The Nook: What should they have called it?

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by rebarnmom

I would REALLY like to know what the other choices were!

Hey lady - where have you been? We need to get together!

[rebarnmom]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

Hey lady - where have you been? We need to get together!

I've been in my own little nook, busy selling things on eBay and Craigslist, so I don't become "barnlessmom". Husband has been jobless since June. But not without work! He's been going gangbusters working on the barn. I just hope we don't have to sell it when he's done. But 'tis better to sell it, than lose it.

(apologetically )

So sorry for the interruption. Now back to our regularly scheduled topic!

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

...we had a topic?...

...oh, Oh, Yes! Our topic!

(But, uh, sorry about the job situation. Hope it's better soon!)

Okay, um... personally, I'm not sure how much I'd want to hear the names that didn't get chosen. In fact, for all I know "Dick" is in there... as well as a load of really stoopid synonyms for "Kindle"...

[montsnmags]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Okay, I think we're all in agreement here that Nook is a pretty silly name for an e-book reading device.
...

~Meh~...so not in agreement. Allow me to personally step back from your "we".

"Nook" is the best name I've ever come across for a liseuse/ereader/ebook device, and perfectly enscapulates a lot of how I feel about reading. That whole meaning of "A small corner, alcove, or recess, especially one in a large room" and "A hidden or secluded spot" is and all my life has been one of the most significant aspects and enjoyments about reading. My reading nook has generally been my bedroom, but I've always been drawn to creating a reading nook within a study, or a library, or just a secluded part of the house overlooking the garden and maybe a stream or pool. Mostly though my reading nook has been my book and my mind. There's a small part of me that wants to buy it purely based on the name.

All the other names (not the suggestions, I mean the existing devices' names) sound like crap to me, even my own "Iliad".

Cheers,
Marc

[markbot]

Nook sounds too much like Nuke. the problem is that it is tough to get a trademark for something that actually describes the product in question. for example...a smartbook or ibook is just too similar to the actual function of the object in question. The Amazon "Kindle" however is not literally kindling, etc...which is why u can trademark Kindle for an ebook.

I like smartbook or smartreader or ibook though.

how about "eScroll" !!!! or iScroll

digireader
mobilereader
ireader
ereader
ebook
ibook
mbook

[markbot]

I like "smok"....a portmanteau of smart and book

[LDBoblo]

I think it isn't too bad. Romance novel readers are a huge audience for ebooks.

If you say "nook ebook", it will sound like "nookie book". Very fitting.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by montsnmags

~Meh~...so not in agreement.

Okay, it's been duly established that there are some of us who like the name. (That's right, I'm not marginalizing anyone around here.) That's okay... MR members have never all been in lock-step with each other.

I'm okay with your reasons for liking the name, as well. Keep 'em coming... if your reasons manage to make someone else okay with the name, that's okay, too.

All I know is, it's sure not working for me. Nor for more than few others.

I guess the reason I don't like "Nook" is because it describes a space, not a thing. Moreover, it is a space that many people never had, vis-a-vis a place to go to quietly and privately lose yourself in a book. People like me learned to read wherever we were, we didn't have established places for reading. I wouldn't call it an "elite" thing (I might if the device was called the "Study"), but it does suggest a designated space that I think a lot of people did not use, or even have, for reading.

The "Book Nook bookstore names" point is well-taken. But today, there are few used bookstores that serve to evoke that name to anyone... people having grown up in the last 20 years may never have seen or heard of that so-called bookstore, or even heard the phrase "book nook" used. In fact, most Americans will probably think of English muffins first...

So, I think the name will probably serve for people who are comfortable with the phrase... but I suspect those people are few these days, and not necessarily the audience B&N is hoping to lure with this device. A name that tied reading with more universal concepts would, IMO, have been better.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

I think I'm the only person I know who likes the name they chose.

You're not alone. I like the name and think it's quite fitting. I suspect it will grow on people.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

I think it isn't too bad. Romance novel readers are a huge audience for ebooks.

If you say "nook ebook", it will sound like "nookie book". Very fitting.

Hadn't thought of that, but you're right!

[montsnmags]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Okay, it's been duly established that there are some of us who like the name. (That's right, I'm not marginalizing anyone around here.) That's okay... MR members have never all been in lock-step with each other.

I'm okay with your reasons for liking the name, as well. Keep 'em coming... if your reasons manage to make someone else okay with the name, that's okay, too.

Phew! You know, knowing that you're "okay" with me not liking the name; that you're not personally using your authority to marginalise anyone; that you're "okay" with my reasons for liking the name...well, like I say...phew. I'm so glad. I don't know if I would have been able go on otherwise, Steve.

All I know is, it's sure not working for me. Nor for more than few others.

Well, what you should probably do, in response to my subjective preference, is to (not?) marginalise my personal differing preference, possibly by conflating your own subjective preference into a reasoned argument as to why mine's a Bad (TM) name, and why B&N are Wrong (TM) to use it, so that, while your preference is justified by good business and marketing practice, the opinions of myself and an apparent minority of others are "okay" for us to have in our little corner, as long as we allow your inclusiveness to arrive concurrent with your well-reasoned dismissal of what you "wouldn't call an "elite" thing":

Oh, wait...you just did:

I guess the reason I don't like "Nook" is because it describes a space, not a thing. Moreover, it is a space that many people never had, vis-a-vis a place to go to quietly and privately lose yourself in a book. People like me learned to read wherever we were, we didn't have established places for reading. I wouldn't call it an "elite" thing (I might if the device was called the "Study"), but it does suggest a designated space that I think a lot of people did not use, or even have, for reading.

The "Book Nook bookstore names" point is well-taken. But today, there are few used bookstores that serve to evoke that name to anyone... people having grown up in the last 20 years may never have seen or heard of that so-called bookstore, or even heard the phrase "book nook" used. In fact, most Americans will probably think of English muffins first...

So, I think the name will probably serve for people who are comfortable with the phrase... but I suspect those people are few these days, and not necessarily the audience B&N is hoping to lure with this device. A name that tied reading with more universal concepts would, IMO, have been better.

Odd how much fun you were having with this, until someone held a contrary opinion.

Cheers,
Marc (wondering how you missed that I've never owned a designated "reading nook", other than my brain and a book...which was kind of the point)

[BenG]

I seem to remember similar jokes about the Kindle when Amazon first announced it's name.

Beside's "book" and "nook" go together like a horse and carriage. Think of the countless bookstores, web pages and book review columns called "The Book Nook."

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by BenG

I seem to remember similar jokes about the Kindle when Amazon first announced it's name.

Beside's "book" and "nook" go together like a horse and carriage. Think of the countless bookstores, web pages and book review columns called "The Book Nook."

Ben, you and monkey boy are both correct.

Unfortunately, the word (with an "ie" at the end) at least in this part of the world, has been bastardized to mean something entirely different.

The bedroom jokes will never stop.

[LDBoblo]

And as I indirectly mentioned in another thread...people who own and for some crazy reason love their Nook will be able to tell people:

Person A: Check this out...it's my Nuke!
Person B: Isn't it called "Nook"?
Person A: I pronounce it "Nuke"
Person B: Why?
Person A: It's the bomb!

Take that, Amazon marketing!

[BenG]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Ben, you and monkey boy are both correct.

Unfortunately, the word (with an "ie" at the end) at least in this part of the world, has been bastardized to mean something entirely different.

The bedroom jokes will never stop.

That doesn't bother me. I'll probably be making some of them.