One of my pet peeves is how many new things do not come with a manual and I have to go and find one. I am one of the fortunate ones who can learn by reading and then trying. It seems that many cannot.
Yes in the 80s electronic equipment like TVs even came with electrical schematics in the box. Not really intended for most end users (repairing a CRT is quite dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing) but to help the repair guy. No extended warranty scams, no approved dealers get parts only. Just all the help they could offer.
Now there’s a one page leaflet in the box showing where the on button is and for the rest you’ll have to find the pdf.
Software came with thick ring binders describing every feature and updates came with inserts to put at the right places in the binders. Manuals actually were useful.
One of my pet peeves is how many new things do not come with a manual and I have to go and find one. I am one of the fortunate ones who can learn by reading and then trying. It seems that many cannot.
Yes in the 80s electronic equipment like TVs even came with electrical schematics in the box. Not really intended for most end users (repairing a CRT is quite dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing) but to help the repair guy. No extended warranty scams, no approved dealers get parts only. Just all the help they could offer.
Now there’s a one page leaflet in the box showing where the on button is and for the rest you’ll have to find the pdf.
Software came with thick ring binders describing every feature and updates came with inserts to put at the right places in the binders. Manuals actually were useful.
Then came built-in obsolescence…
Yup, good luck trying to find user’s manual for Android for example
or the manuals now are complete shit.
When the company doesn’t want you repairing the stuff you paid them for, they don’t make good manuals.