The Codeless Code: Case 169 Best Practices 
======

 The old scribe Qi was summoned to a meeting with two senior
abbots.

The first abbot said, “Developers are ignoring our many
Standards and Practices documents. We have checked the files
in to a project in the source repository; no one downloads
it. We have made PDF links available on a special web page;
no one visits it. We have painstakingly copied the content
into a wiki; no one browses it.”

The second abbot said, “We are now considering printing out
the entire set, and binding it as a book. We would place one
copy on each developer’s desk. What is your opinion?”

“Bind them in white paper,” said the scribe. “When a year
has passed, the thick dust will not show as readily.”

“We wish developers to use them,” said the first abbot.

“Ah!” said the scribe. “Then bind them in red paper, for
when the nights grow cold they will burn more cheerily.”

“We wish developers to read them,” said the second abbot.

“Then let me know how you achieve this!” said the scribe.
“For I have never found a way to make anyone read anything
against their will.”

“Why do you play the fool instead of helping?!” shouted the
first abbot.

“Wú,” said the scribe. “You brought in wild dogs who have
ruined three sofas, and now you’re asking me what color the
fourth should be. I keep telling you: it is not the
furniture that needs to be changed.”