File talk:Wikipede.jpg

It looks cute but there is one major problem - it doesn't look like at en:centipede at all. It actually looks like a en:millipede. Centipedes have much longer legs and flat bodies. Check you the photos that are on that are linked. --Maveric149 22:57 Feb 22, 2003 (UTC)

When I drew it, it wasn't clear if it should be a centipede or a millipede. After watching pictures with google (where I found this: [1]), I decided a millipede would be a lot easier to transform into something cute-looking than a centipede. --elian

True - but millipedes are nothing like Wikipedia at all. They eat decaying plant matter, are very slow and rather dumb. Cuteness should not be the deciding factor. See this image: http://www.insectsafari.com/insectid/newimages/centipede.jpg

Now that is something that could be made into a real cool mascot - not just cute. --Maveric149

What are the qualities of a centipede that reflect Wikipedia? (genuine question, not argument) -- sannse

They are fast (Wiki means fast), they are agile (Wikipedia is flexible), they are nocturnal (many Wikipedia contributors have become partly nocturnal in order to extend their editing time), they are predators (the GNU FDL is a viral license that can be thought of as predatory by analogy - the predatory aspect is also controversial and Wikipedia is controversial). --Maveric149

These a certainly good reasons, especially for someone who has studied biology ;-) However, I think cuteness is the deciding factor. If you can't make a toy out of our mascot that children will love instantly (like tux), we don't need a mascot at all - we have already a logo, the mascot is for sympathy. From the picture of the centipede you posted one could design an elegant, very stylish logo - but no cute-looking mascot. *mhmm* maybe better stick to the owls or the bees...but I'd loved a "Willi the replace by funny english adjectiv with w Wikipede". --Elian 15:17 Feb 23, 2003 (UTC)

I think Elian is right, cuteness is a factor. And perhaps immediate recognition of the implications of the logo is important too. I tend to associate centipedes (and millipedes) with creepiness, wet and damp places and general unpleasantness. Maybe an ignorant response but I think, probably a common one. Making the image cute takes away that response, but maybe it would be better to stick to a more image-friendly creature. I'm still very taken with the name and general idea of a Wikipede, but might want to change my preference. On the other hand, the name and its reflection of "Wikipedia" really is enough to get my vote by itself. -- sannse 19:59 Feb 23, 2003 (UTC)

Just flaten the body and make the legs a bit longer and then you have something that can pass as a centipede. --Maveric149

I think this looks great, an ideal mascot! Thanks Elian. Enchanter