lQQky! Branding Visual URLs- "Logonyms", "Alphaglyphs" and more...

Grrilla · May 9, 2006

To say that I've been working at "pioneering"** a name category is a, bit, too self-serving and egocentric for my taste so I am using the term, rather, loosely. At the same time, I have searched and am, yet, to find anyone working w/ this name group as a distinct category. If anyone has run across someone working w/ these names as a category, or otherwise, please let me know. There, certainly, is a group who are active in registering these names.

I'm using "Visual URL" and "Alphaglyphs" as the current working names for a broad category of names that are *figurative* or non-literal, in nature, and that are dependent upon imagery that is "formed" using a palette consisting of the unique shapes of the alphaneumeric characters, the "look" that is acheived from the juxtaposition of the characters, and by using letter<->letter, number<->letter and number<->word substitutions. The TV show "Numb3rs" , the motion picture "se7en" and "fruit2o" (owned by Kraft Foods) are three high profile examples of, what I believe, is a general trend towards the acceptence and increased use of "visual name branding" and, more specifically, the emergence of the the "visual url"- a domain name group with unique branding qualities that is ripe to be capitalizied on and put to commercial use on the internet.

An "initialism" is form of mnemonic- a prompt composed by rearranging the first letters of the points to be remembered - e.g. PEEP (Pressure - Elevate - Examine - Pad). My contention is that a name with an image-based prompt, what I call a, "logonym", has the ability to accomplish the same task. The image wiill be associated with the website address, make psychological connections that similar to that of an initialism and, if the visitor likes what he has found at the site, the url will be recalled more easily and the odds that the site will have a return visitor, are increased.

This is an early, rough draft of my breakdown and the organizational structure that I'm attempting to provide for the genre. There are crossovers and details that I am, still, ironing out:

Logonyms-incorporate logo-style imagery into the body of the name. The shape of the substituted character is intrinsically tied to the term, directly supports it's meaning and has an overall effect of enhacing the message expressed by the term.
examples: sh4rp, 4ngle, lassQ, SXIENCE, xeyex, LQQky, s4il, TargXt, SLZZZP, In8inity etc

Br4nding- "logonym" qualities but a character's shape is not represtative of the terms meaning. Word-Number us.is less restrictive and more free-form. Numbers can mimic the letters, act as a word substitute based upon sound, (phoenetics) or, act to suggestive of a meaning. ie 4ree.

Examples

p4rts, 4onts, Bin8o, Luc8y, c8sino Je4ns, Le4se, Gr4phics, B4by

NameFaces- the most pure form of the "alphaglyph"- these names have little or no attachment to language, per se, and are about form and symbol. They are created by combining. juggling and juxtaposing the shapes of letters and numbers to create images that are suggestive of faces. Different cases and even, specific fonts are often used to enhance the effect. There may be some commercial potential, ie xeyex, but I hesitate including them here because I don't want them to detract from the other names and the true potential that they present. These names are fun names and if you're into it you might want to pick up one or two but, overall, they are name novelties in the strictest sense. BTW, there must be some avid collectors out there because the good looking ones in .com are few and far between. Besides xeyex, I have 0qp0, x8v8x, 0eye0- xVvVx and vXxXv because they are all letters and I like the symmetery.

I'm, by no means, the first person that has been attracted to these names- the origination date for 4rt.com is July 23, 1999 was and x0v0x was registered May 24, 2000 and there are others that fit this general category that go back to 1995.

Here is a list names registered by others, (NOT mine) that turned in a search I did 6 months ago

1st Half of 2005:

pe4ce.com
c4ke.com
gr4ss.com
c4st.com
re4l.com
r4lly.com
fl4sh.com
4orge.com
4ormula.com
h4rry.com
r8te.com
m4il.com
f4st.com
r4ve.com
p4th.com
j4zz.com
m4th.com
pe4ce.com
c4ke.com
gr4ss.com
c4st.com
re4l.com
r4lly.com
fl4sh.com
4orge.com
4ormula.com
h4rry.com
r8te.com
m4il.com
f4st.com
r4ve.com
p4th.com

