Who Does Read The Manual First?

hughvane · May 30, 2008

Okay, this is intended as light-hearted, not to be viewed or taken as a serious poll. In my country (NZ) there's a standing joke about "as a last resort, read the manual!", or "when all else fails, read the instructions".

So, who does read the instructions or manual before trying to set up hardware, or install software, or try maintenance or upgrading? Conversely, who charges in under the notion of "no worries, it's gunna work!"?

To start the ball rolling, I used to be of the latter persuasion, but as I've got older and my mistakes have increased in number, I've become much more cautious and circumspect. I now walk away from my new toys and first read the books that came with them!

Dysfunction · May 30, 2008

Depends, how much does it cost? A half million dollar piece of equipment, and I've read the manual before I've touched it.

Also, is it a professional endeavor? If so, I've read it several times before I've arrived onsite

thedood · May 30, 2008

Manuals?... We don't need no stinkin' manuals ;D

Audio.Trench · May 30, 2008

I rarely ever read the manual. For one, I like to figure things out by myself. If I absolutely cannot figure out what I'm doing, I'll then read it. Most of the time, however, I hardly ever find answers to what I'm looking for.

Also, it depends on what I'm using as well. Obviously, there are certain things that you would want to read the manual for before using.

I'd say 98% of the time, I never do. Especially with video games. I never read it, but I'm always ticked if I buy a used game and the manual isn't included. Strange =/

Noels · May 30, 2008

I like to read about something I don't know anything about ahead of time, but for my first Macbook I did a "Read-Along," kind of trying to figure out what was being covered in the book with the computer beside me. Helped some, but the real learning, I think, is with time, trials and tribulation.

You can quote me :Smirk:

thedood · May 30, 2008

Noels said:
I like to read about something I don't know anything about ahead of time, but for my first Macbook I did a "Read-Along," kind of trying to figure out what was being covered in the book with the computer beside me. Helped some, but the real learning, I think, is with time, trials and tribulation.

You can quote me

Duly noted.

Stretch · May 30, 2008

Normally I don't. Only if I feel its going to be very complicated. I have a knack at figuring out how things work on my own without a manual.

KB3GZW · May 30, 2008

nope never read the manual

rman · May 31, 2008

Whats a manual?

harryb2448 · May 31, 2008

Thingo for changing gears in your (older model) motor car.

And I thought moderators knew everything!

Dysfunction · May 31, 2008

harryb2448 said:
Thingo for changing gears in your (older model) motor car.

And I thought moderators knew everything!

my brand new car has a manual. I can't stand just pointing a couch down the road

Tanner31593 · May 31, 2008

Well, I usually don't. Depends on what it is.

When I do read the manual, I find out a bunch of extra things I never learned before, so it's a good thing.

But in the case of my phone (Sony W580i), I HAD to read the manual because it's one of the most CONFUSING phones. THe buttons are opposite of other phones, meaning the back is on the left, select on the right. (Or in the middle), so i'm constantly screwing things up.

Plus it's my first MODERN phone (meaning, with bluetooth/walkman).

sanity1082 · May 31, 2008

i read the manual when it is a repair job and i have no clue what i am doing. i read it even more thoroughly when there is a chance i can mess something up and destroy it forever.

EGGO · May 31, 2008

There's an acronym, RTFM. Usually you say such a thing to people who ask the most obvious questions concerning Photoshop that shows they most likely pirated the software.

walmartconnect · May 31, 2008

ME ME ME!

I think that there is a subliminal reason: When I was younger and relied on Mom to take me to best buy (before the days of buying stuff online/me being able to drive), I staved off the anticipation of whatever new thing I bought by reading its manual on the drive home.

Now I do it because of that plus, as Tanner said, I enjoy learning little things that may have taken me a lot longer to discover, or never find at all.

The Vindicat3d · May 31, 2008

walmartconnect said:
ME ME ME!

I think that there is a subliminal reason: When I was younger and relied on Mom to take me to best buy (before the days of buying stuff online/me being able to drive), I staved off the anticipation of whatever new thing I bought by reading its manual on the drive home.

Now I do it because of that plus, as Tanner said, I enjoy learning little things that may have taken me a lot longer to discover, or never find at all.

Same with me.

gary61071 · Jun 1, 2008

If it's something complex, I'll read the manual. If it's something fairly simple, I'll do without it. Do you really need a manual for a toaster? Plug it in, set your desired toastiness, add 1 or more slices of bread, slide the lever down and wait a few minutes until bread pops up. Add your favorite spread topping.

Thanks to me, now EVERYBODY here knows how to make toast.

skaheadpunk · Jun 2, 2008

I only read the instructions that come with IKEA furniture.

Dysfunction · Jun 2, 2008

erm.. it's been years since I looked at anything from Ikea.. isn't it all pictograph?

skaheadpunk · Jun 2, 2008

I'm not sure. I remember pictures last time but some weren't that clear...

What usually happens is that my boyfriend will get all manly and get everything out of the box, and spend an hour or so trying to assemble it, before swearing a lot and getting rather miffed.

In the meantime I discreetly read the instructions, have a cup of tea, call my grandma and check my email, then breeze on in and sort it out in all of 3 minutes. Just to annoy him :Evil:

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