This is the best comment I have seen posted here in a long time. Reminds me of the joke, a woman is drowning a democrat throws a life preserver but runs off to save someone else before pulling her in but a Republican throws a life preserver but not quite far enough and makes her swim for it. This manual business is similar, before sending out a manual, off they go to build the next great product.
--- On Mon, 5/27/13, Patrick Greenlee <patric...@windstream.net> wrote: Everyone has a personal opinion regarding manuals. That is fine except where you think your personal preference trumps my needs. I too would like a complete and up to date manual and PDF or similar is fine as I have a printer. I would accept a hypertext version even though it precludes traditional printed copies. After all if I don't have a computer to read the manual on I won't be running a Flex radio. I want a manual not a license to participate in a scavenger hunt trying to find a tidbit here or there. I'm not trying to dictate to anyone what they do with information, how they get it or how they store/access it but a complete manual with TOC, chapters, etc. is not a bad thing, traditional or hypertext. I have managed software developments and I know that the developers prefer slinging code over documenting. More functionality is nice but if the users can't employ it, then so what. Here I sit with one of the niftiest products in the world, the true cat's meow of ham radios and I have to participate in an ongoing scavenger hunt for what should be in the basic documentation. I'm happy for the individuals who have the time to devote to find out how to use this technological marvel and I do appreciate it when they share their knowledge but if a proper manual were available mere mortals could employ any features available without need to sit at the feet of the "priesthood." I realize we are beating a dead horse and units of output will not be in proportion to units of input. Ask for what you will but "The Team" is off chasing the new shiny ball and what was the new shiny ball is now a step child. History will repeat itself. Corporate philosophy/culture, even in a young company, is a powerful influence and the most likely outcome as regards the manual for the new shiny ball is a repeat of the situation we have now. Functionality will easily win out over documentation in the contest for attention. Sales are effected much more strongly by nifty features than by the quality of the documentation. Wait a year and history will repeat itself. There will be posts bemoaning the lack of sufficient documentation to employ the whoopee capabilities of the 6K series. I would be absolutely thrilled to be proven wrong but don't suspect to receive even mild titillation. Regarding the idea that the concept of centralized and complete documentation is obsolete... BOVINE EXCREMENT!!! If you think the maintainers and operators of the nation's warfighting capability are reduced to web searches and burning incense at the shrine of self appointed gurus you are out of touch with reality. Many manuals are electronic now but still complete. You don't maintain a joint strike fighter, or even a predator drone by looking around the internet to find bits of data to put in your iPad. RANT: MODE=OFF Patrick AF5CK -----Original Message----- From: Bill Tynan Sent: Sunday, May 26, 2013 7:06 PM To: John Kramer ; Gedas Cc: flexradio@flex-radio.biz Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Owners Manual John: I'm sure that Goodreader and Apple must be better at storing things than Windows with Outlook Express and/or Windows Live Mail. I lost all of the many files I had stored. I don't even know what the last OSCAR number issued was, and I am in charge of issuing OSCAR numbers. 73, Bill Tynan, W3XO -------------------------------------------------- From: "John Kramer" <jkra...@iafrica.com> Sent: Sunday, May 26, 2013 4:48 PM To: "Gedas" <w8...@mchsi.com> Cc: <flexradio@flex-radio.biz> Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Owners Manual > With the introduction of the Apple iPad tablet, I now have ALL my > manuals/service manuals etc all on my tablet. > There is an app called "Goodreader" for the iPad. Make files in Goodreader > for the various manufacturers, and > download your manuals off the internet and into your iPad. Generally > speaking, my iPad is always with me > wherever I go, so ALL my manuals including VHF/UHF HT, mobile, HF, > amplifiers, ATU, noise cancelling units > etc etc are all on there, and easy and quick to get to. I also have lots of > other ham apps on the tablet, so it is really > convenient to have everything on there and take it with me. > All new manuals that arrive in the boxes, stay untouched and go into my > filing cabinet, and remain in new > condition - something that buyers appreciate if I sell the item one day > > 73 > John, ZS5J > > > > On 26 May 2013, at 11:21 PM, "Gedas" <w8...@mchsi.com> wrote: > >> George gets a Gold star IMO ! Exactly my thoughts. There are tons of >> things I wish I knew more about my radio to make it even more enjoyable. >> Many times I am forced to go hunting for tips & tidbits using forums, online >> groups, & over-the-air nets in the hopes of getting an answer. The process >> can take days or even weeks ! And even then the info found is usually not >> directly from Flex so who knows if it is right. What's wrong with putting >> it in hard writing once in a while ? An updated manual is not asking for too >> much IMO, esp considering the price of the product. I make an effort to look >> around for answers, but like many, I am forced to give up after some time >> and just forget about it. I love my Flex but not having a good reference >> document is the greatest shortcoming of my radio. >> >> Gedas, W8BYA >> >> Gallery at http://gedas.cc >> Light travels faster than sound.. >> This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. >> >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "N1naz" <n1...@comcast.net> >> To: <flexradio@flex-radio.biz> >> Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2013 1:45 PM >> Subject: [Flexradio] Owners Manual >> >> >>> Case in point, if you open up Power SDR, then Setup, then DSP. Under the >>>Options tab is Leak What does Leak do?? There is no explanation in the docs >>>that explain in detail what it does! What do I have to spend time searching >>>through update docs and forums to find out? >>> This was obviously added after the docs where published, what would it have >>> taken to add this to the docs and republish? >>> Yes after playing around with it for a few hours and listening you may >>>figure it out, but wouldnt it have been a time saver to know before you >>>adjusted this what it actually did! >>> >>> There are other cases like this. >>> >>> Im just saying that the Flex radios are the best thing out there right now >>> (IMO), Why fall short with the docs? >>> >>> 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/ > > > _______________________________________________ > 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/ _______________________________________________ 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/
