Yesterday I was reading Hector's blog where he described "Forums Code of Conduct". Generally I agree with all paragraphs except the 12 where we can find text as following:

"RTFM is not an answer. I have seen several times self-qualified senior level whatever providing this kind of answers. RTFM is equal as saying "don't bother me, stop @%##~ me", and this is not an acceptable technical answer, specially for those who pretend to be self qualified as senior." "RTFM is not an answer." - I can't agree with this point. In my opinion RTFM is an answer which could be also interpreted "Don't be lazy to read basics". Especially if questions are taken from some "braindump" list of questions for certification. Btw look at 5th paragraph: "Search before you post. Don't try to reinvent the wheel when someone else has already done it for you. A suitable answer can be found, a 10 minute goggling effort could find you an answer." In my opinon "Search before you post" = STFW (which is younger sister of RTFM) because RTFM we can rewrite to "Read before you post". In fact many users are using RTFM or STFW regulary in their answers on OTN forums but they do it a smart way (rather than rude way). Because RTFM/STFW could be posted in many forms for example: - hyperlink to documentation (specific section in documentation related to topic) - man - hyperlink to Google results for exact search phrase In my opinion RTFM and STFW definitely is an answer but it depends in which form you post it.

Forums Code of Conduct are described in great document How To Ask Questions The Smart Way which is available on Internet since 2001 and still(!) updated. It also explains why you can get RTFM/STFW answer on your question or what the poster of this answer want to tell you. Note, this post is not an offense on Hector's person or as criticism of his blog post. It only represents my opions. In fact I like Hector's posts and especially on OTN forums.