107 replies to this topic

[Asmo]

[typs lik dis]

Is that IE5?

[Kagato]

I think OpenTheBox nailed it with his post.
The Pandora doesn't need a full 100-page manual, but it really should come with something like a Quick Start Guide to make sure the customer gets up and running smoothly.

I think it should include:

• A list of the included components (device, stylus, battery, charger, cd) so you know you got everything you paid for
  
• General specs: especially stuff like running & charging times
  
• Device care information: cover-your-ass legal stuff (do not submerge, set alight or taunt), maybe good charging practices etc.
  
• Device explanation: labelled diagrams for the connectors & controls listing the standard terminology (useful for tech support)
  
• "Before you start" instructions: installing the battery, first charge etc.
  
• Basic device operation: on, off, restart, standby; default behaviour when closing the lid
  
• Basic details on how to use the default UI: even if everyone is an experienced Linux user -- and not everyone will be -- there will be device-specific stuff in the UI that won't be intuitive for everyone. Things like the behaviour of the Pandora Key under different circumstances, etc.
  
• Configuration information (wifi, etc)
  
• Basic software installation
  
• Any special steps for system maintenance: especially firmware upgrade and recovery
  
• Where to go for further information (online manual, forums etc)
  
• Recommended software repositories

Everything could probably fit on 4 pages, so it could be a single sheet A4-sized (A3 folded in half), or even A5 is small print is tolerable.

Here's an example quick start guide that was printed for A5 size. The full manual was provided on CD (so some important stuff wasn't included on the QSG), but Pandora could probably get away with an online-only manual (eg Wiki).


PS. I produced the above QSG, and would be happy to help with one for the Pandora.

[MWeston]

An operations manual is required for FCC testing so we will definitely be making one. The bulk of how to use Pandora hardware is pretty simple, but I can see a few things that are good to explain. Stuff like how to reset the unit and battery charging considerations will be in there.

Some community support on the manual might be wonderful. ED is in charge of it because he is the pretty rendered picture guy but his time is limited. Maybe he will pop in here and have a comment some time. Perhaps this discussion can continue to discuss things that you might not understand and want clarification on. I can't think of much but since I designed it, I know the hardware inside and out.

Here's a good one: Can I run the system without a battery?

Unfortunately that answer has returned to a big fat NO. I think there is an errata issue with the non battery mode (called CVM). It runs without a battery if the LCD and Wifi are off (power drain is low) but then it won't charge the battery properly (takes about 30 hours!). No CVM and everything runs fine but you can't yank the battery.

[DroneB Dev]

... The full manual was provided on CD (so some important stuff wasn't included on the QSG), but Pandora could probably get away with an online-only manual (eg Wiki). ...

Im Really against Online Manuals even much less Reference for help on Forums.

maybe on the first batch of pandoras i can look away, but next batches its a MUST that manual goes phisical at least on a CD/DVD, but never online.

i really find awfull that some products goes saying to use download the manual and the drivers on this webpage, what happens if the webpage is no longer available?, changed address?, now we are going to ask you to pay for the drivers?(got a product that did this after a year of use).

also i find it really annoying not to say "something i hate to do" is to go soaring tons of threads on a forums to get your answer maybe answered, if so, also that you have to register to read anything or to post the question instead that most of the times they just keep unresponded (something that wont happen on this forum, but posible). another thing to hate is that some of the people think they are elite just go stomping in capital bold letters, "oh i cant believe someone asked that" or "search it" even "learn to use ...".

if i usually cant take that kind of responses as a Developer and general IT consultant, what would you think regular/common/newbie users would feel?

Some community support on the manual might be wonderful. ED is in charge of it because he is the pretty rendered picture guy but his time is limited.

Count me in, i want to help writing /Translating to Spanish.

Edited by DroneB Dev, 29 September 2009 - 03:07 AM.

[Poem58]

Here's a good one: Can I run the system without a battery?

Unfortunately that answer has returned to a big fat NO. I think there is an errata issue with the non battery mode (called CVM). It runs without a battery if the LCD and Wifi are off (power drain is low) but then it won't charge the battery properly (takes about 30 hours!). No CVM and everything runs fine but you can't yank the battery.

So your battery refuses to charge anymore. Does this mean until you get another battery, you cannot use the screen or Wifi? or does that mean that the charge circuit just doesn't get enough power if they are on? I thought I had read before that you could run it on adapter only ( think this was brought up during battery swapping issues for keeping clock setting)

Then again, I think there was a difference between the USB and adapter charging and USB wouldn't have enough juice, but the adapter would run everything fine without a battery.
This kind of information is REALLY necessary to have in the manual. As those who don't frequent the boards wouldn't understand otherwise. (Shoot I read the boards and now I'm confused LOL)

Also, I am one to play while the adapter is plugged in anytime I am close to an outlet, So will this cause an overcharge situation for the battery or will it be shut off when full? I would assume auto shutoff for the charge circuit or you would have to remove battery or use battery only for prolonged use on the mains.

Please clarify. Thanks.

Edited by Poem58, 29 September 2009 - 03:29 AM.

[Tom`]

So your battery refuses to charge anymore. Does this mean until you get another battery, you cannot use the screen or Wifi? or does that mean that the charge circuit just doesn't get enough power if they are on? I thought I had read before that you could run it on adapter only ( think this was brought up during battery swapping issues for keeping clock setting)

I wouldn't make that assumption - I would imagine the device will work as long as the battery is physically present, but I could be wrong. I believe this is how it was originally, before one of the early board revisions that added the capability to run without the battery.

