Do you Read a Manual 1st for something you bought or Read the Manual as Needed?
By mzbubblie
@mzbubblie (3839)
United States
March 26, 2007 7:38pm CST
This topic actually came to mind reading someone elses topic talking about digital cameras...
Most of the time no matter what it is, a cell/house phone, new television, coffee maker you name it, I always just get it out of it's packaging and start with it. The only way I would read a manual is if I had to build something. for instance, I still read the manual or instruction paper when I put my Christmas Tree up..lol...
Which do you do? Do you take the time to read the manual, then proceed to taking it out the packaging or do you go ahead set it up only pulling out the manual when you can't figure it out on your own?
1 person likes this
12 responses
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
27 Mar 07
i read as needed-if there's programming involved i have it out though.i had a vcr once that might as well been programmed in klingon.wasn't the easiest set up at all.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
27 Mar 07
I only use the manual when I need to. If I can't figure out how to do something myself, I look it up in the manual, and read up on how to do what I need to do. Then I put the manual away until I need it again...if ever.
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@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
27 Mar 07
Yes, I understand that. Come to think of it, I haven't used my VCR in a long while...
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
27 Mar 07
I only use the manual when I need to. If I can't figure out how to do something myself, I look it up in the manual, and read up on how to do what I need to do. Then I put the manual away until I need it again...if ever.
1 person likes this
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
28 Mar 07
That's exactly how I am. I will read it if need be. I feel like I'm wasting time trying to read the manual rather than play with my new item..lol
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
28 Mar 07
I pull everything otu of the box first. Then I read enough of the directions so I can set it up to do what I want.
Other features I just ignore until or unless I need them later and then it is a toss up; I may try to figure it out myself or refer to the manual.
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
28 Mar 07
I hear that, I normally go right to it. I wish I had patience with certain things. But manuals I just can't seem to find it in my heart to read through..
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
27 Mar 07
I'm one who will try to put it together first and then if I have a problem (And I always do) I go to the manaul-- I always wonder why won't this work? LOL If only I read the directions first! It would save time, stress, and gray hair! LOL My daughter always says mommy read the directions! LOL.. when all esle fails read them- I hope alot of people are like me- I'm smarter than this vacuum! LOL
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
27 Mar 07
Oh I know what you mean. I'm the very same way. When all else fails and I'm frustrated to no end. I whip out that manual and start reading...Stubborn huh...lol
1 person likes this
@bluewings (3857)
•
27 Mar 07
For me ,it depends on whether it's electrical or electronic.If it's electrical ,then I go through the manual,but if it's electronic .I try it out first and then skim through the manual.When I got the oven ,Geyser or washing machine, frist thing I did after connecting it was to read the manual,but for the digital camera,Binocam,mobile , I didn't touch the manual till I wanted to know about their additional features.It gives a kick to learn by yourself,lol.But there are exception to this rule like for the TV I never read a manual and even for the multifunctional printer I didn't consult the manual.So, basically it depends on the gadget or the machine I use.
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
27 Mar 07
I hear that, that's about how it is for me as well. The manual, and thank goodness it's there, I use that as my very last resort..lol
1 person likes this
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
27 Mar 07
I know what you mean. I don't know if I want to call me straight lazy or what. I hardly ever read the manuals...
1 person likes this
@juicemilk (2283)
• Australia
28 Mar 07
I always give the manual a quick read when I get something new, I don't read everything just the headings and main things like if it needs to be charged before use etc
My boyfriend doesn't read the manuals, I bought him an accessory for his guitar recently and he threw the instructions out....a couple weeks later I saw him reading the instructions online as he couldn't figure out how to get it working lol so it always pays to at least keep the manual :)
@kims374 (300)
• United States
27 Mar 07
I always have the patience to look at a manual first...before trying to do anything with electronics, etc...learn its features. My fiance, on the other hand , does not have the patience, and always tries to use or put together something without looking at it, until he can't figure something out, and then asks me to look at the manual for him- I think it's a guy thing.
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
27 Mar 07
I know what you mean, I'm the same way as your fiance' I add batteries or whatever I need to and start working on it. Especially cell phones. I can get a cell phone and months down the line I realize it does something else...But only if I had of taken the time to read the manual and all the little features they don't put on the box..lol
@silver1beans (281)
• United States
11 Apr 07
I always read the manual but I read it as I go along and get that one step done then I read the next and so on. Manuals never hurt you so my addvice is to always read them.
@paidreader (5143)
• United States
27 Mar 07
A lot of times the manuals are hard to understand til you actually use the products. I at least try to skim thru the manual first, depending on what it is. Some things are pretty self explanatory if you've ever had something similar but you can never tell when there might be some important tip right there in bold type.
Hubby however likes to jump right in. It's only after he runs into a problem that he has ME pull out the manual, lol. When I finally bought a new washer & dryer just before moving, I was given permission to install them in the new place just before everything else was to be moved in. I thought hubby had done such a good job getting everything set up until we moved in & I got to start washing. By the time it got to a spin cycle, it would start walking til it ran out of cord. We started checking everything to figure out the problem, except read the manual, of course. When hubby's buddies came by to help with the move, we asked them to check it out, they started saying it was a warped drum or something. I was thinking, OH, NO! I just bought it! Before calling to exchange my new washer, I pulled out the instructions, which I thought hubby had already checked, and it was right there on page 2 or 3 in bold print. Remove the yellow strap from underneath the machine when installed. It had everything except a big sign saying, Hey Dummy, Look at this! :D
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
27 Mar 07
hahahahaha that is priceless, but I know what you mean. I never check the manual unless I have no other choice...lol...
That story is priceless...cute but priceless...Had to get that manual after all :)
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