[WriteLog] Curious?? (long)
Albert R Kinnon III
akinnon@mediaone.net
Thu, 29 Nov 2001 18:19:21 -0500
Well guys my approach was to print the manual before I installed the
software. That does not mean I know it or can find it, but I'm learning.
I took the easy way out as I have a laser printer (for the tax returns) and
used it to print all 300+ pages. I was tempted to upgrade the printer for 2
sided printing ( mind is to soft to do the manual 2 sides and get it correct
with potential jams).
With Various modes and various ways to setup I am just learning the basics
on single op phone. Not ready to run but great fun.
Al, KD1EA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Barry " <w2up@mindspring.com>
To: "Mike Baker" <k7dd@qwest.net>; <writelog@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 4:45 PM
Subject: Re: [WriteLog] Curious?? (long)
> Mike,
> Though I've never done it, it would probably be quicker, easier and
> cheaper to take the manual on disk to a copy center like Staples
> or Kinkos and have them print it for you on one of their fast lasers
> that prints and collates.
> Barry
>
> On 29 Nov 01, Mike Baker wrote:
>
> > I don't think I could have said it any better myself....
> > One of my pet peves with much of the software industry is the
complexity
> > of the instructions. A manual should just be a reference tool. An old
and
> > dear friend who has been programming for over 30 years once told me "The
> > software should be intuitive enough to operate with an instruction set
that
> > fits on a cocktail napkin!!"
> > BTW, have any of you tried to print out a manual that is over 100
pages
> > long and keep it together properly? Lets see, first put a New ink cart
in
> > the printer so I don't run out printing this thing out (about $25 =
or -),
> > load 100+ sheets of paper in printer. Ah er, I wonder does that cover
the
> > cover and index as well? First print the odd pages, remember which way
to
> > flop the paper over, and print the even pages in the correct order on
the
> > reverse side of what you just printed. Yeah, right. Maybe after 3
attempts
> > you might get it right and besides, IT TAKES FOREVER TO PRINT IT OUT!
Pack a
> > lunch...
> > In all fairness to WriteLog, I like the program but it could shure
use a
> > set of help tool like this fellow just described. I helps that others
have
> > put together help web sites of their own to lend a hand to us just
getting
> > started or restarted after some time off.
> >
> > Mike Baker K7DD
> > k7dd@qwest.net
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Tim Makins, EI8IC" <ei8ic@eircom.net>
> > To: <WriteLog@contesting.com>
> > Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 11:39 AM
> > Subject: Re: [WriteLog] Curious?? (long)
> >
> >
> > > A lot of very interesting emails were received in response to my
posting,
> > > both on and off-list. We all seem to agree that Writelog is an
excellent
> > and
> > > unique product, providing the contester with facilities not available
else
> > > where. Some of you seem to have missed the point of my email (my
error, no
> > > doubt) which was purely one of USABILITY. This can be cured not by
> > changing
> > > the progam, but rather by changing the help and ease of useage. The
days
> > of
> > > the TRS-80 and the 286 are long gone, and with the facilities provided
by
> > > the Windows enviroment, it should be possible for any programmer to
> > provide
> > > a product that can be enjoyed by all levels of user, from the
> > > computer-illiterate to the hardened computer professional who has
worked
> > his
> > > or her way up from DOS to the present day.
> > >
> > > How to make things better ? An example springs to mind of the
Web-Design
> > > program that I use, 1st Page 2000. Switch it on, and I am presented
with 4
> > > levels of complexity - Easy, Normal, Expert, or Hardcore. A series of
Help
> > > Boxes appear as I start to use the different features, each of which
can
> > be
> > > permanently turned off (Don't Show Me This Again) once I am happy with
how
> > > the program is functioning. A 'Start Manager' is available, that
offers me
> > > choices in plain English for the different tasks I might want to
start.
> > > Templates are available, Tips and Tricks, A Reference Guide to HTML,
and
> > > direct links within the program that will take me to a web Tour,
> > > Screenshots, and a Tech Support Area. The Help Guide contains an
Overview,
> > A
> > > List of Features, A Tag Library, and guides to Project Management,
Code
> > > Management, Scripts, and tools to Fix, Format, and Compress. Starting
off
> > in
> > > Easy Mode, there are various Wizards that take me through a variety of
> > > tasks. As I improve my knowledge of this very complex program, I can
move
> > up
> > > a level, the graphics disappear, and are replaced by quickly
accessible
> > > buttons that do the jobs I want to do. The one feature I miss is the
> > > floating Question Mark, used by many programs, that allows me to
question
> > > any of the items on the screen.
> > >
> > > At no time do I have to edit any kind of .ini file. The options that I
> > want
> > > are presented clearly and concisely, enabling me to produce
great-looking
> > > websites without ever needing to print out the manual. Somebody has
> > clearly
> > > spent a lot of time writing a great program, and then spent another
lot
> > > carefully thinking about all the types of users that might use the
> > programs,
> > > and the problems and questions that they might have. I would
respectfully
> > > like to disagree with Wayne, K7WM, when he says:
> > >
> > > >...Its not a "setup the day before
> > > >contest starts" type of program nor should it be...
> > >
> > > I believe that these days, with all the Windows and memory resources
> > > available to the programmer, a program should be just as accessible to
my
> > > Grandma as it is to Randy K5ZD and other 'Kings of the Contest' who
have
> > > spent many hours perfecting their technique.
> > >
> > > Finally, let me say that I'm not trying to prolong the use of DOS
> > programs.
> > > These have clearly had their day, and will gracefully fade away as
time
> > > passes. Long Live Windows, Long Live Writelog, Long Live Usability.
> > >
> > >
> > > Tim, EI8IC
> > > www.qsl.net/ei8ic/
> > > The European HF Contesting Website
> > > Recent winner of the 'DX Zone' Editors choice Award.
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > WriteLog mailing list
> > > WriteLog@contesting.com
> > > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/writelog
> > >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > WriteLog mailing list
> > WriteLog@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/writelog
>
>
> --
> Barry Kutner, W2UP Internet: w2up@mindspring.com
> Newtown, PA Frankford Radio Club
>
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