I majored in English in college. I can write a mean resume'. I can also write my own opinions here. And nothing pisses me off more than a company that is trying to peddle a product, but fails to write a decent manual. Or at least a pamphlet that can explain to any idiot like myself how to operate something they just spent money on and need to make use of right away.
Every month somebody sends me some new piece of gear to check out. Sometimes I buy it. Sometimes I make other people buy it. Sometimes it's something I would like to use, but I cannot because the instructions are flawed. This morning was no exception.
I'm looking at a 4 page pamphlet for a device that has been engineered and built by a prominent world wide telecommunications company. Without mentioning names or products, I'll just say It's a simple handy piece of gear that I could use on special events. So simple I should just be able to turn it on and figure it out. I can figure anything out…., usually. But they failed to tell me about a little button that I have to push in on the back. Push in with a pen, past the exterior casing so it will latch on and function properly.
Three guys and I (who deal with millions of dollars worth of technology) everyday are scratching our heads. We all agree that if someone is this stupid to try and market something without some easy instructions, we should just put the gear back in the box and return it to them. C.O.D. of course.
If you are a manufacturer and wish to sell something in America, for Chrissakes hire an English major who knows nothing about your product, to write a manual. They will have to figure out how it works, then put it in layman's terms for a schmuck like me. Then maybe I'll buy it. Send me a manual translated from some European language to English by a lighting expert, and you can be assured I will not be able to figure it out. And I will not be interested in the product.
