The HeliOS Project is now.....

The HeliOS Project is now.....
Same mission, same folks...just a different name

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Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Can You Name This App?

Many of you know that I've been critical of goofy, hurtful and esoteric software names in Linux.  While many think little of this, many more have stepped forward to agree that if Linux is to even think of gaining market share, we have to think more in lines of Market instead of Me.

Well the shoe's on the other foot now.

We recently announced a project going forward that addresses the need for a Linux application that teaches all levels of autistic kids how to use a mouse.  We are talking to several software coders, with one already on board.  We have Ph.D's and a Masters of Special Education   working with us to begin mapping out this software.

It truly looks to be moving forward.

So the question is, what will we name this software?  It would be nice to have a cognitive path between the name and function but I realize this is much easier said than done.  It should also be one syllable if possible and easy to pronounce.  I've racked my brain trying to come up with cute acronyms and names...to no avail.

It would seem that naming a software app while traversing the minefield that is trademark and copyright law is harder than it looks.

So, the best thing to do now is turn it over to the community...people much smarter than me will find a name for it.  We've asked the slashdot community for help as well.  If you want to vote for the article to get full exposure, you can do so here.

On that I would bet a week's pay.

All-Righty Then...

32 comments:

propwashz said...

MyMouse

Drew said...

This would obviously require a look-see from your attorney, but I like "Rain Man". (And I can't help but think the part that controls the mouse would be an "excellent driver".)

Gavin said...

Smouse

evaline said...

handy
click

NoobixCube said...

Two syllables, but "Mouster", Master the Mouse ;)

LUTE? Learn to Use The Equipment?

I dunno, just two off the top of my head.

emk said...

Wiggly

Czarzhan said...

Well, it's 5:30am, and our kids kept us up late, so this might be a case of "sounds good at the time," but:

The app will be for instructing autistics (the use of the) mouse.

IAM ("I am")

My wife came up with the acronym; a nice, affirmative message that neurotypical people sometimes forget regarding autistics; and I fit words to it. :)

Skip Frizzell said...

Mouser

Brian Kemp said...

Going to guess that "Mouser" is taken.

KenJennings said...

Mauth ? (How To Use A Mouse acronym, backwards.)

KenJennings said...

Meacher, the mouse teacher

Dave Greengas said...

Clickety to describe the sound of a mouse as you click.

Webster Knight said...

vaMouse, faMouse, Mousetrip, arrowMa, emouse, emuse, aMouse, moush-up, moush, moush-pit, ratóón, ratónite, Xmouse, mouseX, schoolmouse, escualamouse, acadarat, ratool, rattool, academouse,

Brian Snipes said...

Clix or Clikz

Tony said...

Handeye
Coord (as in coordination)

Anonymous said...

Cat or Catspaw - they know how to use a mouse (breifly)

Anonymous said...

Name it "Little mouse".

Dan said...

Moussy, Mouzy, MaMouse

Paul Sams said...

Mor, don't know if that's any good, but I'm trying to think simple and show dignity to these kids, that's also what I think the rest of you are doing also.
Paul Sams

Scott said...

Mouse + master = Maestro,
(or possibly a variation such as: MyStro, MiceStro)

Innocent Bystander said...

MouseSkills

Anonymous said...

Micey or MiceyMice

-Abe

Grant Johnson said...

Name Automaus
Derivation:
Auto - automatic and autism
Maus - German for mouse (german short-hair is a common breed of pointer)

Sounds similar to autonomous which is the goal of the project, to allow children, and others, to operate the machine autonomously, without assistance form others.

Andy Cater said...

Mo / mau - one syllable and easy to pronounce. Similar to Mouse

WorBlux said...

Pointer,

PointTHE (point there, here, and everywhere)

Phatt (point here and there today)

PointMe

MyPoint

MyPointer

MyMouse

ClickMe

eMBee said...

My First Mouse

Israel said...

NeuroClick
SynaPoint
MindyMouse

Drew said...

I vote for Scott's "Micetro". (Though I changed the spelling.)

Anonymous said...

how about

Au-Tux

John Hardin said...

(1) Why be cutesy?

"HowToMouse"

It lends itself neatly to a whole set of basic instructional programs:

HowToType
HowToMath
HowToEtc...

(2) Given the existence of TuxType, TuxPaint and TuxMath, how about "TuxMouse"?

Unknown said...

Finding a one syllable name that will be picked up by an autistic kid is hard, they don't do acronyms and smashed together words very well. I son is autistic and if I tried to explain what an acronym meant I would get the blank stare. Here are a couple I have thought of.
1) Spectrum Mouse
2) Puzzle Mouse (the puzzle is the logo of the Autism foundation).

I think it is awesome that you are working on a program for Autistic kids. My son loves the computer and can make it (and anything else electronic) tick. From what I understand most Autistic kids are really good with computers so this is awesome. But you excel at awesome so I'll just say thanks.

CoryHess said...

Teaching Autistic Children COmputer Navigation -- TAC-CON (pronounced: Tack On)