A common Internet abbreviation is RTFM. If you aren’t in the tech field you may not have heard it. It stands for Read The Freaking Manual. Actually, the F- word is more offensive, but I am trying to run a family show here.
Anyway, RTFM is posted as a response following a question about a gadget, software or computer in a forum or blog post. It implies that the person asking the question is so dumb they didn’t think to read the manual that came with said gadget. Some examples:
� How do I turn on my iPod?
� I tried unplugging my computer and it won?t turn on now. What do I do?
� How do I post to this forum?
� Where do babies come from?
Any one of these questions could be answered successfully (albeit rudely) with RTFM.
But I argue there is a deeper wisdom in RTFM if you apply it and it extends well beyond electrical gadgetry.
Benefits of RTFM
In general, reading a manual, how-to book, or other specific literature about something you gain a deeper knowledge of a subject than can be attained from simply asking a question about an item from another person. By engaging in reading, you are active in your pursuit of knowledge as opposed to passively seeking answers. Therefore by asking first of yourself and reminding yourself to seek the answer yourself before bothering another person, you gain a level of expertise.
This is a lot like “Give a man a fish he’ll eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.”
Consider this. A new iPod owner asks “How do I turn on my iPod.” If he gets the answer “Push any button on it.” Then what does he do when it is time to dock the device or put music on it? He’ll ask another question and then another. Where if he’d just RTFM, one time, he’d have all the answers he wanted.
More benefits of RTFM
By reading first as opposed to asking first, you often stumble on other techniques and methods not part of the original question. A new computer user who RTFM about how to plug in a USB mouse learns she can plug in USB keyboards, memory and printers. A hungry reader looking for a nice chicken recipe stumbles on a great lowfat dessert recipe as well.
RTFM in the Workplace
Many of us in the IT profession are quick to solve a simple problem because we don’t want the headache of teaching someone to RTFM. But is it truly helpful to solve countless little issues if it leaves the other person helpless?
The same can be true with people in other professions. A car mechanic can answer questions like “what is this yellow blinking light shaped like a stick attached to a bell on my dashboard mean”? RTFM would reveal it is time for an oil change. Now, the customer need never ask that question again because she is now an expert at using her car manual.
The benefit on the mechanic’s side is he can focus on tasks other than answering the phone every time a dashboard light blinks. He can focus time and attention on real problems like transmission and carburetor rebuilds.
Unfortunately, people of higher level professions such as brain surgery or nuclear physics can?t rely on RTFM as an answer. “Where do I put this plutonium 239, boss?” It’s probably best you answer that one and then give the employee the manual afterwards.
RTFM should be a company slogan.
What would life be like if everyone RTFM before asking? This is, after all, the information age. There are books on virtually any subject. Answers and expertise are just waiting for the taking. If only, you’ll RTFM.
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RTFM is a great idea, trouble is most of the time the manual is in 5 languages and is not very user friendly.
Great article, and I fully agree with RTFM. However, I would add another three letters. TGI – Then Google It! Googling your question will usually show that many others had the same question, and usually give you at least one answer. For ‘solutions’ that are buried at the tenth level of the menu and dialogs of the program, you will usually find at least several ways of getting to the solution.
There is, however, one situation where RTFM (and TGI) doesn’t work. That is when the question is about raising kids. I have always found more questions than answers from both!
RTFM? The FM is often F useless!
“F” in original version is not offensive at all, originally that was FILE.
That’s just today’s society which can not live without offensive words.
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