Instructions, should they be required, what should they say, etc.

[ericmark]

We laugh at this, but this thermostat I had to keep the instructions tucked behind it, as I could never remember how to set it. The far more complex Nest Gen 3 was in comparison easy.

But I pick up instructions for a battery drill, which is supplied without battery or charger, and page one is telling me how to fit a plug, which it simply does not have, so clearly the instructions are not really for that drill, so are tossed to one side.

How many times has one heard, if all else fails, read the instructions.

But some instructions do have important information in them. But I have a "Quick Start Guild" in my hand which says "Follow the instructions in the xxxx app to complete the setup." So the instructions with the device are near useless.

But type in the part number into google, and click on the product, and then "More info" and I find a full set of instruction

are produced, but they don't come with the product. Well not really a full set, it will do far more to what the instructions say, one has to explore the app to find all features, and this is a simple smart socket adaptor.

We are being programmed not to read paper instructions. Which means all warning contained in paper instructions are useless. And unless there is a pocket or simular to keep the instructions in, they are unlikely to get passed on.

My ebike has the web address painted on the side, pity it no longer exists. Should there be a national database?

 

[Alec_t]

In a similar vein, it would be helpful if there were a national official registry for wills. As it stands, executors may have to check with solicitors, banks and other organisations to track down a will when someone dies.

 

[mikehammer69]

When I worked in computing the boss said never read a manual . So I never did then or since until i realised sometimes you should

A lot of timers anyway would be a nightmare without the instructions handy

 

[SUNRAY]

When I worked in computing the boss said never read a manual . So I never did then or since until i realised sometimes you should

A lot of timers anyway would be a nightmare without the instructions handy

YEP
I have a permanently running timer for my Christmas lights and like Eric the instructions are tucked in adjacent. However they cover a number of different timers in the range and list my model... however they are so idiot proof that some idiot forgot to include my particular models details which are subtly different to those shown. The online instructions were always identical but no longer exist on mfrs site.
Without the instructions I'd stand no chance

 

[CountryFan]

I think it depends who has written them or if translated. Some are excellent and some are confusing