"always read and follow the instructions"

["Milan Davidovic" <milan -dot- lists -at- gmail -dot- com>]

When I see a statement in a manual such as "Always read and follow the
instructions in this manual", two thoughts come to mind:

 - Following the instructions in the manual (i.e. the ones actually in
the manual, not the instructions you imagine) presupposes having
learned them, so the direction to "read" them is redundant.
 - Telling someone to "do x" with no qualifiers provides no options,
so the modifier "always" is redundant.

Do you think "always read and follow the instructions" is likely to be
more effective than "follow the instructions"? Do you think it depends
on the context?

-- 
Milan Davidovic
http://altmilan.blogspot.com
http://stctorcomp.blogspot.com
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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.