Definition: RTFM

(Read The F***ing Manual) The last resort when having a hardware or software problem! Of course, this has been a sad but true state of affairs for decades. Most people avoid reading manuals whether printed or online because they are often difficult, if not downright impossible, to understand.

Within software applications, countless help screens mention menus but neglect to tell the user where to find them, and the help index generally lacks the most basic words a person might enter to find out how to do something. In short, documentation in the high-tech industry that is even modestly readable is a rarity (we hope this encyclopedia is an exception). See technical writer, user interface, tech support and how to find a good computer book.

It's So Bad, It's Laughable
Poor documentation is so pervasive that InfoWorld magazine used to present its Documentation User's MalPractice (Dumpy) award to the worst offender. Although hardly coveted, there were always numerous candidates.

A Unique RTFM Message

This notice came from the 2012 issue of Maximum PC magazine's guide to building your own PC.

To the Point

Although nothing to do with technology, this Wet & Forget mildew remover warning was so original, we had to include it.