---
name: "rtfm"
section: "1fun"
platform: "linux"
package: "funny-manpages"
version: "1.3-5"
release: "Debian 7 (Wheezy)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/rtfm/1fun"
---

# rtfm(1fun)

a response for easy questions from clueless lusers

## NAME

rtfm - a response for easy questions from clueless lusers

## SYNOPSIS

**rtfm** **\[ -p \] \[ -h \] \[ -d option \] \[ -i interval \] \[ -a action \] \[ -q luser\]**

## DESCRIPTION

**rtfm** is a command for system administrators to use in dealing with new users.  **rtfm** is useful for dealing with users having trouble with their pictures downloaded  from alt.binaries.pictures.erotica.  **rtfm** will continue to run until killed by hand, using \`kill processid'. **rtfm** can be invoked by anyone who has enough of a clue to know what a man page is.

## OPTIONS

- **-p**

  Give the answer in a polite fashion.

- **-h**

  Tell the clueless luser to go to hell. Used with the -p option,  they'll look forward to the trip.

- **-d option**

  Debug mode using option where option is one of the following:

  *query* Ask the luser what part of rtfm that he or she does not understand.

  *planet* Ask what planet the luser is from.

  *literacy* Ask the luser if the luser can read.

  *english* Ask the luser if the luser understands English.

  *Mac* Ask the luser if the luser has ever used a computer other than a Macintosh.

  *Nintendo* Same as the Mac option, but slightly more harsh.

- **-i interval**

  Enable within interval seconds. interval is the time between a luser asking the same damn fool question. This option must be activated for the  **-a** option. It stores the time of the question in  **/var/run/luser** and checks that file each time that rtfm is activated. interval is a number of minutes, of the form xxx.xx where each x is a decimal digit. The default is 5.00 minutes.

- **-a action**

  This defines some action to be taken in the event that the  **-i** flag condition is met. action can be defined either at the flag level or by a file. The options for flags are as follows:

  *scream* Let out a scream of utter frustration.

  *hair* Rip out your hair in total frustration.

  *rm* Automatic command ran in lusers home directory. It can have an addition  **-rf** flag added.

  *ignore* Ignore the luser.

  *warn* Warn the other sysadmins.

  *forward* Forward to CNS advising. Particullary if the complaint is /dev/null is full.

  *kill* Kill all the lusers processes.

  *FILE=file.name* Use a file to define a course of actions. This can be any executeable file except those using ksh, which no god-fearing right-thinking sysadmin would be caught using lest he be struck down by the wrath of God.

- **-q luser**

  Query file  **/etc/luser** to see if luser is a real luser or a first time luser.

## FILES

- **/etc/luser**

  ## SEE ALSO

- *mr.biff*(2),

  ## BUGS

**rtfm** only checks **/var/run/luser** when the **-a** option is specified and after the  **-i** option is invoked. Otherwise  **/tmp** would fill up rapidly on many systems. Also, core may dump if the  **-a FILE=** option is anatomically impossible.