Open Letter: How the FOSS Community May Help Disabled Users

[Tim]

On Mon, 2006-05-01 at 14:40 -0500, Aaron Konstam wrote:
> I don't understand why this issue causes such controversy. The request
> basically is LUGs and other groups be willing to help people with
> disabilities use the functionality of Linux.

Nobody said they weren't, other than those touting this agenda.  And
it's the idea that groups *should* go out of their way to promote FOSS
to those not interested in doing so is the controversy.

It's the same situation as telling LUGs that they should go around
promoting FOSS to disabled people as if you were telling them that they
should go around badgering Windows users out of using Windows.  Trying
to force something down anybody's throat isn't appreciated.

> What is wrong with that if we really feel that FOSS has unique value?

Nothing.

If you want to promote it, go ahead and do so.  But don't go around
insisting that others should as well.  They can do that if they want to.

-- 
(Currently running FC4, occasionally trying FC5.)

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