I've learned to give everyone the benefit of doubt. If other people don't live up to my expectations, I examine my expectations before making a judgement.
There are certainly people who would be better off with a self contained radio, but who's going to qualify whether they are or not? The only barrier to entry is cash. Mickey On Sat, May 25, 2013 at 1:34 PM, GARY HUBER <glhu...@msn.com> wrote: > > 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<http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz> >> > > Archives: >> > > http://www.mail-archive.com/**flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/<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<http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz> >> > > Archives: >> > > http://www.mail-archive.com/**flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/<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<http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz> >> > Archives: >> > http://www.mail-archive.com/**flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/<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<http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz> >> Archives: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/**flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/<http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/> >> Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: >> http://www.flexradio.com/ >> >> > > > -- > 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. > > ______________________________**_________________ > FlexRadio Systems Mailing List > FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz > http://mail.flex-radio.biz/**mailman/listinfo/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/<http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/> > Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: > http://www.flexradio.com/ > -- 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. _______________________________________________ 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/
