We were told to bring instructions for our next class. This made me think of Legos for some reason. When Star Wars I came out into theaters, my brothers and I were into the Lego sets for that movie. We bought practically every set there was. The instructions for the Lego sets were easy to follow. In fact, we were able to complete the sets quickly.
Those instructions were probably the only instructions I've actually really used to put something together. I know when I get a new iHome system or something along those lines, I just start putting it together without looking at the book.
It seems like as we are introduced to more technology, the easier it is for us to set things up. I think this is so because we have already done it numerous times or have even watched someone do it before.
However, some instructions these days seem very complex and confusing, so we just toss the manual out anyways and call a friend or try to reach the customer service for help.
Instructions to me seem to be fading in a way. I know that they are necessary though and that they will stay around for a long time.
7 comments:
I, too, don't always use instructions. I often find it challenging to not do so, but sometimes, if it is something that needs to be done right the first time, I do. I think that technology has enabled designers to make products easier to assemble, and so we have become less reliant on the instructions that come in the box. Sometimes, though, they are absolutely necessary.
I agree that it seems like most people (including myself) prefer to just start on something with trial and error, and ignore the instructions. I think our generation has become especially tech-savvy so it's easier for us to figure out electronic devices without the need for instructions. But older generations whose lives haven't always been consumed by technological devices may still need to rely on well-written instructions.
Lego instruction were the best. I think they are so easy for young people to follow because they are so visual and use very few words. I remember putting those things together like it was my job, looking at the next picture to see what new pieces it required.
I think there is a big difference between instruction for assembly and instruction for tasks. Instruction for building a new shelving unit are generally very visual, whereas instruction for programming a dvd player or something tend to be a little bit more wordy. I know anytime I see too many words and not enough pictures I just toss the instruction and call a friend who knows what they are doing.
I would say I'm probably the same way-- I usually just dive in to something, then have to look back at the instructions when I encounter something I don't understand. I think this is why instructions have to be set up the way they are, in order for people to easily find what they are looking for. I wouldn't say that instructions are becoming outdated however; I feel like people will always have a use for them, but whether or not they will continue to actually be printed on paper in pamphlets and booklets is definitely debatable. Like you mentioned with the increase in knowledge about technology, I think instructions will more and more be found only in paperless form.
I agree about the Legos instructions. They are easy to follow. A couple of years ago, my son and I put together a castle that he had received for his birthday. Several of the steps we were able to combine.
Lately, I have encountered many forms of instruction since my family and I moved last spring, from storage cabinets for the garage to toys for the children. I find myself almost being able to assemble the product just by looking at the picture of the finished product and only using the instructs as a periodic reference.
Yeah I definitely agree. I've been using a computer ever since the first AOL came out back in the dial-up days. A lot of times my mom will ask me to figure out something on the computer, and I'm not a computer whiz by any means, but I've just grown up around it and I know more than she does. I don't think the printed versions of instructions are going to be obsolete. We have to remember that not everyone has computers (although more people do now than ever before) and assemblers have to place the warnings in there so that they can be seen right away and not get sued because someone is being stupid. I usually will work on something with trial and error too, but I always keep the instructions handy in case I need them later.
I agree- I very rarely ever even look at the instructions booklet that come with most things. I find this to be especially true when my credibility is at stake or I want to prove something. For example, when I have to assemble some piece of furniture, I want to be able to do it right the first time without having to read the instructions so that I can feel like I am a handyman. Completely ridiculous, I know. Barring those kinds of silly situations that I create for myself, it seems as though some instructions are just extremely unnecessary. With your iHome, since you've been using radios and other sorts of entertainment systems since you were little the steps of finding a radio station would be useless. I agree that we probably still need to include them with purchases in the off-chance that the user is a first time music-enjoyer (keeping with the example).
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