Obaid R. wrote: > Steve Holden: > > >>The history of this choice is lost in the mists of time. Many other >>proposals were made and discussed at around the same time, to the extent >>that it became clear no one choice could win universal approval. >> >>You are the first person to my knowledge to point out that it is shaped >>like a cross. There is no significance in this shape. >> >>Is there, I ask with some trepidation, a specific point to this question? > > > > Thanks for the clarification. > A pleasure.
> I hope it is not counted against me that I am the first one to point > out that the logo is shaped like a cross. There might be many > explanations for this; but sooner or later a person with a different > background than the ones you knew would have likely noted the same. > With that said, however, none of this affects the point that the logo > is indeed shaped like I note. (Even the red cross of the International > Committee of the Red Cross is shaped like a plus sign: > http://www.icrc.org/). > I suppose someone had to point it out, so the fact that you are the first certainly won't be held against you in *this* reader's mind anyway. And I cannot deny that the outline of the logo is that of a cross - there would be little point denying a simple truth. > And why ask with any trepidation, Steve? People of different > backgrounds have dissimilar sensitivities. I hope you agree that it > would be unfair to blame people for such deeply personal affairs. If > trepidation on the part of even the Red Cross was enough to cancel such > sensitivities, we would not have had a Red Crescent or a cooperation > between them. If not proving one's subscription to some set of beliefs, > such symbols at least disprove the same for others. > The trepidation was accounted for solely by a concern that Python would become involved in any kind of religious controversy, or that someone of extreme views might claim that Python was associated with, or against, a particular religious belief. Quite apart from the fact that language choice should not be a religious issue (:-), you are correct in saying that we must be mindful of sensitivities; as I mentioned, the outline of the logo hasn't been raised in the year since it was first mooted. I hope this doesn't mean we need *two* Python logos! > I do realize that I have no say in the decisions affecting Python's > current and future plans. But it makes sense to think that like any > other marketed product, Python must take into consideration the nature > of its target audience. And if it is to appeal to international users, > then points of deep contention are better avoided. Don't you agree? I > am glad the shape has no significance and I thank you for patience. > Absolutely happy to help. You have as much say in Python's affairs as any other user, and are just as entitled to comment. I certainly wouldn't want to limit its popularity in any part of the world simply because of a poor choice of graphic. Perhaps when a further redesign is mooted we can ensure that corners are even more rounded ;-) regards Steve -- Steve Holden +44 150 684 7255 +1 800 494 3119 Holden Web LLC www.holdenweb.com PyCon TX 2006 www.python.org/pycon/ -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