July-Sep, 2005
zzjzz.com
zexez.com
xzzzx.com
2xtc.com

Sep-Oct 2005

szzzs.com
xOqpOx.com
wevew.com
bo-o.com
w0w0w.com
ezzze.com
zzvzz.com
zzzleep.com
xdvbx.com
pr4y.com
w8it.com
j4ck.com
m4ry.com
pe4ce.com
c4ke.com
gr4ss.com
c4st.com
s4ve.com
4rea.com
4utos.com
p4rk.com
r4in.com
m4rt.com
f4ce.com
pe4k.com
p4ck.com
di4l.com
e4sy.com
b4ke.com
w4sh.com
pr4y.com

harpo · May 9, 2006

Simply genious,,,, your going to the top soon boy,, just remember to invite me over to your mansion for a cup a tea when you hit it big ok, and dont sell too low eccept to me

you forgot w33d.com shame on you

ithink i have d8v.com you like that one Grrrrrrrrrilla???

Source · May 9, 2006

Br4nding is pretty much the same as leet, which has been around since the early 90s.

Not that I'm knocking it, as I own a few "br4nding" (leet) based names.

Grrilla · May 9, 2006

There's no doubt, that the conventions that I, (and others) are applying to these names eg borrowing morphemes and using transliteration elememts that are common in leet (1337, l33+, or 133+), in addition to, other forms of hacker and internet slang, are nothing new. Wikipedia traces leetspeak back to the late 1980's when inventive spirits began substituting numbers for letters and departing from traditional spelling, as a means of working around BBS (Bulletin Board System) administrators who were removing posts from their sites that contained objectionable language. As the administrators would adapt, so too, would the perpetrators, As a result of this cat and mouse exchange, the participants, unwittingly, sewed the seeds of 13375p34k, a new, internet language form.

A good introduction to leet is the informative overview found in wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L33t. Probably, the best resource for hacker slang, which, incidentally, uses conventions that are distinctly different from those of leetspeak, is the Jargon File http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/index.html . Hacker slang first popped up around 1980 and predates leetspeak by about a decade.

I am not implying that I am the inventor of a new and exciting language. The point that I was making in my post above is that more and more established companies are using brand names that borrow elements from these languages and seem to be meeting w/ success. The argument that people will not type names containing numbers is rapidly fading. Check the daily searches for the keyword numb3rs. Yes, they are currently, modest, in comparison to dictionary words but, significant, nevertheless, because numb3rs is a brand name and is not a generic. Additionally, as I see it, we are at the beginning and, only, seeing the tip of the iceberg of what the future holds for these domains. Believe me, I have done my homework and what you see above is only a thumbnail sketch. I have been working on this concept and registering names in theis group for several months and will soon be publishing my work online, probably at NameAnatomy.com or NameAnarchy.com- I haven't decided, yet.

Thus far, I'be been unable to find any evidence that this group of domain names has been defined or categorized and, although I see names being registered at an accelerating rate, I know of no one who is promoting ormarketing these names as a category or on a largescale basis so my plan is to be one of the individuals that begins to fill in this niche. This thread is my first formal introduction of the subject.

Incidentaly, I ran across another product brand- a Sears-Kenmore washer w/ the brand name "HE4T". If anyone else runs across other names that are currently in use I would be much obliged if you would post them here or PM me.

harpo · May 9, 2006

breaking new ground one finds ancient artifacts
clues to a world long forgotten ready to be revealed in the light of day
words in pictures pictures in words
fruition
ideas-thougths-architypes-pictures-words-manefestation
closer to home closer
keyboard anthology
beneath the hardened cement
the greenery finds a crack
nimble fingers pull apart habitual thinking
cracking this modern day road

loscocco · May 9, 2006

You missed one.. Qool.com. hehe =>

Grrilla · May 9, 2006

loscocco said:
You missed one.. Qool.com. hehe =>

Than you better make sure you renew it next month. :hehe: Speaking of missing some, a guy that lives up in your neck of the woods is a major player. Last October he must have grabbed a couple of hundred - mostly 4 or 5 letter names w/ "4" ias the second letter. eg s4les

loscocco · May 9, 2006

Qool.com

Grrilla said:
Than you better make sure you renew it next month. :hehe:

i was contemplating letting it drop.. just to see how high it falls. hehe.

