Microsoft should not have discontinued providing printed manuals

[Pat Bitton]

When did Microsoft decide that people don't need printed manuals any more? I
understand why manuals might not be considered essential if one is upgrading
to a newer version of an application that one has used for some time, but
everyone is a new user at some time. For example, I've been using a personal
computer and many popular (Microsoft and non-Microsoft) applications for more
than 20 years, so I can generally figure out obvious stuff. However, I have
only just made the decision to move from Word to Publisher for publication
layout work, and I was quite baffled by the application, which does not seem
to be particularly intuitive. Microsoft support told me to use the online
help files to learn how to use the software. Online help is fine for getting
quick answers to quick questions, but it is not a substitute for learning how
to use a program from the ground up. I can't be the only Microsoft customer
who prefers to learn by having a book open beside them as they work. Please,
Microsoft, if you don't want to go to the expense of manufacturing manuals
for every box you sell, at least include a coupon in the box for those of us
who would like to have a manual request one. I'm sure you can respond quite
cost-effectively using some kind of on-demand printing system.

----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...-a95b000decb8&dg=microsoft.public.office.misc

 

[JoAnn Paules [MVP]]

Keeps the cost down. Not just because they aren't printing them but when
they did, they were a bit hefty. That adds to shipping costs - and that adds
even more to the price you pay. Plus if you are an advanced user, you don't
want to pay for a beginner's manual. And if you're a light user, like my
mom, a hard-core user's manual would be a waste of money too. Some people
like a dry manual and others like a cutesy, user-friendly manual. How do you
determine what to do. You do without and let others write the books.

 

[Pat Bitton]

I'm not suggesting they put the manuals in all the boxes. I'm suggesting they
make them available on demand for people who want them. I'd pay a reasonable
price (although I didn't notice the price of Microsoft applications going
down when they stopped including manuals).

I've been in the software business since the late seventies, and have
written manauls in my time, so I think I have some idea of what I'm talking
about. Which includes customer service.

Keeps the cost down. Not just because they aren't printing them but when
they did, they were a bit hefty. That adds to shipping costs - and that adds
even more to the price you pay. Plus if you are an advanced user, you don't
want to pay for a beginner's manual. And if you're a light user, like my
mom, a hard-core user's manual would be a waste of money too. Some people
like a dry manual and others like a cutesy, user-friendly manual. How do you
determine what to do. You do without and let others write the books.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

When did Microsoft decide that people don't need printed manuals any more?
I
understand why manuals might not be considered essential if one is
upgrading
to a newer version of an application that one has used for some time, but
everyone is a new user at some time. For example, I've been using a
personal
computer and many popular (Microsoft and non-Microsoft) applications for
more
than 20 years, so I can generally figure out obvious stuff. However, I
have
only just made the decision to move from Word to Publisher for publication
layout work, and I was quite baffled by the application, which does not
seem
to be particularly intuitive. Microsoft support told me to use the online
help files to learn how to use the software. Online help is fine for
getting
quick answers to quick questions, but it is not a substitute for learning
how
to use a program from the ground up. I can't be the only Microsoft
customer
who prefers to learn by having a book open beside them as they work.
Please,
Microsoft, if you don't want to go to the expense of manufacturing manuals
for every box you sell, at least include a coupon in the box for those of
us
who would like to have a manual request one. I'm sure you can respond
quite
cost-effectively using some kind of on-demand printing system.

----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow
this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...-a95b000decb8&dg=microsoft.public.office.misc

 

[JoAnn Paules [MVP]]

There are manuals on demand. There are many, many excellent books available
at your local bookstore. This allows you to pick the one that best matches
your personal learning methods. I've even seen some that aren't too bad for
as little as $9.95 (US).

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

I'm not suggesting they put the manuals in all the boxes. I'm suggesting
they
make them available on demand for people who want them. I'd pay a
reasonable
price (although I didn't notice the price of Microsoft applications going
down when they stopped including manuals).

I've been in the software business since the late seventies, and have
written manauls in my time, so I think I have some idea of what I'm
talking
about. Which includes customer service.

