Have you ever used iterative problem solving? If you don't know the term, you just did.Iterative problem solving is an amazing process to breakdown unknowns into known chunks and repeatedly connect them with known chunks to understand and solve the initial unknown.
Here's an example:
What does a "trash can" do?
A Can is a known object. Cans are usually metal objects, similar to bowls, with a lid.
Bowls are objects made to contain items. Like plates with the edges turned up.
Plates are... and so on.
Trash is also a known idea. Trash is a term which denotes another object as undesirable.
So, a "trash can" contains or holds undesirable objects. Simple.
What about a "Firefox", what does it do?
The software industry is notorious for marketing geniuses obsessed with cleaver and abstract software names. (Nero, Trillian, ABC, Fiddler, etc.) Names that seem independent from the function of the tool they are hawking. And I say tool because that is what software is. Software is written to help facilitate other actions. Nothing more.
Naming software is very important. Sales depend on your choice.
A simple, but effective, way to gauge the quality of a name is to look at it from the point-of-views of different levels of users. Does the name communicate the purpose of your tool to different levels of users?
XMLSpy
Scenario 1) I don't use computers. So, I don't care what you nerds are cooking up to produce your porn. (This guy usually doesn't matter, but he maybe connected to people who do use software.)
Scenario 2) I am an average computer user and I don't know what it is. Using iterative problem solving, to break down the unknown name, it reveals XML and Spy. I don't know what xml is and I can't break it down any further, but it's a TLA so it must be a computer term. Since I've seen James Bond, I know what a spy does. So, my conclusion is XMLSpy goes out and spies on other people's xml, and maybe if I get the professional version it will sabotage those evil-doers using xml. Because, by the iterative process, xml is evil and must monitored, controlled, and stopped at all cost.
Scenario 3) I am a computer tech trained to help other users and I don't know what it is. Again, I break it down into XML and Spy. I know what xml is, but I have no idea what it is used for. So, I don't see a reason to have to spy on it. But, if the paycheck says it's important to spy on xml they must have their reasons.
Scenario 4) I am a developer and I don't know what it is. I break it down into XML and Spy. I use xml, and understand why it needs to be protected, and I've heard, or used, programs that "spy" on computer usage. Thus, my conclusion would be this piece of software monitors the use and modification of a company's xml data.
Scenario 5) I know the product and must spend a good chunk of time explaining, to someone else, how XMLSpy does not spy or your xml data.
In 5 out of 5 scenarios the name XMLSpy is ineffective in communicating the purpose of the software. Even if you are targeting developers and known users (Scenario 4 and 5), the lower levels serve a disseminating role. I found winamp through a football player. (You can't fight the six degrees of separation.)
Additionally, a good name should follow these rules for broader marketing reasons: http://www.abcnamebank.com/GoldenRules.html
Bad Examples:
Access
Acrobat Pro
Aimster, Madster, Sigster, Sexter, NeoNapster, Grokster, and Napster
Alcohol 120%
BlackIce (This one is running right now, and I know it's important, but for the life of me I can't remember what it does.)
EyeBatch
Excel
GIMP
The whole Macromedia line minus Freehand (http://www.macromedia.com/)
Novel
OneNote
Outlook
SLOX
sux
XFire
Take a moment and read over those names. Can you figure out what any of them do without running them first? Without someone out right telling you what each one does?
This is why I like to say, "Name Everything Like A Kitchen Appliance". It toasts things, so it's a Toaster. It mixes stuff, so it's a Mixer. Use iterative problem solving on "Dish Washer" and you get exactly what the tool does. No ambiguity. The name might not be trendy, and may sound funny, but the user will know exactly what your product does before he or she buys it. And that means higher sales and free user experience points.
So, what is in a name? Your future.