Grrilla · May 9, 2006

Added a couple of new ones to my collection:
4uction, be4ch, b8ll

More names that I turned up that were recently registered- most over past 2 months. (* regged May7,8)

croxxing.com *
r4d4r.com *
r4ck.com *
wr4p.com *
qoast.com *
xitz.com
f4me.com
fi8ure.com
sn4p.com
im4ges.com
d4nce.com
lxnks.com
4ccount.com
re4d.com
c4rs.com
t4xes.com
m4le.com
h00ps.com
4orms.com
c4bs.com
sw4g.com
le4rn.com
de4l.com
f4mily.com
ro4d.com

Jo · May 9, 2006

Simply wonderful! I love the play on numbers/letters and funny, even though I've been on the net for 10 years I've hardly ever heard of the leet thing. I used to be on IRC and mIRC too!

This is great, Grrilla, love this. Even found one I just regged.

ballQQns! Weeeeeee! :yell:

harpo said:
breaking new ground one finds ancient artifacts
clues to a world long forgotten ready to be revealed in the light of day
words in pictures pictures in words
fruition
ideas-thougths-architypes-pictures-words-manefestation
closer to home closer
keyboard anthology
beneath the hardened cement
the greenery finds a crack
nimble fingers pull apart habitual thinking
cracking this modern day road

Strangely....intriguing.

(egyptians and other peoples and their hieroglyphics)

Halobitt · May 10, 2006

What do you think of Sm1rnoff.com?
Bought it for cheap on ebay a while back, on a whim,
think I'm gonna let it drop.

Earthian · May 10, 2006

Grrilla - nice idea to bring more awareness to this kind of domains ...

of course the idea of representing names in unique and brandable ways (or in l33t) is not brand new but your thread is rather organized and surely promotes these names ...

"Numb3rs" and big brands using this technique is the best way imo for these domains to become well-known (possibly hyped) and consequently acquire value ...

personally I like it when they also have a logical meaning (usage) ...

I have DOM4INS.com which also can be read as "FOR DOMAINS" in an abstract kind of way ... actually at one point I was kind of thinking about making it my basic domain portfolio site ...

also I have GLOB4L.com (FOR GLOBAL) and ult1mate.com (ultimate one) and some with a "3" (inverted "E") eg. FR3E.com or an "9" (inverted "e") eg. t9ch.com ...

to be honest though their resale value does not sound very high to me right now , unless they become a hype ... or more big brands support the idea ... of course the resale price greatly depends on the specific name and the promotion efforts towards possible buyers ...

Shorty · May 10, 2006

I just looked up f00d.com, very surprised to see that it's been registered 5th April 2003.

Ok then...so what's the point behind this whole thing? Is it searching for brandable short words with numeric replacements? Or the ability to own a recognisable premium keyword?

I honestly dont think there's money to be made here apart from the numerous obvious ones, there doesnt seem to be an intentional end user and there's no way they get a lot of type in traffic.

In the middle of writing this post I checked C451N0.COM...even that is taken. But if you say you've been doing this a while, you havent been working hard enough: M0RTG4G3.COM is available.

Grrilla · May 11, 2006

Kerrijo said:
ballQQns! Weeeeeee! :yell:

:bingo: :lala:
Good going, Kerrijo! This is a picture perfect example of what I envision a "logonym" to be. If I would have "seen" this name, myself, I would have registered it in a heartbeat. It's very gratifying for see to see someone, really "get it" and, than, apply the concept in such a creative manner. This name has all of the right elements going for it.

-The substitution of the upper case "QQ's", for the "OO's" fit the word well- what the term represents is immedately identifiable- no one is going to be confused or have a difficult time trying to figure out what might be at a website with this address.

- This is a perfect demonstration of how character shapes, from the "ASCI palette", can be effectively used representationally and how a character image can support and, even, enhance a term. Alone, the shape of an uppercase "Q", suggests, among other things, the image of a floating balloon w/ a string trailing behind it.

- "QQ's" represent 2 baloons and the name is in the plural form.

-The name has that "special something" about it- a quality that is hard to pin down but when you see it, you know that it's there. It just "feels" right and, simply, looks like it "belongs".

- The name has impact and seperates itself from the rest of the pack. How could anyone forget a site for balloons that has 2 baloons in it's name?

