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Comment by qazpot | Hacker News Reader

Just leaving this here

According to The Apache Software Foundation, its name was chosen "from respect for the various Native American nations collectively referred to as Apache, well-known for their superior skills in warfare strategy and their inexhaustible endurance".[15] This was in a context in which it seemed that the open internet -- based on free exchange of open source code -- appeared to be soon subjected to a kind of conquer by proprietary software vendor Microsoft; Apache co-creator Brian Behlendorf -- originator of the name -- saw his effort somewhat parallel that of Geronimo, Chief of the last of the free Apache peoples.[16][17] But it conceded that the name "also makes a cute pun on 'a patchy web server'—a server made from a series of patches".

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Correct, the keyword is respect. Apache is a modern label to describe various groups of Native Americans, who were on the verge of being conquered and colonized by an expanding empire. Like your quote says, Apache shares a similar, albeit less existential, plight and mission in software.

As a not-white person, the disrespect being discussed here seems imaginary. I wonder if the disrespect others see is because of a belief in a hierarchy of victimhood. The kind that grants authority to members whose ancestors who were once oppressed. Authority that justifies private ownership, authority that cannot be questioned, authority that demands greater and greater respect, if not obedience.

It's a sorry form of respect.

Imagine if this was called the Irish Software Foundation or the Palestinian Software Foundation or the Xhosa Software Foundation or the Asheknazi Software Foundation.

> The Irish Software Foundation was named from respect for the Irish people, well-known for their fighting spirit and perseverance against hundreds of years of adversity.

> The Ashkenazi Software Foundation was named from respect for the various Jewish peoples of Europe collectively known as Ashkenazi, well-known for their strong academic traditions.

It would be so blatantly idiotic and racist that nobody would ever do it.

The name "Apache Software Foundation" sucks, and this is long overdue.

> Imagine if this was called the Irish Software Foundation or the Palestinian Software Foundation or the Xhosa Software Foundation or the Asheknazi Software Foundation.

You mean like the "Fighting Irish" from University of Notre Dame? I'm Irish and I've never heard anyone criticise them. In fact they are welcomed to Ireland for St Patricks day parades.

Fair. And if a group of Irish people expressed that the name bothered them, it would only be right to listen to what they have to say.

You can find a small group of people to complain about anything, especially in a world where being offended gets you clicks and attention.

You said "It would be so blatantly idiotic and racist that nobody would ever do it". People have being doing exacty this forever and, while it may be sometimes cringe-worthy or even insensitive, I would contend it is not inherently a bad thing to find inspiration in other peoples culture and history.

Also, "i-Rish makes a cute pun on early Apple naming conventions."

How is that not disrespectful? I agree that although Apache wasn't meant to be racist, that doesn't make it not racist.

> The Irish Software Foundation was named from respect for the Irish people, well-known for their fighting spirit and perseverance against hundreds of years of adversity.

oh no that would be horrible I bet the Irish would be so mad.

It's a diversity shakedown. Extortion racket.

What about Irish Pubs or every single Pizza shop not operated by an Italian?

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