    The logo won't look good at 8-bit or grey scale. Will we be able to see the D and the L. Will we be able to see the GNU is the background? Limits its use with GNU/Hurd.

    Option 5:
    He's just old. We needs to be retired. No Hurd support.


    Q: What's right with them.

    Option 1:
    Not many colors, so it will look good with any number of colors. Very original.

    Option 2:
    Simple, will look good at any number of colors. I find it just interesting.

    Option 3:
    Looks really nice on a web page. The Seal holding up the earth was a cute idea. (Linux holding up the world.)

    Option 4:
    Nice and simple. Looks great on a web page.

    Option 5:
    It worked so far, why do we need to change?

    Q: What do I like?
    I guess if I had to choose I'd take Option 2. Nice and simple. The spiral just seems interesting. Also will allow the debian logo to be moved around. May the spiral on the left with Debian in a larger point font to the right.

    Just my 2 cents.







  48. Option 4 is nice, but.... by devinoni · · Score: 1

    Option 4 is nice, but the same can be said about all of them. That's why they are here. I don't generally like a single Letter (even if there'r really two in there :). I'm just wonder how it looks in black and white, for text documents and such. Will the L show up?

    I'd change it to greyscale, if I had the time, but I don't. I personally like 2. The swirl is simple and eligant, doesn't say much though, but look at the Gnome Foot. I think the swirl looks nice even without the debian below.

    just my $0.02 :)

  49. Question from fellow lazy sysadmin by devinoni · · Score: 1

    Package management is definately Debian's strongest point. You can upgrade from each release without much problems. This might be more difficult in other distributions.

    Perhaps this is why I use Debian?

  50. Raul's is the best by devinoni · · Score: 1

    Definately Raul's is the best. I like Captain blue-eyes to, but ince Debian is no longer just a Linux distribution. Raul's will keep the Hurd porters happy :)

    Now only if I can vote. Who knows when my application will go through.

  51. First comment? by miscellaneous · · Score: 1

    It really hurts to have to choose, but I'd pick raul's first, too. then maybe....

    I wonder if a slashdot poll would be kewl on this?

    Or maybe it would piss off the Gimp people...

    --
    -k. ^-^ ^D
  52. blotches and penguins by aderack · · Score: 1

    Kind of reminds me of a rorschach test.

    Somehow failing that, surely symbolic-based psychology studies would have something to say about all of this.

    "I like the square!"
    "Well, that says something about you. Conformist."
    "Braaah!"
    "Nurse -- help -- hey! H -- Geddim offame!"

    Ahem. Sorry. Where was I?

    --
    -- Aderack. Usually.
  53. Well, *that's* funny ... by Lumpish+Scholar · · Score: 1

    ... option 4 (which I rather like) is "Debian Linux", not "Debian GNU/Linux". Even the Debian folks don't pronounce "Linux" the way RMS wants???"

    --
    Stupid job ads, weird spam, occasional insight at
  54. Question from fellow lazy sysadmin by Emilio · · Score: 1

    This account is completely right. I tried to install apache today (just for fun).

    apt-get install apache

    Answer some questions and it was off and running. That easily!

    I never really needed it for anything so I just played around for a while and the removed it. No problem. Debian's package management is great!

    -Emilio

  55. A DEMO!!! by guacamole · · Score: 1

    root@foobar:/home# apt-get install xemacs20-bin
    Updating package status cache...done
    Checking system integrity...ok
    The following extra packages will be installed:
    xemacs20-support
    The following NEW packages will be installed:
    xemacs20-bin xemacs20-support
    0 packages upgraded, 2 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
    Need to get 12.3M of archives. After unpacking 33.3M will be used.
    Do you want to continue? [Y/n]
    Get ftp://ftp.fuller.edu slink/main xemacs20-bin [133k]
    Get ftp://ftp.fuller.edu slink/main xemacs20-support [12.2M]
    Fetched 12.3M in 1m20s (153k/s)
    Selecting previously deselected package xemacs20-support.
    (Reading database ... 33726 files and directories currently installed.)
    Unpacking xemacs20-support (from xemacs20-support_20.4-13.deb) ...
    Selecting previously deselected package xemacs20-bin.
    Unpacking xemacs20-bin (from xemacs20-bin_20.4-13.deb) ...
    Setting up xemacs20-support (20.4-13) ...

