On Sun, 27 Mar 2005 17:47:31 GMT, Lucas Tam <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:
>"David Lawson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>news:cPA1e.2260$Qz.1676@okepread05:
>
>> Any suggestions since I had the
>> wireless network by someone else I'm not sure I can set up a new
>> computer without having lots of problems.
>Read the manual : )
>And then post and questions you have here.
No, no, no. Never read the manual until AFTER you've made a mess,
screwed everything up, and trashed the system. Manuals are included
in the box to deliver legal terminology, disclaimer, warranty, and
wholesale repudiation of responsibility documents. Most manuals
include very little useful information other than "insert disk and
follow instructions". Since the manuals are now apparently written by
the legal department, I would not expect much.
The technical issues have been moved to the "read me first" document,
which was formerly an afterthought to avoid common screwups (such as
plugging in the card before or after the software). However, these
days, I'm finding more than one "read me first" document in the box,
making me wonder about the quality of the product.
I also consider it personally demeaning to admit that I need to read
the manual to install a product. Never let the customer see you
reading the manual or they may wonder if you know what you're doing.
Questions like "have you ever installed one of these before" are
epidemic. I have a reputation of expertise and infallibility to
maintain and admitting that I have to read the manual before
proceeding is a sure sign of weakness.
Think if it this way. How would you approach doing something complex
and unfamiliar, such as brain surgery? Would you just dive in and
muddle around? Would you read "Brain Surgery for the Complete Idiot"
and then dive in and muddle around? Would your read the instructions
that came with the scalpel and saw? Would you ask questions in a
newsgroup and receive incomprehensible advice? Probably not. You
would probably hire a professional brain surgeon and get it done
correctly. Perhaps he would be good enough to explain what he was
doing so that you might understand the general concepts.
Anyway, I never read the manual or follow instructions. Well, I've
been known to write the manuals and give instruction, but only if
adequately bribed.
--
Jeff Liebermann
(E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D
http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 AE6KS 831-336-2558