Instruction Manuals

Do you read instruction manuals?

  • always

    Votes: 9 28.1%

  • most of the time

    Votes: 4 12.5%

  • sometimes

    Votes: 10 31.3%

  • rarely

    Votes: 6 18.8%

  • never

    Votes: 3 9.4%
  • Total voters
    32
VamPyroX

VamPyroX

bloody phreak from hell
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Do you read instruction manuals that come with new stuff like new video games, computer games, televisions, DVD players, furniture, etc...?

Explain why after voting. :)
 
VamPyroX said:
Do you read instruction manuals that come with new stuff like new video games, computer games, televisions, DVD players, furniture, etc...?

Explain why after voting. :)
Click to expand...

if it's the stuff i'm somewhat familiar with such as "universal" functions.... then I just skim the manual book for any new features.
 
Jiro said:
if it's the stuff i'm somewhat familiar with such as "universal" functions.... then I just skim the manual book for any new features.
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I usually read instruction manuals for video games and detailed construction stuff like building grills, swing sets, etc... but for stuff that involves common knowledge, I don't.

My dad never reads instruction manuals. That's why he always ends up being the last to know. I beat him at every video game. He says it's cuz I'm skilled. I say it's cuz I read the instruction manual. One time, he was struggling with cleaning up some gunk. He was using Goo Gone. I told him to just rub it lightly so that all the gunk is exposed to Goo Gone, then wait a few seconds before rubbing harder to have it come off. It worked perfectly. He said, "Wow... where you learn that trick?" My response? "I read the instruction manual." ;)
 
I read them to brush up on things I need to know, but if it's something that does not apply or not interested in, I skip it. Honestly, reading entire manuals will put me to sleep! Baby steps dude!
 
i admit that i do hate reading the instruction manuals. i DO have to read to make sure that i wouldn't break or oversight with something.

I agree, instruciton manuals are the only way to know whats going on.
 
I have no patience when it come to stuff like that, but I do read them.
 
I voted sometimes. I usually keep the manuals in case if I need them, most of the times I tend to do stuff that I already have common sense to do, but sometimes if I don't understand something then I use the manuals. The video games manuals are also one of my collections :)
 
I replied "never" because I can't read small or fine print.

Usually I get other people to read for me such as hubby & he does for me.
 
If it is self explanatory then no I don't read them. If I can't see how it works then I'll read the instruction cause I know it'll save lots of time and frustration.
 
Voted never. I don't understand them. I learn by hands on.
 
I just hand them to my husband ,then he sits and read them.
He has always been fascinated by how things work. When he reads and learns the instructions, then he will explain to me? :)

For simple things that he already knows. He doesn't read them. He is quite handy.
 
Mrs Bucket said:
I replied "never" because I can't read small or fine print.

Usually I get other people to read for me such as hubby & he does for me.
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same here. since i'm totally blind, i usually have someone else read me the manual. depending on how lengthy it is, i might just have them skim for the function(s) we're interested in.

i also always keep my instruction manuals since there have been far too many times where i've been caught without one and couldn't control a device because of it.
 
Hear Again said:
same here. since i'm totally blind, i usually have someone else read me the manual. depending on how lengthy it is, i might just have them skim for the function(s) we're interested in.

i also always keep my instruction manuals since there have been far too many times where i've been caught without one and couldn't control a device because of it.
Click to expand...

Just a thought I had when I was reading your post. Ever thought about downloading manuals from website and then having Adobe put it out by braille? I've noticed that a lot of companies are now putting manuals on websites.
 
Secretblend said:
Just a thought I had when I was reading your post. Ever thought about downloading manuals from website and then having Adobe put it out by braille? I've noticed that a lot of companies are now putting manuals on websites.
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thanks for the suggestion.

i've searched for manuals on the internet, but many of them contain diagrams and pictures that cannot be interpreted by braille displays and screen readers.

unfortunately, many instruction manuals written today (compared to 20 years ago) are written in "picture only" or color coded format meaning that they do not have written text.
 
Hear Again said:
that's a good idea.

i've searched for manuals on the internet, but many of them contain diagrams and pictures that cannot be interpreted by braille displays and screen readers.

unfortunately, many instruction manuals written today (compared to 20 years ago) are written in "picture only" or color coded format meaning that they do not have written text.
Click to expand...

Oh yea, that's true. Well, just a thought.
 
Secretblend said:
Oh yea, that's true. Well, just a thought.
Click to expand...

i appreciate the suggestion. thanks! :)

by the way, whenever i buy a new product, i always check the internet first for an online instruction manual before consulting the one in print. sometimes i get lucky, sometimes i don't.
 
Rarely.


The last time I read the instructions on a new product they read: "Warning: Do Not Try This At Home."



Most things are self explanatory.

Or should be: Do I really need instructions to tell me rod "A" Goes into slot "A"? Rather than say, slot "F"? And if it really does go into slot "F" then the instructions were probably written by the same idiot who can't figure out that "A" goes to "A" and "B" goes to "B". In which case the instructions will do more to confuse than instruct. Probably better to take it back and get a better designed product.



Most things are variants of things you did before.

Usually the next bicycle, rocket ship, or desk, you put together will follow the same pattern as the last one, so even if you had to read the instructions the last time a quick glance at the product itself will give you the information you need this time.



Many instructions are not designed to instruct, they are there to satisfy idiotic legal constraints.

"Only use the glue for its intended purpose."

What? You mean this tube of plastic adhesive wasn't meant to help hold my hamburgers together in a nice round shape?

For instance somewhere on All Deaf you will find instructions on how to behave once you are here. I haven't read them; you probably haven't either. Why? Because you know that no matter how it is worded in the end it will mean: "Respect others and they will respect you." Don't respect others and you will get your computer booted right out of here.

Everybody knows this.

So why bother to bundle it as part of the instructions?

Because if All Deaf didn't post it some rude idiot with an IQ of 2 would sue for having gotten booted out of here "Because no one told me I should NOT be an idiot" and some greedy lawyer with an IQ of 200 would agree with them.
 
Depends. If it's something I've had a lot of experience with, like VCRs or computers, then I don't bother. If it's something completely new to me like a flat panel TV (I have NEVER had one before!) then I will read the instruction manual.
 
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