When "Q" is associated w/ a word and, actually, inserted into the "balloon" word it's image suggests both a visual and a perceptual transformation take place. The character, "Q", now takes on the, unmistakable look of a balloon and the term, en toto, is strengthened by the addition of the balloon imagery. The whole becomes greater than the sum of it's parts. Words and imagery merge together and express an idea that is greater than what a word or an image is capable of doing standing alone.

This is the concept that logos are based upon. Logonyms do the same thing, except they rely upon ASCI characters to produce their imagery. Of course, the logonym can be embellished upon once it's away from the address bar and goes onto the site in a graphic format.

ballQQns

:gn: :kickass:

Shorty said:
I just looked up f00d.com, very surprised to see that it's been registered 5th April 2003.

Ok then...so what's the point behind this whole thing? Is it searching for brandable short words with numeric replacements? Or the ability to own a recognisable premium keyword?

I honestly dont think there's money to be made here apart from the numerous obvious ones, there doesnt seem to be an intentional end user and there's no way they get a lot of type in traffic.

In the middle of writing this post I checked C451N0.COM...even that is taken. But if you say you've been doing this a while, you havent been working hard enough: M0RTG4G3.COM is available.

very surprised to see that it's been registered 5th April 2003

Why? I've run aacross names like this w/ origination dates that go back to the mid 90's. Are you surprised because you thought that it swould have been regged earlier or later than than 2003?

But if you say you've been doing this a while, you havent been working hard enough

As I've, already, stated in an earlier post, this is a thumbnail and only represents a small portion of what I've done, so don't be hasty in judging my effort or what you think that I have done or haven't done. My wife handles that department.

M0RTG4G3.COM is available

M0RTG4G3.COM is too sloppy for my taste. M0RTG4G3.COM is an example of substuting in numbers where it's convenient w/o logic and w/o unity. I prefer names that are cleaner and that have one strong hook. You completely missed the the points that I've been making that are crucial to understanding the concept. Try reading a little harder.

Ok then...so what's the point behind this whole thing?

If you dhaven't arrived at some understanding of what my "point is", I hope you'll visit my site dealing w/ this subject when I get it published. I thought I did a fairly good job of discussing what the point was and introducing the concept in these posts. Sorry that you didn't, wouldn't or couldn't get it.

GreenGambler · May 11, 2006

Yes these names are all cool, hip, trendy, etc...

But how logical is it for an average domainer looking to turn a profit to go out and reg a bunch of these. Are we going to be sitting on them for years?

I reg'd Mewv.com a while back for multiple reasons but I guess it fall into your catagory as well. So does Quyr.com Right?

Halobitt · May 11, 2006

44RDV4RK.com is available.

Not as good as ballQQns though.

Grrilla · May 11, 2006

GreenGambler said:
Yes these names are all cool, hip, trendy, etc...

But how logical is it for an average domainer looking to turn a profit to go out and reg a bunch of these. Are we going to be sitting on them for years?

I reg'd Mewv.com a while back for multiple reasons but I guess it fall into your catagory as well. So does Quyr.com Right?

My purpose in posting is to introduce the concept and to stimulate discussion. I am not prompting other domainers to go out and "reg a bunch of these" . There may be some domainers interested in catching a few names from this category and I am not being stingy about sharing my research and ideas for their potential benefit. kerrijo, an NP member registered ballQQns.com, a name that I think wil serve her well, somewhere down the line and one that I wouldn't have minded having myself. Undoubtably, some members are going to view this category and my ideas about it w/ skepticism and, even, total rejection. No matter what the reaction, I've got my program down and I'm moving forward w/ it and am beyond being influenced or deterred by opinion.

I have, already, registered a, relatively, large number of these myself and would be lying if I told you that self-interest isn't involved to some extent. Promoting one's own enterprise is part of the game.

Currently, I see little resale value in these- I have received a couple of $xxx offers but have declined them. These names need to be showcased by visualizing them and making them active- not, necessarily a full blown site but something kinetic. They won't sell sitting on somwhone's generic landing page in text form. eg balQQns or balqqns

My plan is to do some nice graphics work, create some looks and put up splash pages because the value it these names is in product and site branding- the visual impact they acheive and how effectively they transmit their message.