Keeps the cost down. Not just because they aren't printing them but when
they did, they were a bit hefty. That adds to shipping costs - and that
adds
even more to the price you pay. Plus if you are an advanced user, you
don't
want to pay for a beginner's manual. And if you're a light user, like my
mom, a hard-core user's manual would be a waste of money too. Some
people
like a dry manual and others like a cutesy, user-friendly manual. How do
you
determine what to do. You do without and let others write the books.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

When did Microsoft decide that people don't need printed manuals any
more?
I
understand why manuals might not be considered essential if one is
upgrading
to a newer version of an application that one has used for some time,
but
everyone is a new user at some time. For example, I've been using a
personal
computer and many popular (Microsoft and non-Microsoft) applications
for
more
than 20 years, so I can generally figure out obvious stuff. However, I
have
only just made the decision to move from Word to Publisher for
publication
layout work, and I was quite baffled by the application, which does not
seem
to be particularly intuitive. Microsoft support told me to use the
online
help files to learn how to use the software. Online help is fine for
getting
quick answers to quick questions, but it is not a substitute for
learning
how
to use a program from the ground up. I can't be the only Microsoft
customer
who prefers to learn by having a book open beside them as they work.
Please,
Microsoft, if you don't want to go to the expense of manufacturing
manuals
for every box you sell, at least include a coupon in the box for those
of
us
who would like to have a manual request one. I'm sure you can respond
quite
cost-effectively using some kind of on-demand printing system.

----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the
"I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow
this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and
then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...-a95b000decb8&dg=microsoft.public.office.misc

 

[Pat Bitton]

Doubtless you're right and I'm just an old Luddite, but I still believe
Microsoft has a duty to its customers to provide at least a 'getting started'
guide on demand, otherwise they may end up with a whole bunch of resentful
customers like me who don't think they've gotten what they paid for.

Incidentally, a very helpful Microsoft customer service person provided me
with a PDF of a training manual for Publisher at no charge. While a physical
book would still be preferable, a PDF is a step in the right direction.

There are manuals on demand. There are many, many excellent books available
at your local bookstore. This allows you to pick the one that best matches
your personal learning methods. I've even seen some that aren't too bad for
as little as $9.95 (US).

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

I'm not suggesting they put the manuals in all the boxes. I'm suggesting
they
make them available on demand for people who want them. I'd pay a
reasonable
price (although I didn't notice the price of Microsoft applications going
down when they stopped including manuals).

I've been in the software business since the late seventies, and have
written manauls in my time, so I think I have some idea of what I'm
talking
about. Which includes customer service.

Keeps the cost down. Not just because they aren't printing them but when
they did, they were a bit hefty. That adds to shipping costs - and that
adds
even more to the price you pay. Plus if you are an advanced user, you
don't
want to pay for a beginner's manual. And if you're a light user, like my
mom, a hard-core user's manual would be a waste of money too. Some
people
like a dry manual and others like a cutesy, user-friendly manual. How do
you
determine what to do. You do without and let others write the books.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]



When did Microsoft decide that people don't need printed manuals any
more?
I
understand why manuals might not be considered essential if one is
upgrading
to a newer version of an application that one has used for some time,
but
everyone is a new user at some time. For example, I've been using a
personal
computer and many popular (Microsoft and non-Microsoft) applications
for
more
than 20 years, so I can generally figure out obvious stuff. However, I
have
only just made the decision to move from Word to Publisher for
publication
layout work, and I was quite baffled by the application, which does not
seem
to be particularly intuitive. Microsoft support told me to use the
online
help files to learn how to use the software. Online help is fine for
getting
quick answers to quick questions, but it is not a substitute for
learning
how
to use a program from the ground up. I can't be the only Microsoft
customer
who prefers to learn by having a book open beside them as they work.
Please,
Microsoft, if you don't want to go to the expense of manufacturing
manuals
for every box you sell, at least include a coupon in the box for those
of
us
who would like to have a manual request one. I'm sure you can respond
quite
cost-effectively using some kind of on-demand printing system.

