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Riot is now Element

(element.io)
550 points J_tt | 5 comments | 15 Jul 20 07:07 UTC | HN request time: 1.05s | source
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badrabbit ◴[15 Jul 20 10:07 UTC] No.23843202[source]▶
No!!! Of all the names in the world why this. "Hey bro, let's chat on Element" ,not quite a ring to it.

The hardest problem in computer science strikes again!

Matrix,Riot and Libolm are epic projects, I wish them all the success but man, even Riot was a hard sell as a brand. I would seriously be dissapointed if it loses popularity over this. I don't think the project maintainers understand that their core users/fans are waiting for a product they can sell to friends,family and coworkers.

People who don't know tech rely on branding/brand reputation and word of mouth reputation to decide if they are intetested in even trying out a product to begin with.

Which of these is unlike the others?

1) Signal

2) Telegram

3) Element

4) Whatsapp

Hint: The theme is messaging and communication.

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1. rplnt ◴[15 Jul 20 10:18 UTC] No.23843279[source]▶
Signal and Telegram are more obvious, yes, but it's not like unrelated or unique names couldn't work.

Slack comes to mind. Or, I seek you?

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2. badrabbit ◴[15 Jul 20 10:27 UTC] No.23843326[source]▶
ICQ has a quirky meaning to it,once you get it,it's like what you use when you seek someone (not really but the mental association is there). Slack? Not sure, it's popular in tech but I've only used it when I have no other choice but I associated it with slacking off (as in when you want to talk informally relax and talk non-work) or having slack (break or headroom),so when someone says let's chat on Slack, I think of a fun interaction that is more akin to taking a break.

But to your point, the only good thing about Skype for example is few syllables and messaging related graphics/logo for me.

3. rvnx ◴[15 Jul 20 11:16 UTC] No.23843646[source]▶
Slack is an absolutely horrible name, especially for work-related purposes; it doesn't reflect messaging but laziness and productivity waste.
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4. lmns ◴[15 Jul 20 12:51 UTC] No.23844431[source]▶
Which is exactly the point of the name, isn't it? The name makes you think of leisure time, but in fact you are still working and discussing work-related things while using it.
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5. dexterdog ◴[15 Jul 20 20:08 UTC] No.23850974{3}[source]▶
You haven't seen most people use slack then