New language for instruction manuals needed.

Instruction Manuals

Why is it that instruction manuals are as heavy as phone books, yet do not contain the information you need. Maybe it is just me.

If you are like me, you may have gotten a couple of cool tech items for Christmas. I am not talking about anything too complicated, the kids know better than to buy us anything like that, but cool stuff with electronics.

The owners manuals have several different languages, but not the language I need.
My language is TCOF. (Technoloy challenged, over 40) (ok 50).
There could be a little test in the front of the manual to ck and see if you need this language.
1. Do you remember there was a time before video games?
2. Can you add or subtract without a calculator?
3. Do you know who Howdy Doody is?

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, please go to page 100.

1. Do you still have a VCR, and is it still blinking 12:00?
2. Do you avoid self check outs, still write checks by hand and fight with the self-serve gas pump?
3. Do you remember ice cubes in metal trays?

If yes, you need to start at page 1.

I received a nice digital photo frame (the kids set up for me, bless their hearts) so that is working. DH got a cool weather station, that is working great. It took 2 days of pouring over fine print, 2 heads and 2 pairs of high powered reading glasses.
We received a really cool trail camera. This camera is strapped to a tree and takes pictures of things in the woods, to see deer movement, fox, coyote, bobcat.
It was really easy to set up, easy to see the pictures, but in between no information. How do you get the camera out of the case and shut it off without taking a picture of an old TCOF person’s nose...twice, because it is set to take 2 pics at a time?

I kept looking between page 7 and 8 for the missing pages, that tell you how to do this, what the code letters on the screen stand for, etc.

So am I the only one? Maybe they cannot make a manual like I need, because then I wouldn’t be able to lift it. Sigh.

ha, sympathies. Our digital camera has a ton of functions that I don't even want to try to understand. Give me five basic things and I can take plenty of great pictures.
Its a shame that so many products are made so complex and therefore inaccessible to 'us' I've cut down on TV watching because I didn't want to tackle the new remote.

take heart; I am even worse! As a new European in America, I can't even understand a recipe!
( I use grams, degrees Celcius, kilometres, and centilitres!)

Still I manage to survive, and so can you.
My DH would say, even a blind cat catches a mouse now and again!

CC

Yes, it is challenging all this new technology.
I cannot even think about trying to cook in grams. Sheesh!
I agree with the camera. There are way too many settings that I never use, and the remote? Well, I gave up tv a few years back.
Went to a friends house though and they asked me to turn on the tv and find a movie. They had several remotes and then a universal remote. They also had dish, and I don't know what else. I turned on everything, but all I could get is static. I felt like such a hillbilly. I still laugh about that. Good thing they didn't ask me to start the fireplace...it was gas.
BTW, there is a remote control for the digital picture frame. It is so small, that it has a lanyard on it, so you won't loose it. And I can make it work. (but I had help, and I have to wear my glasses)
I do love the digital cameras and other cool items that are out. They are magic to me. I took some Christmas pictures and had them scrolling in a nice frame on the mantel of the fireplace in minutes. How cool is that?
Best thing invented sence the bread maker.

I turned on the Tv for my little one at mom and dad's house. Flicked the remote up and down, wouldn't work.
When I finally asked dad why the thing wouldn't work, he said that I had managed to derail the TIVO remote enough to cancel all they had set to record. Tears in mama's eyes, how's that for being stupid of me?!

I am impressed that they can figure out tivo.
I bet you felt two years old again.

Just wanted to get a chuckle out of you all. Seems like I depressed everyone. It was not my intention. I laugh at myself everyday. (probably because I do stupid things everyday)

I just want to say that everyone over 40 is not technology challenged. DB is over 60 and knows more about computers than anyone should. I remember years ago (early 80's) we had an Amiga. These were pretty cool. DS learned to program on it and now designs software.

Anyway, I was trying to help my son, (who was just a kid) and we went 100 miles south to this store that specialized in Amiga computers. I was asking the clerk all kinds of questions. He asked where we were from, and got excited and gave me the name and number of this guy, who is really knowledgable and could help if I had problems. It was my brother. I said, this guy doesn't speak english. Then I explained, he was my brother and I cannot understand him when he speaks about computers. The guy thought I was crazy. Sigh.