Manual suggestions

[allenrw1955]

Hi again,
The owner's manual must be a difficult thing to deal with the radio
changing weekly.
But as a user I find that the manual could be improved so I thought I'd
throw out a few suggestions.
Use the power of PDFs by linking all the page numbers in the Contents or
anywhere else in the manual to the appropriate pages.
Make sure that reference made on one page to functions explained on
other pages are linked to the page that explains it.
Make sure that all functions explained on other pages have the page
number there to make look up in a paper manual easier ( I know this is
already done a lot but just make sure it is as complete as practical)
When releasing updated manuals note what the last included software
release it includes on the cover, saves having to look up the release dates.

Bob
KB1FRW



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[Thom LaCosta-2]

At 10:48 AM 10/08/09, Bob Allen wrote:
>Hi again,
>The owner's manual must be a difficult thing to deal with the radio
>changing weekly.
>But as a user I find that the manual could be improved so I thought I'd
>throw out a few suggestions.

One that I've made in the past was to issue change notifications...ala the
gubmint....the change sheet would tell you what page to remove and what
pages to add.

In that way, one can maintain the printed manual without having to reprint
it again.

Less paper used, less trash. less work.

73,
Thom k3hrn



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[Lu Romero - W4LT]

All:

I guess I might be one of the few that takes the time to
RTFM... If more of us did, maybe we would have less things
to ask about here on the reflector.

Let me add my *strong* endorsement to these thoughts!  

I dont even use the included spiral bound manual.  I am
lucky to have access to PDF Pro and a DTP qualified printer
that can print dual sided sheets, so I have gotten into the
habit of capturing the included "errata" sheets into PDF,
editing them, and inserting them into the "oficial" manual
which can then be printed as needed.

What Elecraft might consider is moving away from the spiral
bound manual convention and moving into a "loose leaf
notebook" convention.  Ampex (remember them?) was supreme at
organizing this task back in the 80's.  

This would make things much easier to manage.  Just "replace
pages 34 through 38" in your existing manual with the
pre-formatted PDF files available on the website.  But
please remember to add "this page intentionally left blank",
OK?  And before you complain, even the INTERNET has one of
these.  (http://www.this-page-intentionally-left-blank.org/)

Seriously, the loose leaf three ring binder with section
tabs would be a MUCH better idea for K3, since it is in such
rapid development.  Nice logo printed "Elecraft" three ring
binders are not that expensive in relation to what we pay
for the radios and would be less time consuming to create in
the long run.  They would probably be easier to produce than
those spiral bound ones.

Yes, the spiral bound ones are handy, lie flat on the
operating position, and take up less space, but if you
REALLY want one, just go down to Office Depot and have one
custom made to your specifications for under $10.

-lu-W4LT-



Message: 5
Date: Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:24:14 -0400
From: Thom LaCosta <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Manual suggestions
To: Bob Allen <[hidden email]>,[hidden email],  
Elecraft
    support <[hidden email]>
Message-ID: <[hidden email]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 10:48 AM 10/08/09, Bob Allen wrote:
>Hi again,
>The owner's manual must be a difficult thing to deal with
the radio
>changing weekly.
>But as a user I find that the manual could be improved so I
thought I'd
>throw out a few suggestions.

One that I've made in the past was to issue change
notifications...ala the
gubmint....the change sheet would tell you what page to
remove and what
pages to add.

In that way, one can maintain the printed manual without
having to reprint
it again.

Less paper used, less trash. less work.

73,
Thom k3hrn





------------------------------

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[Ken Kopp-3]

Staples ... and I assume  most other similar stores ... sell
three-ring binders that have a clear front pocket to house a
single sheet.  I printed the current manual from the Elecraft
website, along with an extra title page to insert into the pocket.

73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
     [hidden email]
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[AC7AC]

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