Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2004 23:21:38 +0200 From: Marc Fonvieille <blackend@FreeBSD.org> To: Murray Stokely <murray@FreeBSD.org> Cc: Giorgos Keramidas <keramida@FreeBSD.org> Subject: Re: The daemon is not a religious symbol, but... Message-ID: <20040822212138.GG49057@abigail.blackend.org> In-Reply-To: <20040822190754.GA96470@hub.freebsd.org> References: <20040822161153.GB68929@gothmog.gr> <20040822182540.GF49057@abigail.blackend.org> <20040822190754.GA96470@hub.freebsd.org>
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On Sun, Aug 22, 2004 at 07:07:54PM +0000, Murray Stokely wrote: > On Sun, Aug 22, 2004 at 08:25:40PM +0200, Marc Fonvieille wrote: > > Maybe if someone could clean, rewrite in better english my words above, > > it'd be a start of "explaination." > > It wouldn't be a start; we've been trying to explain this in our > website and documentation for years. This quote is on our website: > > "Many people equate the word ``daemon'' with the word ``demon,'' > implying some kind of Satanic connection between UNIX and the > underworld. This is an egregious misunderstanding. ``Daemon'' is > actually a much older form of ``demon''; daemons have no particular > bias towards good or evil, but rather serve to help define a > person's character or personality. The ancient Greeks' concept of a > ``personal daemon'' was similar to the modern concept of a > ``guardian angel'' --- ``eudaemonia'' is the state of being helped > or protected by a kindly spirit. As a rule, UNIX systems seem to be > infested with both daemons and demons." > It's perfect. > There will always be new users who install FreeBSD, see beastie in the > new boot loader, and mail us to complain before ever looking through > the website or FAQ to read our explanations. > If these users really think before... they would realize that an operating system can't be evil, the only evil part is the user :)) > > But I don't think we should document that... it's my opinion... > > If people are not able to do the difference between a logo/drawing > > without any religious signification and religion, it's their problem. > > It's our problem if they keep nagging us. =) I like the way OpenBSD > just went in the direction of a new mascot with less negative > conotations and a cooler more modern design to boot. It's a lot > easier to do that sort of thing when you split off from another > project though. > I like the fish or the cat. I disliked the policeman :) But to talk about our mascot, beastie comes from Unix roots (daemon processes), we know the real origin as stated in the text you quoted. I don't see why we should change the mascot just for some people not able (or who don't want) to understand things. Look at http://www.freebsd.org/art.html it's difficult to see anything really scary or threatening. Marc
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