The #1 Nexus 7 News, Discussion and Fan Site!

2012 Nexus 7 Discussion Forums (1st Generation) => Nexus 7 General Discussion => Topic started by: gp123 on August 27, 2012, 01:43:02 PM

Title: Better Documentation !!!
Post by: gp123 on August 27, 2012, 01:43:02 PM
Documentation for N7 is an embarrassment (including the N7 "Guidebook").
N7 seems like an excellent product, but no idea how to use its many features/options without endless experimentation. 
A real frustration.
Title: Re: Better Documentation !!!
Post by: radiocycle on August 27, 2012, 03:08:12 PM
Documentation for N7 is an embarrassment (including the N7 "Guidebook").
N7 seems like an excellent product, but no idea how to use its many features/options without endless experimentation. 
A real frustration.

Yup, I have to agree with ya there gp123... Thumbs up.   I did happen to see a guide selling somewhere, maybe GP, for a few bucks.  But it really should hve been documented much better by the manufacture! 
Title: Re: Better Documentation !!!
Post by: JayJ on August 27, 2012, 03:15:58 PM
The vast majority of smart phones don't come with a user manual thee days, the Nexus 7 guide on Play Books is a huge improvement albeit not as concise as some users would want.
Title: Re: Better Documentation !!!
Post by: fxsarge on August 27, 2012, 05:35:01 PM
it is better documented  than most products in this segment. what questions do you?
Title: Re: Better Documentation !!!
Post by: tsruggles on August 27, 2012, 05:59:15 PM
You could fill a library with instructions on using such a device. People would complain a lot more if their mobile device came with the entire Encyclopedia Britannica collection. Shipping would cost a fortune. But seriously. That's why there are forums. It's a never ending learning process. And it's quite fun for those who like to learn something new every day.
Title: Re: Better Documentation !!!
Post by: Babyfacemagee on August 27, 2012, 06:34:43 PM
Yes, I was going to say that Nexus7Forum.com is the best documentation there is!  It's interactive, answers your questions, provides the latest news and informs you of all the latest and greatest apps, games and accessories.   A 'pre-printed' document is basically dated as soon as it prints.   A forum is a living, growing thing that becomes as useful as the effort you put in.  Perhaps we should have a tag line:  'The Nexus 7 Forum:  We Begin Where the 'User's Guide' Ends'
Title: Re: Better Documentation !!!
Post by: gp123 on August 27, 2012, 06:45:31 PM
To my mind, at the bare minimum every control and option on N7 should have a documented explanation.  If things become too complex -- that's what Appendices are for.   Google has chosen not to do this, so instead I rely on the good folks in this Forum for most explanations.  My only other choice would be endless experimentation and tinkering.  There should at least be a Google Support telephone support number.  Have not seen this.

Good documentation takes time and effort.  Nearly as complex as developing the product itself.  I think Google(Asus)  has produced a great product in N7 but has done a bad job in documenting it.
Title: Re: Better Documentation !!!
Post by: Babyfacemagee on August 27, 2012, 06:56:47 PM
Google actually does provide support online as well as by phone.   It's on their support site.  Here's a couple of links.

If you're a new Nexus 7 owner and unfamiliar with Android this will walk you through a lot of the basics:
http://support.google.com/nexus/?hl=en&topic=2565937 (http://support.google.com/nexus/?hl=en&topic=2565937)

If you have further questions try their help line:
http://support.google.com/nexus/?hl=en (http://support.google.com/nexus/?hl=en)

Title: Re: Better Documentation !!!
Post by: radiocycle on August 27, 2012, 07:47:35 PM
  Perhaps we should have a tag line:  'The Nexus 7 Forum:  We Begin Where the 'User's Guide' Ends'

Hey, I LIKE that! 

Yeah I wouldn't want a written manual but more detail in the on-line version would have been good, IMO.  But I see your point...

radio
Title: Re: Re: Better Documentation !!!
Post by: JayJ on August 27, 2012, 07:53:24 PM
Perhaps we should have a tag line:  'The Nexus 7 Forum:  We Begin Where the 'User's Guide' Ends'

That sounds great, an awesome tag line!!
Title: Re: Re: Better Documentation !!!
Post by: fxsarge on August 28, 2012, 06:56:17 AM
To my mind, at the bare minimum every control and option on N7 should have a documented explanation.  If things become too complex -- that's what Appendices are for.   Google has chosen not to do this, so instead I rely on the good folks in this Forum for most explanations.  My only other choice would be endless experimentation and tinkering.  There should at least be a Google Support telephone support number.  Have not seen this.

Good documentation takes time and effort.  Nearly as complex as developing the product itself.  I think Google(Asus)  has produced a great product in N7 but has done a bad job in documenting it.

The manual it comes with explains a lot of stuff... what kind of features do you not know how to use?
Title: Re: Better Documentation !!!
Post by: garryknight on August 29, 2012, 04:16:19 PM
You could check out the Google Nexus 7 Survival Guide

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Toly_K_GoogleNexus7SurvivalGuide9781611982343?id=Ts9w9b7BytoC&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImJvb2stVHM5dzliN0J5dG9DIl0.
Title: Re: Better Documentation !!!
Post by: tsruggles on August 29, 2012, 05:39:02 PM
They also made a series of videos      http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWQuxgA1uhzM&v=WQuxgA1uhzM&gl=US

: EDIT: Sorry for the mobile site link. I'm on my mobile device.