How to Use a Ways Folder

A Ways folder is an online resource where an author or group can store documents for sharing useful ways of doing things. To use a Ways folder:

1. Create a folder (or other directory subdivision) and name it “Ways”.
2. Add a file that explains a practice you’ve found useful.
3. Add more files as the occasion arises.

A Ways folder can be as simple as a directory on a personal webpage containing plain HTML documents. In fact, simplicity is one of the aims of the convention.

The documents contained in a Ways folder should:

1. Explain a way of doing something that you, personally, have tried and found useful.
2. Prioritize that explanation, pushing any context or additional comment farther down the page.
3. Strive for accessibility.
4. Exclude ad surveillance and other technologies that have tended to favor the accumulation of money and power over the mutual exchange of useful information.

While not required, your first document can be a Ways file (like this one) explaining the convention. This page is public domain, so you’re free to copy it directly to your own Ways folder.

This idea originated from a post by L. Rhodes; the text comes from the website of L. Rhodes