Basically, it almost seems that the only way to find some of this stuff is to read the manual like a novel, page by page, rather than using it like a reference.

Yes.


I just thought this could bear repeating.

I'm glad you posted that Shawn.

In the past, I have NEVER read the manual like a novel.

I had, at times read the manual beyond my particular need(such as reading a chapter or two), but I had never read a manual like a novel, although I've always read the introduction and quick-setup and always "leafed" through my "printed" manuals. Often making notes on the margins.

Personally, I see a manual as a reference book, with a forward chapter that gets a person up and running. Mainly, because, especially with software, many options and operations remain unused through the life of the software.

I've never read my TM manuals about Roadway or Fill-Dirt, because I never had and probably never will use it.

Beyond that, I find reading a manual on the computer very hard for me and I find that printing 200 pages on an HP printer to be aggravating.

Now, that I see that Acrobat Reader can be used to find things, it should be better.

BUT, a printed manual(with great cross-referencing) would've been MUCH better.

I didn't read my carlson SurvCad software manual until about three years ago. It revolutionized the way I work. I am fast and efficient. Before, I just did "what worked" and not necessarily the way the system was designed. There are often many ways to "skin the cat" but there are only a few or maybe only one really efficient way. You really don't know until you read it. Then, once you've read it, you can think "I remember reading that this device would do such and such." Then you refer to it to refresh your memory.

Since making that personal discovery though, I try to read the manuals entirely now. Most of them are in the 100-200 page range, with a quarter of that being illustrations. So it shouldn't take even a slow reader (like me) very long to go through it.



By the way,
BUT, a printed manual(with great cross-referencing) would've been MUCH better.
The older I get the more I like reading things like manuals on paper. Print that PDF out. It will probably make it easier to study.
Modified By Shawn Billings on 12/9/2005 at 10:32 AM

"BUT, a printed manual(with great cross-referencing) would've been MUCH better"

John

I agree 100%. My eyes can not take the strain of searching a screen for answers, where I can scan through paper much easier. One thing that has been pointed out is the cost of printed materials. I think the cost of printed manuals would be somewhere between $50 and $100 per copy. Supposedly, by not printing them the savings is passed on to the consumer. May be.

This has become very common with most all techie products so we will have to adjust. The options seem to be to either print it yourself, or take the pdf file to a modern print shop and pay them to pring and bind it. We just print our own and stuff them into a folder.




ooppss... didn't realize that Shawn was replying at the same time....

Modified By J.D. Billings on 12/9/2005 at 10:38 AM

Very few written documents have a good index these days. I just had problems finding certain functions in the manual of a Topcon 3005W I had rented.

As Phil points out a CD opened in a program with strong search functions obiviates the need for an index.

Reading the manual may not be enough for some of us. We may have to use tabs and highlighters, as our minds are somwhat feeble. Oh, wait that is exactly what I did back in college when my mind was not so feeble. Now that makes me feel good, I am an old dog, still learning like a young pup. Makes me want to go down a keg of beer. NOT! I have since learned that standing at the urinal all day is just not the amusement it once was.

So I guess that is the final solution "PI$$ on the Manual". Oh wait I would have to find a printed manual in the first place.

I have printed out tons(may be an exaggeration) of manuals in the past, many I have taken the time to do double sided. It is something I generally do while I am on the internet, i.e. wasting lots of time. If I were to consider the value of my time versus survey work it would be cheaper to take my CD or geek whistle to Staples and ask them to print and bind it. The cost is usually much less than a comparable printed volume.

Paul in PA

The last time I printed a manual, and it was only about 99 pages or so, I had paper slips and all.

Also, it was BEFORE the days of PDF and the pages wouldn't line up at all. Often page numbers would wind up in the middle of the page.

Now, lately, my printer on larger runs(when I have more paper loaded in the printer), has a knack of grabbing 10-15 pages and jamming . . . bad.

Also, I will say, that sometimes will pick up a manual for software, which I've been successfully using and just "leaf" through the manual. But only to look for things that "catch" my eye.

I still think cross-referencing is the trick.

Now, if someone had cross-referenced PDF, with printing and Staples . . . Id've been there a week ago.

I knew they did printing, but I didn't know they'd take something off of a CD(PDF) and print it.

Would there be an issue of copyrite(there is a notice)?
Modified By John Francis on 12/9/2005 at 10:51 AM

I have had problems at Staples trying to print a copyrighted manual. They refused to do it. Also they will NOT pull the PDF file off my own FTP site.

Lee

Is there a reference in the manual to converting to "smoots", or will this be in the Okie regional addendum.

As a matter of course, I seem to generate enough scrap paper that comes in quite handy when it's time to print out a manual. I just flip it over and stack it up in my hp5SI and have at it. What had previously required sitting in front of a computer to read can now accompany me in an activity that also requires sitting, and is made more productive by having something to read.

I have been hoping that Deral, J.D., Jimbo, Dave, and some of the other good ol' boys on the message board would produce a redneck manual of technobabble definitions and sell it through a southern network of VAR's.

I could be sort of like the definition of tar which is one of those roundy things like you put on the truck so you can use the concrete blocks for something else. They also work good for keeping the roof on the trailer house when the wind blows.

Some print shops read the copyright and refuse to print the manual. I was told that people should remind the print shop that the request for printing is for your personal use. This is what I was told the last time the subject came up.

Our local print shop told Sharon that if I would provide a link to the manual they would download, print and bind it, and ship it to me. All they needed was my money to make it happen.

Tar (Tah-R)n. (1)The round things that go on the back of a peak-um-up truck.(2)Yard art. Usually painted white and generally containing some species of unkept nasty shrubbery. Often found around property corners. No other device on this planet(automobile coils excluded)will make a Schonstedt sing like a tar. Typically more than one property corner, usually referred to as "staub" or "Iron" (Arrrrnnn)can be found at any property corner, which is then considered to be "too many Arrrrnnnns in the tar".

Dangerous Dave, true story.
Modified By Dave Huff on 12/9/2005 at 1:36 PM

Dave,

Tar (Tah-R)n. Ain't that the stuff you put on that ole Porch 911 to keep the Arrrrnnn body from rustin.

Here is a useful trick that I learned over the years that makes my life simpler...

In providing GPS admin and tech support/training to our field crews and office staff, I hold them to a "five minute rule".

When one of them experiences a problem with hardware or software, they MUST spend a minimum of five minutes trying to solve the problem on their own before they call me, by reviewing the documentation and simply 'thinking the problem through'.

If nothing else, it encourages them to know where they can find the documentation and have it available, since I will ask them to refer to it when they call me. This tells me that they actually did look at it. Many of them have told me that they have learned a lot on their own - and retained the knowledge - because of this rule.

I encourage everyone to thoroughly read the manuals for their equipment and software. You may be amazed at what you can do with the tools when you take the time to learn.