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It is not uncommon for companies to drop printed manuals in favor of CD or
online based documentation. The primary reason is cost, but ease of update
is also high on their list of reasons.
We all have our own opinion about whether a printed manual needs to go with
a product or not. Has anyone surveyed the customer about their desires? What
is the cost of printing those manuals? Would those customers who desire a
printed copy of the manual pay extra for those copies?
There must be some reason for the program manager's decision. Can you ask
him what prompted the decision to drop printed manuals?
Al Geist
Technical Writing, Help, Web Design, Video, Photography
Office/Msg: 802-872-9091
Cell: 802-578-3964
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"...I walked to work, quit my job, and kept walking. Better to be a pilgrim
without a destination, I figured, than to cross the wrong threshold each
day." (Anon.)
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+al -dot- geist=geistassociates -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+al -dot- geist=geistassociates -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of David Tinsley
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 2:27 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Print manuals - keep or drop
Greetings,
So a program manager drops by my cube today and tells me "they" have decided
that, to save money, we will no longer ship printed manuals one of our
products. We currently provide the manuals in print, on a product CD and via
a support site.
As a background I should perhaps explain a bit about the product. It is a
spatial measurement system ( http://www.ndigital.com/medical/index.php )
which we market as the "gold standard" in the industry. My view is that
after spending a significant amount on one of these systems I would want to
see a print copy manual when I opened the box. Our manuals are more than
simple "How to" guides. In order to use the technology effectively, the
manual has to cover a lot of the underlying theory.
Does anyone have experience of dropping print manuals and relying on CDs and
website versions? Were there any negative outcomes from the strategy? Any
positive outcomes?
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
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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
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