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> Some of my co-workers would like to use this word, but others are
> concerned about the negative connotation. They have a point; all the
> dictionary entries I've found emphasize its negative connotation, with
> shades of unscrupulous or unethical behavior.
_How_ do they want to use it? What's the context?
"Opportunistic" has a negative connotation when applied to people, but
there are technical applications (can't think of one right now) where it
has a positive connotation when applied to a device or process. In those
contexts, it's the correct technical term, and you'd likely confuse your
readers by using a more anthropocentric substitute like ambitious or
resourceful.
Richard
Richard G. Combs
Senior Technical Writer
Polycom, Inc.
richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom
303-223-5111
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rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom
303-777-0436
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