Comments on: Apple iMac was almost named "MacMan," until this guy stopped Steve Jobs http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 18 May 2013 09:19:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Itsumishi http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1440567 Itsumishi Sun, 03 Jun 2012 14:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1440567 I want to visit a cinema to watch an amazing documentary be crammed around a tiny outdated computer. I want to visit a cinema to watch an amazing documentary be crammed around a tiny outdated computer.

]]> By: nachoproblem http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1440173 nachoproblem Sat, 02 Jun 2012 12:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1440173 To answer your question, no. Candy Apple, to start with, violates the brand rules. Makes it sound like a toy. The "i" names evoke the right associations. They are also short and repetitive. What you consider "dumb" is good marketing. They were highly influential but not outstanding computers. The best things about them are Jonathan Ive's design and the name. If IBM or Microsoft were ever that inspired with their marketing, Apple would've been swallowed long ago. To answer your question, no.

Candy Apple, to start with, violates the brand rules. Makes it sound like a toy. The “i” names evoke the right associations. They are also short and repetitive. What you consider “dumb” is good marketing.

They were highly influential but not outstanding computers. The best things about them are Jonathan Ive’s design and the name. If IBM or Microsoft were ever that inspired with their marketing, Apple would’ve been swallowed long ago.

]]> By: Ipo http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1439196 Ipo Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1439196  I want that.  An IMAX monitor.   I want that. 
An IMAX monitor. 

]]> By: Ipo http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1439194 Ipo Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1439194  Jobs was Apple's so called interim CEO at the time, the iCEO.   Jobs was Apple’s so called interim CEO at the time, the iCEO. 

]]> By: Itsumishi http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1439171 Itsumishi Fri, 01 Jun 2012 10:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1439171 I was about to change schools when these things were first coming out, and I remember a really confusing conversation with a friend that was also moving to the same school. He'd visited a few days before and was really excited by the move.  Joel: "Oh man they've got like 20 eye-macs there" Me: "What? I don't see how that's possible" "Nah seriously, I saw them" "Dude there are like 100 or something eye-macs in the world at the moment" "Nah, I seriously saw them" "But those things are huge! How could they even fit them in a school? The one in Melbourne is massive!" "They're not that big man, like smaller than the computers at Camp Hill*" "What?" "Yeah, and they're all built in one". "Ohhh, iMacs, not IMAX... now I'm with you." I was about to change schools when these things were first coming out, and I remember a really confusing conversation with a friend that was also moving to the same school. He’d visited a few days before and was really excited by the move. 

Joel: “Oh man they’ve got like 20 eye-macs there”
Me: “What? I don’t see how that’s possible”
“Nah seriously, I saw them”
“Dude there are like 100 or something eye-macs in the world at the moment”
“Nah, I seriously saw them”
“But those things are huge! How could they even fit them in a school? The one in Melbourne is massive!”
“They’re not that big man, like smaller than the computers at Camp Hill*”
“What?”
“Yeah, and they’re all built in one”.
“Ohhh, iMacs, not IMAX… now I’m with you.”

]]> By: robuluz http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1439086 robuluz Fri, 01 Jun 2012 05:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1439086 I keep seeing documentaries about Steve Jobs touting the iMac as the revolutionary product that saved Apple, and I always thought they were crap and I hated them. I'm glad to hear this view isn't universally considered blasphemous. I keep seeing documentaries about Steve Jobs touting the iMac as the revolutionary product that saved Apple, and I always thought they were crap and I hated them. I’m glad to hear this view isn’t universally considered blasphemous.

]]> By: Lyle Gunderson http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1439061 Lyle Gunderson Fri, 01 Jun 2012 04:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1439061 We still have our strawberry iMac DV. Getting that cute little booger was life-changing, really. But the new one is MUCH nicer, of course... We still have our strawberry iMac DV. Getting that cute little booger was life-changing, really. But the new one is MUCH nicer, of course…

]]> By: SmokingHeartDesigns http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438988 SmokingHeartDesigns Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438988  iMac and every other "i" name is brilliant.  It encompasses the internet meme, the personal computer/narcissism meme "i" and tells you which product you are dealing with-- "Mac," "Pad," et cetera.  iMac and every other “i” name is brilliant.  It encompasses the internet meme, the personal computer/narcissism meme “i” and tells you which product you are dealing with– “Mac,” “Pad,” et cetera.

