RE: [cobalt-users] Killing password reset button

["Colin J. Raven" <cjraven@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Tomorrow's Cobalt Question:
>
> If Less is more, does it not follow that unfathomable system
> software is a profit center?

Er, well it's now 03:19 CET on Wednesday October 3rd in Paris Amsterdam
and Brussels, so this really can be answered now...and perhaps it can
best be answered this way:

Once upon a time there was more - and it was good.

Then the lord-of-software-that-is-free determined that more can
sometimes be insufficient.
He created less in his image but deemed that it should be more, but
called it less - and it was good.
Detractors assembled at the city gates chanting; "we want more" but the
lord-of-software-that-is-free addressed them thusly;

"Gentle people fear not, for I have given unto you a mighty gift which I
have named less
This wondrous gift ye shall come to know can do more than more. It can
page backwards in the file one line at a time. Know ye also that less
does not have to read the entire input file when starting. This is even
better than the might vi."

The assembled crowd emitted a collective hiss at the mention of the
godly but modest vi. Some in the crowd began brawling in an unseemly
manner, but the lord-of-software-that-is-free demanded their silence and
thundered unto the crowd;

"Fear not for thy text editor of choice is sacrosanct. Let no man say
aloud in the spirit of belief that he worships a mightier text editor
than you for it is not true."

The mob was hushed and faces were turned upwards at the bearded figure
framed by the setting sun.

"I created a mighty and highly extensible text editor known to mortals
as emacs, yet I cannot in conscience praise it unto you, for each of you
have your own right to choose!" He paused and looked out over the river
contemplating something distant and unseen to any in the crowd for a few
moments, then turned back with clearly renewed energy. He continued
speaking, his robes flapping like wings in the rising desert wind; "I
shall always speak of text editors dear to us all in a neutral manner,
henceforth I decree that if the words text editor come from your lips,
ye shall henceforth say "your text editor of choice"

A howl of adoration came from the enormous gathering at the city gates.
Chanting acolytes impaled themselves on spikes, others rended their
garments and wept openly. Hundreds of camels bayed in terror and
involuntarily emptied their bowels, startled by the noise of the crowd.
The air became fetid. The sudden sultaneous discharge of several tons of
camel shit can do that to the air.

The lord-of-software-that-is-free spoke again unto the masses; "Know
also that the -P option allows you to tailor the prompt to your
preference.  The string given to the -P option replaces the specified
prompt string.  Certain characters in the string are interpreted
specially.  The prompt mechanism is  rather  complicated to provide
flexibility, but the ordinary user need not understand the details of
constructing personalized prompt strings"

He paused once more, opening his robes to reveal no clothing beneath.
Many fainted at the sight of an  emaciated pale frame nourished only by
Mountain Dew T and pizza. He concluded with a stentorian bellow;

"Know that less is more than more, and not any less than you deserve.
More cannot satisfy you, nor bring the power you crave for advanced
tasks, only less can do this."

With this a great darkness came upon the face of the sun, lasting for
many minutes. Upon return of the light, many looked for the figure of
the lord-of-software-that-is-free but he was not to be seen anywhere.
The crowd slowly dispersed, muttering uneasily to one another. Scholars
examined the mountains of camel shit, reflecting on the rarity of seeing
in person the lord-of-software-that-is-free, and wondering when he could
possibly pull that amazing camel shit trick again.

Regards,
-Colin
--
Colin J. Raven