The name SoftwareStore has received a lot of criticism, and I'm yet to find someone who agrees with it (although, someone must agree since they changed the name).
I think the word "store" will immediately associate the application to commercial software, but the application itself will be centred on free software.
Also, the name seems to hurt user feedback, since most of them just start a discussion on how bad the name is, and alternatives to it, instead of doing some constructive discussion on the features,scope and importance of the project.
If anyone has a comment on the rationale of the idea, or the justification of the solutions, please share it and I'll see if I add it to the description.
I'm pretty sure solution #2 could have a better justification, because there should be an appealing reason to decline the name AppCenter in favour of SoftwareStore
andruk(Idea reviewer)
wrote on the 9 Sep 09 at 02:35
At least in the US, store is generally used to indicate a marketplace, not a place to get free stuff. But your average user barely knows what an "app" is anyway, and only from the iPod commercials, so I don't like "AppCenter" either.
I would be in favor of something like "Software Center" or something like that.
What about going for a bit of a pun, with something like "SoftCenter"? Most people recognise "Soft" when it comes to computers as meaning "software", and the name evokes the idea of sweets (at least, it does for me). Oh, and it has to correct itself for Non-US spelling - SoftCentre.
Alelyn, perhaps the idea of using Soft could be appropiate. However, I also considered the localization issue with the word center, and think that in the end, the executable itself must be named one way or the other, and translations would only apply to language packs that affect the GUI.
Ill add the use of "Soft" to the solution where software is used. Spreding the solution in using software instead of soft, or by specifying the large amount of variants these names could have wouldn't be so useful (I think...)
There, they give what I think is an important argument against the use of the word "application". This thing will allow you to install codecs, fonts and many things that fall under the software category, and not under applications.
cheesehead(Brainstorm admin)
wrote on the 9 Sep 09 at 20:31
Deleted Solution #2 (do nothing). Historically, 'do nothing' solutions have been misused by Brainstormers seeking to improve their ranking, and do not help refine the idea.
cheesehead(Brainstorm admin)
wrote on the 9 Sep 09 at 20:34
The concept of 'store' is broader than merely purchasing. The word evokes browsing, selection, comparison, and other desirable elements of the experience. Are there any good -and easily translatable- synonyms that evoke these elements?
I didn't knew "do nothing" solutions were misused here, that's a shame.
It's true that a store refers to much more than simply paying, and I guess that most direct translations of the word carry on the same meaning of a place where one also compares and selects products.
However, the word itself is more easily associated to purchasing something. Due to this, it might be preferable to sacrifice the additional meaning the word store brings and choose something less broad.
-Center makes more sense than -Store, since the concept involves handling updates, browsing/searching, and package management on all levels. Also, the package manager is effectively the 'center' of the operating system - everything is a package, even the kernel and the shell.
I don't see much* wrong with App-, given the popularity of the iPhone App Store. In fact, when introducing newbies to Ubuntu, I always draw a parallel between Add/Remove and the App Store.
*The only potential problem is that, as orlox mentioned, codecs and fonts are not apps. SoftCenter might be a good idea, but the average user probably wouldn't make the connection between codecs and 'software' any more than they would with 'applications'. PackageCenter would be more accurate, but it seems kind of technical and could cause confusion with PackageKit. Whatever we call it, Center has to be in it.
"Store" is fine IMO. Android has an "App Market" and the iPhone has an "App Store", both filled with plenty of freebie software. The idea that users won't be able to grasp the concept of downloading for free from something named store is just a bit silly.
it will eventually do more than adding and removing software. You will be able to keep track of history, undo modifications, updates will go through this software and you may even be able to purchase non-free software using it too. We need to pick a name now, that can build up a reputation, changing the name later will reduce the reputation and confuse people who have gotten used to the name.
Thus as it will do more than add/remove it should not be called "Add/Remove".
I actually think "app" is the way to go because it sounds "inside" and a growing number of casual users are familiar with it - due in large part to the Apple iPhone commercials.
People like it when they can spout off a little jargon and sound like they know what they are talking about.
I think "AppCenter" works well on a promotional level, where "Software Store" is full of fail. It sounds souless and generic. Anti-cool.
The main reason it should not be called "Add/Remove" is that that name is usually only associated with removing software, due to the people transferring from Windows.
Seriously though, Software Centre is a good choice. It's not specifically tied to apps, and it reflects the central nature of the application.
I get the whole store thing, in that we want to be able to sell software through it, but it's too commercial. It will always have a lot more free software than not.