]]> By: siloxane http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438958 siloxane Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438958 That's basically Sony: Walkman, Discman, Watchman, Pressman, Talkman... That’s basically Sony: Walkman, Discman, Watchman, Pressman, Talkman…

]]> By: Gimlet_eye http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438909 Gimlet_eye Thu, 31 May 2012 23:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438909 The original iMac was only in Bondi Blue. The different colors of iMacs shown in the article came later. The original iMac was only in Bondi Blue. The different colors of iMacs shown in the article came later.

]]> By: Gimlet_eye http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438906 Gimlet_eye Thu, 31 May 2012 23:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438906 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man-portable_air-defense_systems" rel="nofollow">Man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS or MPADS) are shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). They are typically guided weapons and are a threat to low-flying aircraft, especially helicopters.</a> Man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS or MPADS) are shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). They are typically guided weapons and are a threat to low-flying aircraft, especially helicopters.

]]> By: thatbob http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438843 thatbob Thu, 31 May 2012 22:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438843 I totally get that MacMan is a dumb, bad name (too reminscent of Sony's lines and of Pac-Man).  What I don't get is why anyone thinks iMac - or anything else in the iAppleproduct line - is a good name.  They're not.  They're dumb names, too.  They sell so well despite the dumb names, because they are (were?) outstanding products.  No? (I would have called them the Candy Apples, FWIW.) I totally get that MacMan is a dumb, bad name (too reminscent of Sony’s lines and of Pac-Man).  What I don’t get is why anyone thinks iMac - or anything else in the iAppleproduct line – is a good name.  They’re not.  They’re dumb names, too.  They sell so well despite the dumb names, because they are (were?) outstanding products.  No?

(I would have called them the Candy Apples, FWIW.)

]]> By: Christina Wong http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438809 Christina Wong Thu, 31 May 2012 21:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438809 Glad Jobs finally accepted iMac and props to Segall to not giving up such a great name! Reading the extended article on how "MacMan" was similar to Walkman or Pac-man really showed how Apple was truly able to become its own separate brand with a unique name like iMac. Glad Jobs finally accepted iMac and props to Segall to not giving up such a great name! Reading the extended article on how “MacMan” was similar to Walkman or Pac-man really showed how Apple was truly able to become its own separate brand with a unique name like iMac.

]]> By: petite poubelle http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438784 petite poubelle Thu, 31 May 2012 21:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438784  you win the internet today.  you win the internet today.

]]> By: Forkboy http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438763 Forkboy Thu, 31 May 2012 21:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438763  There's a ton of these still on the second hand market so clearly they weren't all lemons. And people hung on to them, who still has a pc of the same era ?  There’s a ton of these still on the second hand market so clearly they weren’t all lemons. And people hung on to them, who still has a pc of the same era ?

]]> By: eselqueso http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438758 eselqueso Thu, 31 May 2012 21:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438758 manPad sounds like a metrosexual man cave. manPad sounds like a metrosexual man cave.

]]> By: Michael Ellis Day http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438759 Michael Ellis Day Thu, 31 May 2012 21:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438759 This story confirms an impression I always had of Steve Jobs -- there were a lot of ways in which he was arrogant, derisive, and abusive, but what he respected most was competence combined with passion, and what offended him wasn't being argued with but the feeling that someone else was being lazy or apathetic.  Jobs loved his original choice of name and hated the alternative he was offered, but when an obviously capable person stood up to him and pressed the case for that alternative, Jobs was capable of having his mind changed.  A lot of CEOs in that position wouldn't. This story confirms an impression I always had of Steve Jobs — there were a lot of ways in which he was arrogant, derisive, and abusive, but what he respected most was competence combined with passion, and what offended him wasn’t being argued with but the feeling that someone else was being lazy or apathetic.  Jobs loved his original choice of name and hated the alternative he was offered, but when an obviously capable person stood up to him and pressed the case for that alternative, Jobs was capable of having his mind changed.  A lot of CEOs in that position wouldn’t.

