Change our branding to diaspora* (lower case).
goob
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There's a discussion in the Outreach group about changing our branding, and there appears to be consensus for dropping the initial capital from Diaspora in logos and official communications.
However, although this is a small change (one letter), it is a major change in terms of how we present ourselves, so I thought we should have a proper vote on it with as many people as possible participating.
The asterisk remains a key part of our branding.
So the proposal is that we change the logo to diaspora* in Roboto bold, and that in official communications, we style the name diaspora* (lower case, with the asterisk).
In longer prose documents, such as wiki articles, it will still be fine to use Diaspora (capital, no asterisk) as the diaspora* style can get intrusive if used a lot in a page.
It will still be fine to use a logo which is just an asterisk, as various pods do, and to use other artwork (e.g. a hand-drawn logo) in certain cases.
Poll Created Sat 10 Aug 2013 10:41AM
Change branding to diaspora* Closed Tue 20 Aug 2013 5:03PM
I think we can consider this passed, with some reservations. This only affects 'official' communications from the Foundation, and individuals, including podmins, need not be constrained by it - they can style their pods as they like.
As stated in the discussion content, drop the use of Diaspora or Diaspora* in branding (official text communications and logos) and switch to diaspora* (lower case).
There are other elements to the branding proposal, but let's vote just on this one for now.
Results
| Results | Option | % of points | Voters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Agree | 48.4% | 15 |
DU
DU
RA
|
| Abstain | 29.0% | 9 |
MD
O
L
J
DU
|
|
| Disagree | 22.6% | 7 |
S
|
|
| Block | 0.0% | 0 | ||
| Undecided | 0% | 250 |
MS
AA
S
CB
GC
AX
PC
|
31 of 281 people have voted (11%)
Faldrian
Sat 10 Aug 2013 11:00AM
I like the capital D, Diaspora is not just "twitter" or "facebook" or "myspace", we have a proper Noun as brandname and should be proud of it and write correctly. ;)
I'm for Diaspora* as it has been.
Taylor McLeod
Sat 10 Aug 2013 8:40PM
Mozilla is not easily confused with other meanings of the term. Diaspora can easily confused with the dictionary meaning of the word. It may be useful to denote proper noun. I feel like 'D' balances out the '' in Diaspora. Not a big deal though.
Maciek Łoziński
Mon 12 Aug 2013 12:48PM
when in logo - in my opinion it looks better without capitalization.
Malte Dik
Mon 12 Aug 2013 11:32PM
What about the shortened "D*"? "d*" doesn't work in my opinion.
Seth Martin
Tue 13 Aug 2013 7:18PM
I kinda like the capital D, but it's not important to me.
OpenLifeChallenge
Thu 15 Aug 2013 9:11PM
Tough decision. Kinda agree on the re-branding because I like the consequent idea but at the same time it removes the name-feeling to it...
Jelle Langbroek
Fri 16 Aug 2013 10:15PM
Agreed to the balancing of D and *
Also it's still a name so it should read Diaspora IMO
yogrt
Sat 17 Aug 2013 11:09PM
Agreed, a non capital makes it stand out more from most commercial brands I reckon.
jonsger
Sun 18 Aug 2013 5:18PM
all letters capital is the best.
goob Tue 13 Aug 2013 1:39PM
What about the shortened "D*"? "d*" doesn't work in my opinion.
@maltedik - D* is not part of the official branding. It's only a shorthand used when people chat to each other. Obviously when you chat to someone you can use what you like!
This proposal is only about changing the branding in the official logo and official communications, for example the project site. People's informal communications with each other won't be affected, of course.
goob Thu 15 Aug 2013 3:25PM
Hi @davidmorley , I notice that you voted against this proposal, but interestingly your merchandise already uses the lower-case diaspora* branding: http://www.cafepress.com/diasporg
David Morley Fri 16 Aug 2013 4:59PM
@goob correct, the logo has always been lowercase that I have seen and the images at cafepress were based off the original logo. But I think a capital in a name is good.
goob Fri 16 Aug 2013 9:15PM
Ah, right, @davidmorley , you like it in the logo but not in text. Thanks, that makes sense.
Elm Tue 21 Jul 2015 4:52AM
Hi, someone told me that the name "diaspora" (either D or d ;-) is a name he associate with negative impact (could means forced migration of a whole population eg because of war as in some african countries, refers to a specific diaspora in history...). So I wonder if there has been any discussion about finding and changing to a new name with more "positive aspects" after the project has been given to community ?
Juan Santiago Tue 21 Jul 2015 9:40AM
@loelo
What you had drink today? my friend.
Elm Tue 21 Jul 2015 10:54AM
ah ah :-) just plain water (well with coffee or tea !). As to the meanings of "diaspora" here is some info : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaspora, but as i am french I can only speak for the french side meanings.
I knew my proposition would be an "heretic" one ! However changing name has been done by other projets such as xbmc (now kodi)… So, to me my question is not so foolish as it may seem ;-)
Juan Santiago Tue 21 Jul 2015 11:34AM
@loelo
Yes, other projects have been renamed, but this has only brought confusion, and remember, Diaspora* is no longer just a project is a reality, a reality that needs to solve some problems, and the name already known to the audience, it not seems be a problem, why are we going to become a problem?
Perhaps we change forever the meaning of the word Diaspora,
Diaspora*: separate but together :)
Now I'll have a coffee, and we will be nearby. :)
Sorry about my English.
Ivan Gabriel Morén Sat 25 Jul 2015 8:52PM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaspora_%28disambiguation%29
;)
Edit: But yes, diaspora may at first seem negative to some people. The word is neutral in its roots though, and I personally think we should continue to make it our own. That said, a living discussion about a projects name and associations is always healthy, so no need for what-did-you-drink-today replies imo ;)
Flaburgan · Sat 10 Aug 2013 11:41AM
upper or lower case is not about having a "proper Noun". Mozilla is not valid, it's mozilla. The d is nicer than D imo.