I have noticed this for a long time now, but have dismissed it as too outlandish. After watching yesterday's Nova episode, nothing is too unfathomable now.

My observation is simply this: In the software world, things that have a cute logo, be it an operating system, an application, a programming language, or a middleware product, win.

Think Java, Linux, BSD, Apple^TM, O'Reilly Books, Mozilla, GNOME. All have cute logos.

Coincidence? I think not!