    Setting up xemacs20-bin (20.4-13) ...
    Checking available versions of xemacs, updating links in /etc/alternatives ...
    (You may modify the symlinks there yourself if desired - see `man ln'.)
    Updating xemacs (/usr/bin/xemacs) to point to /usr/bin/xemacs20.
    Updating xemacs.1.gz (/usr/man/man1/xemacs.1.gz) to point to /usr/man/man1/xemac
    s.xemacs20.1.gz.
    Checking available versions of editor, updating links in /etc/alternatives ...
    (You may modify the symlinks there yourself if desired - see `man ln'.)
    Leaving editor (/usr/bin/editor) pointing to /usr/bin/nvi.
    Leaving editor.1.gz (/usr/man/man1/editor.1.gz) pointing to /usr/man/man1/nvi.1.
    gz.
    Checking available versions of b2m, updating links in /etc/alternatives ...
    (You may modify the symlinks there yourself if desired - see `man ln'.)
    Updating b2m (/usr/bin/b2m) to point to /usr/bin/b2m.xemacs20.
    Updating b2m.1.gz (/usr/man/man1/b2m.1.gz) to point to /usr/man/man1/b2m.xemacs2
    0.1.gz.
    Checking available versions of ctags, updating links in /etc/alternatives ...
    (You may modify the symlinks there yourself if desired - see `man ln'.)
    Updating ctags (/usr/bin/ctags) to point to /usr/bin/ctags.xemacs20.
    warning: /usr/man/man1/ctags.1.gz is supposed to be a slave symlink to
    /etc/alternatives/ctags.1.gz, or nonexistent; however, readlink failed: Invalid
    argument
    Updating ctags.1.gz (/usr/man/man1/ctags.1.gz) to point to /usr/man/man1/ctags.x
    emacs20.1.gz.
    Checking available versions of etags, updating links in /etc/alternatives ...
    (You may modify the symlinks there yourself if desired - see `man ln'.)
    Updating etags (/usr/bin/etags) to point to /usr/bin/etags.xemacs20.

    Updating etags.1.gz (/usr/man/man1/etags.1.gz) to point to /usr/man/man1/etags.x
    emacs20.1.gz.
    Checking available versions of gnuclient, updating links in /etc/alternatives ..
    .
    (You may modify the symlinks there yourself if desired - see `man ln'.)
    Updating gnuclient (/usr/bin/gnuclient) to point to /usr/bin/gnuclient.xemacs20.
    Updating gnuclient.1.gz (/usr/man/man1/gnuclient.1.gz) to point to /usr/man/man1
    /gnuclient.xemacs20.1.gz.
    Checking available versions of gnuattach, updating links in /etc/alternatives ..
    .
    (You may modify the symlinks there yourself if desired - see `man ln'.)
    Updating gnuattach (/usr/bin/gnuattach) to point to /usr/bin/gnuattach.xemacs20.
    Updating gnuattach.1.gz (/usr/man/man1/gnuattach.1.gz) to point to /usr/man/man1
    /gnuattach.xemacs20.1.gz.
    Checking available versions of gnudoit, updating links in /etc/alternatives ...
    (You may modify the symlinks there yourself if desired - see `man ln'.)
    Updating gnudoit (/usr/bin/gnudoit) to point to /usr/bin/gnudoit.xemacs20.
    Updating gnudoit.1.gz (/usr/man/man1/gnudoit.1.gz) to point to /usr/man/man1/gnu
    doit.xemacs20.1.gz.
    Checking available versions of rcs-checkin, updating links in /etc/alternatives
    ...
    (You may modify the symlinks there yourself if desired - see `man ln'.)
    Updating rcs-checkin (/usr/bin/rcs-checkin) to point to /usr/bin/rcs-checkin.xem
    acs20.
    Updating rcs-checkin.1.gz (/usr/man/man1/rcs-checkin.1.gz) to point to /usr/man/
    man1/rcs-checkin.xemacs20.1.gz.
    Checking available versions of pstogif, updating links in /etc/alternatives ...
    (You may modify the symlinks there yourself if desired - see `man ln'.)
    Updating pstogif (/usr/bin/pstogif) to point to /usr/bin/pstogif.xemacs20.
    Updating pstogif.1.gz (/usr/man/man1/pstogif.1.gz) to point to /usr/man/man1/pst
    ogif.xemacs20.1.gz.

    root@foobar:/home# apt-get update
    Get ftp://ftp.fuller.edu slink/contrib Packages
    Get ftp://ftp.jimpick.com slink/non-US Packages
    Get ftp://ftp.fuller.edu slink/main Packages
    Get ftp://ftp.fuller.edu slink/non-free Packages
    Fetched 593k in 2s (237k/s)
    Updating package file cache...done
    Updating package status cache...done
    Checking system integrity...ok

    root@foobar:/home# apt-get upgrade
    Updating package status cache...done
    Checking system integrity...ok
    0 packages upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
    root@r-398b:/home#

    There are no new packages on ftp, so nothing is updated in the last command.

