34

We had some original thoughts here: Why Database Administrators? but that seems to read more of a "why is this site named this way" and not so much of a "we need this name". So I'm making this thread as a "we need this name".

I'm going to copy over each of the old names from the other thread and we can vote on them anew and get some ideas in mind on what the names mean.

Talking about databases is not only the administration side it's all the tasks around them, including:

Data modeling, SQL problems, Database decisions, etc...

Please feel free to submit your own suggestions and vote on the ones you like

These are CW after all.

--edit by Jack

Two blog posts that are really required reading for anyone who feels strongly about the sites name here and here

Feedback from various mods on other sites where they have bee through naming issues at length:

"There is some long history on the naming stuff, currently no SE 2.0 site (except AskUbuntu) gets their own domain, and only very few a non-descriptive name."

 

"clarify that [we need] a "nickname", just a generic name that properly describes the audience."

11
  • I don't actually know that the site DNS can change, I'm just putting it out there in case it can
    – jcolebrand Mod
    Jul 26, 2011 at 16:24
  • Just had a question about the domains. Will we get a toplevel domain, or be forever stuck in servitude as a subdomain of SE? :)
    – Derek Downey
    Jul 26, 2011 at 16:26
  • @DTest - Useful info on that in one of the links on jcolebrand's other question: The 7 Essential Meta Questions of Every Beta
    – Jack Douglas
    Jul 26, 2011 at 18:48
  • Is this a settled question? As in, is "Database Administrators" the final name?
    – Nick Chammas
    Sep 5, 2011 at 16:27
  • @Nick I don't think so, but ...
    – jcolebrand Mod
    Sep 6, 2011 at 1:30
  • The more I think about this, the more I favour something in a similar vain to serverfault.com.
    – Mark Storey-Smith
    Dec 5, 2011 at 15:07
  • Any further traction on this question? Are we doing anything with it?
    – Chris Aldrich
    Jan 13, 2012 at 13:56
  • If we want a title to humor with it, why not pick something like tablespaces or bufferpool or lockwait or something like that?
    – Chris Aldrich
    May 14, 2012 at 15:12
  • Because those things only apply to certain types of database systems, and we're interested in a lot more than that.
    – jcolebrand Mod
    May 14, 2012 at 15:17
  • This has been open for two years now. I suggest we either move on it, or we close it. Personally, I think we should just leave our name the way it is now that we have been here long enough.
    – Chris Aldrich
    Jan 2, 2014 at 20:56
  • @ChrisAldrich feel free to flag stuff like this to be closed, we don't mind. But we do want them to be available to the site at large for a while (which this one has been) :D
    – jcolebrand Mod
    Jan 7, 2014 at 1:47

18 Answers 18

Reset to default
28

Databases

db.stackexchange.com

6
  • 3
    Apparently this was our original name too. IMO if we're going to change it this makes the most sense as there's no fussing about what's a "data guru" or other vague terms. Simple, descriptive, powerful.
    – Ben Brocka
    Dec 8, 2011 at 14:39
  • This. We do databases, no frill necessary.
    – Ryan
    Jan 4, 2012 at 17:15
  • This this this this.
    – JNK
    Feb 15, 2012 at 14:30
  • 1
    This should be the one. Is there something holding us back?
    – Erwin Brandstetter
    Mar 26, 2012 at 11:46
  • @Erwin I like this too - but I think SE doesn't
    – Jack Douglas
    Apr 6, 2012 at 19:01
  • 4
    Not keen on this. It sounds a bit trite - like a forum for MS-Access noob questions maybe.
    – ConcernedOfTunbridgeWells
    Apr 26, 2012 at 14:23
16

Database Architecture and Management

dba.stackexchange.com

Tagline: Q&A on Database design, management, B.I. systems and advanced server-side development.

