[ruby-talk:14311] Re: Ruby mascot proposal. Will this end ?

Guy N. Hurst wrote:

# Conrad Schneiker wrote:
# > ...
# > Let's make this an RCR: "A Ruby logo/motto, not a Ruby mascot."
# > 
# > Here's my first take.  To paraphrase that famous movie quote (although
# > I don't know what movie it came from), Ruby is good enough to stand on
# > its own, so "Ruby don't need no stinking mascot." In other words, the
# > Ruby mascot will be a nil reference.
# > 
# 
# What do you propose for display graphics at a conference?
# - t-shirt
# - awards
# - related toys
# - banners
# - binder covers
# - etc.

Some variation on the logo proposal (see below). As for possible
associated mottos, your concern with "complex" display graphics just
inspired the following:

    Ruby -- Simply more powerful. :-)

BTW, FWIW, I've seen many t-shirts and coffee mugs that simply had a
corporation name and some sort of service mark/motto and/or home page
URL.

# I would think that when the excitement revs up at
# something like a conference, a safe, cute, playful mascot
# is actually nice.

Sure--but only for _some_ people. 

Likewise, _other_ people are _really_ put off by such things.

I think it's now pretty obvious by that there is _no_
large general consensus for the different sorts of logos 
that we each respectively happen to like.

# > As for a logo, I recommend 'Ruby' in relatively large bold block
# > letters in some cool-looking font, with some suitable motto printed
# > below it, in 1 or 2 lines. 
# 
# How did you like the beveled block letters used to spell 'Ruby' on
# the mascot proposal page?  That is part of a flash animation I am
# developing here...

Hmm. I don't recall. Now where the heck is that URL that your are
referring to? Search. Whine. Why didn't he simply give it. Search.
Found it at last! Whine. Why didn't I remember something so obvious?
Maybe I was tacitly expecting that future references to it would be
explicit.

OK, yes, I like that. (And I would also like something like a beveled
Times Roman font even more.) 

Oops. Maybe I should practice what I preach; here it is that URL I
mentioned above: (http://www.rubyconf.com/mascot.html). 

# furthermore...  I think the text-only-with-byline is good, and we
# already have it (almost).  But do you really think we should pitch
# the idea of a mascot or symbolic logo (other than text)?  I know you
# indicated the Austin group voted against it, but what about others
# who like those kinds of things?  You can always just use the
# text-only version, while the childish sillyoos get warm fuzzies
# carrying the cutesy bird (or somesuch). 

Well, I suspect those who like such things are in the minority.
Moreover I suspect such things are a fairly strong turn-off for many
(if not most) of those who aren't partial to such things. If they
mainly had a more neutral blah reaction, it would be a different
story. 

# Besides, we could sell them and raise money for some future Ruby
# Programmers Association, not to mention bring in more people
# wondering what all the fuss is about.  It could be the beginning of
# a viable business approach and may draw in more business interest.

Like Fortune 500 business interest--which is the sort of business
interest that _others_ more concerned with? Somehow, I don't think so.

# I think having a stuffed animal ruby-crowned kinglet would be neat.
# ;-)  But I don't think a stuffed ruby gem or stuffed pickaxe would
# work. 

I think you could much more readily raise more money by asking for
personal and corporate donations or charging more for admission.
Remember that Linux was well on its way to fame and fortune before The
Penguin, and has thrived in spite of it, not because of it.

# And a logo that doubles as a mascot could help introduce ruby to
# important people via their children.   I can see it now: stuffed rc
# kinglets in K-Mart with a CD containing ruby, the pickaxe book, and
# launching your browser to the website.  People may buy the animal
# for their child, and find out what the CD offers...

Do you know the meaning of "razor thin margins" and "new sellers pay
up front costs and assume all initial market risk" in connection with
big discount chains? ... Well, it's that time of day when I need to
start thinking about getting some sleep. That last paragraph leads me
believe that you are much more overdue for sleep. :-)

# Are you against spreading Ruby in that manner? Or are you just tired
# of the apparent arguing and would rather just drop the whole thing?

I'm certainly against it for the time being. As others have more or
less said on line and off, if and when the right mascot/logo comes
along, it will pretty much be an obvious home run to almost everyone. 

So far, nothing has come close and I don't see any point in needlessly
antagonizing people by arguing over alternatives that are clearly not
likely to ever attract a large consensus one way or another. Why do
you think I dropped my insanely awesome proposal? :-)

By continuing to dwell on the issue, all you do is end up prodding
people into restating their previously expressed opinions to prevent
things they don't like from prevailing by default.  When you push
things to that point, it gets to be very obnoxious for almost
everyone concerned, including the much larger multiple of lurkers.

Hence my proposed RCR to basically "give this issue a rest" for the
time being. 

Please! :-)

For the sake of Ruby and the Ruby community! :-)

For the sake of conserving precious dwindling bandwidth! :-)

And have mercy on me too ... don't _make_ me post again! :-)

Conrad Schneiker
(This note is unofficial and subject to improvement without notice.)