Mobile Industry Review - Latest Comments in Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

Ben Smith — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:48:22 -0000

'Mobtard'... Awesome. I'm going to start using that for people with pink RAZRs.

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

ollysk2 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:26:12 -0000

Man, such a fuss over a word that's not that bad (I happen to like it) -- at least it's not "mobtard" or something like that.

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

Anand — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 10:12:14 -0000

Till it gets universally accepted, say normob, and the question is going to be 'Now what's that'..you eventually end up expanding it as well!

anyway, for the sake of it, here's my suggestion - use 'Laymob' - Layman Mobile user. It's easier to pronounce as well! :)

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

Mike42 — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:01:21 -0000

But the whole point was that NorMob is just unpalatable to many. So we need a replacement.

'People' and 'ProMob' is OK in my book.

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

Matt — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:46:40 -0000

Hi Ewan, Thanks for picking up on my plea, and to MIR's readers for debating the issue in the comments above. I understand that the word "people" on its own may not work for what you're trying to say, but then "normob" (and his fancier cousin "the average normob") have a similar weakness: to be meaningful, almost any statement about behaviour in a group of 4 billion would have to be qualified with some basic geography or demographics. And the fact that the first comment included a knob joke rather proves my point about the connotations, I think :) Best regards, Matt

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

Ben Smith — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:05:05 -0000

Oh Michael...

I'm not proposing 'Normobs' and 'People'... I'm saying 'Normobs' and 'Promobs'.

People = (Nonmobs, Normobs, Promobs)

Promob = (Industry types, Geeks, Stephen Fry)
Nonmob = (Amish, Luddites, Lost tribes, etc)
Normob = People - (Nonmob + Promob)

There... I think that's cleared it up.

Now, that dance... *hums*

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

mike42 — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:49:41 -0000

eh? I'd warrant that 'Geek' is much better understood than 'NorMob' is. 'Geek' requires zero explanation to non-mobile types. I work in the industry, yet most of my colleagues are definitely 'normobs' - they come to me with handset issues all the time. I am the office geek, unapologetically. That's fine.

If we want to distinguish between those who understand the various mobile OS / UI and those who don't, differentiating between 'People' and 'geeks' is much easier than 'Normobs' and 'people'.

Now then, how about we do some interpretive dance to describe the new Norman Foster building?

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

Ben Smith — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:44:17 -0000

But generally, as much as we laugh about it, 'geeks' would be considered 'people' too and so readers who don't the background will draw the wrong conclusion about the group being referred to. At least 'normob' is clear even if it needs defining initially.

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

Mike42 — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:42:39 -0000

I think 'people' and 'geeks' is the best division. The geeks don't care - it's a badge of honour - and the 'people' who find most mobiles so appaling to use are in the vast majority. It's the geeks who are obsessed/sad enough to change their ways to fit in with a crap experience, therefore I have no qualms in highlighting them as the odd ones out.

We use people and geeks in workdiscussions to remind us who's important. And it ain't the geeks :-)

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

DanLane — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:20:50 -0000

Wait a second... I know that wink.... I WASN'T TALKING ABOUT ME!!!

I'm a perfectly civilised human being with a wide range of interests.

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

binarylife — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:47:12 -0000

you said it, Dan ;)

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

matthew bennett — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:25:19 -0000

I think NorMob is fine! By the time NorMobs become... Powerusers(?) and start reading MIR, they'll know the difference and won't be offended.

Besides, what's wrong with poking fun at the Unwashed Masses that are Too Stupid to get a decent device and use it? I'm into expensive fones, let me feel superior! : ) Totally joking, mostly.

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

DanLane — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:11:21 -0000

Some mobile geeks only barely pass as people ;)

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

DanLane — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:07:45 -0000

Normob is an ugly word but serves it's purpose very well. People is too vague to be used in the same context.

Perhaps Mr Edgar needs a new hobby?

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

SMSblack — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:34:59 -0000

Ah, the fun of language. You can be almost certain to offend someone, even if you don't mean to.

Personally I have no problem with the term 'normob' (and I don't think my mum would either). But I understand Matt's point as it can appear to be a pejorative term. I'm sure you don't mean it like that Ewan and as you rightly point out 'people' just doesn't work.

The trick is to divide us (the readers and those who are more au fait with mobiles) and them (those who are less au fait with mobiles) without insulting either ... tricky.

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

binarylife — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:58:33 -0000

i got carried away slightly :)

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

Where's Mike? — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:47:16 -0000

I rather like "normob" as an MIR affectation. But if "people" doesn't cut it, how about "most people"?

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

South77 — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:28:15 -0000

"a differentiation method" -- case rested. :)

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

binarylife — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 05:50:25 -0000

oh give me a break! Normob is cute. i imagine maybe the 'mob' bi might have dubious connotations but let's not be too precious. This is a differentiation method, so if anything using 'people' would imply mobile geeks are not people - how's that for politeness?

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

David Carrington — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 05:32:38 -0000

Muggles! Ok maybe not.

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

Paul Stringer — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 05:29:14 -0000

You've got it the wrong way roung the 'normobs' are the normal ones and don't need rebranding. What you need to do is label the people with the unhealthy obsessive desire to explore every terrible corner of their phones useless unwanted features which regular folks in their right minds rightly don't give a fuck about.

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

South77 — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 05:22:43 -0000

I do see the use of it, but I don't like the term much. Jargon should be avoided, as a rule of thumb.

There's a risk that "the industry" (whatever that's supposed to mean) becomes so self-referential that it goes around in circles and doesn't branch out to individuals in adjacent businesses.

In general, I like the writing on MIR. It is clear and acronym free for the most part.

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

Kip Hakes — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 04:59:58 -0000

Meh - thats a teeny pit pathetic - Normob is fine - it's not meant in an offending way, much as I calling us lot 'Mobile Geeks' isn't offending - it's true!

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

James — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:31:05 -0000

Yeah, I never really like the word either... just go with 'people' and then in the first instance of the word - per article or conversion - just clarify what kind of people you mean. Anything else is a bit silly.

Re: Normob is ‘ugly word’, use ‘people’ instead

Eric — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:42:07 -0000

Normob is fine!

It's not like you are saying nor-knob. If you want to sound formal what about normobile.... no that's terrible.

What's the opposite of an early adopter?

molud? hahaha!