I know that I'm not the first person to notice that Microsoft has renamed its next-generation of super-duper software. I thought that Longhorn, Avalon and Indigo were fun names and made the products sound nice and friendly. I really am looking forward to doing development on the new platform, no matter what name is given by Microsoft.
So let's look at the names:
- Microsoft Windows Vista - Formerly known as Longhorn. I'm not too thrilled with this name, but ok, I'll take the intended perspective that it is to mean "distant view" and hope that distant in this case is not a reference to the expected horizon that the end user must wait to give dollars to Microsoft to receive this product.
- Microsoft Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) - Formerly known as Indigo. I am a proponent of Indigo as it advances the way in which we think about communications. But I wonder what nickname the Indigo team (formerly Indigettes) members will now use. I hope it is not "Foundies" or "Commies" or "W C Fites".
- Microsoft Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) - Formerly known as Avalon. I would argue that software written for this new platform had better cut a "bella figura", but how can anything with an acronym that sounds much like the expulsion of putrid air through a restricted aperture be anything but disgusting? Purse your lips and sound out the acronym; am I right?
Zoinks!!! I've decided to use Scooby Doo names instead so this stuff can sound friendlier (and no, I have not seen either Scooby Doo movie, yet).
- Velma - Formerly known as Indigo. Velma is the smart one who is nerdy, but gets it right. Sounds like the Indigo team.
- Daphne - Formerly known as Avalon. Daphne is the babe on the show and Avalon is about as attractive as they get.
- Shaggy - Formerly known as WinFS. No one ever knows where to find Shaggy. He's always running off and getting in trouble and no one can find him. He should show up around 2007, I guess.
- Scooby Doo Mystery Machine - Formerly known as Longhorn. Someone has to carry all of the others around from mystery to mystery.
- Scooby Doo - Formerly known as Bill Gates. I mean, c'mon, if you can't see the resemblance, I can't help you. Besides, he and Shaggy hang around a lot together and well, um, see Shaggy's reference above.
- Freddy - There is no Freddy. Anyone who wears a white sweater with powder blue pants and an orange scarf around his neck is not worthy of having a software product named for him. And no, Freddy is not formerly known as Steve Ballmer regardless of the apparent resemblance and choice of apparel.
- Emile Mondavarious - Formerly known as MAC OSX Tiger. Mondavarious is a robot that ran Spooky Island, 'nuf said.
I know, I know, Scrappy-Doo is not listed here. Any suggestions?
Jeepers creepers, that is much more spooktacular. Hey Scooby . . .