The 'open source' footpath

folderol · Post by **folderol** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 1:51 pm

Many years ago I discovered a hidden footpath that meanders down a hillside through a variety of woodland. It is definitely not the quickest way to get from the top to the bottom, sometimes almost doubling back on itself, but is perfect for a gentle meditative walk.

I say hidden, well that's because the start of it looks just like a narrow animal track going over a mound and into the trees. At the bottom end, it joins up with a deeply rutted abandoned forestry track, and that bit of the path looks like it's a weathered ridge once thrown up by the machinery.

On one occasion, to my great consternation I saw there was forestry work going on in that area, and while I fully appreciated the need for this work, I was afraid the path would be lost. A few weeks later, with the work completed I found that, indeed, large sections, if not most, of the path seemed to have been destroyed.

However, I managed to cross one damaged area and re-find the path, so to remind myself, found some broken branches and laid them along the route where the path must have been. Next, I went round the, umm, 'quick' way to the bottom end of the path and did the same again, so there were now two sections marked, if not actually restored.

It was a month or two before I visited that patch of woodland again and I was pleased to see my markers were still there. Intending to try and do the same for at least one more damaged section I carried on along the path. To my great delight I found someone else had found and marked this, and had gone so far as to move some of the churned up undergrowth revealing the still present well worn path underneath.

It was now several months before I visited again, and by now the entire path was once more traceable, although you had to look carefully in a few places. The disturbed earth and undergrowth was also showing signs of repeated footfalls, so I was well pleased. I might add, that at no time did I actually see any other people along the path.

Fast forward a couple of years before I was able to visit 'our' path again, and all the markers had either gone or been covered with new growth, but now they were no longer needed. The path was clear and well worn, but still sort of 'private'. Also, about half way along, someone had placed criss-crossed logs over a very wide but shallow stream making it just that bit easier to negotiate without interfering with the flow of the water.

These days I do occasionally see other people on the path, and exchange greetings. Recently, catching up with an elderly lady (who apologised profusely for her dogs) I walked along with her and we chatted about the area and the restoration work being done on the woodland. Needless to say, the damage to the path got mentioned, and it seems after someone noticed the first few markers, word got around the regular walkers. I didn't tell her it was me that laid those first ones, but every time I walk there now, it's with a bit of pride.

Lyberta · Post by **Lyberta** » Sun Jul 31, 2016 9:40 am

I don't support open source movement. Free software movement was the 1st one and a proper one. I guess the most prominent open source person is Linus Torvalds and he kinda really screwed the whole free software thing and put binary blobs into kernel. I also hate everyone who say "Linux operating system". Linux is just a kernel. I hope one day GNU Hurd becomes usable so I can ditch "open source" Linux and proudly say that I run "free software" GNU operating system.

davephillips · Post by **davephillips** » Mon Aug 01, 2016 2:09 pm

folderol wrote:Many years ago I discovered a hidden footpath that meanders down a hillside through a variety of woodland. It is definitely not the quickest way to get from the top to the bottom, sometimes almost doubling back on itself, but is perfect for a gentle meditative walk...

A nice account, Will, and a perfect demonstration of "paying it forward". We don't necessarily expect others to contribute, so it's a pleasant surprise to see it when it happens, when we see how people will help each other unasked, even unknown to each other.

Best,

dp

GuntherT · Post by **GuntherT** » Thu Aug 11, 2016 1:43 am

FaTony wrote:I also hate everyone who say "Linux operating system". Linux is just a kernel. I hope one day GNU Hurd becomes usable so I can ditch "open source" Linux and proudly say that I run "free software" GNU operating system.

Dang, bro. Hate? That seems a little severe. I doubt the Hurd kernel will ever be on par with the Linux kernel. The fact Linux allows proprietary code to be included with it is likely a contributing factor why it's development has been more rapid than the Hurd. I admire your convictions, but don't be bitter. It's better to be thankful. We aren't entitled free software. It's a gift. Open source gives you the option to strip out the proprietary bits, if you like. I find that amazing.

Nice piece of writing, folderol. I enjoyed it.

Lyberta · Post by **Lyberta** » Thu Aug 11, 2016 9:06 am

GuntherT wrote:The fact Linux allows proprietary code to be included with it is likely a contributing factor why it's development has been more rapid than the Hurd.

That's why I hate Linux. I hate everything that deals with proprietary software. I also hate myself for having some proprietary bits on my PC.

rghvdberg · Post by **rghvdberg** » Thu Aug 11, 2016 4:26 pm

FaTony wrote:
GuntherT wrote:The fact Linux allows proprietary code to be included with it is likely a contributing factor why it's development has been more rapid than the Hurd.
That's why I hate Linux. I hate everything that deals with proprietary software. I also hate myself for having some proprietary bits on my PC.

Until now, I tried to ignore you but where did you get the nerve post this nonsense here after such a lovely warming story?
What's wrong with you?
Stop hijacking every thread with your free software shit.
If I was a moderator I would have banned you a couple of post ago because you've been doing this everywhere.

So, I said it.

Lyberta · Post by **Lyberta** » Fri Aug 12, 2016 10:46 am

Why don't you report me then? I'm already banned on 95% of forums that deal with proprietary software.

folderol · Post by **folderol** » Fri Aug 12, 2016 12:52 pm

I'd like to thank people for so many positive comments. But wait! There's more!

After all this time I didn't have a single picture of this area, so I put that right last week.

It was bright and sunny that morning... but it soon changed

ufug · Post by **ufug** » Fri Aug 12, 2016 4:56 pm

Thanks for the lovely story. I didn't take it literally until I saw the pictures. What a beautiful place.

MattKingUSA · Post by **MattKingUSA** » Sat Aug 13, 2016 12:55 am

FaTony wrote:Why don't you report me then? I'm already banned on 95% of forums that deal with proprietary software.

I appreciate your input FaTony. If you get banned it won't be by me.

You're not a troll for believing in software freedom.

But it would be nice for both of you to share your views and respectfully disagree.

If it's not constructive it's pointless.

I really don't see someone being banned for supporting freedom on a linux website. That would be absurd.

folderol · Post by **folderol** » Thu Aug 18, 2016 8:15 pm

ufug wrote:Thanks for the lovely story. I didn't take it literally until I saw the pictures. What a beautiful place.

Glad you like the photos. I'll keep them up on my website

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The 'open source' footpath

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