Comment 561 for bug 1

Greetings List Lurkers,

My contribution to this bug report is to point out that it is pervasive.
It appears that you cannot get a job in the U.S. without using Microsoft
Products. Please read below:

Should a preference for Open Source Software be considered a mental
handicap for Human Resource Specialists?

Is there any study or citation in the Human Resources area regarding the
"programmed in " bias that products such as erecruit, SAP or PeopleSoft
exhibit? The result of such a bias, if I am correct in identifying it, is
to guarantee the perpetuation of Microsoft Products in the workplace. I
realize this is maybe too damn much for a Monday, but I appreciate your
thoughts and imaginative response.

My recent, admittedly imperfect, understanding and modest research
indicates that in many cases the commercial closed source program
"erecruit" which is used by the many large Human Resources Departments,
has been known to negatively impact on applications made using the Firefox
web browser.

One known defect is that security features used in the Firefox browser
which prevent, "pop-ups" and other annoying, involuntary, unwanted and
possibly malicious effects on my personal computer excludes properly
applying for positions in my State Government. Internet Explorer, on the
other hand, famously allows these "Active X" security risks by default.
Sadly enough, it has been my professional mission for the last few years
to point out the advantages of Free and Open Source Software, such as
Firefox, as viable, modern and thrifty alternatives for just such reasons.

What appears to be happening is simply put, if I do not use Microsoft
Internet Explorer, I cannot apply for a State Government position.

Thus, this singular support of the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser
actively discriminates against between 12.5 to 65 percent of all Internet
users. The effect of this bug in "erecruit" may cause this application to
only process candidates that use Microsoft products. I would suggest that
exclusive use of Microsoft products is not in the best interests of any
Human Resources Department's recruiting mission, or a necessary hiring
goal, but I could be wrong.

My conclusion here is that my professional preference for Open Source
Software could be considered a mental handicap. I use Linux not
because I am a petulant a-hole (not that I am not :^), but honestly,
because it makes more sense to me than Microsoft Windows products. Could
this be considered a defect such that I could claim accommodation under
the Americans with Disabilities Act?

I would appreciate information from anyone who has gone through this in
their own job search.

Regards,

Flint

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Paul Flint
Barre Open Systems Institute
17 Averill Street
Barre, VT
05641

http://www.bosivt.org
http://www.flint.com/home
skype: flintinfotech
Work: (202) 537-0480
  Fax: (703) 852-7089

Consilium
gratuitum .~.
valet /V\
quanti /( )\
numerantur ^^-^^