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Summary
A user manual is a document used to guide the user on how to setup, operate and maintain a particular product. There is a standard universal structure of designing a user manual that must be followed by all manufactures in order o make the use of various products and devices easy and enjoyable.
Failure to provide users with a clear and comprehensive user guides or manuals can lead to serious consequences such as accidents or damaging of the product. This paper describes and analyses user manuals of two devices in relation to the manual evaluation criteria.
Manual description
This paper will describe the content and organization of the Nokia internet modem manual together with the Apple TV user guide for the sake of analysis using the manual evaluation criteria.
Nokia internet modem user manual
The Nokia internet modem manual is a detailed manual designed to provide the user with appropriate knowledge of operating and maintaining the device. The manual has a title page that contains the title of the device manual with the edition notice at the back of the title page. The manual begins with a table of contents that enables the user to locate the required information as fast as possible.
Major topics and subtopics are listed in the table of contents showing the exact location of specific information by page. The Nokia internet modem manual has a brief introduction that contains an overview of the modem in general. The guide goes ahead to show the user how to get started in connecting the modem to the computer.
The manual shows the main view of the modem describing the main features. The manual has the shortcuts section that helps the user to access websites, applications and files. The manual highlights predefined shortcuts and how to create new shortcuts. The manual also has messages and contacts section that describes all the features of a messages menu together with contacts.
The fundamental section of this manual is the tools and settings section that demonstrates to the user how to use different tools. The manual has got troubleshooting information to the help the user fix problems that might occur in the course of using the modem.
This section highlights both general and connection settings of the Nokia modem. Finally, the manual describes all the connection profiles of the modem including information on how to manage and create connection profiles.
Apple TV setup manual
Apple TV manual contains all the vital information needed to setup Apple TV at home. The manual has got a title page with the edition notice at the bottom of the title page. The user guide has got a table of contents that directs the user in locating specific information. The body text of the manual is font 12 with fist-level headings.
The first section shows the user how to connect the TV. The section includes the various applications of apple TV which a pictorial representation of the Apple TV hardware. The connection section shows all the hardware needed in the connection with all their specifications. This section also shows a pictorial view of Apple TV at a glance with all the parts named in the diagram. All the parts are fully described with appropriate symbols.
The Apple TV manual has got the configuration section that highlights all the network configurations of Apple TV. The Apple TV manual also has well illustrated pictures that show how to prepare and set Apple TV for watching. The Apple TV manual has got troubleshooting information that helps and guides the user in some of the common problems that may affect the TV.
The manual also has the service and support section that has information on where exactly the user can find help and other services related to Apple TV. Some of the areas tackled include registering and obtaining warranty services for Apple TV. The Manual also offers the user some basic information on how to clean and maintain Apple TV.
Evaluation criteria
There are a number of basic features that each manual should have for it to be of the required quality. A user manual or guide should provide clear and concise operational information of the device in question (Powell, 1990). The user manual should also contain all the necessary commands with detailed installation and troubleshooting instructions and procedures. A good manual should have headings, lists and special notes and warnings that highlight special information.
Special notices showing cautions and warnings are also very fundamental (Powell, 1990). The instructions should vertically according to the standard of designing user manuals. Important information in the user manual should be highlighted using capital letters, color, italics or bold. A user manual should also contain other additional information such as trademarks, disclaimers, warranties, safety notices, appendixes and glossary.
The instructions section of the user manual should include all the directions showing how to assemble, operate and troubleshoot the device in question. A good manual should also have precautionary information to caution the user on potential dangers (Powell, 1990). A comprehensive user manual should contain reference information to update the user incase there are any other additional commands.
An effective manual should also provide some general information about the product such as product description and information on how to get started. A more elaborate manual will provide the user with the technical background of the product highlighting its operational principles (Powell, 1990).
Analysis
The manufacturers of these products tried their level best in meeting the criteria set for user manuals. To begin with, the Nokia internet modem manual has got a well listed table of contents to guide the user when looking for specific information. The Nokia modem manual has elaborate instructions section that clearly guides the user on how to setup and operate the modem.
The Nokia modem user guide clearly presents precautionary and other important information in bold mainly to attract the user’s attention. The instructions in this manual are listed in a vertical manner presenting a logical flow of instructions. The text font is Aerial 12 which makes the text appear clear and readable.
The Nokia modem manual presents a comprehensive technical background of the product highlighting the product’s principle of operation. Although the Nokia modem manual is rich in operational and setup information in text form, it lack’s pictorial and graphics illustrations of the product parts and connections.
The Apple TV manual is the most comprehensive manual of the two products. To begin with, the manual has got a front page with the product name and the, company logo and manual edition. The manual has got the edition notice at the back of the title page. The Apple TV manual also meets the evaluation criteria because it has got a table of contents with specified page numbers to guide the user.
The instructions and procedures on how to setup the Apple TV are logically presented by the use of well labeled pictorial diagrams. The manual also contains a detailed description of all the Apple TV parts accompanied with diagrams. The manual has got special notices highlighted with a different color to indicate cautions and important information.
The troubleshooting section is also detailed with examples of potential problems and their solution. The Apple TV manual has got cleaning and care section with elaborate procedures and instructions on how to clean and maintain the device. The manual further informs the user on where to get the services related to Apple TV.
Conclusion
No matter how good a product may be, its value can not be felt in the market if the users are not well informed on how to operate and use the product. A user guide or manual is a useful document that ensures that a product from the manufacturer is used in a correct and efficient manner.
A user manual should be clear, comprehensive, readable and simply presented for the user to follow. Based on our Nokia modem and apple TV manual examples, it is easy to note that there are a lot of similarities in terms of structure and flow of manuals. Irrespective of the type of product in question, the criteria used to design and produce a user guide must be followed.
Reference
Powell, P. (1990). Designing user interfaces. New York, NY: Microtrend Books
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