this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2024
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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I have no idea what you are talking about.
When I saw this image my first thought was "WTF?" I have seen people complain about the name before but when I try to look up gimp to see what they are talking about I just get gimp the software. What even is that image?
Edit:
I tried looking it up on Wikipedia and there was this page
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bondage_suit
That actually makes more sense although I'm pretty sure most people aren't into BDSM. Gimp stands for gnu image manipulation program so it has nothing to do with whatever this is.
You don't need to be into BDSM to know the term gimp suit. I've seen it referred to in media plenty of times before. I think it's less common now, but it's likely the first thought of many people who hear the name. That or the offensive term for a disabled person, which is not any better.
Tell me you haven't watched Pulp fiction without telling me you haven't watched Pulp fiction 😁
Also it's specifically named as a reference to the gimp from pulp fiction as it originally came out around the same.
It's fine for a hobby project but GIMP is well past that now and it's a really bad look in a professional environment.
Yes, I know it stands for GNU Image Manipulation Software.
People in general don't know that.
When they hear gimp, they think of a fetishist in a gimp suit, or a slur for a person with a severe disability.
Both are bad. I also wouldn't have my software share a name, even as an acronym, with other slurs or fetish stuff.
Imagine you're a manager high up in a company. Someone comes to you and says "sir, I really think we should be using PAKI instead of [proprietary software alternative]", and have you considered PISSPLAY instead of [proprietary software alternative]?"
You wouldn't even look into it. You'd reject it outright. Or at least most would.
Again, it's the GIMP team's right to name it how they want. But the name is dumb, puts people off, stifles investment opportunity, and makes the whole project look like a joke at a cursory glance.