RTFM

Plugging in...

RTFM = Read the F$@#$ Manual

When I worked in the technical support arena, it was a phrase, said in jest, when someone called with a tech support question we knew was answered in the manual. Since the bulk of the general computing public never cracked the shrink wrap on the manuals, the industry responded with a cost-cutting measure of producing the manuals on CDs or DVDs. See? We really are our own worst enemies. At one time, staffs of technical writers were busy producing the manuals for all the software and hardware vendors. Many of the manuals did get used - people put them under their monitors to raise them up; they acted as book-ends on book shelves and some became booster seats for children. Some just collected dust. No kidding.

Fast forward ten years or so and the paper-style manuals are thin, but contain valuable information. Information such as if you want The Computor Tutor to help you with that new smart phone, PDA (personal digital assistant: Palm Pilot) or camera, they MUST be charged before she arrives, and not just an hour before. Where do you think that tid-bit of knowledge comes from? Yes siree - that slim booklet inside the plastic packaging.

So yes, I have arrived at several clients only to inform them that the electronic device we were going to work with, needs hours of charging or sometimes an overnight charge before we can even turn it on. That's after I had to wrestle with the stubborn plastic packaging and extricate the all imporant piece of paper that said "CHARGE ME FIRST". Reading. It's fundamental.

ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is it turned on?

Unplugged