6
  • Aha! We keep the domain name but replace the contentious "Administrators" in our name with something more appropriate. I like it.
    – Nick Chammas
    Jan 22, 2012 at 20:47
  • Yours and the one above it (the db3a) ones I think more accurately try to capture the spirit of the site, which is what I was hoping for.
    – Chris Aldrich
    Jan 30, 2012 at 14:01
  • I really like this one.
    – swasheck
    Feb 3, 2012 at 15:56
  • Although 'everybody's an architect' these days in I.T. (at least job-title wise) I think the term 'architecture' is neutral enough and retains enough gravitas that it doesn't sound too wannabee-ish.
    – ConcernedOfTunbridgeWells
    Apr 26, 2012 at 14:28
  • In practice I'd rate this title about a B+, because Architecture is a fairly debased term in I.T. circles. However, IMO it's the best of a lot of bad choices - at least the best I can think of.
    – ConcernedOfTunbridgeWells
    Apr 26, 2012 at 14:38
  • database architecture and management network just because I want the url to be damn.stackexchange.com
    – billinkc
    May 1, 2012 at 20:18
14

The current name:

Database Administrators

dba.stackexchange.com

2
5

Database Professionals

dba.stackexchange.com

11
  • 8
    Possible future meta questions: Y U HAVE TITEL Database Professionals AND (SUB)DOMAIN AS DBA?
    – Sathyajith Bhat
    Aug 1, 2011 at 10:01
  • This is a great question @gbn but at the same time, we want to keep the name "professional" to reflect that what we do is of high caliber.
    – jcolebrand Mod
    Oct 17, 2011 at 16:21
  • 1
    @jcolebrand: true, Data Professionals covers NoSQL and BI better though
    – gbn
    Oct 17, 2011 at 16:24
  • And yet nobody is voting that one up. I suppose because they can't disassociate the given URL suggestion from the name.
    – jcolebrand Mod
    Oct 17, 2011 at 16:28
  • 1
    I disagree with this one because I don't feel it's a real term. Lots of developers do "a little bit of DBA", some DBA do a little bit of development (especially in small shops) but I don't think there are many "database professionals" that are not either DBAs are developers. We are a DBA site that is welcome to questions by developers who operate on databases.
    – Ben Brocka
    Dec 7, 2011 at 16:31
  • That's a great point Ben.
    – jcolebrand Mod
    Dec 8, 2011 at 1:37
  • 1
    As a side note, all SE sites have generally maintained that they are for professionals. Programmers.SE is for "professional programmers" but the site remains just "programmers" not "Senior Programmers" or "Professional Programmers".
    – Ben Brocka
    Dec 8, 2011 at 14:42
  • 2
    I'm a developer and a member of both this site AND stack overflow. I tend to come here for anything related to databases as opposed to program logic, because I believe the audience here will better answer my questions. I do want to comment though that for some reason Database Professionals just feels more intimidating to me, like I shouldn't join or post a question if I'm not one, imo. I might be the only one, but that's my thought. I just like Database Administrators better and thus I upvoted it.
    – Chris Aldrich
    Jan 6, 2012 at 21:53
  • Yeah, I had that same issue with MetaSO when I first came to it. That passes. How do we beat that hump @ChrisAldrich?
    – jcolebrand Mod
    Jan 6, 2012 at 22:20
  • @jcolebrand see my suggestion below.
    – Chris Aldrich
    Jan 9, 2012 at 13:57
  • Again, a bit trite. Using 'professional' in a title is a bit debased, I think. A lot of not-so-professional entities use the term 'professional' to try and big themselves up. My intuitive feel is that using 'professional' in the title has connotations of that. It sounds a bit try-hard.
    – ConcernedOfTunbridgeWells
    Apr 26, 2012 at 14:26
4

Database Architecture, Analytics and Administration (DB3A)

db3a.stackexchange.com

A variant on some earlier options.

Tagline: Q&A on Database design, administration, B.I. systems and advanced server-side development.

1
  • 1
    Does explicitly include B.I. in the title, but I think that Database Architecture and Management is better in practice.
    – ConcernedOfTunbridgeWells
    Apr 26, 2012 at 14:41
3

Data Technologies

datatech.stackexchange.com

If the concern is about the scope of the site being greater than just databases and database administrators, then why not place the focus on the technology, rather than the people. This may place a correct light on the types of questions to be submitted here, and without reference to a "DBA" explicitly, perhaps remove the wrong perceptions of DBA's. This may sound less "intimidating" to developers, IT managers, etc. and may feel more open to a wider audience.

