Posted by samcohen on October 22, 2010 at 1:56pm
Love the idea of this group, but really don't like the name.
Micro means tiny, insignificant, unimportant. (Maybe it's because of this article I read this week in Slate about micro-penises http://www.slate.com/id/2271897)
The name also implies that the big shops (should we say the obese shops?) are the norm and the smaller shops are the exception, where it's really the other way around.
I think smaller shops need a better way to describe themselves than "micro." Any ideas?
Comments
Not having the same aversion
Not having the same aversion to the idea of a micropenis as I suspect another segment of the population would, I can't say I find either concept that troublesome--but I would if "micro-shop" led to some kind of stigma among prospective clients. (Is it at all used by smaller clients, though? Would they really understand the difference?)
On the other hand, "Micro-shops" does let us make an incredibly adorable logo for the group, which I'm sensing may not be the best of counter-arguments in this instance. But still! Logo! Adorable!
...how about just "1-5 person shops"? :)
The use of micro in this
The use of micro in this context is common (i.e. microfinance). Your "unimportant" association is not common. Neither does micro assume that it is uncommon. Microbes are extremely common.
I'll give you that micro
I'll give you that micro doesn't necessarily mean unimportant, but there's nothing common about using micro in the context of describing a place of business. If you needed a lawyer would you want to go to a micro firm? Need to treat a serious illness? Try a micro-hospital. Why would someone want to hire a "micro" shop when they can get the "real" thing. It sounds like something the big web shops use to refer to the small shops pejoratively, not what small shops would choose to call themselves. Of course that's just my micro opinion. :)
NMS: Drupal Training & Services
www.new-media-solutions.com/drupal-training
Greater Philadelphia Drupal Meetup
www.meetup.com/drupaldelphia
Does it matter?
It's just the name of the group - you could always use http://groups.drupal.org/node/97774 instead. I haven't' describe myself as a micro-shop up until now, and don't plan to start doing so. Suggestions for better names for the group? But really, it doesn't matter much.
Currently part of the team at https://lastcallmedia.com in a senior Drupal specialist role.
micro-shop alternatives
Drupal Shacks?
Drupal Labs?
Drupal Marts?
I agree that it doesn't mean
I agree that it doesn't mean much if it's just the name of this group. But if the term is applied to 1 to 5 person shops outside of this group, I do think it matters.
As far as the name of the group goes, I'd vote for changing it -- as CatherineOmega suggested -- "One to Five Person Shops" instead of Micro Shops.
I guess that's the group organizers decision.
Sam
NMS: Drupal Training & Services
www.new-media-solutions.com/drupal-training
Greater Philadelphia Drupal Meetup
www.meetup.com/drupaldelphia
Micro Shop - sounded like e-com
when I first read 'micro shop' - I thought Drupal had started an online e-com store - then my heart skipped a beat wondering if Drupal had become Joomla!
Whew... but on the other hand it did attract my attention and maybe misleading is good in this case.
Jason Graham
http://www.PolishYourImage.com
I get a completely different
I get a completely different connotation from "micro", more along the lines Moshe is thinking. I haven't seen microprocessors, microSD cards, github's "micro" plan, Trend Micro, or any number of other things with "micro" in them explode because of their name.
"One to Five Person Shops" is ridiculously long, and my chief concern with the name is that it's short and memorable. If someone comes up with an alternative I really like, I'll consider changing it. Until then, let's think more about substance and less about branding -- this is a professional working group, not a consumer product.
unimportantSoft Re-releases ie6!
I get rabbit holed enough on my own....
The name is cool. Is anyone here doing micro-loans?? My last client just flaked out on me... and I need some cash=)
(What about "Micro-Drop" ??)
Great name!
I just joined this group (first Drupal Group I've joined) exactly because the title. Branding worked perfectly.
A small business is one with less than 500 employees. My company has 5 contractors. Micro is just a better way to refine. Does Nano have a better ring to it? Or "really really small"? micro = 1x10^-6
Great idea for a group, btw. Looking forward to reading up.
I have no problem with the name...
...but if any one else does, maybe we can call it µshops instead? ;)