  56. GUYS, check out this one. by guacamole · · Score: 1

    I saw THIS image on www.netgod.net and I really liked it. Check it out. It has and GNU and a penguin on it..

    I even remember reading a RMS' post where he said that he would like to see both, a penguin and a Gnu on Debian logo.

  57. Doesn't guatamnlad #4 have a BIG problem??? by chris.bitmead · · Score: 1

    Ummm. I thought the reason they want to get rid of #5 is to stop it being so Linux specific. If that's the case why consider a Logo which is a stylised DL - Debian Linux.

  58. Another suggestion by sklib · · Score: 1

    Maybe this cute pokemon could be the new logo. :)

    --
    -S
  59. Dig it... by RISCy+Business · · Score: 1

    I have to side with Malda on this one.. Raul's got it going on. :)

    I'm gonna miss ol'Captain Blue Eyes. BTW, that reminds me; does ANYONE know if a *LICENSE* was ever agreed upon?


    -RISCy Business | Unix Guru, Unicent Telecom

  60. I like the penguin by JEP · · Score: 1

    Okay, reading some newer comments, some have said that they want to move away from a linux related logo because they will also be carrying hurd. How about combining the current penguin with a GNU drawn in the same style? I would have the penguin riding the gnu, but someone is bound to read some sinister meaning into it (ugh, politics again).

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    Jason Eric Pierce

  61. I like the penguin by JEP · · Score: 1

    I never saw anything wrong with it. It's actually related to linux (and ANT? a GENIE BOTTLE??) and it's stylish. It's also colorful without getting too complex. Unfortunately, after all this trouble, I doubt they'll vote to keep it.

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    Jason Eric Pierce

  62. I like the penguin by InvisibleCraterFunk · · Score: 1

    Not to mention the Win32-port "Debian GNU/Win32". (Seriously, it's in the works)

  63. Your right - there all butt ugly by Cptn+Proton · · Score: 1

    If thats the best they can do with GIMP, that shows everybody should stick with photoshop.

  64. Hmmm by PigAlien · · Score: 1
    There's a saying, "You can't please all of the people all of the time."

    Am I the only one who thinks that all of these designs are ugly? Personally, Rob, I like your logo for Debian better than any of these choices.

    I'm not making any statement about how good Red Hat is as a product (no flames, please), but their logo is great, it really sums it right up.

    I guess Raul's design is the most abstract and elegant, but I think the name could be integrated into the graphic somehow. Get rid of that genie bottle too. What is Debian, anyhow, a 1960's TV show?
    http://www.nara.gov/exhall/charters/declara tion/declaration.html

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    http://www.nara.gov/exhall/charters/declaration/de claration.html
    http://www.nara.gov/exhall/char
  65. I like Option 4 the best by JackDeth · · Score: 1

    I like guatamnlad's design the best also, although #2 is also pretty nice. Having the faint shadow of the Gnu in the background clinched it for me though.

    I wish it were an open vote...

  66. I like Option 4 the best by darbage · · Score: 1

    The Guatamnlad is definatly cool.. I'd say that
    is the best one.. Simple and right to the point..
    If we wanted, we could draw it on bar napkins
    while drunk and leave for other patrons to try
    and figure out: "Whats this guy on?" Debian Linux of course! :)

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    "Iwtywimiybmab"
  67. Well, *that's* funny ... by remande · · Score: 1

    Just a new entry into the Linux/GNU Linux wars:

    GLINDA

    This could be anything from:
    Gnu LINux Debian Architecture
    to
    Gnu LINux Distribution Alliance

    One of the main problems with the term GNU/Linux is pronunciation. I won't use it for the same reason I won't use "International Business Machines"; it's far too tempting to say "IBM" or simply "Big Blue". For the same reason, I pronounce "WWW" as "dub-dub-dub".

    GNU/Linux simply isn't easily reducable, and too long to use in normal conversation. GLinux doesn't cut it, nor does GNUnux (though maybe GNUx would--wouldn't that make RMS happy!) GLX sounds too much like a car or a biotech firm. Maybe just calling it "Penguin" would work...

