Continued from:
As the white knight and his charge ride together, the woman senses that the atmosphere of the land of Linux is altogether different from the kingdom of Microsoft. Somehow the air feels lighter, and there is no fear of attack nor dread of the forced labor that King Windows demands of his subjects.
The government in the land of Linux is also very different than the kingdom of Microsoft. Instead of one king who rules over the entire country, there are many different rulers in the land of Linux. Every village or city has its own governor, and each has its own customs. The people of the land may be few, but they live in peace and safety because of the armored wall constructed many years ago by the elders who migrated there from the ancient land of Unix.
As they ride through the green grass of the countryside, they emerge over the crest of a hill, revealing the outline of a large number of buildings in the distance. The predominant color of the buildings is brown with a tinge of orange added to it, though some of the newer buildings have a brownish-purple color.
The woman exclaims, "What a large and beautiful city! Is this where you dwell?"
"The city of Ubuntu is beautiful, and indeed it is the largest city in the land of Linux, but it is not where I dwell," replies the knight. "I dwell in the village of Mint which lies straight ahead."
As the knight and the woman ride through the village, they pass many houses. Some are made of wood and others of brick, but all of them are meticulously kept. Most are painted a mint green color, though others are painted blue or black or other colors as the owner desires.
People wave at the pair and shout greetings as they pass.
"Look what Sir Hackalot has brought us!" says a young man.
"What great fortune!" says an old woman.
"Welcome to our village!" cries a young boy.
"Thank you all!" replies the woman.
The two halt at a place where there are many new houses waiting to be occupied.
"Would you like to have a home for yourself?" the knight asks the woman.
"This seems like a fine village, but what if I do not wish to dwell here? Is there an inn where I can stay for a time to see if I will like it here?"
"There is indeed a temporary dwelling provided by the village. You may begin there and later move into a permanent dwelling if you so desire."
"That sounds fair to me," replies the woman.
The knight and the woman mount the horse once again and head toward a tall, cylindrically-shaped brick structure painted the same lime green as the houses. Carved in ornate letters letters over the front door is, "Live CD."
"You may stay here until you are comfortable moving into a new house," says the knight.
"How long may I stay? Is there an innkeeper I should pay?" asks the woman.
"No, there is no innkeeper, and the dwelling is provided free of cost. The houses are also provided free of cost," replies the knight.
"What did you say? The houses do not need to be bought? Every house in the kingdom of Microsoft sells for a high price! How can the village afford to do this?"
"The houses in the land of Linux are constructed by volunteer experts all over the land. Though some houses are sold in the land of Linux, we in the village of Mint give all of ours away, and this custom is upheld in most of the villages and even some of the cities."
"What a strange and wonderful practice! I will not refuse this hospitality. I hope that someday I may give back what was given to me."
"That is the sentiment of many of the people who dwell here."
As the woman enters the building, the knight says, "Should you need assistance, you may contact me at any time."
"Thank you very much for your kindness. You have saved my life and opened my eyes to a strange and wonderful life. I will forever be in your debt!"
"Do not pay back your debt to me but to any who may need your assistance in the future. Good Day!"
"Good day!"
As the knight rides away, the woman ponders this way of life and wonders what other surprises lie ahead in this strange country.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Journey from the Kingdom of Microsoft to the Land of Linux
Continued from: Compassion in the Aftermath of War
In the borderlands of the kingdom of Microsoft, a massive wall rises to a great height, casting a dark shadow on the surrounding area. The wall was originally constructed after bands of raiders had ravaged the villages of the defenseless kingdom. King Windows commissioned knights McAfee, Symantec, AVG, and many other lesser-known knights to design a wall and oversee the workers. The wall was hastily constructed of materials that were close at hand: branches, burned stones, mud, and straw. Though impressive in size, the wall is not strong; in fact, sometimes a whole section of the wall collapses under its own weight. The entire wall is covered by black tar to hide the crude materials used for its construction.
As the white knight and the woman approach the wall, it can be seen that there is a wide gap large enough for horse and rider to pass. They pass easily though the opening into the wastelands, a veritable desert of barrenness. The complete lack of live vegetation is the first thing that assaults the eyes. Dust and dirt rise underfoot, and dark smoke and clouds swirl overhead. Dead trees stand mostly decayed or toppled over from the wind and lack of sun. The bleakness of the wastelands engulfs the two riders as the protective wall of the kingdom of Microsoft shrinks slowly in the distance behind them.
