The problem with GIMP
The problem with GIMP
GIMP was named after a character in Pulp Fiction. More than 20 years later, the name remains controversial and could be holding back the project.
This really isn't the article it wishes it were :-\ It kinda reeks of "I've picked a thing I want to argue and now I'm going to make up an argument for it" down to admitting that good sources aren't available (which makes me wonder whether there are no good sources at all or just no good sources that support the author's argument).
Bonus unpoints for the BDSM reference, just because I hate seeing that term held up as a negative or scary kind of thing and I feel like and/or choose to believe that's the point in such an unprofessional article, rather than simply meaning "Look, it means sex stuff and that's unprofessional." So there. Nyeh! đ
Also, I don't think I've ever heard anyone who actually used or contributed to the GIMP (or intended to) complain about the name. I'm interested in seeing some actual data on that, if there is any. Personally I wouldn't particularly mind a name change but I can't say whether it'd get more attention and interest than it'd lose to irritating people accustomed to the current one.
It seems like the consensus of this thread is that the name isn't holding it back. That was my thinking going into it, but the article makes some very valid points such as the name (being related to a sexual and sometimes derogatory word) making it a non-starter in some organizations.
I have it installed on all our computers at work for basic image editing, but we're a small business and never gave it much thought. I can absolutely see it being problematic in a school setting, however. More to the point, Adobe has ably demonstrated: get them hooked on your software in school and you'll dominate the market. Imagine if kids had been learning GIMP instead of Photoshop all these years.
Anyway, I've got no dog in this fight. Just pointing out what I see as a valid point in the article.
Also, I like their original name possibility of IMP much better. The mascot could have been a cute little imp instead of ... whatever it is now.
The name holds it back more than you know. No EP or AD wants to put "The GIMP" on their software list for a project. I have to have a conversation with someone ensuring we're good on all our licenses, and they ask, "What is this GIMP thing?" Answering it makes me sound like an unprofessional jackass. The company would rather just pay Adobe.
Surely anyone who feels that itâs an urgent problem can make a fork which is fully identical in every way except for the logo and name and branding
Since the amount of effort that would be required for that would be infinitesimal compared to what was already done to make the software
And then produce all these good things which you say are being held back
Or, wait, did you mean you wanted someone else to do that because you feel that itâs super important enough to insist that someone else should do it but not important enough to do yourself?
The problem is considerably smaller if you consider that the software is used by a lot more people than English speakers (both L1 and L2+). For these, "gimp" is not some sex stuff, but rather that critter chewing on a brush. And even for L2+, the word "gimp" is often missing from our vocabs.
As others said in this thread, the actual problem holding GIMP back is called user interface. It has improved, but it's still awful.
The simple solution is to change it to a BSD license and call it BLIMP
Krita has mostly left GIMP in the dust, as far as UI and basic tools. The brush engine and ability to handle large files is so much better. It's vector and text tools need work, and so do the image filters and such. Even so, Krita destroys GIMP. Even the name, which isn't great, is leagues better.
The word gimp in disability circles once upon a time meant "generally impaired."
I never knew the word was used as a slur or had sexual connotations. I thought it was a verb akin to "nerf" or "cripple", as in "Windows 11 gimped the taskbar functionality." I guess this word is still bad, as I want to enhance, not "gimp," my pictures.
I just use Photopea https://www.photopea.com/ instead. It does everything I need, and I don't need to install anything.
That's not THE problem with GIMP. Most people don't know what the word means and even if so, it does not matter for most. This is a low issue, meaning it is an issue, but for a minority. The developers said they won't change the name. It is their program and they decided to keep the name. If this is a problem for someone, then either fork it or don't use it. I didn't even know the meaning of the word gimp, which is not really related to GIMP, as GIMP is an acronym and not a word.
GIMP = GNU Image Manipulation Program (originally General Image Manipulation Program)
Anyone having a problem with the name, fine, I'm not discounting your opinion. But know that this is not an insult or anything like that. It's an acronym for a name consisting of multiple words related to an image editor. I know it is a problem for some. I don't think the name itself is holding the project back, that's not a big problem. Posts like this make it a bigger deal than it is. People should consider forking if they really want to change something the way they like it, instead telling the devs for 20 years to change the name.
Gimp issue is not the name, it's the outdated UI and the dumb usage decisions like saving only in it's format. I moved to krita some years ago and I think that's the future. Gimp will still be along for a long time, and it should as its a great piece of software. Bit that's it.
Alternatives are good, and having krita and gimp is good.
Gimp name? Never even occurred to me that could be offensive. Not American here. Americans, get out of your asses (joking)... You are often offensive to the world but you don't care (not so much joking, and ofc I am wrong in generalization), so why should the others?