Online User Manual Critique

Week 4 - Individual Assignment

ENG 221

April 5, 2013

Online User Manual Critique

For week four’s individual assignment the Sony DSC-TX9 online user manual is the subject of my evaluation. For this evaluation I used the "Instruction, User Manual, and SOP Usability Checklist" as my criteria. (Gerson, 2012) This checklist focuses on the key elements of any effective manual, such as audience recognition, development, conciseness, consistency, ease of use, and document design.

Sony's DSC-TX9 online manual consists of 68 pages of warnings, cautions, information, instructions, and technical illustrations. It is also important to note that this manual is provided in English and Spanish. The cover page of the manual clearly states what Sony product the manual is meant for. The cover also incorporates the logos of the various technologies used with its product.

The second page of the manual starts by allowing the reader to enter their Sony products serial number. This provides the user a convenient and easy way to keep track of their information if the need to call Sony customer support arises. On this page, the warning and cautionary statements are listed. These statements warn the user of potential risks while using this product. Sony also provides disposal and recycling information for the products battery pack.

Audience Recognition

Reading the manual it seems that, although it is 2013, Sony is under the assumption that its users clearly understand its technical terms. Sony does not provide a glossary of terms for its users to reference, nor does it explain acronyms within the text. User manuals should have a glossary of terms that a user can reference. This allows the user to become more familiar and comfortable with their purchased product.

Sony offers many technical illustrations identifying parts, steps, and procedures. Illustrations show the product from various angles and, in some cases, the drawings provide directional arrows showing the user the...