(this based off of my comment to jcolebrand's submissions of "Database Professionals"

1
  • Although I'm advocating a title including with word 'architecture', which is bordering on PHB-speak in its own right, I think 'technologies' sounds a bit trite in this context.
    – ConcernedOfTunbridgeWells
    Apr 26, 2012 at 14:36
2

Database Professionals

dbpros.stackexchange.com

Per DTest's suggestion.

0
1

Data Gurus

I'm about even on the desire to change the URL to support this. I don't think it benefits anything overall. Alternately, I would like to the URL changed to something indicating data, but data.se is right out. And gurus.se is just not gonna look good either (to my eyes anyways)

So why "Data Gurus"? Well, for starters, it entertains the NoSQL camp to come over, as this site is for both traditional and modern database systems (and all the big vendors are working on side-by-side NoSQL and SQL solutions anyways).

Next up is the point that we are about data, first and foremost. If you really wanted to get into the mechanics of filesystems, we would probably be ok with that here, as it's one of the few places where indexing and rapidly locating information can be discussed academically (besides cstheory).

So, Data, Traditional and Modern data storage, not-the-words-dba, Gurus. That's us. That's what we do. Regardless of what the badge we wear during the day says.

8
  • Also avoids the pretentiousness of "Professionals".
    – Nick Chammas
    Dec 2, 2011 at 22:54
  • This is good too. @NickChammas: with you on this no pretentions
    – gbn
    Dec 5, 2011 at 17:55
  • 1
    +1 I think this one best encompasses everything from BI and NoSQL to OODB and standard RDBMS. It allows for the fact that we fall all along the spectrum from 100% development to 100% "actual" administration. And it nicely sidesteps the pro/enthusiast divide where Professionals draws a line. Plus, there is a certain "wisdom" to good database problem solving that is totally guru-like.
    – Jonathan Van Matre
    Dec 20, 2011 at 23:38
  • 1
    I just don't think it sounds serious enough. But maybe that is just me.
    – Chris Aldrich
    Jan 9, 2012 at 15:26
  • @Chris have you seen the chat channel? ;-) I'm sure we would love to have you about over there as well. I'm definitely on track with a lot of your suggestions, I just don't know what to call it in the first place, so have to throw something out at some point.
    – jcolebrand Mod
    Jan 9, 2012 at 15:32
  • Won't work while I'm at work. But maybe some chance I can hop over there during off hours.
    – Chris Aldrich
    Jan 9, 2012 at 15:54
  • That works too. Just thought I would toss it out at someone who was interested enough to propose several alterations/commentary on meta.
    – jcolebrand Mod
    Jan 9, 2012 at 15:55
  • 1
    'Gurus' sounds a bit try-hard, a bit like 'professionals', although not quite the same aesthetic. However, I think it's not really quite the right look and feel. Too cutesy, I think.
    – ConcernedOfTunbridgeWells
    Apr 26, 2012 at 14:29
0

Database Advice

dba.stackexchange.com (or dbadvice.stackexchange.com)

Database design, architecture, administration, tuning, querying and... anything else you can think of relating to databases and data.

Sticking with the idea of keeping the domain name but replacing 'Administrators' to make it sound less intimidating. Hopefully still sounding professional/expert, but not scaring anyone off, and appealing to enthusiasts? But is it too vague and wish-washy? And I'm not sure if the domain name itself will discourage people before they have a chance to find out it's not just about traditional 'DBA' stuff.

2
  • 1
    Sounds to me like an advice column then. No offense.
    – Chris Aldrich
    Feb 3, 2012 at 13:54
  • 1
    None taken *8-)
    – Alex Poole
    Feb 3, 2012 at 14:04
-1

Data Monkeys

datamonkeys.stackexchange.com

Or maybe "Database Monkeys", "Data Apes" etc

This avoids the potential "DBA" stigma that could scare away NoSQL or BI. Data Professionals is a tad pretentious IMO.

