Comments on: Essentials: Naming that makes sense!

By: Devlounge | Friday Focus #37

Devlounge | Friday Focus #37 — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 11:32:09 +0000

[...] Programming: How to Find a Good Domain Name From the digg description: Don’t let everyone convince you that all of the good domains are already taken. Remember, we wrote something somewhat similar back last winter about vowel dropping in domain names. [...]

By: Connor Wilson

Connor Wilson — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 22:08:05 +0000

I agree that Flickr is a great name, but I don’t think it’s worked since (vowel dropping), and can’t see it happening in the future.

By: Techscape » Blog Archive » Web 2.0 news: Facebook/Jobster,

Techscape » Blog Archive » Web 2.0 news: Facebook/Jobster, — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 11:49:35 +0000

[...] revisits the subject of naming brands, a post that seems particularly relevant in the Web 2.0 world of dropped letters and seemingly [...]

By: mcdave.net » links for 2007-01-29

mcdave.net » links for 2007-01-29 — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 06:27:38 +0000

[...] Devlounge | Essentials: Naming that makes sense! (tags: brand web2.0) [...]

By: Ranjani (Biscuitrat)

Ranjani (Biscuitrat) — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 21:57:02 +0000

I think Flickr is the only example of a truncated name that has worked, and isn’t accused of following a set mold — it is the original, after all. I really think it only works well for Flickr, since Flickr is the innovator. It looks cute, but for a professional site, cutting off letters doesn’t accomplish anything. Flickr is cute and fun, so it’s legitimized.

Good thing we’re all Webdesignrs and know this already

By: Sal Shepherd

Sal Shepherd — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 15:43:16 +0000

There are many reasons for that but mainly in the internet era, lack of availability of good domains. If Flickr could at the time they started operation get “Flicker.com” they likely would, but the name was registered years before they started. Same goes with so many other names/brands.
The argument of generic vs made up words for brands isn’t something new. Both have their downsides and upsides. On one hand with a made up word you have better trademark protection as the word isn’t descriptive. On the other hand, you have to pay dearly to educate the masses.
With generic words you have the opposite. You don’t have to educate the masses as the name is descriptive but.. no trademark protection (if used in its descriptive manner).
Two examples:
1. Descriptive brand : search.com – In this case if someone starts a site related to search on “serch.com”, search.com has no ground and can lose market share.
2. Made up brand : ebay.com – If someone starts anything related to online auction on a similar name ebay has ground for trademark infringement.

By: Ronald Huereca

Ronald Huereca — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 14:00:27 +0000

Oh… The grammar Nazi is coming out when I see shortened names such as Flickr or Kevn. At least if you’re going to use a shortened name, add in the apostrophe. Then again, Flick’r doesn’t look as pretty.

By: aj

aj — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 13:58:34 +0000

And I agree. The amount of domains used up, and in many cases by people who don’t even have a use for them but just hope to make a profit, puts a chokehold on creativity when creating a name for your brand. But the letter-dropping trend is so popular now, that’s it’s being used in cases where it’s entirely not neccessary at all.

By: MCF

MCF — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 13:29:37 +0000

Flickr, being the original character dropper, is a great name. It’s unfortunate, as you mention, that too many have followed.

Flickr (and other such names) only fit into a society which help generate such linguistic shortcuts… it’s akin to texting on your mobile phone (sorry, txtng!?)

However, domain name availability is also a major stumbling block for 100% web based businesses. Do you really think flicker.com was available? At a decent price? Are any decent, credible words available as domains anymore?

Therein lies two issues.

By: csslove

csslove — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 13:19:05 +0000

I absolutely agree.
It’s just sad that so many people try their best to follow the trends, and don’t realize that it’s much more beneficial to be UNIQUE.
Flickr, that’s a unique name, they did the “dropped letter” thing first. It’s done. Don’t copy just for the sake of it.