Re: The technologically challenged (was - Re: Tech writers stillnecessary, but performing poorly)

[Jan Cohen <najnehoc -at- yahoo -dot- com>]

Yeah, you've got a very good point there, especially with the washing machine, dryer and wall oven examples you mentioned in your previous post.  In your case though, you could probably get OJT from your better half that would far outdo  instructions in the best of manuals.  As for those who don't have an experienced  better half to turn to, I guess the need for an explicit dummies guide to using your widget really becomes paramount.  

And since we're talking about washers and driers, I bought a new set when I bought my house last year.  I'm single, male and over 50, and didn't know a whole lot about those sort of appliances back then (I still don't).  So I turned to Consumer  Reports for their advice, and ended up with a relatively good set of appliances that only has twisty knobs on top.  As for how to clean clothing properly, I do it like I always did it at the laundromat:  set to cold or warm water, adding caps full of cold water detergent and that blue stuff that smells like a powdered baby's butt.  Coloreds or whites, I have yet to put on a set of clean clothing that's made me want to scratch my rear end.  That's probably a good thing, eh?

After re-reading what I wrote above:  Uh, oh yeah, btw, I do tend to change my clothing regularly (but you probably didn't need or want to know that).

jan cohen

Gene Kim-Eng <techwr -at- genek -dot- com> wrote: Oh, there's nothing wrong with equipment that has the capability
of doing complex things at the cost of having to learn complex
procedures for using it.  The problem is when this kind of stuff
is the *only* thing one can buy.  In my youth I was a photo
hobbyist, with all sorts of esoteric camera and darkroom toys,
and had no problem manipulating them all.  But today my needs
are different, and the box camera gadget is fine - or would be
if they were being made.

Gene Kim-Eng


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jan Cohen" 
If it were me wearing their shoes, I'd be buying the simple box 
camera gadget, sure to provide some relatively quick gratification, 
while saving a healthy chunk of change to boot.


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.