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    --The basis of all love is respect

  68. Question from fellow lazy sysadmin by David+Greene · · Score: 2
    As a recent Debian convert, let me see if I can describe my experience.

    Previously I used Red Hat 5.1-5.2 The nice thing about Red Hat is that it's easy to install.

    But Debian is not much more difficult.

    The problem I ran into with Red Hat is that the blasted config files are all auto-generated and any effort to hand-edit them is either be wasted (because they get overwritten at boot-up) or results in a broken system because various tools rely on a strict format for the files.

    Now perhaps I just did not follow all of the correct procedures, but having come from Slackware (and originally *cough* SLS), I'm used to rolling my own. Often I just don't want to be bothered with linuxconf or the [expletive] control-panel.

    I'd describe Debian as Slackware with really, really nice packages. Packages include scripts that get run after installation to configure everything. There's a down side to this, however. You can't just start the install and walk away, because some scripts are interactive and ask you questions. Also, when I installed, the machine must have compiled the emacs math elisp code about 20 times. And this is not a quick process. I'm still not sure why deselect felt it should re-install elisp code several times.

    That said, the package manager (dselect) is not as horrible as is generally thought around these parts. Yes, it takes a bit of getting used to, but the on-line help is really fabulous. I did not need to read the "printed" documentation to do simple things like select and install packages. Apparently a new and improved package manager is on the way.

    But the truly great thing about Debian is apt. Apt lets you completely update your system with two simple commands:

    % apt-get update
    % apt-get upgrade

    The first updates the list of available packages. Apt knows how to interface through ftp and http so you can scan packages from lots of remote places. The second command pulls down any new versions of packages you have installed. When a bugfix for Debian is announced, I run these two commands and my system is brought completely up-to-date with the latest rev. Apt is smart enough to resolve all package dependencies and also bring over any new packages that are necessary.

    The downside to apt is that it relies on the package source location to have directories organized just like they are on the distribution CD. This isn't a problem at debian.org, but installing packages from most other places means you have to ftp and install "manually" (ala RPM). But I figure it's a good sign when this is one of the few "complaints" I have.

    Now Red Hat's rpm can also install or upgrade over the net, but is there a tool for updating the package list (over the net) like apt? Perhaps someone can enlighten me. I find it hard to believe it could be any simpler than apt.

    One of the few problems I have with Debian is that it starts every bloody daemon in existence by default. I still haven't had the time to go through and shut them all off. Also, my network setup is a little hosed, but I think that's my fault.

    I've been very pleased with Debian so far. It's much less buggy than Red Hat (imagine that, quality assurance really does work!), upgrades are a breeze and it just feels rock-solid.

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  69. New Logo, lets get it right this time by Analog · · Score: 2
    And of course to add to the confusion, we were all wearing t-shirts with your logo in the Debian booth at LinuxWorld. ;)

    Maybe just different animals for different kernels - penguin for Linux, gnu for Hurd, etc?

  70. Question from fellow lazy sysadmin by Analog · · Score: 2
    You can't just start the install and walk away, because some scripts are interactive and ask you questions.

    FYI, you can set it up to do unattended installs. There is(are?) option(s) to give the scripts default answers at install time. I've never used this option personally, so I can't give you specifics (sorry), but I've spoken to several people who use it regularly. Check the docs.

  71. Debian == bug? by Phil+Gregory · · Score: 2

    The rationale behind the ant is that Debian has similarities to an ant colony--hundreds of developers, each maintaing his or her own packages, and the sum is the finished product. Bees were also suggested for the same reason.


    --Phil (But I really like option 2. Clean, elegant, recognizable, good connotations.)

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    355/113 -- Not the famous irrational number PI, but an incredible simulation!
  72. Genie Bottle by ewhac · · Score: 2

    Think we could get Barbara Eden as a spokesperson?

    Schwab

  73. Where is the vote? by BiGGO · · Score: 2

    I think we need a slashdot vote for that.


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  74. I sometimes get that. by SeanNi · · Score: 2

    I've been getting it sporadically for the last couple weeks or so (ever since Rob started adding the moderation changes).

