Why Nosdesk? The Story Behind the Name
What Nosdesk means, where it started, and why it's built different.
I get asked about the name sometimes. “What does it even mean?” is the usual one. “Is it Swedish?” is my favourite so far.
The Nos Part
Nosdesk started at Nossal High School in Victoria, Australia. I was a specialist technician, helping students and teachers with whatever tech problems came up, and it’s where I first started thinking about how helpdesk software could be better. “Embrace the Challenge” is Nossal’s motto, which inspired me to do exactly that.
“Nos” is personal. It’s a nod to where this whole thing started.
There’s another layer to it. In Latin, “nos” means “we” or “us.” Nosdesk is built around the idea that support is collaborative. When someone has a problem, it’s rarely just one person working on it in isolation. Teams jump in, context gets shared, people work together. The software should reflect that.
The Desk Part
Every helpdesk needs one. This one goes wherever you go, and fits in your pocket.
You’re head first in a server cabinet and need to make a quick voice recording to note down which interface you patched that cable into.
A presentation’s about to start and the projector’s not playing nice. The knowledgebase guide needs to be wherever you are.
Desk is pretty standard for a helpdesk. Nosdesk just doesn’t expect you to be at one.
Putting It Together
Nos is collaboration, shared ownership, rooted in real experience. Desk is not a place, but a platform. The function, not the furniture.
That’s Nosdesk. A helpdesk built for how teams actually work.