Master Foo Discourses on the Graphical User Interface

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One evening, Master Foo and Nubi attended a gathering of programmers who had

met to learn from each other. One of the programmers asked Nubi to what school

he and his master belonged. Upon being told they were followers of the Great

Way of Unix, the programmer grew scornful.

“The command-line tools of Unix are crude and backward,” he scoffed. “Modern,

properly designed operating systems do everything through a graphical user

interface.”

Master Foo said nothing, but pointed at the moon. A nearby dog began to bark at

the master's hand.

“I don't understand you!” said the programmer.

Master Foo remained silent, and pointed at an image of the Buddha. Then he

pointed at a window.

“What are you trying to tell me?” asked the programmer.

Master Foo pointed at the programmer's head. Then he pointed at a rock.

“Why can't you make yourself clear?” demanded the programmer.

Master Foo frowned thoughtfully, tapped the programmer twice on the nose, and

dropped him in a nearby trashcan.

As the programmer was attempting to extricate himself from the garbage, the dog

wandered over and piddled on him.

At that moment, the programmer achieved enlightenment.

Master Foo and the Master Foo and the Old Hand

Methodologist