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Subject:RE: Making them read the documentation From:KMcLauchlan -at- chrysalis-its -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 25 Apr 2001 13:02:03 -0400
Ah, it's so easy to solve problems when they are
somebody elses. :-)
Here goes:
When summoned to the presence of s/he who brags of
never reading documentation, bring the docs.
Then, to every question, keep your mouth shut and
open the manual to the correct page.
When s/he starts to get snippy/abusive with you, look
pained, swallow with an obvious effort, and then
croak out (at a barely-audible whisper):
"I think I've got (coff, coff... sorry...) laryngitis,
and it really hurts to talk right now. If you insist
on me reading out loud to you, the installation (or
whatever manual), I may have to stay home tomorrow and
slip the *[big important project]* deadline."
"Also, my voice (croak, coff... pause...) is weak,
so I'll have to stand really close to you. D'you
suppose I'm still contagious at this stage?"
Should work wonders.
Of course, if you aren't up to a bit of dramatic
subterfuge, then just make sure you consume vast
amounts of garlic and onions before visiting the
offending party. Then lean close as you relentlessly
coach them through the procedure. Remember to bring
the manual open it in front of him/her, and run your
finger under each instruction as you work through
the steps.
>I once had a
>user many miles away who BRAGGED that she never read manuals, onscreen
>help, or directions of any kind. I can't tell you how many
>times I had to
>waste an entire day traipsing to her office to handle
>something that was
>very clearly spelled out on the screen, in the manual, in
>online help, etc.
>
>Although my inclination was to reply that I never help people
>who brag that
>they never read manuals, onscreen help, or directions, my boss was too
>eager to ingratiate himself with other departments to be even remotely
>pragmatic, much less to support his staff <sigh>.
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