Many don't bother with RTFM, but want someone to re-write the Quick-Start.
If someone can't be bothered with reading the quick start section, do you
really think they can read the re-write?
73 ES DX,
Gary -- AB9M
-----Original Message-----
From: Mickey Baker
Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2013 12:21 PM
To: Michael Walker
Cc: flexradio@flex-radio.biz ; N1naz
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Owners Manual
There are a number of categories of documentation. It seems that this
discussion is around user documentation.
Lots of hams like documentation with a nice "thud factor" - the noise it
makes when you drop it on a desk. I've seen a suggestion that the user's
guide be "printed out" and then updated. I'm sorry guys, but that's an
artifact of the last century and there's no need for it anymore. The
binder, index and table of contents may be comfortable to you, but the
reality is that an online search has made them obsolete!
"The Manual" rarely exists for rapidly changing products. (Have you used
Microsoft Office lately?) There are web site searches where you can find
the details you need. There are Quick Start guides that show the major
"plug things here" features. Quick start, use the radio and software, and
you'll find out what you need to know pretty quickly.
The best documentation that exists for PowerSDR is in the release notes and
here, on this list and on Knowledge Base articles on the FlexRadio help
site. This is a searchable body of work and, generally, almost anything
that you'd want to know is covered here. If it's not, FRS employs a few
really good people to fill in the knowledge gaps - which they do, in
writing here. Details, like making Ham Radio Deluxe or fldigi, CWSkimmer
work are available. If not, ask in this forum and the answer will be
preserved here for all.
I haven't opened the product manuals a half dozen times since I've owned
FlexRadio products - over 3 years.
I once heard a wise software developer say that the user interface and
direct on-screen feedback to the user is the most important documentation
and to beware of software that comes with a thick book.
We are, by the definition of ham radio, a technical group. PowerSDR changes
quite frequently. We can't expect a re-write of the manual every minor
version. That is what release notes are for! RTFRN!
Subjectively, I believe that PowerSDR is straightforward and very easy to
figure out. Each new feature in each progressive release is identified in
the release notes. On-screen features are relatively simple to understand.
Information on improving FireWire performance is on this list and on the
support site.
Learn to use general searches, smart searches and site searches. This will
save you time, get you up to date information and save room on your desk or
bookshelf.
And, more importantly, let FlexRadio Systems do what they do best - deliver
spectacular, leading edge products that provide a platform for use to use
in our hobby in a manner that is Flexible. Who needs everything in one
book? We have this list and the support site!
Now, we need an agreement that Tim and Dudley will never ride in the same
car together...
73,
Mickey N4MB
(I've owned a FLEX 1500 and 5000A... waiting patiently on my 6500. I don't
care if it comes with a manual or not, figuring this stuff out is part of
the fun of ham radio!)
On Sat, May 25, 2013 at 12:35 PM, Michael Walker
<va...@portcredit.net>wrote:
Any software house has a documentation team. Sadly, they do tend to run
behind. What is likely happening is that they don't have any one that
owns
the documentation to keep it up to date.
To FRS ... time to get caught up please on the manuals, don't you think?
Mike va3mw
On Sat, May 25, 2013 at 11:54 AM, William Owens <wtowe...@sbcglobal.net
>wrote:
> I think George has a valid concern. It is nice to have up to date
> documentation in a consolidated, "official" publication, but here is the
> problem.
>
> Software improvements have been made on a regular basis, fortunately,
> for
> us Flexers, but documentation in the form of a "Users Manual" has taken
> a
> back seat because the resources they have are limited. I am guessing
that a
> decision was made to spend the money on improving the SDR software,
rather
> than on technical writing, which has always lagged behind the equipment.
>
> If we were to buy a car, we would expect the "users manual" to be up to
> date, but the time developing the car is much longer than software
> development. And by the way, how many people have actually read their
> car
> manual?
>
> Still, it would be less frustrating to have an up to date manual, but I
> have learned to adapt to this, seriously.
>
> Keep in mind, we are hams, and this is a hobby. We should be
> resourceful,
> and we are dealing with "cutting edge" software and equipment, and we
> may
> have to dig a bit. We do not have "consumer equipment". If you want
> that,
> we can buy legacy radios like Icom, Yaesu, and Kenwood. They have up to
> date manuals, but their equipment is dated. We could measure how great
> marvelous our equipment is by how many knobs we have, marvel by how much
> "real estate" it takes up on our desk, and how much it weighs.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On May 24, 2013, at 9:29 PM, dan edwards <w...@att.net> wrote:
>
> > the software changes a LOT faster than the hardware....you read the
> update notes... it just gets better and better....i've never seen an
owners
> manual that was NOT 'beta'... but it doesn't matter...marvelous rigs,
these
> Flex's......all, IMHO.....73 w5xz, dan
> >
> > --- On Sat, 5/25/13, N1naz <n1...@comcast.net> wrote:
> >
> > From: N1naz <n1...@comcast.net>
> > Subject: [Flexradio] Owners Manual
> > To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
> > Date: Saturday, May 25, 2013, 2:20 AM
> >
> > All well and good for the experienced SDR operator, who over the years
> has Kept up with and as you say updated their manuals, but New operators
> trying to make heads or tails of things is another matter.
> >
> > If you are going to bring out a product that is going to be, by
> > nature,
> constantly changing then you have to deal with updating your user
> manuals
> as new features are added and old ones disappear. Or at minimum release
> addendums.
> >
> >
> > George N1NAZ
> > _______________________________________________
> > FlexRadio Systems Mailing List
> > FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
> > http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
> > Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/
> > Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage:
> http://www.flexradio.com/
> > _______________________________________________
> > FlexRadio Systems Mailing List
> > FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
> > http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
> > Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/
> > Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage:
> http://www.flexradio.com/
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
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>
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--
Mickey Baker, N4MB
Fort Lauderdale, FL
*“Tell me, and I will listen. Show me, and I will understand. Involve me,
and I will learn.” *Teton Lakota, American Indian Saying.
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