this post was submitted on 26 Apr 2026
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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[–] helix@feddit.org 121 points 3 weeks ago (11 children)

I think they should keep both names and just have WLBR be the "enterprise" version.

However, in non-English speaking countries, nobody has an issue with GIMP. And even my very religious and Murican MIL uses Gimp. She doesn't even know.

If anything, those discussions further the association, as they come up when you google "gimp program sexual" or sth like that.

It's short for GNU image manipulation program. I mean, you could short it to imp, or rename it to Picture & Image Manipulation Program (PIMP).

[–] mech@feddit.org 86 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

I propose Scriptable Image Manipulation Program (SIMP)

[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 19 points 3 weeks ago

SIMPly genius!

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[–] wltr@discuss.tchncs.de 40 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
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[–] EmK@lemmy.ca 29 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

It must be something that can't possibly be construed as sexual innuendo, like Linux Image Manipulation Program (LIMP)...

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[–] ALoafOfBread@lemmy.ml 27 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (7 children)

Gimp is really just a rare/archaic ableist slur anyway - like to refer to someone with a limp or otherwise a leg/lack of a leg that impedes their gait. I've never heard it used in my life.

The sexual usage is from gay bdsm subculture in the 70s that the large majority of ppl who are aware of it are only aware because of Pulp Fiction.

My vote is for pimp

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[–] xnx@piefed.social 101 points 3 weeks ago (11 children)

From a name you don’t want to say to a name you can’t say

[–] decended_being@midwest.social 35 points 3 weeks ago

I think you just pronounce it Wilbur

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[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 79 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I will be locking this issue to avoid non-core developers spamming with the same walls of texts about the project name.

Bruno is a very wise man.

[–] mina86@lemmy.wtf 24 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I dunno. A wise man would propose a better name.

[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 24 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

A man can be wise and still propose a name that some people don't like. The reason why this man is wise is, he knows what would happen and is wise enough to limit / lock the thread before it happens.

[–] mina86@lemmy.wtf 20 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

There are names that ‘some people don’t like.’ There are also terrible names. WLBR is both.

[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 16 points 3 weeks ago (5 children)

Your opinion is one of many. For some the name does not matter, for others GIMP is worse than WLBR. I don't care what the name is. To me the person Bruno was wise to lock it, because he knew non contributor would spam with their opinion and with history. That is the mark of a wise man. This is my point, not how many people like or dislike the new name. That's not the point I am making.

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[–] commander@lemmy.world 63 points 3 weeks ago (10 children)

It took me reading the comments here to get that it's pronounced Wilbur. I don't get why it needs to be an acronym

It's not open source unless the package name is a scabby dumpster fire.

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[–] furycd001@lemmy.ml 63 points 3 weeks ago (9 children)

GIMP is GIMP. It’s been GIMP for decades, and that name carries history, recognition, and a community that built something genuine. Rebranding it to WLBR feels like throwing all of that away for the sake of optics that most longtime users like myself frankly don’t care about. It's not progress in any way, it’s unnecessary self-erasure. GIMP works, GIMP is known as such, and GIMP should stay exactly what it is....

[–] Scrollone@feddit.it 32 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Also, WLBR sucks ass as a name. Just call it Glimpse at this point.

LibreOffice managed to dethrone OpenOffice, but many people still call it OpenOffice even after all these years.

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[–] sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.com 47 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] msfroh@lemmy.ca 19 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

The sound of a dog drinking from a sprinkler?

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[–] theacharnian@lemmy.ca 47 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Since it's called the GNU Image Manipulation Program, why not pick up the extremely low hanging fruit and call it GNU Imp? It also comes with a free mascot.

Edit: And given that Wilber already has a cheeky smile and two horn-like ears, it wouldn't even be that much of a new mascot either. I mean come on people, do I have to think of everything around here?

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[–] yoevli@lemmy.world 46 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I can understand the desire to change it given that the current name is arguably a slur in some contexts, but this is a terrible new name. There was a fork awhile back with this same motivation called "Glimpse" - I really think they should have chosen a name with some continuity from the original, and certainly not what looks to be an initialism (I never would have come to "Wilbur" on my own).

[–] Joelk111@lemmy.world 20 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (6 children)

I also would not have come to Wilbur on my own. Gimp is a weird name, but at least it's pronouncable. Glimpse sounds great to me tbh. A nod to GIMP, but also a sensical name.