]]> By: rocketjam http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438738 rocketjam Thu, 31 May 2012 20:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438738 Yeah, phoneMan, tunesMan, padMan (or possibly worse, manPad) etc... Yeah, phoneMan, tunesMan, padMan (or possibly worse, manPad) etc…

]]> By: blueelm http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438728 blueelm Thu, 31 May 2012 20:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438728 I had one.  It was super-expensive and terrible. It put me off of Apple for a while, seriously. I had grown up with their computers and one iMac destroyed that love for years and years. I had one.  It was super-expensive and terrible. It put me off of Apple for a while, seriously. I had grown up with their computers and one iMac destroyed that love for years and years.

]]> By: SedanChair http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438719 SedanChair Thu, 31 May 2012 20:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438719 <i>Meanwhile, on Mirror Earth...</i> Can you believe it? Apparently the MacMan was almost named the "iMac."  Apple really dodged a bullet there! -Sent from my PhoneMan Meanwhile, on Mirror Earth…

Can you believe it? Apparently the MacMan was almost named the “iMac.”  Apple really dodged a bullet there!

-Sent from my PhoneMan

]]> By: bcsizemo http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438711 bcsizemo Thu, 31 May 2012 20:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438711 Picture it now, the all new PhoneMan. Picture it now, the all new PhoneMan.

]]> By: Steve White http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438658 Steve White Thu, 31 May 2012 20:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438658 Pictured: Blinky, Pinky, Inky, Clyde and Lisa Pictured: Blinky, Pinky, Inky, Clyde and Lisa

]]> By: retchdog http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438660 retchdog Thu, 31 May 2012 20:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438660 oh man, those quantum fireballs were in EVERYTHING back then. on the plus side, i curried great favor with my significant other just by swapping out the failed board (the computer was an HP, i think). oh man, those quantum fireballs were in EVERYTHING back then. on the plus side, i curried great favor with my significant other just by swapping out the failed board (the computer was an HP, i think).

]]> By: Ian Wood http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438626 Ian Wood Thu, 31 May 2012 19:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438626 I had more than one <a href="http://www.synthman.com/midiman/111501.html" rel="nofollow">Macman</a>. I had more than one Macman.

]]> By: P Hirlehey http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438621 P Hirlehey Thu, 31 May 2012 19:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438621 Hiyo! Hiyo!

]]> By: signsofrain http://boingboing.net/2012/05/31/apple-imac-was-almost-named-th.html#comment-1438619 signsofrain Thu, 31 May 2012 19:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=163962#comment-1438619 I was an Apple Certified Technician during the heyday of iMac G3s - MAN they had problems. Constant issues with the analogue board (that drove the CRT display), quantum fireball hard drives that lived up to their name (failing by spectacularly incinerating chips on the controller board) power supply issues, quite a few logic board (that's apple-speak for motherboard) issues... these machines also (after the first tray-loading model) popularized slot-loading optical drives, and boy, the things people would stick into that slot. Business cards, pocket change, keys, mini-CDs (that sometimes actually mounted but then couldn't be ejected) and yeah, let's not get into the just-awful mouse design... why this computer was touted as revolutionary I'll never know. The iMacs really only started getting good once the iMac DVs came out - which made DV video editing much more widely accessible. We started selling Sony DV camcorders and tapes too, such was the demand! I also remember the first iPod (which doubled as a firewire hard drive - iMiss when MP3 players were simple storage devices that could run programs too) and the first iTunes, which was basically a re-skinned SoundJam and was actually a fairly lightweight, speedy program.... just reminiscing here don't mind me. It was an exciting time! I was an Apple Certified Technician during the heyday of iMac G3s – MAN they had problems. Constant issues with the analogue board (that drove the CRT display), quantum fireball hard drives that lived up to their name (failing by spectacularly incinerating chips on the controller board) power supply issues, quite a few logic board (that’s apple-speak for motherboard) issues… these machines also (after the first tray-loading model) popularized slot-loading optical drives, and boy, the things people would stick into that slot. Business cards, pocket change, keys, mini-CDs (that sometimes actually mounted but then couldn’t be ejected) and yeah, let’s not get into the just-awful mouse design… why this computer was touted as revolutionary I’ll never know. The iMacs really only started getting good once the iMac DVs came out – which made DV video editing much more widely accessible. We started selling Sony DV camcorders and tapes too, such was the demand! I also remember the first iPod (which doubled as a firewire hard drive – iMiss when MP3 players were simple storage devices that could run programs too) and the first iTunes, which was basically a re-skinned SoundJam and was actually a fairly lightweight, speedy program…. just reminiscing here don’t mind me. It was an exciting time!

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