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RTFM and the Priesthood© Copyright Darrell Anderson. One of the more frustrating elements of the Linux world is a certain sense of snobbery and priestdom. Now, there are many sincere, knowledgeable, and helpful people on-line. Unfortunately, there also are a few snobs. Their basic response is “RTFM,” which is an acronym for Read The Fricking Manual. Yet, as I previously mentioned, just finding the appropriate documentation often is a challenge. Second, an ignorant individual often does not know the appropriate questions to ask in order to render documentation useful. I think the reason the RTFM people act the way they do is their utter contempt for Microsoft, Windows, and Windows users who are trying to migrate to Linux. The RTFM people tend to see Windows users as a coddled, pampered, and basically stupid bunch of people. Sure, the Microsoft Corporation people do some things that are contemptible, but they also through the years have done much right and have done much to make this world a better place to live. One of the things Microsoft knows well is usability and documentation. The RTFM people would do well to study why Microsoft is successful in those areas and Linux is not. The Linux computer model is sufficiently different from Windows, and new Linux users need constructive encouragement and guidance. That is the only way the Linux community will continue to grow. Every human is ignorant about various subjects. All humans are creatures of limited knowledge. The RTFM people would do well to simply not participate in on-line discussions. They are some of the worst PR (public relations) people the Linux community could ever want. The RTFM people should just disappear to their geeky sacred holes in the basement and consume their stash of Twinkies. Finis. |
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