How-to
Encyclopedia
A how-to or a how to is an informal, often short, description of how to accomplish some specific task. A how-to is usually meant to help non-experts, may leave out details that are only important to experts, and may also be greatly simplified from an overall discussion of the topic. One of the earliest How-to books was published in 1519 by Thomas Wight
and entitled, A booke of the arte and maner, how to plant and graffe all sortes of trees: With divers other new practise, by one of the Abbey of Saint Vincent in Fraunce by Leonard Mascall.
community. This may be for stylistic consistency with the related terminology FAQ
and README
. Another possible reason is that this makes it easier to find a how-to in search engines like Google
as searching with the words "to" and "how" does not necessarily deliver in relevant search results.
, but are less successful than FAQ
s, manuals, recipe
s and guide
s How-tos are very successful within Linux communities.
In the beginning, most how-tos on the Internet were the result of a complex process in which an author wrote a how-to that readers would read. After 2001, user added content played a more and more important role on the internet in a trend that is widely referred to as Web 2.0
. This had a profound impact on the way in which how-tos are spread on the internet. A number of websites choose the wiki
model as a way of sharing knowledge on how-tos.
The acronym "101
" is often used on how-tos and introductory tutorial
Thomas Wight
Thomas Wight was a bookseller, publisher and draper in London. Wight published many important books, including many of the earliest law books in English.-Career:...
and entitled, A booke of the arte and maner, how to plant and graffe all sortes of trees: With divers other new practise, by one of the Abbey of Saint Vincent in Fraunce by Leonard Mascall.
Spelling
The correct way to write it in English is "how-to", but it is common practice to write it as "HOWTO" in the LinuxLinux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
community. This may be for stylistic consistency with the related terminology FAQ
FAQ
Frequently asked questions are listed questions and answers, all supposed to be commonly asked in some context, and pertaining to a particular topic. "FAQ" is usually pronounced as an initialism rather than an acronym, but an acronym form does exist. Since the acronym FAQ originated in textual...
and README
README
A readme file contains information about other files in a directory or archive and is commonly distributed with computer software. Such a file is usually a text file called README.TXT, README.1ST, READ.ME, or simply README, although some Microsoft Windows software may occasionally include a...
. Another possible reason is that this makes it easier to find a how-to in search engines like Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
as searching with the words "to" and "how" does not necessarily deliver in relevant search results.
How-tos on the Internet
How-tos have a long history as a way of sharing knowledge on the InternetInternet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
, but are less successful than FAQ
FAQ
Frequently asked questions are listed questions and answers, all supposed to be commonly asked in some context, and pertaining to a particular topic. "FAQ" is usually pronounced as an initialism rather than an acronym, but an acronym form does exist. Since the acronym FAQ originated in textual...
s, manuals, recipe
Recipe
A recipe is a set of instructions that describe how to prepare or make something, especially a culinary dish.-Components:Modern culinary recipes normally consist of several components*The name of the dish...
s and guide
Guide
A guide is a person who leads anyone through unknown or unmapped country. This includes a guide of the real world , as well as a person who leads someone to more abstract places .-Guide - meanings related to travel and recreational pursuits:There are many variants of...
s How-tos are very successful within Linux communities.
In the beginning, most how-tos on the Internet were the result of a complex process in which an author wrote a how-to that readers would read. After 2001, user added content played a more and more important role on the internet in a trend that is widely referred to as Web 2.0
Web 2.0
The term Web 2.0 is associated with web applications that facilitate participatory information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design, and collaboration on the World Wide Web...
. This had a profound impact on the way in which how-tos are spread on the internet. A number of websites choose the wiki
Wiki
A wiki is a website that allows the creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor. Wikis are typically powered by wiki software and are often used collaboratively by multiple users. Examples include...
model as a way of sharing knowledge on how-tos.
The acronym "101
101 (number)
101 is the natural number following 100 and preceding 102.It is variously pronounced "one hundred and one" / "a hundred and one", "one hundred one" / "a hundred one", and "one oh one"...
" is often used on how-tos and introductory tutorial
See also
- DocumentationDocumentationDocumentation is a term used in several different ways. Generally, documentation refers to the process of providing evidence.Modules of Documentation are Helpful...
- FAQFAQFrequently asked questions are listed questions and answers, all supposed to be commonly asked in some context, and pertaining to a particular topic. "FAQ" is usually pronounced as an initialism rather than an acronym, but an acronym form does exist. Since the acronym FAQ originated in textual...
- Imperative moodImperative moodThe imperative mood expresses commands or requests as a grammatical mood. These commands or requests urge the audience to act a certain way. It also may signal a prohibition, permission, or any other kind of exhortation.- Morphology :...
- Knowledge baseKnowledge baseA knowledge base is a special kind of database for knowledge management. A Knowledge Base provides a means for information to be collected, organised, shared, searched and utilised.-Types:...
- Methods of obtaining knowledgeMethods of obtaining knowledgeKnowledge may originate or be derived from the following origins or methods:* Observation or experience. This may be more or less sophisticated, ranging from a simple, "I saw" to carefully designed controlled experimentation....
- Procedural knowledgeProcedural knowledgeProcedural knowledge, also known as imperative knowledge, is the knowledge exercised in the performance of some task. See below for the specific meaning of this term in cognitive psychology and intellectual property law....
, a discussion of what sort of knowledgeKnowledgeKnowledge is a familiarity with someone or something unknown, which can include information, facts, descriptions, or skills acquired through experience or education. It can refer to the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject...
is imparted, and how far it can be imparted, in how-tos. - TutorialTutorialA tutorial is one method of transferring knowledge and may be used as a part of a learning process. More interactive and specific than a book or a lecture; a tutorial seeks to teach by example and supply the information to complete a certain task....
- User guideUser guideA user guide or user's guide, also commonly known as a manual, is a technical communication document intended to give assistance to people using a particular system...
- WalkthroughWalkthroughA walkthrough may refer to one of the following topics:* Strategy guide* Software walkthrough* Tutoring* Rehearsal* Audit* Virtual tour-See also:* Classroom walkthrough* Cognitive walkthrough* List of gaming topics...
- WikiHowWikiHowwikiHow is a web-based and wiki-based community, consisting of an extensive database of how-to guides. wikiHow's mission is to build the world's largest and highest quality how-to manual. The site started as an extension of the already existing eHow website, and has evolved to host over 127,000...