How-To Web Pages

TLDR: The how-to has become a common online format for procedural knowledge sharing, similar to the FAQ or personal homepage and how- to pages can be found for almost every activity, including modifying software, installing a water heater, or just packing a suitcase.

Abstract: How to pages constitute unique online collections of practical instructions, personal stories, and multimedia illustrations. Though independent creations, they are linked together through the Web to form large repositories of useful information. Emerging Web 2.0 technologies are making it easier than ever for those who share a passion to communicate and collaborate. The how-to has become a common online format for procedural knowledge sharing, similar to the FAQ or personal homepage and how-to pages can be found for almost every activity. Whether you're modifying software, installing a water heater, or just packing a suitcase, you can likely find detailed instructions or suggestions on the Web for how to do it or does it better. How-to pages have been around since the Internet's early days, but the emergence of open, flexible Web 2.0 technologies, greater network bandwidth, and increased multimedia capabilities have made it easier for hobbyists to explain complex tasks, particularly those that require manipulating physical objects.