Why "webnotebook?"

[iRabb]

Folks, I did a search and found a lot of information on the Rhodia Webnotebook, except the answer to the question that started my search: Why is it called a "Webnotebook?" What exactly does that mean?

 

Thanks for any insights anyone cares to share.

 

Ben

[Shuggy]

I'm guessing, but I would suggest 'because it's ideal for jotting down URLs and info from the web'?

[iRabb]

I'm guessing, but I would suggest 'because it's ideal for jotting down URLs and info from the web'?

 

How would jotting down a URL differ from jotting down anything else?

[The Blue Knight]

I just had a thought. Perhaps it could be a metaphor. E.g. A web obviously catches insects and holds onto them, Perhaps the term web could be thought of as an idea catcher and the insects being your ideas. That would fit nicely with the usage as a notebook.

[yogalarva]

I found your answer sir!

 

"With each Webbie was a note from Mr. Guillaume Nusse, president of Clairefontaine Rhodia. It read: “I hope you will enjoy using your Rhodia Webbie (Webnotebook). You might wonder where we came up with the Webnotebook name? My son was bugging me for a computer ‘notebook’ and so I told him: You want a notebook! I’ll give you a webnotebook! I put our best Clairefontaine paper, a 90g smooth ivory, inside the famous Rhodia covers. And the rest is history.”

Source

[The Blue Knight]

Even though I think my idea was a more insightful theory.

[Runnin_Ute]

Even though I think my idea was a more insightful theory.

And more interesting too!

[mcpop]

I thought they had some marketing slogan along the lines of "Think offline" or something. So it may be an ironic name.

 

Edit: their Australian website bears this out: http://rhodia.com.au/

Edited February 21, 2014 by mcpop

[iRabb]

I found your answer sir!

 

"With each Webbie was a note from Mr. Guillaume Nusse, president of Clairefontaine Rhodia. It read: “I hope you will enjoy using your Rhodia Webbie (Webnotebook). You might wonder where we came up with the Webnotebook name? My son was bugging me for a computer ‘notebook’ and so I told him: You want a notebook! I’ll give you a webnotebook! I put our best Clairefontaine paper, a 90g smooth ivory, inside the famous Rhodia covers. And the rest is history.”

Source

I appreciate the creative and interesting suggestions, but it is clear that one has the virtue of being correct, including citing the source. Thanks to you all!

[Ted A]

I found your answer sir!

 

"With each Webbie was a note from Mr. Guillaume Nusse, president of Clairefontaine Rhodia. It read: “I hope you will enjoy using your Rhodia Webbie (Webnotebook). You might wonder where we came up with the Webnotebook name? My son was bugging me for a computer ‘notebook’ and so I told him: You want a notebook! I’ll give you a webnotebook! I put our best Clairefontaine paper, a 90g smooth ivory, inside the famous Rhodia covers. And the rest is history.”

Source

As one whose father pulled a similar "cute" stunt, I am sure when his son is 60 years old he will remember how his father made a mockery of his aspiration. And it won't be a fond remembrance.

[iRabb]

As one whose father pulled a similar "cute" stunt, I am sure when his son is 60 years old he will remember how his father made a mockery of his aspiration. And it won't be a fond remembrance.

I have to admit I read the backstory as being benign. However, I know what it is to carry childhood trauma into adulthood, and I have not found an answer for myself, so sadly I have no answer to suggest to you, Ted. All I can say is you are not alone in suffering from a traumatic childhood experience, and as a fellow member of the club no one wants to be in, I am truly sorry that my question triggered you.

 

Best regards,

 

Ben

[Brian C]

I always thought it was because Spider-Man used them. This thread has really bummed me out.

[iRabb]

I always thought it was because Spider-Man used them. This thread has really bummed me out.

Did you know he changed his name so people wouldn't know he was Jewish? It was originally Spiderman.

 

The joke is better verbally than in writing.

[Brian C]

Did you know he changed his name so people wouldn't know he was Jewish? It was originally Spiderman.

 

The joke is better verbally than in writing.

Actually, that's why Stan Lee put the hyphen in the name originally. He didn't want people emphasizing the first syllable. I saw that in an interview somewhere.

[iRabb]

Actually, that's why Stan Lee put the hyphen in the name originally. He didn't want people emphasizing the first syllable. I saw that in an interview somewhere.

 

 

That is amazing! Thanks for sharing it. Do you have the source of the information?

[Brian C]

 

 

That is amazing! Thanks for sharing it. Do you have the source of the information?

Not from memory. Let me look around tomorrow.

[Ted A]

I have to admit I read the backstory as being benign. However, I know what it is to carry childhood trauma into adulthood, and I have not found an answer for myself, so sadly I have no answer to suggest to you, Ted. All I can say is you are not alone in suffering from a traumatic childhood experience, and as a fellow member of the club no one wants to be in, I am truly sorry that my question triggered you.

Best regards,

Ben

No harm Ben. I've come to terms and understand why my wishes and my father's actions differed.

 

But looking back at my post, that really did trigger something for me. Wow!

[bogiesan]

I appreciate the creative and interesting suggestions, but it is clear that one has the virtue of being correct, including citing the source. Thanks to you all!

Proper citations are somehow unnecessary (or worse, elitist) on the web. I do not understand that.

 

From that same source: "The name “Webbie” originated from Stephanie, who manages Rhodia Drive and its Facebook page. We were pleased to see France is now following her example and calling them, “Webbies,” too."

 

I think Stephanie and many of Stephanie's blog readers came up with the nickname spontaneously and simultaneously. We've been using the diminutives molie, piccy, leukey, rhodie and others for many years; webbie was obvious.

[bogiesan]

As one whose father pulled a similar "cute" stunt, I am sure when his son is 60 years old he will remember how his father made a mockery of his aspiration. And it won't be a fond remembrance.

That's a weird conclusion for you to arrive at from the possibly innocent (or possibly mistranslated idiomatic) statement from Mr Nusse. "You want a computer noteook I'll give you a notebook!" could easily be interpreted as spiteful and violently ironic if seen through a particular filter. However, when my son asked for cookies one rainy Sunday when he was about 3, I said, "You want cookies? I'll give you cookies!" We got out the sugar and flour, the mixer and cutters, and we made cookies. I don't think he recalls that event at all but there is a chance he remembers it as fondly as I do.

[iRabb]

No harm Ben. I've come to terms and understand why my wishes and my father's actions differed.

 

But looking back at my post, that really did trigger something for me. Wow!

 

Ted, thank you for being gracious about it.

 

Ben