Re: giving a toss about documentation

[eric -dot- dunn -at- ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com]

bounce-techwr-l-106467 -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com wrote on 04/01/2005 12:16:01 AM:
> Now, what if the other player came with no
> documentation at all? And it is $100 less? Who
> will buy that? No one. That being the case
> (documentation being absolutely required),
> providing adequate quality documentation is as
> much a part of the requirement as it is required
> that the product works.

You're kidding right? Currently the market is being flooded with 50$CAN 
DVD players. If my only option was between a 150$ DVD player and a 50$ 
one, an the functions of the 50$ one were adequate, there no chance I'd 
even consider whether it was documented or not.

I mean honestly. It's a DVD player that comes with generally understood 
buttons and basic functions. Even if there is a function that isn't clear, 
I can probably figure it out in no time. Not worth the cost of 
documentation.

Now, if the choice is between TWO 50$ players each of which offer 
identical features I *MIGHT* ask for a look at the documentation. But like 
99.9999% of consumers I will undoubtedly make my decision to buy not on 
the documentation sealed in the shipping boxes, but on the reputation of 
the brand name, how the product looks, and what's written on the 
packaging.

The same could also apply to high-end commodity. Think a professional 
video editor needs to have documentation about a console that has standard 
connectors, functions, and controls? Even an amateur can figure out how to 
connect 90% of the equipment and operate the functions. Why waste time and 
money on documentation you COULD have if it isn't absolutely necessary?

And products with REALLY good documentation? Usually comes with good 
quality items aimed at the consumer market with the technical writers 
completely eliminated. All you need to set-up a Dell or HP is the colour 
coded wires and Installation illustration with pictographs.

Eric L. Dunn
Senior Technical Writer

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