I'm also for "Software Store." This gives developers who enjoy GNU/Linux to actually make a living if donations are not enough. There is a difference between people who want software to remain free for philosophical reasons and people who just don't want to pay for anything because they are cheap. I think if a developer wants to put a non-free app in the store it puts a lot of pressure on them to make something amazing because there are other amazing free apps in the store. Competition is always a good thing. I'm hoping that with a "store", Windows/Mac developers will take Ubuntu more seriously and there will be many more software choices, free or not.
Of the solutions outlined above, I'd go for #4- Software Centre, since 'Store' has a connotation of 'buying' stuff, like a 'grocery store', 'drug store' or 'convenience store'.
Especially when translated into most Indian languages I know, it would read 'shop', or 'market', and down here shops, stores and markets are associated with paying for what you get.
Software Centre has the advantage of 'bringing everything under one roof', and even translated, I think it would mean the same.
Does it have to be like a location, like 'Store' or 'Centre'?
How about something like 'Software Manager', since 'software management' is what the new app is supposed to do? The new UI tool is intended to bring elements like the 'Synaptic Package Manager' and the 'Update Manager' all under one UI, in addition to 'software sources' and gdebi. Basically something that helps you manage all software installed on the computer, like Synaptic with a more Noob friendly UI.
Something like this:
Executable name= swman
Application name= Software Manager
Comment/Description= Find and install new software, and upgrade or remove installed software on this computer.
To further my comment above, I'd also like to say that "Software Center" is not a bad idea either. If there are non-free apps, there should be some type of control. I really like the iPhone app store in that you pay for an app once and all updates/upgrades thereafter are free.
Remember Erick Raimond "The Catedral and the Bazaar"?
I think "Software Bazaar", resembles the colaborative spirit of Ubuntu and also the place where things can be exchanged and acquired (bought), but with more emphasys on the openess and free.
CENTER is an Americanised spelling of CENTRE - will it be localised?
I feel that in my menu (currently headed by control centre)
:( STORE
actually means to keep things, but was adopted by American English to mean 'Best Buy'. To non-Americans, I feel that American style selling is too hard. I'd avoid going to a store, but I wouldn't mind going shopping when I'm intending to buy things.
I think in general, don't use a metaphorical like "Software Store", or "Software Market". However, don't go with a name that assumes that the users know what an 'app' is.
metaphors can be misunderstood, as has been already communicated.
what about something like 'Software Listings'? It's not a perfect idea, but it doesn't depend on arcane metaphors or techy know-how, so it could be a start.
I like the name "Install Central". To me it makes sense and doesn't sound too computer savvy. Basically it means the place to install anything, fonts, updates, software, applications.
I'd seriously question whether "app" is automatically worse than "software". Google, Myspace, Facebook, iTouch/Phone, et al. are popularizing the term. More than that, they give it a connotation of "one program, one task" (a Unix/Linux mantra from way back), while the "software" umbrella still covers firmware, viruses, and OSs (not that anyone would expect a virus from Add/Remove).
IMO, "App" is likely to be more recognized by techie and novice alike, and is as likely to become even more well known over time.
Ubuntu Software Store is pretty nice. But sounds commercial, which is a good idea. Ubuntu, could, in the future, sell software by this application, like Nero 4 Linux. Ubuntu can have a commission for selling by this application.
Software Manager is the best as all kind of software packages ([free] documentation, language packs, fonts and not only the full applications) should be managed by it, while store suggests to ONLY BUY applications.
RichardLinx:
FOSS Center wouldn't be good. First of all it won't only be free and open source software in it. Secondly it doesn't say much to new people who doesn't know what FOSS is.
Well, I have just experienced myself that it is a total risk for one's reputation in this website to suggest a name. There are no liked suggestions, it seems. I wish I could remove mine...
Anyway, since I don't want to get another -40 on my account, I will ask here to obtain some initial feedback on whether my new suggestion is liked or not.
How do you like Software Supply? or Ubuntu Software Supply for long version. Think about it. I am really getting tired of this negativity shown by the community towards the solutions.
Personally I don't think that Software Supply is a bad name, but I don't know how good its chances are at this point. At most, only one of the suggested names can be chosen, and peer pressure is overwhelmingly in favor of Software Center. I don't think people have much interest in more suggestions at this point. Look at the last 12 suggestions; they all got voted down, regardless of how good the suggestion is.
That aside, this website is about making Ubuntu better, not racking up points for your account. If you think your idea would improve Ubuntu, you shouldn't hold it back.
Yeah I guess I got pretty dramatic about my reputation, but the fact that I have almost never been voted against made me treasure the almost impeccable reputation I had. And a -77 in one single solution proposal just seemed nuts to me.
Yes indeed, I still post any idea that I think will make ubuntu better, I just don't want the ubuntu brainstorm community to be just like that of a town who bases their decision on which candidate to elect based on who's winning and whose loosing and not on their own developed criterium.