RTFM. Do you?

[beforeEos Camaras]

my 70D has so much built on it I cant help but to read the manual. now my FTb-n was easy by comparison how to load film change asa and change lenses.

 

[slclick]

my 70D has so much built on it I cant help but to read the manual. now my FTb-n was easy by comparison how to load film change asa and change lenses.

That's what I thought about my EOS 3 and then I was like..whoa! this has got a nice feature set, better RTFM, alas, it died and now I have an EOS 5, nothing to read up on.

 

[lintoni]

I'm on my first dSLR, so I read some of the manual before starting to press buttons. I've not read it all, yet, but it is there by my bedside... but I have a load of Philip K. Dick novels that are a higher priority to read! Like some others though, I do have pdf copies on my tablet and laptop that do get referred to if I'm stuck.

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Folks.
Some interesting responses.
DCM I have added the option of read before buying.
Pookie, this is a question about your own habits with a manual, not telling someone however lightheartedly to RTFM, though sometimes it would seem to be the best answer to a question! ;D
I too love translated manuals, especially those that appear to have started, for example in Chinese, been translated to an intermediate language, perhaps French, then to the final language of English.

Cheers, Graham.

 

[Davebo]

Haven't always RTFM first...but did download (and read) the 7D Mk II manual on my iPad before taking delivery. Went one step further and downloaded the AF setting guide to my phone. Did help get up and running quicker, once the camera arrived.

 

[jhaces]

^

This, Most of the time I thoroughly read the manuals of all the stuff I buy even before they arrive on my doorstep. Afterwards I can forget about the pesky thing and focus on the shiny new one

 

[alexanderferdinand]

I read it, because I read everything.

 

[Roo]

It's a Canon so most of the menu system, button labelling is always familiar but I still read the manual and refer to it from time to time just to make sure I'm getting the most out of it.

 

[Marsu42]

It's a Canon so most of the menu system, button labelling is always familiar but I still read the manual and refer to it from time to time just to make sure I'm getting the most out of it.

The problem with the Canon (and probably all other) manuals is that they try to be accessible to everyone, including instructions on how to turn on the camera. If they'd split it up into a part "advanced settings, faq and this is what people usually miss" part, I'd rtfm more often.

 

[Cosmicbug]

It's a Canon so most of the menu system, button labelling is always familiar but I still read the manual and refer to it from time to time just to make sure I'm getting the most out of it.

The problem with the Canon (and probably all other) manuals is that they try to be accessible to everyone, including instructions on how to turn on the camera. If they'd split it up into a part "advanced settings, faq and this is what people usually miss" part, I'd rtfm more often.

+1

 

[takesome1]

Not enough options in the poll

There should be a line "When all else fails read the manual".

 

[rpt]

Not enough options in the poll

There should be a line "When all else fails read the manual".

Third from the bottom. The wording is different.

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi takesome1.
I figured I'd covered when all else fails read the manual with "Use item until stuck then RTFM" or "Push, pull etc." No?
Hi Marsu.
I like the idea of an advanced section in a manual, but not all people's advanced ability starts at the same level. The idea of a "this is what most people miss" section is ;D ;D.

Cheers, Graham.

Not enough options in the poll

There should be a line "When all else fails read the manual".

 

[dcm]

It's a Canon so most of the menu system, button labelling is always familiar but I still read the manual and refer to it from time to time just to make sure I'm getting the most out of it.

The problem with the Canon (and probably all other) manuals is that they try to be accessible to everyone, including instructions on how to turn on the camera. If they'd split it up into a part "advanced settings, faq and this is what people usually miss" part, I'd rtfm more often.

The bodies often have two manuals: a basic instruction manual for the newbies and a full instruction manual with all the details. Unfortunately the full instruction manual just includes all the newbie stuff interspersed as well. Makes it easier to produce, but does not tailor it to the advanced users.

I only use the pdfs since they are text searchable - usually makes finding an answer pretty quick so I don't mind not having a separate advanced section. But it would shorten skimming the document before I buy since I seldom need to look at the newbie stuff.

 

[takesome1]

Not enough options in the poll

There should be a line "When all else fails read the manual".

Third from the bottom. The wording is different.

Actually its not the same, it doesn't take in to account exhausting all the help on the forums to solve an issue that is clearly explained on page 23 in the manual.

 

[zim]

I could actually answer yes to three of those options

is it sad that I enjoy reading manuals!!!

I used to have the full set of every AutoCAD manual, the hardback period was gorgeous

 

[e17paul]

I first read the downloaded manual before buying and major purchase. That's part of my decision making. By the time I have the item, I have already remembered the key instructions.

 

[Marsu42]

I used to have the full set of every AutoCAD manual, the hardback period was gorgeous

Right, were are good ol' times when ever self-respecting coder or it worker had a shelf of hardcover books like "Word for Windows 5.0" that aged like good wine and came in handy as paperweights ... you could tell the expertise of someone just by checking his library. Nowadays, just like film we're haunted by ebooks and pdf, and all your knowledge is either in your head or on your hd :-o

 

[RGF]

Too many manuals are reference manuals, not user manuals.

Reference manuals assume you know the basic and why you would want to ... User manuals tell you they why and limited about of the how. You need both - users to start and reference to answer detailed questions.

For example, a dictionary is a great reference manual (you can find the definition of any word there) but it fails to teach writing

 

[TAF]

Too many manuals are reference manuals, not user manuals.

Reference manuals assume you know the basic and why you would want to ... User manuals tell you they why and limited about of the how. You need both - users to start and reference to answer detailed questions.

For example, a dictionary is a great reference manual (you can find the definition of any word there) but it fails to teach writing

Which is why there is a large market for 'aftermarket' how-to manuals. Most manufacturers manuals are not nearly as helpful as one would like.

As for dictionaries - how many remember asking our parents how to spell a word and being told to look it up in the dictionary? Need I explain further for the younger crowd who don't remember life before auto-correct?