Following up last week’s question about reading writing/grammar guides, this week, we’re expanding the question….
Scenario: You’ve just bought some complicated gadget home . . . do you read the accompanying documentation? Or not?
Do you ever read manuals?
How-to books?
Self-help guides?
Anything at all?
Well, I don't really like reading products manuals. I mean, I will skim through them in case they have any special instructions or anything, but I just don't read them for pleasure or even to kill time. If I'm stuck with the problem, I will usually approach my husband first before referring to the manual. It's faster that way, haha. (Unless he is clueless and he will be the one who will refer to them instead of yours truly.)
But when it comes to self-improvement books, then that is a different matter to me. I enjoy reading them, depending on the subjects and how much I find them informative and/or useful. Another scenario is, if I'm stuck with a computer or internet problem, I will google it. I don't know why, but I find searching answers online is so much easier than looking them up in manuals, partly because the web is so wide and you can just find anything there with only a click of your mouse.
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I'll remember to google my computer problems next time instead of looking at a manual .. they're so boring!
I agree - my husband is Mr Fix-It - he never reads instructions either. Good idea about the computer ptoblems. Dare I say I find Blogger Help is no help.
It's common for us nowadays to say "Google it" if you have a question about something. Forums and online communities are a big help :D
I've never really thought about googleing my issues when I have them. I jump to the manual if I cannot figure it out myself. I'll do the google thing now, probably easier.
I ask hubby too ;)
Believe you me, I do read manuals just for the heck of it. Like you, I also prefer to google for information because it's literally unlimited information out there. :D
I am pretty much the same. Most manuals are too tedious, and looking online often you can find the exact answer to your exact question without having to dig through a lot of technical stuff.
Ah, yes, asking the husband is easier than looking up the answer anyway! I like that idea. :D
Husbands are great to go to when you have a tech problem. Mine is my favorite manual!
With no husband, I have to look through the manuals. Or who else is gonna do it for me?!
:D
My BTT post!
One thing that is nice about personal development books is that they are sort of light reading (for me at least) because you have no obligation to them. They don't have some secret at the end, you can take what you need from them, put them down guilt free until you feel like picking them up again. I really like that.
It's interesting how many of us say the same thing about the hubby. Fortunately, mine is very good with most gadgets and machinery. And he's tall enough to change the light bulbs I can't reach!
We'd be in a major heap of trouble if my wife relied on my "fix-it" skills.
I'm with you on the Internet as a resource thing though. It's not always trustworthy but as long as that's kept in mind, it's a great tool.
I love the fact that the internet brings so many answers! What would we do without it?
Holistic Knitter - The internet is so useful! I don't know what to do without it!
Booksplease - My husband is good in putting things together, and I'm so glad because of this! You know, I don't find Blogger Help much help either, hehe.
Kat - I agree! Forum and online communities are great too!
Aaron - I love everything's online. So much faster and convenient!!!
Chris - Glad we share the same thoughts. :)
Alice - I try not to read manuals unless it's necessary or it's an emergency, LOL!
Barbara - I so agree with you.
Trish - It's the fastest route to me anyway, hehe.
Jaimie - Same here. And I think they enjoy doing it anyway. ;P
Gautami - I understand. That's why I find internet is another great source! :)
Megan - I agree, although some of them contain much heavier stuff. They're a good for occasional read, but too many of them will be too much for me.
Jlshall - I suppose men are more into these stuff. ;) Mine will change the light bulbs for me too.
John - LOL!! Internet is a great tool, and I notice there're more people getting online nowadays than the past.
Kim - Exactly! I can't imagine my life without it.
Now when John Wayne rode in to town to tackle the cattle barons in their fancy Eastern Style ranches you never see anyone struggling with a flat pack manual. Yet mail order catalogues took off in the 19th century so did the fancy furniture arrive all made up? We need an answer!!
I prefer not to rely on my husband if I can help it for things like that, especially if it is something I need to know how to do.
I use the internet to research certain things, but if I need a quick answer and I don't have a trusted site I like to use for the problem, I prefer to go to one of the books on my shelf. It's easier than weeding through the junk and trying to figure out if I am getting good advice or not.
Bookdreamer - Oh, you've a point there!
Wendy - Most of the times, I do ask my husband first because I need a quick answer (especially when my young daughter needs my attention and I can't possibly check from the manuals or logon to the internet). And sometimes, with a little luck, I think trying things on hand might work than reading those instructions, hehe. ;)