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[–] MrSoup@lemmy.zip 46 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

Why not just Wilber? Just like the mascot.

[–] slartibartfast141@piefed.zip 48 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

The Linux community can't let an opportunity for an acronym to go to waste. Even more so for a backronym.

[–] eleijeep@piefed.social 16 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Could have had the recursive acronym KINGIMP (KINGIMP Is Not GIMP) smdh

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[–] ghaydn@lemmy.4d2.org 43 points 3 weeks ago

Sooo, basically they're changing the name that's somewhat bad in English to the name that's terrible in all languages? Huh.

[–] excel@lemming.megumin.org 43 points 3 weeks ago

And here I was worried they would pick another terrible name.

[–] chunes@lemmy.world 41 points 3 weeks ago (22 children)

Where are people getting that this is a rebrand?

It's just an environment variable you can set that changes the name if it offends you.

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[–] unwarlikeExtortion@lemmy.ml 41 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (18 children)

To be honest, this seems like a stupid fix to a non-issue.

There's already Latex, and the purists calling it Lateh only make it seem like they know and are ashamed.

Or Uranus being pronounced not as your-anus but urine-us. The "alternate/kid-friendly" option is just plain worse. It also teaches kids certain words are bad, which is a bad idea for a multitude of resons I won't get into.

I say keep GIMP GIMP, loud and clear. No need to be ashamed, because it isn't shameful.

Attempting to avoid this absolute non-issue by ingenious pronounciation or rebranding just exacerbates the issue.

It's called "GIMP" and not "Fuck Me then Go Out The Door". Wether or not GIMP was a moment of "funny humor" or not is beside the point. The "official" explanation is perfectly belieavable, and therefore suitable enough. Just run with it.

If an idiot asks "Why's it called like [insert-here]", just say it's a fucking coincidence and you don't care. Call them dirty-minded for bonus points.

[–] skisnow@lemmy.ca 15 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

There’s already Latex

wait what? Latex is used in tons of non-sexytime things, surely nobody's raising an eyebrow at that?

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[–] netvor@lemmy.world 31 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

"WLBR"

..just rolllrrrs .. lorrrs .. rolls off the tongue!

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[–] Rokin@leminal.space 26 points 3 weeks ago

I really like the name GIMP.

[–] winni@piefed.social 26 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
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[–] apftwb@lemmy.world 25 points 3 weeks ago

Years of jokes, wasted.

[–] schnurrito@discuss.tchncs.de 24 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

Is WLBR supposed to be an abbreviation for something? I realize it is a reference to the mascot Wilber, but apart from that?

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[–] Fmstrat@lemmy.world 24 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Hear me out.. Everything doesn't have to be an acronym.

[–] Agent641@lemmy.world 19 points 3 weeks ago

EDHTBAA, got it

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[–] cookiecoookie@lemmy.world 19 points 3 weeks ago

Wilbur didn't want food, he wanted love.

E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web

[–] wuphysics87@lemmy.ml 19 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
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[–] Andrzej3K@hexbear.net 18 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I'm in favor of renaming but could they not have included a vowel or two

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[–] DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world 18 points 3 weeks ago

So, we'll pronounce it "Wilbur"?

I'm sure those in charge of this had the argument and went 'round and 'round with it. And, this is what they came up with.

Whatever, we'll get used to it, but I'm not sure it's a good idea. It will probably hurt brand recognition more than the mildly-offensive "GIMP" ever has. At least when noobs heard "gimp", their ears would perk up in mild surprise, and they'd ask what it is, there-by solidifying the product in their minds. "Wilbur" just won't have the same effect, because there's no surprise. They'll ask, but the impact will not be as great, and they'll forget. "Wilbur" is forgettable as a name for anything, or anyone. "Gimp" is not.

[–] BradleyUffner@lemmy.world 16 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (3 children)

WLBR was the local radio station from my home town in PA.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WLBR

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[–] RedWeasel@lemmy.world 16 points 3 weeks ago (5 children)

Couldn’t they just call it IMP(Image Manipulation Program)?

[–] savvywolf@pawb.social 17 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

Yeah, GNU IMP. Recognisable and easy to understand for those familiar with the old name.

WLBR just seems like people being clever for clevers sake.

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[–] anon_8675309@lemmy.world 14 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Who is frail enough to have a problem with GNU Image Manipulation Program

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