Edit:

  • I'm more serious then joking
  • My profile says "Code monkey"

Why?

  • It isn't pretentious
  • Easy to remember/unforgettable
  • Mildly amusing
  • Self depreciating
  • None of our target audience will actually think it demeaning
  • The name itself will generate traffic
  • ...

7
  • 1
    Hmm, I like the attempt to remove DBA stigma on NoSQL, etc. But disagree with the name regardless (doesn't imply 'expert' to me)
    – Derek Downey
    Oct 6, 2011 at 15:49
  • 1
    This squarely addresses my biggest concern for this site.
    – Nick Chammas
    Oct 6, 2011 at 17:33
  • 1
    +1 because we are of course all joking, right?
    – Jack Douglas
    Oct 6, 2011 at 22:38
  • 4
    @JackDouglas - I'm not. :) I think we have a serious problem in looking like (and being) just another bunch of old-school RDBMS dudes.
    – Nick Chammas
    Oct 7, 2011 at 16:05
  • @Nick ok, but monkeys? I'm pretty sure gbn was joking :)
    – Jack Douglas
    Oct 7, 2011 at 19:37
  • 3
    I don't think he was entirely joking on this. I do agree we need to remove the stigma associated with only being stodgy ole dba guys.
    – jcolebrand Mod
    Oct 7, 2011 at 21:05
  • It could work for an established brand with recognition outside the semantics of its name, but I think it's a bit cutesy in practice.
    – ConcernedOfTunbridgeWells
    Apr 26, 2012 at 14:33
-2

Data Experts

Q&A for all things data (Expert knowledge in systems for: storage, retrieval & manipulation)

1
  • Except we won't be fielding questions like "which filesystem should I choose when I need real time synchronization across a machine mesh"
    – jcolebrand Mod
    May 2, 2012 at 13:36
-6

Database Corrupted

dbc.stackexchange.com

We have encountered problems such as stack overflow and server fault. Why not add another?

1
  • 2
    Because we are looking to add Business Intelligence to the site, amongst other topics, and the site is about maintenance and administration of databases, as well as more advanced topics.
    – jcolebrand Mod
    Jan 22, 2012 at 16:17
-7

Database Administrators and Data Gurus

or

DBAs and Data Gurus

dba.stackexchange.com

Addressing the name scope problem without a jarring change if/when we switch.

2
  • 1
    I feel the "And" clause is suitable for a tagline but not the site name (though I don't like the name "data gurus"). A name should be concise, accurate and catchy, not all inclusive. Programmers.SE is not Programmers, Systems Analysts and Software QA Gurus.
    – Ben Brocka
    Dec 7, 2011 at 16:34
  • just for reference, here is a list of the other SE sites (some of which have longish names)
    – Jack Douglas
    Dec 7, 2011 at 16:36
-7

data.stackexchange.com

This SE contains questions of a database administration nature, but also OLAP, data warehousing, even NOSQL (Not Only). Data generalizes and expands to fit a wider range of topics.

2
  • Domain already exists for a different purpose.
    – Nick Chammas
    Dec 19, 2011 at 7:18
  • Something I should have checked before posting ;)
    – kermatt
    Dec 19, 2011 at 15:09
-8

Stackexchange Database Wonks

dbwonk.stackexchange.com

1
  • +1 for the cuteness, -1 for it's not likely to be a reasonable name in the long run
    – jcolebrand Mod
    Dec 8, 2011 at 1:40
-8

Database Queries

query.stackexchange.com, dbq.stackexchange.com.

Apologies for the suggestion spam.

1
  • no no no no no no no... this would give entirely the wrong impression to people. I see what you're going for, and maybe for the URL slug, query might be good.
    – jcolebrand Mod
    Dec 8, 2011 at 1:42
-9

Data Whisperer

I did think of calling a consultancy 'Data Whisperer' at one point (oblique reference to the various %Whisperer TV programmes).

-9

Query Analysers

qa.stackexchange.com (if not taken), quan, try to avoid anything containing 'anal', for obvious reasons

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