I had a look at your reply to Gautam Mishra, Paying for News Through Commerce…, mentioning that “...Fatigue with centralized social media companies is gaining momentum...” and a subsequent link to the How Google Can Leverage Facebook’s Biggest Weakness article and the answers user testing participants regarding their Facebook usage, which seem encouraging.
My take away (in the admittedly short amount of time I had in attempting to assimilate the info) is that Facebook will probably retain a diminishing user base consisting of sharers to a general group - unconcerned or unaware of privacy issues - but will be progressively replaced by a less easily led, more savvy and demanding bunch of individuals who want private sharing on a platform governed by trusted communities that allow them to reward contributors who’s output they value.
Oh, and that Medium’s days are numbered unless they attract enough of the Millenial yuppies you mentioned or change their present business model, which would possibly undermine it’s current appeal anyway. Myself, I like the look of Medium and welcome the lack of distractions, but also realise it isn’t necessarily the same positive experience for those reading fonts in a different language. I can also attest to your observation that “As we get older, we’re already overloaded and become more discerning and resist additional commitments.”
Also found the article you linked to, “Why Decentralization Matters — Explained For Dummies”, helpful, particularly: “...centralized internet platforms follow quite a predictable life cycle…starts to compete with... third-party complements, instead of collaborating with them.
OK, onto your new name choices, Illume, Gist and Knugget (with a “K” as the regular form is already taken as a domain?).
First of all, I’m aware that in assessing these contenders here, being another middle-aged Western male, a small fraction is represented of the potential global demographic you’ll be attempting to appeal to. I was wondering if you are trying to access more diverse groups for ideas and feedback.
This morning’s reaction to “Illume” was that it was a fresh word, acting in neither positive or negative sense. It didn’t jump out at me, but was intriguing. I like the look and sound of it. My wife’s first – unprompted - reaction was “light”, and thought it appropriate for information and facts - enlightenment. So it worked on that score, considering your intention. I agree with the latter rather than with blogging, photos, videography – I would still go with Candid for one of the latter two, as you too seem to be leaning towards.
Both of us thought Gist more appropriate for blogging, and Knugget in that context for condensed information. Could also suggest a form of smallish payment. And I can see why you would consider it as an “overarching name”. But, there is something nagging at me saying that it somehow isn’t “the one”, even though you point out that it would fit with the various subdomains. I suppose it comes down to what attribute you most wish to express with the name featuring all these facets, and if that fits with what potential users would find useful and accessible. I get your point about “clicking the link would zoom into the app 100%” and that the feature would be effective.
Regarding Gist, my wife immediately associated it with “jizz” and “jizzed” - there again, she’s like that! I’m sure most would not make similar associations but was possibly worth mentioning all the same. But apart from that, we connected it with “not the full story”; scratching the surface; snippets. Condensed and casual. So maybe for a micro-blog? Though it struck me it might perhaps be good for condensed news. We have a newspaper/website in the UK called the “I” you might have come across which is a sort of concise version of The Independent, for those who haven’t the time to read a regular sized publication. I also like the look of the word, given the right font. I’d agree that it’s likely to be more memorable and brandable.
With Crux, my wife’s instant association after obviously referring to “the main point” was “crooks”. Actually, I hadn’t considered the crucifix thing. Suggests in-depth coverage; down to the nitty gritty. In news, expanded, fuller coverage than with Gist.
“Grok”, before I learned what it meant, suggested the Australian slang term “crook”; to feel ill. Or “crock”, as in false or broken, in UK and Australia at least. Somehow there’s a negative suggestion to it for me. Liked that last “walking eye” logo though.
Yes, I can see why you morphed Hubbub into Hubbug. The latter has a friendly cuteness about it too.
Currently, of all the names bandied about, regardless of possible context and application, my favourites, in order of preference (today at least!) are:
Cred, Candid, Mosh (best logo so far), Lucid, Gist, Gush, Illume, Solva, Crux, Atoms- and warming to Hubbug.
Yes, I reckon Gush could be a good contender name for a Twitter clone.
Btw, am I right in thinking Lucid was once being considered, along with Zen, as the name of a new programming language?
Right, I hope I’ve given you enough time to get under the wire before you lose the chance to edit. Would be handy if Steemit provided a countdown on articles, though perhaps there’s a reason behind not wanting to encourage this behaviour.
EDIT:
Another name contender occurred to me just now: Karma. Not in the literal Buddhist sense, but in the more commonly perceived interpretation of "getting what you give" - from the Urban Dictionary.
Yep, domain taken obviously, but wonder if there is some alternate spelling that could be used. Tried iwantmyname / name.com, but every permutation I try is taken: Kaama; Kaarma. Also with more of a questioning twist to its pronounciation: Qarma; Quama; Quarma - though realise it's probably too close to Quora.
Anyway, just a late thought.
If you have time, you may want to re-read my analysis of Medium’s subscriptions (i.e. bundles) business model, because I have added numerous links and points. There’s more on my recent responses feed at Medium.
I wrote in response to Ev Williams CEO of Medium and co-founder of Twitter: