The secret for having a pleasant, engaging, comfortable, well fitted experience with software and with the internet in general, can be reduced to a movie (Karate Kid) and an acronym: RTFM.

Wikipedia excerpt: Some hackers have suggested that in some situations “RTFM” is actually the best advice that an aspiring hacker can receive.[1] They posit that hacking is a dynamic art which requires independence and drive on the part of the hacker, and see “RTFM” as more of a long-term advisement than it is a response to any single query. This argument is only applicable when used with other hackers, however, given that the concepts surrounding open source software are designed to be suitable for use by non-hackers. In fact, Usability experts recommend designing some kind of software to be usable without a manual at all, since users don’t ever actually read them.[2]

Introduction

Sometimes RTFM is used as an insult or as a way of saying: “Go away, I’m busy”.  But it has inside a good practice regarding computer systems.
The consecuences of RTFM, if used constantly, imply:

• Training time is reduced
• Scalability improves
• Time is better spent
• How to read manuals is a skill that you can develop.
• New Members of the team have a non-intrusive way of learning about the work
• People don’t have to repeat work

So,  repeat the mantra: Each manual is easier to read than the previous one

• Manuals never get tired of explaining
• Manuals never have other things to do
• Manuals never laugh when you ask stupid questions
• Manuals never tell others how long you took to understand something (“Oh my god, he is soooo slow!”)
• Manuals never have another things to do before
• Manuals can wait
• Manuals always realise when to stop

Practicalities

Tame the system and it will work for you.You are gonna spend a lot of time in this environment.
The soon you learn how to squeeze the best of it, the soon you will get the rewards.
The time you spend in giving input to the developers will come back to you in the way of a better platform that suits your needs.

Think on software as a young  horse, strong and well formed, but still not tamed. Put effort on it, and you will get a great horse. Don’t do your home work, and the system will throw you away and break your neck. Sad but true.

You learn many things each day to be able do your work better. Don’t be unfair with the “computer things” you have to learn! They are knowledge also, you know?

• Read the help buttons, just for fun.
• Customize!!!!!!
• Consult tooltips
• Try to put hyperlinks whenever you can, even when they seem obvious. People is lazy!
• Learn the shortcuts: once learned you will use it automatically and will save you a lot of time. Try to learn one shortcut at a time. When you stop thinking about it, is time to learn a new one.
• Put easy to reach links to your favorite help pages on your browser, or on your Portal
• The second step in the path of the Samurai: WTFM! (Write The Fucking Manual) Create your own help local file with the links, commands, tables you use more.
• Share with your colleagues the tricks you find useful.
• Always try to add links, make information accesible, brigde gaps.
• Keep in mind the sharing when creating information, try to write material you can also upload to the wiki.

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