[pico]

like when you got a new piece of hot electronic that you never used before. do you first read the instruction or you just start playing with it until you figure out how to use it (or break it)?

[mathdotcom]

As if you don't know the answer to this...

[CrazyLou]

Reading instruction manuals are a drag. I just figure out myself.

[mmike032]

instructions are for bitches
I dont ask for directions when lost either

[Willie Bee]

I read them.

[Mudcat]

As I get older, I have become more likely to read instructions.

If it is something simple like a new coffee maker, I probably wouldn't bother. But experience has taught me that with more complex unfamiliar things, I can save myself time by going straight to the instructions.

[Matt Rain]

I'll google my problem with something before ever breaking out the manual. Chances are, someone had the same issue before me.

[Justin7]

Well designed electronics don't need manuals. They are "experiment-friendly".

[daggerkobe]

people don't even read manuals for their cars.

[RogueScholar]

I read the instructions for electronics, might as well let the manufacturer educate me with the basics before I dive in myself. And people do read the manuals for their car, but it's people who fix their cars themselves, and they read the shop manual, not the owner's manual. I have a Chilton/Haynes (illustrated version) manual and a shop manual for all of my vehicles, and do all the work myself.

[jjgold]

You usually can do lots of things without instructions, I guess depends on what you buy, secondly most instructions are poorly written.

[daggerkobe]

No, people do not read their car manuals. I used to frequent auto forums and everyday there would be dozens of questions that would be answered in their manuals. I got sick of answering the same questions over and over so I'd just post RTFM.

[Mudcat]

The corollary question for this forum would be, do you read Terms and Conditions at a sportsbook before you send your money?

Obviously tons of people don't. They come here and ask how to send their money (which they could get answered quicker and more accurately by reading or phoning for instructions.) And then they figure everything else will be sorted out by tinkering around.

And then they come on here crying because there is a (clearly stated) fee or some (clearly stated) condition they don't like.

Instructions can be a good thing.

[Willie Bee]

Mud, maybe the first poll should've just been, "Do you read?" before we moved into specifics about what some of them might or might not read. Just a thought.

[Iamtheman]

Originally Posted by pico

like when you got a new piece of hot electronic that you never used before. do you first read the instruction or you just start playing with it until you figure out how to use it (or break it)?

I only read the manual if I can't figure out what I'm doing.