These guides describe the procedures necessary to complete tasks. They are available in both printed and online form. Reference Manuals Reference manuals are technical manuals designed to help experienced users configure their programs for maximum performance and functionality, as well as solve problems. Most often, reference manuals are printed. Tutorials Tutorials are teaching tools that contain lessons which describe how to complete the most basic and common tasks.
Tutorials are most often online, but are common in printed form as well.
Manuals are useful, but they have a common flaw. Most users find them difficult to read and understand. Often, to completely understand the manual, its reader has to be an experienced computer user or technician. User guides have become as complex as reference manuals once were.