Manuals

I mentioned the Heathkit manuals as an extreme, but at the other is the
directions sheet, that leaves too much information out.
Assumptions are made as to the buyers knowledge about how a device is to be
used.

IMHO: The minimum requirements for a drive, or other accessory would be the
following.

1. The basic information that the vender wants to put out.

2. A diagram showing the position of every connection, on the device, and it
should be very clear. There should be no need to turn the PC board over to
read it, because the unclear directions are vague on the connection.

3. If it is a device that can be used in several ways, the diagrams should
point out possible uses, not create a puzzle in the buyers mind.

Examples:

If there is a I/O board, and it has the option, for a device that only works
with Mach3, then this should be noted, and the normal pin that is used to
use it. Charge Pump, normally pin #17.

If there is more than one connection to a J/connector, on the board, they
should be very clearly called out in the directions, not hunt all over the
directions, to acquire the information. If the connection is an I/O its function
should be pointing to it, not some other place where it is hard to find, or
assumes the buyer knows what that chart means.

Otherwise the builder might think one connection was the input, and the
adjacent one is the ground for the shield. Point out when shielded wires are
recommended, and when wires are acceptable, and what size for the usage, and the
connector capacities.

At no time should the buyer have to turn the board over to read and verify
the connection.

Hand your board, and your directions to your wife, or other non electronic
person, and see if they can figure it out, from your directions. If they
can't, find out what is missing and fix it.

The board being a usable product is not enough when selling to a hobbyist,
you must to an extent, lead them by the hand, and your directions are doing
the leading.

If a vender looks at his returns, and there is nothing wrong with the
device, my bet is that it was probably hooked up wrong, and that is a shortcoming
in the directions.

If the same part is blown every time, then there is a most likely a
shortcoming in the directions that is not cautioning the buyer clearly enough.

Yes, I know everyone will not read the directions, but nevertheless they
need to be there, in numbered sections/paragraphs, so you can refer the buyer
to them.

I am not advocating huge thick manuals, at all, but directions that show
how, without presuming the buyer has a degree. In most cases just a few changes
or additions would make things much clearer to the buyer, would reduce your
returns, cut your emails requests for help down significantly.

A colored Pictorial speaks volumes in most cases, if using ribbon cable,
show the red lead, make everything very clear. Different colored leads for
every function, if four drives for example you can just show one, with the note
the others are hooked up the same way to there load. We have all seen good
directions, and all have seen poorly implemented directions, the last ones are
my target.

IMHO, a little more effort will pay off for both the vender, and the buyer.
Venders put on your "dumb" cap and read your directions, and see what you
have left out, that would make it easier for the buyer.
And for the buyers a better success rate will greatly improve there results
in building there dream.
Guys, don't let your egos get in the way of not accepting
suggestions.............. I have been told to shut up many times....................

bill

I have bought from several venders, and downloaded many others manuals, and
some are better than others, some are excellent, some stink, which is which,
look at them and decide.........



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