Robot Names

Why are robot names, by and large, so bad? It seems like it wouldn't be that hard to come up with some cool ones, or at least some not awful ones. Instead we get names that are downright embarrassing to say out loud. They sound pseudo-futuristic and ridiculous, or like something out of a bad fantasy novel. Here are some examples.

Horrible Robot Names

256px-HAL9000.svg.png

There have been, to my memory, only two decent, usable robot names.

Cool Robot Names

  • Computer (the  LCARS system from Star Trek, but they always just called it "Computer")
  • HAL

Seriously, those last two are the only ones I wouldn't feel idiotic addressing directly, with words issuing forth from my mouth, in a public setting. The rest? Feh! "Okay, Glass?" Really?

If we're to start using voice activated assistants and robots in our daily lives, I think we need to do a better job of making the process more natural and less awkward. You'd think the naming of the thing would be the first and easiest place to start. Apparently not.


Comics About Systems

For some time I've been looking for a way to combine my interest and knowledge of computer systems and my love and production of comics. I've finally managed to do it. 

The new Fusion TV network has published the first of my InfoComics. These InfoComics are geared not towards sysadmins, but rather to the general public. They attempt to explain everyday technology that we all talk about, but which most people probably don't really understand. And they do so using simple language and, hopefully, fun and memorable pictures.

So please go check out my first InfoComic, "What Is Google?