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

 

[Bear2Biker]

In reply to Alec_T

Yes, The National Will Register operates as the UK's primary national will registration and search service. It records the location of where a physical or digital copy of a will is safely stored rather than holding the exact text of the document itself. [1, 2, 3]

How the Register Works

• • Record storage: It logs basic details of the testator, the date of the document, and the secure location of the original copy.
  • Not mandatory: Registering a will is not a legal requirement in the UK, though it is strongly recommended by legal bodies like the Law Society.
  • Extensive database: The system tracks over 10.5 million records and is widely used by solicitors, charities, and individuals. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

 

[JohnW2]

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.

Indeedso, but I thinkit's probably a bit worse than you imply.

Even when one succeeds in 'track down' a Will, in the absence of some sort of official registration, it's impossible to know whether what one i found is actually the most recent (hence 'relevant') version. There are often several versions knocking around, all of which start with "This is the Last Will and Testament..." and go on to say that the document over-rides all previous ones - so, without some sort of registration, one can virtually never be certain that one is looking t the right version.
[ I say 'virtually never' to pre-empt pedants who might start muttering about Wills 'signed on the death bed' within a few minutes of death ]

 

[morqthana]

As it stands, executors may have to check with solicitors, banks and other organisations to track down a will when someone dies.

How could anyone know that they were legally an executor without the will?

 

[JohnW2]

How could anyone know that they were legally an executor without the will?

They obviously couldn't.

However, as I wrote, even if they DO have 'A Will", which appoints them as an Executor, there is no way (in the absence of registration) that they can be certain that it is the most recent version, nor that the most recent version (which is the only one which 'counts') does appoint them as an Executor !!

 

[Alec_t]

How could anyone know that they were legally an executor without the will?

Anyone suspecting they might be an executor would have to find the will to confirm that they were indeed the legal executor.

 

[ebee]

Anyone suspecting they might be an executor would have to find the will to confirm that they were indeed the legal executor.

tHERE IS ABOUT AS MUCH CHANCE AS OF CROUCHO MARX BECOMMING A MEMBER OF A CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT HIM AS A MEMBER

 

[JohnW2]

Anyone suspecting they might be an executor would have to find the will to confirm that they were indeed the legal executor.

... and, as I keep saying, even if they do find a Will which appoints them as an Executor, they can never be sure that there is not a subsequent Will which over-rides the one they have found and which does NOT appoint them as an Executor.

It does seem to be a 'system' which is totally unfit for purpose, since, without some mandatory 'registration' it can never provide any certainty.

 

[SUNRAY]

Indeed there have been cases where a will has been executed and subsequent wills have been found.

 

[SUNRAY]

tHERE IS ABOUT AS MUCH CHANCE AS OF CROUCHO MARX BECOMMING A MEMBER OF A CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT HIM AS A MEMBER

I imagine you have mixed that one up