Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

frequently asked question
     
         (FAQ, or rarely FAQL, FAQ list) A document
        provided for many {Usenet} {newsgroups} (and, more recently,
        {World-Wide Web} services) which attempts to answer questions
        which new readers often ask.  These are maintained by
        volunteers and posted regularly to the newsgroup.  You should
        always consult the FAQ list for a group before posting to it
        in case your question or point is common knowledge.
     
        The collection of all FAQ lists is one of the most precious
        and remarkable resources on the {Internet}.  It contains a
        huge wealth of up-to-date expert knowledge on many subjects of
        common interest.  Accuracy of the information is greatly
        assisted by its frequent exposure to criticism by an
        interested, and occasionally well-informed, audience (the
        readers of the relevant newsgroup).
     
        The main {FTP archive} for FAQs is on a computer called {RTFM}
        at {MIT}, where they can be accessed either {by group
        (ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet-by-group/comp.answers/)} or {by
        hierarchy (ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet-by-hierarchy/)}.
        There is another archive at {Imperial College
        (ftp://src.doc.ic.ac.uk/usenet/news-info/)}, London, UK and a
        {World-Wide Web} archive in {Ohio
        (http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/top.html)},
        USA.
     
        The FAQs are also posted to {Usenet} newsgroups:
        {news:comp.answers}, {news:news.answers} and
        {news:alt.answers}.
     
        (1997-12-08)