----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the
"I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow
this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and
then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...-a95b000decb8&dg=microsoft.public.office.misc

 

[JoAnn Paules [MVP]]

I am very glad to hear that MS was able to provide you some help. I like
paper books but there's nothing like a .pdf file when you're trying to find
something NOW.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

Doubtless you're right and I'm just an old Luddite, but I still believe
Microsoft has a duty to its customers to provide at least a 'getting
started'
guide on demand, otherwise they may end up with a whole bunch of resentful
customers like me who don't think they've gotten what they paid for.

Incidentally, a very helpful Microsoft customer service person provided me
with a PDF of a training manual for Publisher at no charge. While a
physical
book would still be preferable, a PDF is a step in the right direction.

There are manuals on demand. There are many, many excellent books
available
at your local bookstore. This allows you to pick the one that best
matches
your personal learning methods. I've even seen some that aren't too bad
for
as little as $9.95 (US).

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

I'm not suggesting they put the manuals in all the boxes. I'm
suggesting
they
make them available on demand for people who want them. I'd pay a
reasonable
price (although I didn't notice the price of Microsoft applications
going
down when they stopped including manuals).

I've been in the software business since the late seventies, and have
written manauls in my time, so I think I have some idea of what I'm
talking
about. Which includes customer service.

:

Keeps the cost down. Not just because they aren't printing them but
when
they did, they were a bit hefty. That adds to shipping costs - and
that
adds
even more to the price you pay. Plus if you are an advanced user, you
don't
want to pay for a beginner's manual. And if you're a light user, like
my
mom, a hard-core user's manual would be a waste of money too. Some
people
like a dry manual and others like a cutesy, user-friendly manual. How
do
you
determine what to do. You do without and let others write the books.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]



When did Microsoft decide that people don't need printed manuals any
more?
I
understand why manuals might not be considered essential if one is
upgrading
to a newer version of an application that one has used for some
time,
but
everyone is a new user at some time. For example, I've been using a
personal
computer and many popular (Microsoft and non-Microsoft) applications
for
more
than 20 years, so I can generally figure out obvious stuff. However,
I
have
only just made the decision to move from Word to Publisher for
publication
layout work, and I was quite baffled by the application, which does
not
seem
to be particularly intuitive. Microsoft support told me to use the
online
help files to learn how to use the software. Online help is fine for
getting
quick answers to quick questions, but it is not a substitute for
learning
how
to use a program from the ground up. I can't be the only Microsoft
customer
who prefers to learn by having a book open beside them as they work.
Please,
Microsoft, if you don't want to go to the expense of manufacturing
manuals
for every box you sell, at least include a coupon in the box for
those
of
us
who would like to have a manual request one. I'm sure you can
respond
quite
cost-effectively using some kind of on-demand printing system.

----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to
the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click
the
"I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button,
follow
this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader
and
then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...-a95b000decb8&dg=microsoft.public.office.misc

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

Substitute "Company X" in the title of this post and you would be more
accurate in the assessment of lack of manuals accompanying all software
titles. However, to their credit, many companies do include a .pdf that the
user can print at their own expense that contains most, if not all, of what
a printed manual would.

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, Pat Bitton asked:

| When did Microsoft decide that people don't need printed manuals any
| more? I understand why manuals might not be considered essential if
| one is upgrading to a newer version of an application that one has
| used for some time, but everyone is a new user at some time. For
| example, I've been using a personal computer and many popular
| (Microsoft and non-Microsoft) applications for more than 20 years, so
| I can generally figure out obvious stuff. However, I have only just
| made the decision to move from Word to Publisher for publication
| layout work, and I was quite baffled by the application, which does
| not seem to be particularly intuitive. Microsoft support told me to
| use the online help files to learn how to use the software. Online
| help is fine for getting quick answers to quick questions, but it is
| not a substitute for learning how to use a program from the ground
| up. I can't be the only Microsoft customer who prefers to learn by
| having a book open beside them as they work. Please, Microsoft, if
| you don't want to go to the expense of manufacturing manuals for
| every box you sell, at least include a coupon in the box for those of
| us who would like to have a manual request one. I'm sure you can
| respond quite cost-effectively using some kind of on-demand printing
| system.
|
| ----------------
| This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
| suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click
| the "I Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the
| button, follow this link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft
| Web-based Newsreader and then click "I Agree" in the message pane.
|
|
http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...-a95b000decb8&dg=microsoft.public.office.misc

 

[ANONYMOUS]

Are there any particular pdf self study guides you need? Let me know so that I can send/email you the ones we write for college students.

