I think you are making a hugely arrogant and erroneous assumption that anyone who sees the need for a printed manual is a Luddite. "Appalling"? Seriously? While you may not be overtly suggesting that Elecraft do away with manuals, below you are indeed sneering at those who still feel the need for one. Why on earth would you expect everyone to be able to assemble their kit within reach of their computer?
And you are in error when you say that local printing is significantly cheaper or greener than that provided by Elecraft when you consider the cost of disposable ink jet cartridges. And as my earlier post points out, it isn't likely to save Elecraft anything either. Not everyone who disagrees with you is unable to comprehend what they read, and in fact many are able to think beyond what they read. Dave AB7E On 8/21/2011 7:42 AM, John Ragle wrote: > Although my original response to "the original suggestion" was intended > to be somewhat jocular, I am really quite appalled at the number of > people who (a) thought I suggested DOING AWAY with manuals, and (b) took > their hip-shot at me for making a suggestion which was (1) not mine, and > (2) not what was suggested anyhow. > > It makes me wonder if written manuals serve any purpose at all -- since > people evidently can't extract meaning from what they read. > > It is also appalling (but no longer surprising to me) that there are so > many hams out there who are relegating themselves to the early 20th > century. The Elecraft design line is very modern and designed to take > advantage of, but not be dependent upon, the ubiquitous presence of > computers. According to the latest surveys, roughly 2/3 of ALL American > households contain at least one computer. Why is it that a supposedly > technologically-adept hobby like ham radio contains such a larger than > average Luddite constituency? > > In addition, though some readers thought they saw the concept "GREEN" in > my note, again this is reading with no comprehension. The original > point, which BTW came from Alistair Cooper's post, was that people might > recognize the choice offered and save the manufacturer and themselves > money by not requesting a pretty-printed manual. The lovely Elecraft > manuals, printed on high quality stock, are not cheap to produce, and > local printing of a few selected pages on cheap Staples stock is > certainly "greener." > > With regard to checking boxes, I have made a K2 with almost all its > accessories, an XV144, along with numerous other kits over the years, > and in the recent half-dozen builds, I have not used the printed manuals > at all. Anyone who thinks it is somehow difficult to check the boxes in > an electronic version is just plain out of touch with reality. If one > has a computer, for heaven's sake use it! After all, it is supposed to > be a labor-saving tool, not some shibboleth from a previous culture. > > John Ragle -- W1ZI > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
