GIMP: offensive GLIMPSE is not

[tangor]

Glimpse is a fork of the popular open source image editor, GIMP, created primarily to offer the software under an alternative name.

GIMP is a longstanding project, first announced in November 1995. The name is an acronym for “General Image Manipulation Program” and was originally called The GIMP.

The new fork springs from a discussion on Gitlab, where the source code is hosted. The discussion has been hidden but is available on web archives here. A topic titled "Consider renaming GIMP to a less offensive name," opened by developer Christopher Davis, stated:

[theregister.co.uk...]

Venerable graphics program is forked up with a new name.

Example of language ... and acronyms ... changing over time. We live in interesting times!

[brotherhood of LAN]

Unnecessary IMO. If I can kill a child (process) and spawn zombies, I'd take those problems more seriously that manipulating an image with GIMP.

Can't please everyone.

[graeme_p]

@brotherhood_of_LAN those examples are different as they are less visible to people in an organisation. The name of a desktop app is seen by a everyone so is likely to hurt adoption.

it might not offend you (or me for that matter) the question is whether it puts a significant number of people off.

[tangor]

For those easily offended all they have to do is use "General Image Manipulation Program" --- which is the product's real name. :)

[brotherhood of LAN]

@graeme_p agreed, I just meant context more than anything. Words can have many meanings (FWIW the American use of gimp for people with disabilities isn't used in the UK at all as you'll know, I assume this is what was implied as offensive)...

Still hear lots of Brits refer to cigarettes as fags, which is a word that obviously doesn't travel well.

Language is fluid too. A non-offensive word today could be offensive in 20 years time. Storm in a teacup for the non-offended.

[ken_b]

I try to remember the idea that just because something could be offensive, doesn't mean it was meant to be offensive.

Makes life easier.

[graeme_p]

@ken_b if we all did the sensible thing it would make live easier. Unfortunately the world is full of people who take offence or are scared of other people taking offence. In the last few months we have had fairly high profile books not published, distinguished people sacked or threatened with being sacked, and a lot more because people took offence at very little.

In that climate why stick to a name that can only hurt adoption.


Geeks seem to be terrible at picking names, and misplaced sense of humour or using something that sounds cool to you is a mistake. The worst I can think of was an XFCE filesystem mounting GUI (thankfully no longer needed!) called "Gigolo" because "It mounts what it is told to." Ha, Ha. I would not like that showing on my desktop in an office.

[TorontoBoy]

I use Gimp and I like it. Here in Canada few people know the alternative meanings of gimp. Young people do not know the meaning, so gimp is not offensive. Gimp just means you walk with a limp. Is "limp" offensive? This type of politically correctness seems generational based. Ask some Gen x's or Millenials the meaning and see if they know.

There must be a better reason for a fork. Are there any new features?

Is there a sexist meaning to "gimp"?

[graeme_p]

I just heard the word "gimp" used on a Radio 4 sketch comedy, so it is understood in the UK to some extent.

[graeme_p]

@TorontoBoy yes their FAQ mentions UI changes. I wonder whether thy might incorporate some of the GimpShop changes, if their aim is to reduce barriers to adoption.

[tangor]

This falls into the L.I.M.P.* category of things to do N.O.W.**

_{*Likely Impulse Media Protection
**New Orwellian Way}

Sadly, kids (and activists and politicians) are not taught "tough skins endure" or "commonsense disbelief", or "sticks and stones".

Handbasket ... meet Road ...