[Elecraft] P3 Manual Updates

[Fred Townsend]

Gentlemen it would seem there are two issues here. Hard copy and soft copy. Let me address soft copy first.

The software industry has a similar problem where it deals with dynamic code and its documentation. Bug lists are maintained but not generally published. Instead new code and documentation is released weekly. The user can download the latest code and documentation 24/7. There is no need to chase a problem through the bug lists (errata) because the docs are never more than a week old. Also, it is much easier to use the computer search function on a PDF than scanning a paper copy of an obsolescent doc.  If hard copy is needed the end user can print it off the PDF.

Question: Is there any reason why corrected docs can't be immediately made available for download instead of publishing errata lists?

As far as hard copy manuals to be supplied with purchased hardware goes there are on demand printing services where an e-message notifies the printer of the document type and the customer's snail mail address upon sale. The printer automatically downloads the latest docs and prints a one off copy and addresses the snail mail envelope, prints the postage, and sends the bound document off by snail mail at USPS library book rate. Usually the manual will arrive before the hardware.

I suspect this type of service is too expensive for this type manufacturing but it does have the savings of not needing to maintain a manual stock at the factory.

One man's opinion.

de Fred AE6QL


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of David Pratt
Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2011 8:39 AM
To: Bill Henderson
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] P3 Manual Updates

Bill - If Elecraft had printed off 1000 copies of the manual, it would have been a waste of paper and the rain forest for the manuals to have been pulped and new ones printed when a couple of sheets of updates could be produced instead.  OTOH, a new manual could be produced and the price of the P3 could be increased accordingly - I think not.

If anyone is able to assemble a P3, surely it's not beyond their capability to make the appropriate changes to the manual.

[Grumpy mode off]

Enjoy your P3, Bill.

73 de David G4DMP

In a recent message, Bill Henderson <bill at brofcally.plus.com> writes
>Why on earth did it come with a manual and a list of errata that is 
>supposed
to be cut and pasted to bring the manual up to date? Surely, it wouldn’t have been much more time consuming for you to have made the changes to the manual itself.
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 | David M Pratt, Kippax, Leeds.   |
 | Website: http://www.g4dmp.co.uk |
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