Jo · May 11, 2006

Glad you liked my find.

That was one of the first words that popped into my head when I started looking at the different replacement letters/symbols.
I could SEE it very well, the balloons with the tied ends floating. I just love the name.

I do not as yet have any ideas for the name though some neat logos in photoshop will be forthcoming I'm sure. There are lots of balloon companies online (mostly in the UK - my dream destination.) I might approach them one day about the name.

I did ponder a few other names and one of them was mortg8ge. Much neater and simpler than the other ones mentioned here.

Also, prescRXption...the RX is the symbol from a Doctor's point of view.

I for one, find this fascinating. Keep going Grrilla!

B33R · May 11, 2006

What a great thread! BallQQns is pure genius!

It's really nice to see a thread that's different and unique (and fun also).
Keep up the good work Grrilla!

I may have to come back to this idea. It certainly is intriguing!

GreenGambler · May 11, 2006

Grrilla said:
My purpose in posting is to introduce the concept and to stimulate discussion. I am not prompting other domainers to go out and "reg a bunch of these" .

I'm cathing what your throwing Grilla... It is a great concept although not entirly original and I LOVE the way you presented it in your post.

Since I am currently on the prowl for good LLLL.com I thought Id get a logonym LLLL.com, what'cha think of this one I just reg'd.

Crxy.com

Total Logonym right?

I can see the Logo now, the X can be a Sad face with arms crossed and hands closed over sobbing eyes....... FUN Concept these Logonyms.

3par · May 11, 2006

very interesting, i think i also got one that qualify

pWge.com as webpAge

both the shape and meaning fit pretty good

primacomputer · May 11, 2006

I'm biased against 1337 names because these sorts of things have always had a negative connotation for me. Back in the days of 110 baud there was a document circulating (Gfile) called “The Real Pirates Guide”. According to that, real pirates don't sit around all day thinking up new ways to spell wares. From wharez to haxor to 1337, every time I see it, I just think “lamer”

1337 has been around outside the haxor community for at least 15 years, probably spread by the k0de kidz. It's caught on in some places but I figure if something like this doesn't go mainstream in that time it probably won't. Then again, it might just need another generation.

Bottom line, I don't recommend running the top paying keywords though a 1337 translator and registering them all.

I'm also not keen on the ascii art names. They look cool, but as soon as it's out of sight I forget how its constructed/spelled. This is the exact opposite of what I look for in a name.

Other types of names have real potential. Things like Gr4phics, ballQQns, etc. stand out, and leave an impression. If you had a list of graphics companies Gr4phics.com would stand out. Especially with a simple but creative logo. It would be easy to remember, in fact easier than easy to remember because you think about it instead of just seeing it as a word.

With these names it's simply a question of when someone with a serious budget is going to realise this and make a good offer. One high profile sale and these will be worth a lot.

Grrilla · May 11, 2006

I've registered a few more and will share them later but wanted to share two that were inspired by balQQns.
cartQQn and cartQQns. Not as well integrated as ballQQns but the "QQ" suggests eyes watching cartoons and I feel that there's enough there to work with to warrant registration.

Not that I don't like what I've seen so far but, a few of the names that have been posted in this thread- mostly pronounceable (or suggestive) LLLL domains aren't in the logonym category and would be a better match for the "brandable one word .com thread" that is, currently, running: http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/191375-showcase-your-brandable-one-word-coms.html

kerijo, I, reallyt like prescRxption.com. That's the second little gem, IMO, that youved pulled up. You're getting good at this, girl- maybe too good. I'm wondering, now, if I should have held off on this thread for a week or two longer.

Jo · May 11, 2006

Oh my! cartQQns! I have a cartoon site too and I didn't think of that one. Can we do a trade????

Edit: I just regged bQQbies.com :D

GreenGambler · May 11, 2006

Do you guys think that a Q can be in the place of an oo anywhere???

Why does Q work for cartoons ?

And Boobies??? I don't know of any boobs that remind me of the letter Q.

I think BalQQns is AWSOME though. The line in the Q looks like a string anchoring the baloon.

please explain the others?

lQQky! Branding Visual URLs- "Logonyms", "Alphaglyphs" and more...

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