When the 7 of us started this project, Ross Ihaka suggested the name
``Omega'', indicating that this was ``it''. However, that name
conflicted with at least two other projects and the corresponding
domain name had been previously registered with inter-NIC. Diane
Lambert suggested Omega-hat, giving it a statistical flavor of
estimating the real ``Omega''. This eases the pressure on us as all
we have to do is get close to where we intended! It also gives us
potential for more amusing logos. And for those Linux and RedHat users
among us, there is an additional appeal.