Comments

kameronj wrote on 7/21/2003, 11:28 AM
99.9 percent of software does not come with the printed manual. They have a quick start guide....and the full manual is on disc (usually PDF).

I think Microsoft started this trend after their Office 95 release. It makes practical sense. You are normally in front of your PC when you install the software - so, you can read the manual or jump to interactive help while you are in front of your PC.

Then...of course, you can always print out the manual using your printer-ink-paper....and then, only print those sections you want.

I'm a lot like you in the sense that I wanted the manual in my hand so I could review it while sititng in my big comfy chair or put in my 'puter bag for lite reading whilst on the train heading to/from work.

But....I just print out what I want (duplex printing/front to back) section by section....and then bind it in a 3 ring....and in b/w not color - and it's all good!!

But I tell ya what....I'll make ya deal. I'll print out the manual and ship it to ya for the low low low price of $50!!

Naaaaa, just kiddin.

:-)
starixiom wrote on 7/21/2003, 11:40 AM
I hate to say this but realistically companies do this because nobody reads the manual. Of course the fine people on this board all read their manuals but its those other Adobe users out there that dont. Printing costs a lot if nobody wants to even crack the spine.

Our company makes custom software packages for small to midsize businesses. We opted for the pdf manuals instead of printed because 1) If they have even a slight problem they want to call in and complain 2) THey go to our website and enter a chatroom to speak with one of the technicians 3) They would take a look at the 500+ page manual and complain that it is too complicated.

Best thing to do, like many others and myself did, is to go to office max (or european equavilent) and have them print out the manual. I got a nice front/ back cover, spiral bound, b/w front, back printing for less than $28.

Tom Pauncz wrote on 7/21/2003, 12:25 PM
This was explained by SoFo when Vegas 4 was first released.

If you ordered the upgrade, then you got plastic wrap.

If you ordered the full product as a first time user, you got the boxed version.

In either case, I believe, you only got a Quick Start Guide. The full doc is in PDF format on the CD.

Tom
TheHappyFriar wrote on 7/21/2003, 12:34 PM
I feel the same way about the manuals. I don't mind that stuff doesn't come with it, but we still get charged the same price with/without a manual. Example: I bought the Microsoft Combat Flight Simluater 2 and $30 not long ago from EB in local mall. It came with a 100 or so page flying instruction manual. At the local WalMart they had the same game in one of those new smaller game boxes for the same price, but no manual/flight guide. So, I think the no manuals are a rip-off. A Quick Start Guide is acceptable, and the Adobe Premiere 6 manual had nothing to do with video editing or using Premiere 6, but it cheeses me off that even game companies don't include manuals now! I mean, you're paying $50-60 for a game and they don't even include a manual!
JakeHannam wrote on 7/21/2003, 1:09 PM
I agree that manuals should be included or at least offered for a reasonable price. A PDF on screen is NOT as convenient or as useful as being able to thumb through the manual, put a bookmard where I left off, or search the index.

To my mind, one of the things that makes Adobe software so useful -- they DO include manuals with their software. At least they always have ....