"Surely this is not the land of Linux!" exclaims the woman.
"No," replies the knight, "it is the wastelands of the Internet. Many lands are there in the world, but one must travel through this sea of barrenness to arrive at any of them."
After riding about twenty minutes in the wastelands, streams of sunlight begin to illumine the way as the smoke begins to dissipate. Grass, brown at first begins to turn green as they gallop onward. A bright line appears in the horizon and continues to grow as a shining wall rises into view.
This wall is quite unlike the dark wall around the kingdom of Microsoft. The brilliance of the wall dazzles the eyes of the woman as she squints to observe its outline.
"This must be the wall of the land of Linux." she says. "It looks very strong!"
"Indeed, it is," replies the knight. "Its armored walls are impenetrable to enemy attacks."
The two arrive at a tall wrought iron gate guarded by three men bearing the penguin logo on their long, white tunics. Two imposing guards stand watch in front of the entrance their long spears pointing upward and swords strapped to their sides. The other guard stands on a rough wooden platform that elevates him to the height of the riders. He asks the knight, "What is your name?"
"Sir Hackalot," replies the knight.
"And what is your password?" asks the guard.
The knight leans toward him and cupping his hand whispers something inaudible to the woman.
"You may pass. Good day sir!"
With a loud grinding noise the gate begins to open. The two guards with the spears step back from the gate to allow the riders to pass. The two enter the land of Linux and continue their journey inside the armored wall as the gate clanks shut loudly behind them.
In the borderlands of the kingdom of Microsoft, a massive wall rises to a great height, casting a dark shadow on the surrounding area. The wall was originally constructed after bands of raiders had ravaged the villages of the defenseless kingdom. King Windows commissioned knights McAfee, Symantec, AVG, and many other lesser-known knights to design a wall and oversee the workers. The wall was hastily constructed of materials that were close at hand: branches, burned stones, mud, and straw. Though impressive in size, the wall is not strong; in fact, sometimes a whole section of the wall collapses under its own weight. The entire wall is covered by black tar to hide the crude materials used for its construction.
As the white knight and the woman approach the wall, it can be seen that there is a wide gap large enough for horse and rider to pass. They pass easily though the opening into the wastelands, a veritable desert of barrenness. The complete lack of live vegetation is the first thing that assaults the eyes. Dust and dirt rise underfoot, and dark smoke and clouds swirl overhead. Dead trees stand mostly decayed or toppled over from the wind and lack of sun. The bleakness of the wastelands engulfs the two riders as the protective wall of the kingdom of Microsoft shrinks slowly in the distance behind them.
"Surely this is not the land of Linux!" exclaims the woman.
"No," replies the knight, "it is the wastelands of the Internet. Many lands are there in the world, but one must travel through this sea of barrenness to arrive at any of them."
After riding about twenty minutes in the wastelands, streams of sunlight begin to illumine the way as the smoke begins to dissipate. Grass, brown at first begins to turn green as they gallop onward. A bright line appears in the horizon and continues to grow as a shining wall rises into view.
This wall is quite unlike the dark wall around the kingdom of Microsoft. The brilliance of the wall dazzles the eyes of the woman as she squints to observe its outline.
"This must be the wall of the land of Linux." she says. "It looks very strong!"
"Indeed, it is," replies the knight. "Its armored walls are impenetrable to enemy attacks."
The two arrive at a tall wrought iron gate guarded by three men bearing the penguin logo on their long, white tunics. Two imposing guards stand watch in front of the entrance their long spears pointing upward and swords strapped to their sides. The other guard stands on a rough wooden platform that elevates him to the height of the riders. He asks the knight, "What is your name?"
"Sir Hackalot," replies the knight.
"And what is your password?" asks the guard.
The knight leans toward him and cupping his hand whispers something inaudible to the woman.
"You may pass. Good day sir!"
With a loud grinding noise the gate begins to open. The two guards with the spears step back from the gate to allow the riders to pass. The two enter the land of Linux and continue their journey inside the armored wall as the gate clanks shut loudly behind them.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)