Regards,

I'm not suggesting they put the manuals in all the boxes. I'm suggesting they
make them available on demand for people who want them. I'd pay a reasonable
price (although I didn't notice the price of Microsoft applications going
down when they stopped including manuals).

I've been in the software business since the late seventies, and have
written manauls in my time, so I think I have some idea of what I'm talking
about. Which includes customer service.

Keeps the cost down. Not just because they aren't printing them but when
they did, they were a bit hefty. That adds to shipping costs - and that adds
even more to the price you pay. Plus if you are an advanced user, you don't
want to pay for a beginner's manual. And if you're a light user, like my
mom, a hard-core user's manual would be a waste of money too. Some people
like a dry manual and others like a cutesy, user-friendly manual. How do you
determine what to do. You do without and let others write the books.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

When did Microsoft decide that people don't need printed manuals any more?
I
understand why manuals might not be considered essential if one is
upgrading
to a newer version of an application that one has used for some time, but
everyone is a new user at some time. For example, I've been using a
personal
computer and many popular (Microsoft and non-Microsoft) applications for
more
than 20 years, so I can generally figure out obvious stuff. However, I
have
only just made the decision to move from Word to Publisher for publication
layout work, and I was quite baffled by the application, which does not
seem
to be particularly intuitive. Microsoft support told me to use the online
help files to learn how to use the software. Online help is fine for
getting
quick answers to quick questions, but it is not a substitute for learning
how
to use a program from the ground up. I can't be the only Microsoft
customer
who prefers to learn by having a book open beside them as they work.
Please,
Microsoft, if you don't want to go to the expense of manufacturing manuals
for every box you sell, at least include a coupon in the box for those of
us
who would like to have a manual request one. I'm sure you can respond
quite
cost-effectively using some kind of on-demand printing system.

----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow
this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...-a95b000decb8&dg=microsoft.public.office.misc

 

[KJ]

While that is true JoAnn, did we really see the price of MS Office drop after
they quit supplying printed manuals? We all share the frustration.

While help wizards are nice but it's incredibly difficult to use help when
it (has to) take up so much of the screen. I know, we should all buy a
second video card & monitor so we can read help or pdf book while still
seeing the application.

It would be nice if MS (and other companies) provided the manuals in pdf
format so you could at least print the chapter(s) you need and not have to
patch together several articles online. Instead they want to sell you the
book from who else, Microsoft Press.

Keeps the cost down. Not just because they aren't printing them but when
they did, they were a bit hefty. That adds to shipping costs - and that adds
even more to the price you pay. Plus if you are an advanced user, you don't
want to pay for a beginner's manual. And if you're a light user, like my
mom, a hard-core user's manual would be a waste of money too. Some people
like a dry manual and others like a cutesy, user-friendly manual. How do you
determine what to do. You do without and let others write the books.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

When did Microsoft decide that people don't need printed manuals any more?
I
understand why manuals might not be considered essential if one is
upgrading
to a newer version of an application that one has used for some time, but
everyone is a new user at some time. For example, I've been using a
personal
computer and many popular (Microsoft and non-Microsoft) applications for
more
than 20 years, so I can generally figure out obvious stuff. However, I
have
only just made the decision to move from Word to Publisher for publication
layout work, and I was quite baffled by the application, which does not
seem
to be particularly intuitive. Microsoft support told me to use the online
help files to learn how to use the software. Online help is fine for
getting
quick answers to quick questions, but it is not a substitute for learning
how
to use a program from the ground up. I can't be the only Microsoft
customer
who prefers to learn by having a book open beside them as they work.
Please,
Microsoft, if you don't want to go to the expense of manufacturing manuals
for every box you sell, at least include a coupon in the box for those of
us
who would like to have a manual request one. I'm sure you can respond
quite
cost-effectively using some kind of on-demand printing system.

----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow
this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...-a95b000decb8&dg=microsoft.public.office.misc