OpenGoo is now Feng Office
Today we will officially start the rebranding of the OpenGoo software as Feng Office Collaboration Platform.
There are some mixed feelings to the rebranding, as we have grown fond of the ugly name. But there are stronger reasons in favor of doing the change.
This post attempts to give light on a few of the reasons for changing the name, and a bit on the process we’ll be following.
Economics
The first reason to do this move is an economic one. We better advertise our services at the Feng Office site. People and Businesses that subscribe to our services are vital to keep developing and improving the product towards our shared vision.
We hope that having an easier access to our services will drive more people to subscribe.
Simplicity
Having two names (brands) increases the complexity when explaining what we do. It is especially baffling for customers that we send them to the OpenGoo forum when they have a question about Feng Office (What is OpenGoo?). We sometimes found ourselves on the need to duplicate information too.
This all will be simplified by maintaining just one site.
The name
To some people (native English speakers, mainly), the word “Goo” sounds disgusting. Not that ‘Feng’ doesn’t have its detractors (my friend Keith Teare just hates the name). But we’ve tested it, and it does get more acceptance.
There was also the connotation that OpenGoo was an Open Source alternative to Google products. We believe our product to be unique and with merits of its own. We want it to be regarded as such, and not as an alternative to any product (There is not one product with the exact same characteristics as ours). The name just wasn’t helping.
The migration process
We will start by redirecting each OpenGoo webpage to the corresponding Feng Office page, when applicable. Some sections (the forum, the Goo blog, the wiki) will remain the same for a while. We will gradually adjust the content to fit to the new name.
Please bear with us during this process. We are thankful for your support, and hope that you soon start benefitting from our simplified approach.
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I have recently discovered OpenGoo as an open source alternative to other propietary alternatives in web office. I understand that Feng Office is the propietary version of OpenGoo. Will this name change affect to the licenses? Or will be an Feng Office Opensource and other propierary?
Thanks!
Comment by jose — December 15, 2009 @ 12:22 pm
Congratulations for the move. Hope it helps this great project.
Is this “Feng Office Collaboration Platform” still open-source?
Since the Feng Office actual webpage (fengoffice.com) does sell a product, right?
Can someone explain the differences?
Thank you and good luck with this new step.
Comment by André Maia Ferreira — December 15, 2009 @ 1:56 pm
Thank you for your comments.
I should have been more clear on those aspects.
The current product will remain with its current license, and will keep evolving as it has been the case for the last two years.
We do develop and offer plugins and add-ons under other licenses, and have plans to develop more in the near future.
Feng Sky and Feng Onsite are our two main services. We charge for these services. They include not only the software, but most importantly: end-user and technical professional support, server maintenance, security audits, warranties, and updates in both cases. Feng Sky also includes hosting, DB storage, and daily system backups.
Comment by conrado — December 15, 2009 @ 6:43 pm
Sounds good.
I’m just about to download and start using OpenGoo.
Question:
version, or install now a go through an upgrade later on?
Should I wait a week or two(?) for the re-branded, and bug-fixed
Any thoughts much appreciated.
Cheers from sunny-and-hot Australia
Comment by nickg — December 16, 2009 @ 1:18 am
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Pingback by Twitter Trackbacks for The Goo Blog » OpenGoo is now Feng Office [opengoo.org] on Topsy.com — December 16, 2009 @ 5:19 am
“There was also the connotation that OpenGoo was an Open Source alternative to Google products.”
Ahh. That would explain some of the ‘odd’ reviews. Never occurred to me. And clear up some confusion.
It will be a good move in the long run. A lot of Open Source products have a ‘community’ edition and a paid edition. It is a tricky thing to get the balance between the editions right though.
Anyway - good luck with Feng Office. I kinda liked the name OpenGoo though
Oh well - a Goo by another name will still work as well.
don
Comment by Don — December 27, 2009 @ 2:07 am
So,
Does that mean that if I upgrade, or ask any of my associate, clients, so on and so forth, we will all have to pay to continue using the new Feng Office, yes?
What if they simply keep their old versions on, and on…?
I understand there will be no support whatsoever, but also, there won’t be any proprietary charges onto it, will there be?
Best Cheers and congrats with the moving foward.
San.
Comment by San — January 29, 2010 @ 3:20 pm