While I don't disagree with the people wanting to change the name here, I cant help but realize that they are essentially bullying the maintainers. The maintainers are people who spend their free time to work on a project they never get paid for. Sure its a project we all seem to use, but it's also their project. I don't feel like its anyones place to force them into something they dont want to do. The thread started civil but then turned into cyber bullying. Funny how those trying to "prevent bullying" are the very ones doing it.
Wonder how many people who are up in arms about the name actually use GIMP? And how many of those are willing to monetarily compensate them for the lost recognition in the event they do change their name and are forced to start from scratch?<p>It is strange that the title words it as "Gimp" when GIMP has always been "GIMP", which has a very specific meaning(it stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program) that has nothing to do with the word "gimp".<p>I've used GIMP since I was in middle school and I have never ever known that it was a homophone for the more offensive term. I grew up in California and also never heard anyone use this term as an insult to anyone. Do non-American/English speaking GIMP users not have a say in this? Why do they have to have their GIMP become something else just because it happens to sound like a bad word in some other language?<p>It'll be a huge shame if they go through with this, but even if it does, I will always refer to their work as GIMP, the GNU Image Manipulation Program.
without naming names I see a lot of SJW in that issue without very many commits/participation in the open source community.<p>Also the maintainers gave their reply as it is their prerogative to do so.<p>> <i>Michael Natterer @mitch · 5 hours ago Maintainer</i><p>> <i>Sorry, the name will not change, closing.
Michael Natterer @mitch closed 5 hours ago</i><p>So JordiGH, you needn't re-open the issue <a href="https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gimp/issues/3618" rel="nofollow">https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gimp/issues/3618</a> and post to HN with the hopes of generating outrage against the GIMP project for not doing what you want.
<a href="https://www.gimp.org/docs/userfaq.html#i-dont-like-the-name-gimp-will-you-change-it" rel="nofollow">https://www.gimp.org/docs/userfaq.html#i-dont-like-the-name-...</a><p>Except for this? By all means consider renaming it.<p>Or keep it to spite everyone who comes from the outside and tries to destroy hacker culture.<p>Because that's what people are doing, destroying hacker culture just like we destroyed other cultures before.<p>Yes, in some cases the new culture is better, but why oh why do we have to destroy everything funny or unusual in the process.<p>This comes from someone who sometimes has to stand up for his group in other settings. Why can't society let us - and the hacker culture - alone as long as we adhere to the laws?<p>If the GIMP won't be a commercial success - fine. Or someone can fork it and package it under another name - fine. Or the maintainers can sell out - or even agree - fine.<p>But can't we stop this war against all forms of old school fun and what should I say - diversity?
Here's an idea: Why doesn't this guy (and anyone that agrees with him) spend 23 years building his own graphics editor, naming it whatever he likes?
There is no grace in sullying innocent people selflessly building a fine free product, while asking nothing in return. The mental gymnastics and energy employed in attributing malice is much better spent in improving the product.<p>Better yet, fork the product, rename it and do with it as you please. The authors are generous enough to allow that.
I'm not a very sensitive or "PC" person but the name has always bothered me, so much so that I won't use it or recommend it anyone only because of the name.
I don't agree nor disagree since I've never heard that word used for anything else than the software. But by this logic, we should also rename <i>git</i>
>The most modern and often used version of the word "gimp" is an ableist insult.<p>Untrue. The most common usage is as an adjective/verb that has nothing to do with disabled people. "Switching from C to Java really gimped our performance." "Our marketing in Mexico is gimped because we didn't hire a native Spanish speaker."<p>Also this is pretty rich coming from GNOME, considering that's used as an insulting name for little person.
This is mentioned in the FAQ and it's exceedingly clear and reasonable:<p>> Finally, if you still have strong feelings about the name “GIMP”, you should feel free to promote the use of the long form GNU Image Manipulation Program or maintain your own releases of the software under a different name.<p><a href="https://www.gimp.org/docs/userfaq.html#i-dont-like-the-name-gimp-will-you-change-it" rel="nofollow">https://www.gimp.org/docs/userfaq.html#i-dont-like-the-name-...</a>