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User manuals yesterday and today as evidence to...

I noted that the population is going gradually dumb. Evidently, when you compare user manuals of 70’s and 80’s, you see detailed diagrams of disassembling, schematics and what you see now is totally different and targeted population with substantially less grey substance.
Owners manual of Pass X250.8 amp would say:
Servicing: To reduce the risk of fire, electrical shock or other injuries, the user should not attempt to service the device beyond that which is described in the operating instructions. All other servicing must be referred to qualified service personnel.
Now compare it to owner/service manual of JVC L-E60 linear tracking turntable!
All explained in DETAILS if you want to download it from here :http://http//www.vinylengine.com/library/jvc/l-e600.shtml
Should you really feel disrespect? I really do!
I do respect Nelson Pass and I do understand that he suppose to follow rules dictated by insurance companies, but that seems and feels like you’re getting clear instructions to be dumb!

It’s not only evident via users manuals of electronic equipment, It’s also visible in many other aspects of life and it’s very unfortunate. Penske Truck rentals for example stopped using 16’ diesel cabovers in many states because renters tried to fill it up with gas.

And finally DT winning primaries! How that feels?

Why we go so dumb?
czarivey
11 responses Add your response
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,742 posts
 
Me not no...
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
WAT?

Lawyers.
We have to make sure that no one can ever accidentally do anything.
Companies today have to close as many loopholes as they can, and idiot proof everything. Lawsuits cost big $$$, just ask Marriott.
It's safer to always overestimate the intelligence of your audience.
czarivey OP
5,710 posts
 
" Lawsuits cost big $$$, just ask Marriott". Cliche! Just another proof of why we should be dumb.

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,576 posts
 
Ah, the good old days. Back when everyone's dad had some semblance of a tool collection in his garage. Now they're just used for storage. Cars needed constant attention and tuning. TVs needed tubes replaced. Washers and dryers needed belts replaced or motors swapped out. 

We were a more inquisitive lot back then and those manuals of old guided those with the knack in repairing things. Now things are more complex. We've lost those skills. Yet we still have that inquisitive nature and tend to screw things up and look for a lawyer to cover our mistakes.

My, how time flies. Sometimes in the wrong direction. :-)

All the best,
Nonoise

czarivey OP
5,710 posts
 
Back to jmcgrogan2 who made vary valid points in every of his line especially where I read "idiot proof"!
I rip my body hair when I hear or see that and want to SHOUT and SCREAM because we used to be treated as sapiens -- smart and now treated like idiots -- dumb. 

77jovian
385 posts
 
I have a friend who purchased some socks and swears they came with instructions to insert the foot "toes first".
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,865 posts
 
Dumbing down to teh audience is one explanation. Another is service revenues are often more profitable than selling the item. Also modern equipment especially digital tends to require very specialized info to service which goes hand in hand with the service cost thing.

Look, we bought a new refrigerator last year that is run by computer. We had a problem initially with fans running wild that required an update to software to fix. Took the tech 3 visits to figure that out. Also teh update can only be done manually by an authorized tech.

Also teh water filter is monitored and a light comes on when time to replace, about twice a year. Filters cost $40-$50 a pop.

Oh well, I hope it filters all the lead supposedly in our water that officials tend to like to keep under wraps.

Its a very nice GE refrigerator for anyone curious.

Welcome to the 21th century USA.

treadman's avatar
treadman
17 posts
 
I held various positions related to marine electronics equipment documentation from the mid 80s until last year. The changes to the safety information section during that period became absurd. From a single page of common sense warnings (do not open the equipment unless qualified to do so) to three pages of information for persons lacking common sense. But when you have a user who complains that the screen darkens when he puts on sunglasses...
minorl
1,014 posts
 

I tend to believe that this trend is not to dumb down anything, but to protect the company.  In America, it is typical to sue people and companies for just about anything.  And, since I have noticed many Judges actually allow lawsuits to go forward that have no place in court at all, I can understand companies taking this approach.

A good Engineer/Technician can reverse engineer just about any circuit.  That said, some companies, like car manufacturers also, want buyers to take the product to their authorized service center for work instead of having someone with no knowledge or very little knowledge butcher the item first and then expect the manufacturer to service the item under warranty.

But since one can sue McDonalds for very hot coffee that the person actually spilled on themselves, (which I still can't believe was allowed), I can understand companies trying to prevent being sued because someone opened the unit, electrocuted him/her self and then sued after the fact.

It would be nice to obtain the schematics after the project is no longer being manufactured, but even that is rare. 

Also, many companies steal designs from other companies.  Why make it easy for them to do so by providing schematics. 

Don't get me wrong, I like having schematics, because I like having the ability to work on or repair my equipment.  There are some exceptions however.  Try to repair a Mark Levinson 23.5 amp.  Whomever designed and put that amp together, especially the stacked circuit boards, need severe punishment.

enjoy

czarivey OP
5,710 posts
 
...All that hype about service monopolies driven with too many "layers" of third parties that want to take the business steaks on everything one provides. It's financially beneficial for us to be dumb. That's the point. Respect, humanity depletes each and every year.

fourwnds's avatar
fourwnds
277 posts
 
TV is the problem. Too many channels of bs. Explains Trump, at least partially. It's a black hole of mind numbing passivity thinly disguised as news. As entertainment only if watched with Pepto. I love some of the new shows available through Netflix don't get me wrong. 

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