[Reader-list] 'master-slave' computer terminology questioned

[Irina Aristarkhova]

>
> Hi all,
>
> I thought this might be of interest.
>
> Regards,
> Irina
>
>
> http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/ptech/11/26/master.term.reut/index.html
>
> 'Master' and 'slave' computer labels unacceptable, officials say
>
> Wednesday, November 26, 2003 Posted: 11:33 AM EST (1633 GMT)
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Story Tools
>     
>     
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> RELATED
>
> • Business 2.0: A new language for the server room 
>
>
> LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Los Angeles officials have asked 
> that manufacturers, suppliers and contractors stop using the terms 
> "master" and "slave" on computer equipment, saying such terms are 
> unacceptable and offensive.
>
> The request -- which has some suppliers furious and others busy 
> re-labeling components -- came after an unidentified worker spotted a 
> videotape machine carrying devices labeled "master" and "slave" and 
> filed a discrimination complaint with the county's Office of 
> Affirmative Action Compliance.
>
> In the computer industry, "master" and "slave" are used to refer to 
> primary and secondary hard disk drives. The terms are also used in 
> other industries.
>
> "Based on the cultural diversity and sensitivity of Los Angeles County, 
> this is not an acceptable identification label," Joe Sandoval, division 
> manager of purchasing and contract services, said in a memo sent to 
> County vendors.
>
> "We would request that each manufacturer, supplier and contractor 
> review, identify and remove/change any identification or labeling of 
> equipment components that could be interpreted as discriminatory or 
> offensive in nature," Sandoval said in the memo, which was distributed 
> last week and made available to Reuters.
>
> The memo did not include any suggestions for alternative labels.
>
> Dennis Tafoya, director of the affirmative action office, said in a 
> separate memo that an "exhaustive search" had been undertaken to find 
> all such labels and replace them with more "appropriate" ones. A form 
> was sent to all departments to identify equipment carrying the labels 
> "master" and "slave" or any other offensive terms.
>
> Faced with an avalanche of complaints from vendors and the general 
> public, Sandoval told Reuters in an interview that his memo was 
> intended as "nothing more than a request" and not an ultimatum or 
> policy change.
>
> "I do understand that this term has been an industry standard for years 
> and years and this is nothing more than a plea to vendors to see what 
> they can do," he said. "It appears that some folks have taken this a 
> little too literally."
>
> Sandoval said that he had already rejected a suggestion that the county 
> stop buying all equipment carrying the "master" and "slave" labels and 
> had no intention of enforcing a ban on such terms with suppliers.
>
> "But we are culturally sensitive and we have 90,000 employees," he 
> said. "We have to take these things seriously."
>
> Sandoval added that in addition to the e-mails he's received "telling 
> me how stupid I am and how I should be fired" he has gotten a positive 
> response from some companies willing to reexamine their labels.
>
> In June, the Los Angeles city council unanimously passed a law 
> requiring that any companies doing business with the city disclose 
> profits they may have made from slavery in the 19th Century. In 2000, 
> the council supported federal legislation seeking reparations for 
> descendants of slaves.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Copyright 2003 Reuters.	All rights reserved.
>