Recent Comments:
95 percent of all returned gadgets still work, Americans don't read manuals {Engadget}
Jun 3rd 2008 1:00PM There are many reasons for the high rate of returns, but I suspect the manual that comes with the gadget is often the culprit.
I am often told RTFM by my geek friends when I am trying to figure a new device like a video camera or a phone. Curiously, many times when these same geeks have read the manual they have been thoroughly confused by what they read and end up having to call somebody to figure it out.
I suspect the culprit is the way in which the manual is written. These manuals are many times poorly organized and either dense in their explanation or have poor sentence structure (has anyone tried to assemble a piece of furniture and read the directions?) What is amazing is that companies spend so much time, money and effort in marketing and creating this new fangled device and often leave the technical writing part to the end, and the result is poorly thought through manuals.
The one product that had excellent manual was Edirol. Along with the manual they had a simple one page explanation on how to turn it on and start using their product. It was a breeze. Can't say the same for many products that I buy...I end up preserving the manuals in zip lock bags and gingerly pull it out when I need to look up how to use a new feature etc.
Here is the other thing that I have discovered: many of the new devices are over-loaded with features that many of us don't use. I have always wondered the logic behind that..
Thanks for this timely post.
Kamla Bhatt
Think hoping to deliver web-enabled electric car {Engadget}
Jul 31st 2007 10:24AM While we are on the subject of electric cars...India's REVA has a great looking electric car that is sold in Europe. This car comes equipped with a PDA and other electronic gadgets. I was lucky to talk to Chetan Maini of REVA and here is the link to it: http://kamlabhattshow.com/blog/2007/02/22/podcast-interview-chetan-maini-of-reva-indias-first-electric-car/
Thanks!
kamla
