From f81f769b49728c2ced51c3091938e3f5f936c916 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: P. J. McDermott <pehjota>
Date: Sun, 05 Aug 2012 08:14:34 -0400
Subject: Write page about missing name.

---
(limited to 'dev/name.mdwn')

diff --git a/dev/name.mdwn b/dev/name.mdwn
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index 0000000..898b504
--- /dev/null
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+[[!meta title="Distribution Name"]]
+
+This distribution still lacks a name.  This is holding up the registration of a
+domain name and, more importantly, the creation of mailing lists.  Additionally,
+a nameless project is rather difficult to promote and document (count the
+occurrences of "this system" on the main Web site).
+
+
+Requirements
+============
+
+  * The name must in some way hint at some key feature of the operating system
+    (e.g. its small size, its high configurability, and/or its near universal
+    application).
+  * The name should be fairly short and easy to say and spell.
+  * The name must be eligible for trademark protection (and in the same vein it
+    must not be confusingly similar to that of any other software work).
+  * The name must be an available domain name in at least the "com" domain.
+  * The name must not include names of any included software packages.  The
+    obvious example, Linux(-libre), may someday be just one choice of kernel for
+    the operating system and as such should not be referenced in the system's
+    name.
+
+
+Possible Themes
+===============
+
+The name may be (or be derived from) a real word in English or any other
+language.  It may refer to a place, an animal, a figure from some culture's
+mythology (especially a shapeshifter), a chemical element or compound, etc.
+
+Or the name may be an acronym, recursive acronym, or mutually recursive acronym
+(like GNU HURD/HERD).
+
+
+Considered Names
+================
+
+ProteanOS
+---------
+
+"Protean" is [defined][protean-defn] as "exceedingly variable; readily assuming
+different shapes or forms".  It refers to [Proteus][proteus-info], an ancient
+Greek god of the sea known for changing his shape to avoid curious pursuers.
+
+I (P. J.) am not keen on having a project name that ends in "OS".  I'd prefer a
+standalone word or acronym.  However, the former are hard to find available as
+domain names, and the latter are hard to devise.
+
+This name is currently available in the "com" domain.
+
+[protean-defn]: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/protean
+[proteus-info]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proteus
+
+Kasei
+-----
+
+A Japanese word that (in the "化成" writing) literally [means][kasei-defn]
+"change into form" and is translated to mean "chemical synthesis,
+transformation".
+
+Interestingly, "kasei" is also an anagram of "sekai" ("世界"), the Japanese word
+for "world"; we could use this to refer to the OS's universal application.
+
+"kasei.com" is currently registered.  The registrant has declined to transfer
+the domain for use by this project.
+
+[kasei-defn]: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%8C%96%E6%88%90
+
+Kitsune
+-------
+
+The Japanese word for "fox".  Foxes are [well-known][kitsune-info] as
+shapeshifters in the folklore of Japan and other regions in Asia.
+
+"kitsune.com" seems to be registered by a company in Great Britain.  They have
+not been contacted regarding possible transfer.
+
+[kitsune-info]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitsune#Characteristics
+
+Fuhen
+-----
+
+A Mandarin word incorporated into the Japanese language.  It [means][fuhen-defn]
+"common, widespread, universal, ubiquitous, omnipresent".
+
+"fuhen.com" is registered by a company in Japan.  They have not been contacted
+regarding possible transfer.
+
+[fuhen-defn]: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E6%99%AE%E9%81%8D
+
+RUES: Universal Embedded System
+-------------------------------
+
+A recursive acronym.  It may also refer to the [plant][rue-info], though that
+seems irrelevant.
+
+[rue-info]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rue
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