CNN.com (Reuters) reports: “‘Master’ and ’slave’ computer labels unacceptable, officials say.”
“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.”
Oh, and I’m sure LA county is so unique in its “cultural diversity and sensitivity” that manufacturers should all kiss their ___ and jump to relabel all their products, reprint manuals, etc.
OK, we know we don’t want to be using those words for people, let alone treating them that way, but this has been tech lngo for years and nobody ever fussed before. I think it predates computer use, as I recall hearing of master and slave flash units for photgraphy. Would “dominant” and “subservient” be better? “Primary” and ’secondary”? Or what?
Puleeze . . .
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