    I've been trying to find some pettern, so I can figure out what might be causing it. No identifiable pattern yet, though.
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    - Sean

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    It's a fine line between trolling and karma-whoring... and I think I just crossed it.
    - Sean
  75. New Logo, lets get it right this time by Leper · · Score: 2

    I like Raul. Its very clean, works well in a variety of color depths, and isn't too Linux specific. However it has problems. As someone else mentioned, its similar to a few other logo's. (its probably worthwhile to note that its similar in spirit to the Jini logo, though not in execution)

    Jeanette is a high quality logo which would scale well and grabs the eye. I do wonder about the association with a bug though, if we are to believe that a logo should be designed to the fit the frame of mind of the masses then choosing an insect, regardless of the true intent, might not be such a hot idea.

    Villate probably won't scale well enough, and might not look real good in lower bit depths. Drop shadows look good on web pages, but translate lousy to other media. (Oh the irony)

    Guatamnlad is too linux specific for my tastes. It would however probably scale well and look fine in b&w or 8bit color. Still, I find it unexciting to look at. Redhat has a cool logo, Suse has a cool logo, Debian can do better than this.

    Captain Blue Eye must die. I've found this logo disturbing from day 1. Sure it meets the logo criteria for scalability, color, etc. But its just not engaging enough.

    So while I really like Raul and I think it would make a fine logo I think we should be concerned about its similarity to other common place logos. A theme I think that Debian would do good to explore is the theme of the Debian wax seal. There was one submission in the Gimp logo contest with this theme, and while it didn't translate well, (bad jpeg compression artifacts really detracted from its beauty I think) it was a really good idea. A stylized wax seal could be just as eye catching as Raul, but avoid the similarity issues. It could easily be transmogrified from a simple 2 tone line drawing to a full-on photorealisitc image, all while retaining clarity and re-enforcing the Debian "brand". All we need now is for someone to go draw it. ;-)

    I've taken one or two aborted attempts at this idea myself, but I found that I just wasn't deft enough with the Gimp to do it justice. I'm hoping that someone else gives it a try.

  76. Debenhams Linux? by Stephen+Williams · · Score: 2

    Nah, it's sufficiently different :-) "Debenhams GNU/Linux" would make an interesting parody of some sort though. I'd do it myself if I had a sufficiently well-developed sense of humour.

    (I hope Debian Linux fits my new computer as well as Debenhams jeans fit me. I have a 28" waist and a 29" inside leg measurement, so it's kinda hard to get trousers that fit. Most manufacturers start at 30").

  77. I like Option 4 the best by Stephen+Williams · · Score: 2

    guatamnlad's design looks the best to me. I think it's really professional: simple, memorable, and eyecatching. Also, having the "official" and "open use" logos so similar, with one a simplified variation on the other, makes a lot of sense IMHO.

    Mind you, the "Debian Linux" caption is likely to upset someone...

  78. I'm sorry but none of these entries are worthy... by alpha · · Score: 3

    The only logo that even comes close to being professional is Raul's. Even then, his logo is very similar looking to Lucent technologies. The process of coming up with a logo is a lot more complicated than just running a contest. Not every artist is going to hit 'the magic one' on the first try. In fact it would be quite rare for that to happen (especially in a dominant programmer user base).

    What needs to happen is collaberation. Debian needs to let the artists know what kind of image they want to project. Then the artist will come up with several ideas and sketches. Debian should then look at what it likes out of the entries and thow out what it doesn't. The artist then goes back an comes up with more sketches that expand on the ideas that Debian has liked and maybe coming up with some ideas that Debian might like.

    Once all the entries have been distilled down you should have a simple logo that can be printed in both color and b&w without compromising image. The logo should also be able to be printed at different sizes with out compromising quality. This logo needs to be unique so that when people look at it they automatically know 'Debian.'

    One of the biggest thing in corporate America is image. I applaud Debian for realizing that they need to improve their image in order to become more mainstream. However I serious hope they turn all of these designs away because none of them are mature, simple, or unique enough to capture a good image of Debian.

    At this point I would like to bring up Red Hat. Look at their logo. It is very simple. It can be printed very easily in b&w as well as color. It can be easily scalable. This logo also has the effect of distilling what Red Hat is down into a simple image. This is the type of thing that Debian needs to strive for.

    As an artist I would also like to bring up my concern about the limited tool set that Debian was allowing to be used. While I think that The GIMP is a very useful tool, I think that it is not the right tool for this job. Like I said before, corporate logos need to be simple, clean, catchy and scalable. The GIMP is most useful at making complex effects and designs. And while yes it could be used to make simple designs it has one major flaw. It deals with raster based images. Raster based images are absolutely horrible when trying to scale to various different sizes. I believe that a vector based program at least needs to be allowed in to the mix...especially for corporate logo design.

    I look forward to any comments people might have...