The following, while humorous (especially if you know some Chinese classical philosophy), is actually extremely profound and will give you serious insight into programming, while simultaneously causing you to LOL.

Programming

-- runway cat (runway_cat@hotmail.com), January 16, 1999

Answers

Most excellent, runway!

I can relate to some of the fables, especially the ones that pertain to meetings...will definitely share this with those who razz me for not wanting to ascend into a managerial position. They don't understand that I'm happy "just being a programmer"...and I get the satisfaction of occasionally covering their butts when it comes to getting something up and running over the weekend. :-)

-- Tim (pixmo@pixelquest.com), January 16, 1999.

Ahhh... What a breath of fresh air. Thanks cat, it's been a large handfull of years since I last read those. It was a great reminder of why I decided to stay in the trenches rather than move into management.

One of my favorites:

Thus spake the master programmer: "A well-written program is its own heaven; a poorly-written program is its own hell."

Very simple yet very true.

My addition to the Tao:

With knowledge comes responsibility.

-- Bob Benson (appysys@inreach.com), January 16, 1999.

Good one R.C., LOL!! A keeper.

Sorta off topic, but not really, there is an Oracle Of Changes, I- Ching web-site by Visionary Networks, that demonstrates the CD they sell, which is AWESOME. Its well-written, has amazing wisdom, stunningly beautiful graphics and marvelous sound (Good Tao). Since Ive used the I-Ching for over 20 years, in written form, I was delighted to see such a high-quality computer product become available. You can get a free trial version to check it out.

http://www.iching.com

Or, the Oracle of Changes CD-Rom online sampler experience:

http:// www.iching.com/oracle/main.html

It is, bar none, my favorite computer CD. Elegant.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), January 16, 1999.