Richard Jones' Log: PyPI needs a new name?

Tue, 29 Mar 2005

A number of us (including myself) think that PyPI needs a better name. There's a couple of reasons for this:

  1. PyPy. Oh, the confusion during the sprints. Yes, PyPI was first, but that hardly matters. Pronunciation isn't going to solve this one.
  2. "Index" doesn't really capture the entire nature of what we've got now, as we now include an archive.

I don't like PyPAN or anything similar. I'd actually prefer to go with something Monty-Python-esque which isn't an acronym. Someone just suggested "spam" which would be so cool. Perhaps spam's been around for long enough that we can try to reclaim it? Probably not. Other suggestions are "shrub", "shrubbery", "lumberjack", "wafer", "creosote", "grail", "holy grail", "brian", ...

So, suggestions?

Comment by Dethe Elza on Wed, 30 Mar 2005

Well, if python packages are going to be called Eggs, then how about Basket? Or nest, or omelette, but I prefer to put all my eggs in one basket.

Comment by Nicola Larosa on Wed, 30 Mar 2005

> Well, if python packages are going to be called Eggs, then how about Basket?
> Or nest, or omelette, but I prefer to put all my eggs in one basket.

That phrase looks like a reason against calling it a Basket, to me. :-) But I like Nest, it feels warm and cozy. Furthermore, PyNest sounds like "finest". ;-)

Comment by Jose Ortega on Wed, 30 Mar 2005

Another posible reason to change the name is that if you read it in spanish looks like pee :)

Comment by count0 on Wed, 30 Mar 2005

How about swallow, like "Unladen South African Swallow." Or a reference to a big snake and cute little mousey.

Comment by Drew Perttula on Wed, 30 Mar 2005

pyvault, because it sounds cool and it celebrates the VoP (which pyvault will be obseleting, right? I hope so)

Comment by Brett on Wed, 30 Mar 2005

The problem is that I can't remember anything from MP about them having to collect anything. Shrubbery is the closest, but that stil doesn't quite hit home. But definitely better than nothing.

Comment by Andy Todd on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

Bring me a shrubbery!

And definitely don't preface it with "Py". I think it would certainly generate some interest saying "I'm just off to get the latest widget module from the shrubbery".

Comment by Taro on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

"Vaults of Parnassus" (Is there any reason why VOP couldn't merge with PyPi?)

"Vaults of Pynassus"?
"Snake Pit"
"Cancun" ("Snake's Nest" in Maya")

-T.

Comment by Richard on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

The VOP has additional information in it, not just software. PyPI is just about the software.

Comment by DeanG on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

"Clutch"

http://www.answers.com/clutch

Fit's many definitions, off on others. Simple, associated with groups of eggs, Grasp/Contain references...and there are plenty of engaging transmission puns in there as well. ;-)

Comment by Bill Mill on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

I would suggest "Richelieu", but it's too hard to spell. Besides, no one expects the Spanish Inquisition.

How about the MOPP - Ministry Of Python Packages?

Comment by T on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

Either Pyramid or Pylon. Going along another path this might be Boa or Cobra.

Comment by Peter on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

How about "The Full Monty"?

Comment by fonso on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

Following the mythology route:
- 'gaia' (mythologycal Python's mother)
- or just 'parnassus' (this is maybe too long)

But I actually prefer MP-inspired names :)
- spamcan
- circus
- mice (from "The Mouse Problem")

Anyway, please choose a name not too difficult to pronounce or remember for us non English speaking folks (especially if eventually there's a command line utility to access PyPI). No 'shrubbery', please!

Just my lame �0,02 :)

Comment by frank de prins on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

In Dutch, a similar looking word (pipi) is used as a generally accepted slang by kids to indicate they want to pee.

Comment by Fuzzyman on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

Shrubbery is good :-)

Comment by matt on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

Actually I like the "circus" suggestion. Of course that might be another reason for large companies to avoid it ("You are using software from a circus? Who wrote it? A bunch of clowns?")

Maybe something like carnival. Speaking only for myself, those modules have made python even more fun. And it reminds people of the fun parties in Brazil.

Comment by Mark Andrews on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

I liked the Pylon suggestion. combine with another suggestion and get something like:

Python library objects nest

or for simplicity (and I prefer this one)

Python library online

Comment by GooseYArd on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

a duck!

Comment by matt wilbert on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

How about "Castle Anthrax", which housed a collection of women...

Comment by Thomas Waldmann on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

When choosing a new name, consider that it should be locateable via google and other search engines.

Considering this, pypi isn't that bad.

"basket" or "boa" or other stuff used all over the place in normal web content (or even popular products) would be a desaster - if you don't know the url, you could not find it at all.

Using PyPy is no option, this name is already taken by the python-in-python project.

I vote for keeping PyPi :)

Hey, it's even a WikiName. :)

Comment by Brendan on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

Oooh, I second clutch or nest.
I like names that are both clever and meaningful, rather than just a pop-culture reference.

Comment by Martin Blais on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

I agree with you that PyPI is not a good name, especially since there is PyPy, always a confusion to talk about PyPI.

Your suggested Shrubbery sounds cool...
cheers,

Comment by Chris Smith on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

MOPP - Ministry Of Python Packages
I'd like to boldly frobnicate that to MOPPOM - Ministry Of Python Packages Online Ministry
This makes it palindromic, silly in a redundant way, and supports usages such as 'MOPPOM up' for adding to, and 'MOPPOM down' for downloading.
Props!

Comment by jm on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

I know that most people will have the site in their bookmarks and will do search on site only.
Still, please consider Web Search when picking a name: a neme that does not exist already is much better than a name that does.

e.g. web search for spam elementchecked or clutch elementchecked

Comment by Chris Jones on Thu, 31 Mar 2005

How about:

1) RuleSix
2) Lupins
3) CheeseShop

Comment by RunLevelZero on Fri, 01 Apr 2005

How about Ni, Pang,
or Ni-wom! :)~

Comment by Korgie on Fri, 01 Apr 2005

I think you should avoid the monthy python ref and just call it something clear like PyPackages. Cute names are OK if you can _FIND_ what you're looking for :) and thus the top level (pypi) needs to be clear :)

If Im looking for python packages, I dont want to have to google for 'pyshrub', id rather just have something I can remember like pymodules or pypackages

Comment by Ed Summers on Fri, 01 Apr 2005

I like the idea of merging with VOP but how about we just lose the OP: vault.python.org. I agree that cutesy names are kind of forgettable. Which makes me think, archive.python.org would do just fine.

Comment by Debs Pollard on Mon, 06 Jun 2005

MagPy since magpies collect everything, or
PyBrood or PyClutch.

I think "Py" should be in the name somewhere.