Open Letter: How the FOSS Community May Help Disabled Users

[Les Mikesell]

On Fri, 2006-04-28 at 16:54, Jeff Vian wrote:

> > Might I suggest in the future, you use the terms physically/mentally
> > challenged instead of disabled users? Here in the U.S. there is a never
> > ending supply of politically correct nuts :-((
> > 
> Just because you prefer politically correct terminology does not mean
> everyone has to mollify your sensibilities.
> 
> I would never ask someone from a different area to change their language
> use just to satisfy me.

I think you are missing the point.  If someone wants Linux to
be able to compete against commercial software then it has to
compete on the acceptability and political correctness fronts
as well.  I realize a lot of people don't care one way or the
other and in the free software world market share doesn't matter
but at least they should recognize that the issue exists.  That
is, commercial software and the people promoting it do make
concessions to satisfy the potential customers.

> You are free to reply with the terms you prefer, just as Marco is free
> to use the phrases he wishes.

And the potential users are free to avoid dealing with people using
phrases they dislike and the products they handle.

-- 
  Les Mikesell
   lesmikesell at gmail.com