Bumper crop of Christmas Newbies?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

...

Telling people to "slow down and read the directions" doesn't help when you don't understand the damn things.
...

It shouldn't be made that hard.

It does, if they didn't read them in the first place. And truly the instructions are not highly technical, they are intended to be read and understood by the average computer user.

The steps that are required are no different than installing any other software or device (like a ipod of iphone etc). Most people know how to do this and sometimes that is even the problem because they assume they know how and skip steps.

Clearly as far as the Sony Library Software there seems (at least to me) some issue with Vista and Firewalls and when people skip that step(s) about disabling Virus checkers and Firewalls then it fails to install properly....or so it seems. I've seen very few people having issues when running xp or windows7 -- except possibly when they did things out of order --- like purchasing books before installing/registering the ebook Reader or doing it on a different computer or registering multiple Adobe DE IDs.

Yeah, there are many parts to getting it to work properly, but if they would just wait, read the getting started and follow the directions, there would be far fewer issues.

As I said above I've been doing my best to try and help those with problems, but by the same token the ones that are having the problems are almost invariably because they have not read and followed the getting started directions.

[GA Russell]

Neither the Quick Start Guide nor the Users Manual that came with my jetBook Lite included any instructions about how to load an eBook onto the thing.

I'd be lost without the friendly people here.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by kennyc

It does, if they didn't read them in the first place. And truly the instructions are not highly technical, they are intended to be read and understood by the average computer user.

The steps that are required are no different than installing any other software or device (like a ipod of iphone etc). Most people know how to do this and sometimes that is even the problem because they assume they know how and skip steps.

Clearly as far as the Sony Library Software there seems (at least to me) some issue with Vista and Firewalls and when people skip that step(s) about disabling Virus checkers and Firewalls then it fails to install properly....or so it seems. I've seen very few people having issues when running xp or windows7 -- except possibly when they did things out of order --- like purchasing books before installing/registering the ebook Reader or doing it on a different computer or registering multiple Adobe DE IDs.

Yeah, there are many parts to getting it to work properly, but if they would just wait, read the getting started and follow the directions, there would be far fewer issues.

As I said above I've been doing my best to try and help those with problems, but by the same token the ones that are having the problems are almost invariably because they have not read and followed the getting started directions.

With all due respect, Kenny, what is simple and obvious to you may not be to others.

Your perception of the "average computer user" may be a little on the over estimating site. Many of these are older, and this is a completely new process for them. Or.....they aren't that familiar with their computers.

As far as not reading the directions first........which amongst us hasn't made that error?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by GA Russell

Neither the Quick Start Guide nor the Users Manual that came with my jetBook Lite included any instructions about how to load an eBook onto the thing.

I'd be lost without the friendly people here.

Really? That seems quite an omission.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

With all due respect, Kenny, what is simple and obvious to you may not be to others.

Your perception of the "average computer user" may be a little on the over estimating site. Many of these are older, and this is a completely new process for them. Or.....they aren't that familiar with their computers.

As far as not reading the directions first........which amongst us hasn't made that error?

And that is always going to be true DGM, I'm not disputing that, there will always be those outside the bounds, but what I am saying is that the manufacturers write the getting started guides to the appropriate audience.

Clearly in a few of the cases where I attempted to help the new owners, it was blatantly obvious that it was not a case of not understand, but one of not even trying to read and follow simple getting started steps.

In other cases it was that person not doing what it said. Chalk that up to whatever reason you want, perhaps misunderstanding or perhaps just not doing it and thinking it wouldn't matter. In other cases it was something more serious like issues with the particular computer, usb ports, firewalls, multiple Adobe ID's etc.

I don't know who doesn't read directions, but it seems pretty clear that you should when you open the box and it says in big bold RED letters:

READ THIS FIRST!

[DixieGal]

I love all of the newbies! Somehow they always ask questions in such ways that I learn more and more. Have patience, Kenny, and you may be surprised to find a new online friend.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by DixieGal

I love all of the newbies! Somehow they always ask questions in such ways that I learn more and more. Have patience, Kenny, and you may be surprised to find a new online friend.

Don't get me wrong. I love them too, that's why I'm doing everything I can to help. I'm just trying to express a bit of frustration here.

[neilmarr]

Just to remind you of where we all were once, here you go ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-SjgQvQ. Cheers. Neil

[kennyc]

I love that one Neil. Thanks for the link! karma man!

[omk3]

I loved the video!
So true...

[Latinandgreek]

great link, thanks Neil!

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by neilmarr

Just to remind you of where we all were once, here you go ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-SjgQvQ. Cheers. Neil

good job the book was not upside down !