Then again, I think there was a difference between the USB and adapter charging and USB wouldn't have enough juice, but the adapter would run everything fine without a battery.
This kind of information is REALLY necessary to have in the manual. As those who don't frequent the boards wouldn't understand otherwise. (Shoot I read the boards and now I'm confused LOL)

Also, I am one to play while the adapter is plugged in anytime I am close to an outlet, So will this cause an overcharge situation for the battery or will it be shut off when full? I would assume auto shutoff for the charge circuit or you would have to remove battery or use battery only for prolonged use on the mains.

Please clarify. Thanks.

Yes, it's confusing, especially since things have changed between board revisions, so old information is likely to be outdated.

The battery will have the usual protection circuitry to prevent overcharging, shorts, explosions, and so forth.

[Vorporeal]

Here's a good one: Can I run the system without a battery?

Unfortunately that answer has returned to a big fat NO. I think there is an errata issue with the non battery mode (called CVM). It runs without a battery if the LCD and Wifi are off (power drain is low) but then it won't charge the battery properly (takes about 30 hours!). No CVM and everything runs fine but you can't yank the battery.

So your battery refuses to charge anymore. Does this mean until you get another battery, you cannot use the screen or Wifi? or does that mean that the charge circuit just doesn't get enough power if they are on? I thought I had read before that you could run it on adapter only ( think this was brought up during battery swapping issues for keeping clock setting)

Then again, I think there was a difference between the USB and adapter charging and USB wouldn't have enough juice, but the adapter would run everything fine without a battery.
This kind of information is REALLY necessary to have in the manual. As those who don't frequent the boards wouldn't understand otherwise. (Shoot I read the boards and now I'm confused LOL)

Also, I am one to play while the adapter is plugged in anytime I am close to an outlet, So will this cause an overcharge situation for the battery or will it be shut off when full? I would assume auto shutoff for the charge circuit or you would have to remove battery or use battery only for prolonged use on the mains.

Please clarify. Thanks.

From what I can tell, there are two modes - CVM and normal. In CVM, you can run it without a battery, but only as long as the WiFi and screen are turned off (so that the power drain is below a certain threshold). The other issue with CVM mode seems to be that charging is painfully slow. Because of this, MWeston just disabled CVM mode. This means that charging time is as it should be, but it also means that you can't run the Pandora sans-battery.

This is how I read it - makes sense to me. I'm sure MWeston'll jump in with clarification when he gets a chance.

EDIT: Also, the way I read it, the battery charging issue is only with CVM enabled. If he disables it, charging works perfectly fine. It doesn't create a permanent slow-charging condition.

Edited by Vorporeal, 29 September 2009 - 04:51 AM.

[Kagato]

An operations manual is required for FCC testing so we will definitely be making one.

I didn't know that; you learn something every day!

Some community support on the manual might be wonderful. ED is in charge of it because he is the pretty rendered picture guy but his time is limited.

Happy to help where I can. I've got plenty of experience with page layout & diagramming for this stuff, if you need someone at that level. Given a few renders from ED and the content outline (I can't write the whole thing of course), I could put a QSG together for you.

Here's a good one: Can I run the system without a battery?
Unfortunately that answer has returned to a big fat NO.

Oh well; fine by me. I don't think too many of my other battery-powered devices will run without a battery present either. But important info to know.

Im Really against Online Manuals even much less Reference for help on Forums.
maybe on the first batch of pandoras i can look away, but next batches its a MUST that manual goes phisical at least on a CD/DVD, but never online.

Agreed whatever "full" manual is produced should be provided with the device wherever possible; but there's actually a good reason a lot of products ship with digital manuals these days (aside from saving money). Many electronic devices are firmware-upgradeable these days, upon which a printed manual becomes obsolete -- sometimes even before the product ships! It becomes a support nightmare. Once you've got them in front of a computer anyway, giving them a link to the latest version first thing helps minimize that problem.

[LastPucho]

Wow... tons of narrow-minded people. I thought this device was called OpenPandora...

This handheld won't be just for you or for me... but for (hopefully) tons of other people. And for them... well, some of them may need / want a manual.

Anyway, glad to know it will be done, one way or another, for whatever reason. Thumbs up for that .

[Gruso]

So here's where we're at with offers of help.

Kagato - page layouts, diagrams <-- a good offer!
Gruso (English)
BackAssward (English)
Kuru (German/English)
DroneB Dev (Spanish/English)

[GuchaRU]

I can help translating manual into Russian.

[MDave]

Wow... tons of narrow-minded people. I thought this device was called OpenPandora...

This handheld won't be just for you or for me... but for (hopefully) tons of other people. And for them... well, some of them may need / want a manual.

Anyway, glad to know it will be done, one way or another, for whatever reason. Thumbs up for that .

The device is actually called Pandora. OpenPandora is the company. Just pointing out a common mistake people make

[Asmo]

Is that IE5?

Eheheh

No, IE6. I have my reasons

[Asmo]

Here's a good one: Can I run the system without a battery?

Unfortunately that answer has returned to a big fat NO. I think there is an errata issue with the non battery mode (called CVM). It runs without a battery if the LCD and Wifi are off (power drain is low) but then it won't charge the battery properly (takes about 30 hours!). No CVM and everything runs fine but you can't yank the battery.

So when the battery expires the unit is basically bricked? Is there no way to provide adequate power without the battery, maybe by an AC adapter that connects to the battery terminals instead (a future accessory perhaps?). I must admit this bothers me a bit.