· January 16, 2025 · indie development ·
If you work on, with, or near computers there's just so many things to name. Processes, classes, wi-fi networks, computers, scripts, servers, fleets of servers, databases, tables. It's endless.
There's a bit of advice on such things across the web which I am, if I may say, a pro at completely ignoring, forgetting, and disregarding. A trail of dull ("db1"), creative-yet-unclear (what the heck is "rex-accelerator"?? I knew in 2017 but... I don't know now), and amateurish ("new-recommender-v2") names bear witness.
What finally stuck for me was pondering what worlds of proper names feel personal to me and bring me delight. What universe of concepts, ideas, characters, classifications, whatever is out there that impacted you in a positive way. It certainly doesn't have to be serious and doesn't even have to make sense for computer-y uses, you just need a bunch of names that convey some sort of meaning to you and would bring you joy. (This is not a very interesting or remarkable recommendation, but I've been having so much fun breaking a bad habit I felt compelled to share in hopes it passes along a little happiness.)
Now for you, there may be a respectable answer that really shows off what an interesting, unique, lovely person you are. But for me, a human raccoon, the only possible answer is The Red Green Show.
Thanks to PBS I watched a lot of this goofy, warm-hearted Canadian show filled with eye-rollingly good/bad jokes growing up. The Christmas special is still yearly viewing for me. The unserious, scrappy/shabby, held-together-by-duct-tape, self-mocking vibes just resonate and I feel apply to my work and personal projects quite well.
And critically there's a deep well of proper names to use! Here are some I've used so far:
Following Red Green as a theme brings a delight to naming new things that previously was stressful and random. And returning to these areas yields the same chuckle. For me, the self-deprecation never fails to lighten my mood and reminds me to give up some stress, to take things less seriously.
So find your Red Green! What world of names would bring good feelings when casting about for the right fit in the face of an empty input box? What names would mean something to you, even if they'd be baffling to others? It'll be way more fun than "db1" and "api-server" I promise. Just avoid Rex Accelerator, that's mine, whatever it was.
Keep your stick on the ice.>
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