First, let me explain how to pronounce it:
Having initially ported some UNIX sources of the Network News Transfer Protocol server, written by Phil Lapsley and Stan Barber, my intention was to create something different - and therefore I used a different name.
The program got its name Changi from a small village on the Singapore island. Several years ago I worked there and liked it very much. There is a small habour, mainly packed with harmless fish trawlers, the famous Changi International Airport and a prison.
When I decided to use that name for my NNTP server project, I didn't know that in some countries Changi was mainly known as the name of this prison.
Some months after the first release of the software I was told by John Summerfield that during World War II the Japanese had a POW camp at Changi. Many Australians were imprisoned there, and between the forced slave labour and lack of food, medicine and rest, only a few (less than 10%) survived. Even people like John, who were born after the war, don't like the name.
Unfortunately I got this information after several releases had already been distributed to the net, too late to change the name. In the meantime I received more comments on that matter and most people agree to keep the name. At least, I think, it was a good selection, because in case of a different name, I never may have received these informations. On the other hand I must confess, that I'd never feel comfortable with program names like Dachau or Bergen Belsen. I can understand very well, if you got problems with the name of Changi. For sure there are names of places anywhere in the world, which people of some countries wouldn't like to see as program names.
Edmond E. Shwayri wrote:
"...the people of Changi were not responsible for making those bad memories; rather, they were also suffering. Besides which during a war, all common people suffer. There is no good side or bad side. The common people of Changi deserve to have their name on something good, just as they seem to be associated with something bad."
I agree, Edmond. But what, if I'd have given the program the name of a Vietnam town, where many US soldiers lost their lives? Wouldn't that imply, that the author of the program seems to deride the United States?
Later on Marty Cawthon from Michigan told me that James Clavell (author of Taipan, Nobel House, Shogun, Whirlwind, Gaijin and others) had been there during the war. His story King Rat was somewhat autobiographical and about his experience there. Marty remembers James Clavell as a computer buddy. He would ring-up from Switzerland or France and chat about CP/M and WordStar in those early days, while later he switched to DOS. James Clavell died in September 1994.
Another guy from Australia wrote:
"During WW II Dad was in North
Africa helping beat up Rommel, and he is quite happy talking about
his wartime experiences and showing his (illegally taken) photos.
After the incident I'm about to recount, I asked him how he feels
toward Germans. No problem, he says: people like any others.
I was with him in Margaret River recently, a town a few kilometres
from where he lives on his farm, in the far southwest of Western
Australia. We were going to some public toilets there, and he saw some
Japanese tourists. He would not go in while they were there.
It's true his feelings aren't shared by all Australians, not even
all those who suffered at their hands. One who survived their
attentions was 'Weary' Dunlop, a man subsequently knighted and who
made his name in business later. I think he was a doctor. He spent
a good part of the war in one of the prisons; I think it was Changi.
He occupied himself attending as best he could to the sick in the
prison. Weary aparently had (he died a few years ago) forgiven the
Japanese. However, I do think my father's feelings are more widely
held around Asia than Weary's.
There was an outcry a few years ago when wealthy Japanese businessmen
and businesses were buying valuable properties and developing expensive
holiday resorts. The Japanese were seen to be taking over. Had it been
the Poms or even the Germans, it would have passed without notice.
I don't know, if the author of these comments, or his father, would like to see his name appearing here, so I keep it secret. He continues:
"To compound the problem, the Japanese flatly deny their attrocities and in their school history lessons teach that the Japanese were the victims. There has been an apology recently from a Japanese prime minister, but it was phrased, whether intentionally or not I don't know for sure, as a personal apology. It lacked the force of a statement of the Japanese government."
Last not least I received a few emails, which demanded or at least recommended to change the name and remove this part from the manual. Political matters shouldn't be mixed up with technical descriptions. I disagree. First, because it's not mixed up, but got its own chapter. Second, because today's technocrats, including me, need much more political sensitivity, which couldn't be increased by sweeping things under the carpet. Sorry, but if you don't like it, don't use Changi.
Your suggestions on this topic are always welcome. Unfortunately I haven't received any opinion from Singapore or Japan till now.
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URL: changi/manual/village.html Created: 3 August 1996 Revised: 21 November 1996 Author: harald@os2point.ping.de |