===== Beyond --help: A Beginner's Guide to Man Pages =====
  * **Speaker**: Joni Hendrickson  
  * **Room**: 340  
  * **Time**: Friday, [[https://pretalx.seagl.org/2026/talk/VWDXGN.ics|Oct 23rd 14:00 – 14:20]]  

  * **Format**: Talk (20 min)  
  * **Difficulty**: Beginner  
  * **Track**: Technical 
  * **Additional Tags**: Linux, Command Line, Documentation, Man Pages, Beginners 
  * **Experience**: Computer programmer specializing in Embedded Linux for robotic tractors and farm equipment.  

==== Description: ====  
Man pages have a reputation for being cryptic, intimidating, and written for people who already know the answer. However, they are available offline, pre-installed in most places, and consistently structured. Once you can "RTFM" (read the friendly manual), you'll never go back!

This talk is designed for people who have never heard of man pages, or those who have avoided them out of fear and trepidation. Using Ubuntu and basic command line tools, the session will cover how to navigate the document structure of man pages, how to solve simple problems using them, and how to install tools to make your man pages prettier and friendlier.

**Target Audience:**  
  * Absolute beginners to the Linux command line  
  * Users who find technical documentation intimidating  
  * Anyone looking to become more self-sufficient when using Linux tools