A Cautionary Tale

There once was a mythical land that existed a long time ago. In this land, the Great Operators in the Sky ruled, and the creatures existed to do their bidding. The landscape was sparse and deserted, and at the very center lay several dominating structures. This was the Land of the Cards.

The creatures in the Land of the Cards, though heavily worked, viewed their life as tolerable. To them, this land was home. There was no reason to question it. But one day, a Text File came back with a great announcement.

"Fellow creatures, I have made an amazing discovery! I have heard rumors of a new land to the East--a new land that is free of Cards!"

The creatures stood there in shock. Many could not believe such a thing. Many refused to believe such a thing. They said that a life without Cards would be meaningless, and that nobody would want to maintain them if they were composed of Characters.

But some of the creatures saw the potential. They banded together and went out in search of the new land. Days passed with nothing in sight. But on the seventh day they saw something. They were Bitfields! The creatures had made it to the Land of the Terminal.

They experienced many new things in this land. They met the great Time Sages Undo and Redo. They learned of the magical Arrow Keys, capable of moving the great Cursor in the Sky. But most of all, they experienced a life unrestricted by Cards and Operators.

Several years passed with no word from the others. Hoping to liberate their old friends, they sent a missionary back to them.

"Brothers, it is I--Text File #1123! I have come back to describe the wondrous new land to you all."

The creatures listened with disbelief. They had been swayed.

Unfortunately, there were still nonbelievers. Brother Source Code and his friends argued against the decision, but to no avail. The others were set on their decision. Faced with the possibility of being left behind, they had no choice but to join the others.

And so it was. All of the creatures crossed the Desert of RL, joining their brethren in the Land of the Terminal.

Several years passed from that day. The Source Codes had many children, who split off into different tribes. Occasional wars erupted, such as the great Cee-Pascal conflict, but mostly the creatures in the land of the Terminal lived in peace.

But then, one day, an Email came back from a long journey.

"Friends, I have a grand announcement. I have just received word of another land in a different dimension! Join me. Let us Upgrade!"

The creatures of the Land of the Terminal rejoiced. Many remembered the joys of the previous Great Upgrade, and so they quickly responded.

"Yes, We will join you! Let us Upgrade!"

Not all the creatures were happy, though. The Source Codes banded together with their friends, stubborn as always. But unlike last time, they had no fear of being left alone.

And so the Source Codes and their many relatives stayed, while the other creatures journeyed into the second dimension, to the Land of the Gooey.

Upon their arrival, they marveled at the possibilities. The Information Density of the second dimension was unmatched, allowing many of the creatures to grow powerful Interfaces.

Years passed, but there was no word from the others. Again, a missionary was sent back, but he only managed to convince some of the Source Codes. They joined the others in the Land of the Gooey, but refused to shed their Characters.

And so ends the story of the creatures. It is said that the Source Codes still cling to their old ways, stuck half-way between two dimensions. Perhaps one day a poor Programmer will take pity on them. It will be on that day that all of the creatures will be united again.