Printed Manuals?

[elj]

I seem to remember something being posted a while back that the documentation for products (IP.Board, IP.Nexus etc) may be printed and bound and then shipped to customers who'd be willing to pay for it. Was there ever a concrete decision made on this? Obviously it's not the most pressing thing in the world, it'd just be nice to know. :)

[Brandon C]

If IPS does decide to release and publish this, what costs will be associated with it? Just the cost of shipping and handling? I'd be happy to pick up a copy of the documentation if it was at a reasonable price. :)

[stobbo]

I would imagine they would of announced it if they had already started this.

I think it would be good for a reasonably price, although it could be costly to ship to Europe, unless Matt or Debbie did it.

[Lindy]

Yes, we will be doing this. We've simply held off to ensure the documentation is finalized. The cost will be minimal - enough to cover the printing, binding and shipping. We're not out to make money on it. If I recall, it was in the neighborhood of $20-30, maybe less depending on volume. If there's interest, we'll make this a top priority. :)

[stobbo]

Will this be US only? or would it be more expensive depending on postal costs?

[Brandon C]

Yes, we will be doing this. We've simply held off to ensure the documentation is finalized. The cost will be minimal - enough to cover the printing, binding and shipping. We're not out to make money on it. If I recall, it was in the neighborhood of $20-30, maybe less depending on volume. If there's interest, we'll make this a top priority. :)

I will pay about $20-30 for it, so yes, I would definitely like one when you all have one available. :)

[Charles]

Will this be US only? or would it be more expensive depending on postal costs?

We'll make a point to check with postal service soon to see about costs to other countries.

[stobbo]

Maybe you could send a bundle of the manuals over to Matt or someone else who is in the UK, to then distribute at a lower cost, as your only sending one package across the pond.

[Charles]

Really depends on interest I guess :)

Plus we have to be careful to order too many at once as we will be updating documentation now and then which means printed manuals will go out of date.

[elj]

Thanks for the update. :D Conversation on this seems to be shifting to the (rather confusing :P) poll here now...

[China J]

I'm down for pdf format as it can be easily updated and printed out at my convienence. Purchasing a hardcopy of something that can go out of date at the blink of an eye is not productive in my opinion. I would willingly pay an extra small fee to have access to it (pdf format) in my client center which would be the most reliable way to ensure as long as I have a active license, I will have an updated copy. Something like a $1 a month (Catch 20/20 :P).

[Quillz]

I'm down for pdf format as it can be easily updated and printed out at my convienence. Purchasing a hardcopy of something that can go out of date at the blink of an eye is not productive in my opinion. I would willingly pay an extra small fee to have access to it (pdf format) in my client center which would be the most reliable way to ensure as long as I have a active license, I will have an updated copy. Something like a $1 a month (Catch 20/20 :P ).

PDF documentation is already available, and it can be downloaded for free.

[China J]

Sorry, maybe I spoke too quick. But just in case, can you specifically point out where in the "Client Area" or actual "File Download" it has a pdf documentation explaining the use of software and any changes to code, skin bits, features and etc? If it's currently free, why would you opt to pay for a copy then?

The only documentation I have seen in my downloads is an "Installation Guide". And in my client area I see nothing about a "What's New pdf" download in my downloads section for any of the products i'm licensed for.

I was merely pointing out that it would be more productive to add this to the client area to resolve users constantly & repeatedly asking about code changes, features, skin bits and explainations on usage of IPB at new release points. Realistically it is an expensive task to bring this to print and as you see others are concerned about getting a copy overseas and the costs already. Seriously are you going to buy a new book upon each release of ipb or go the add footnotes method route :rolleyes:

[IMO]Yes, I would pay the extra buck to save me the need to not weed through tons of posts to find out whats new/changed, how to use a new feature or even to apply manual patches.[/IMO]

[Brandon C]

Sorry, maybe I spoke too quick. But just in case, can you specifically point out where in the "Client Area" or actual "File Download" it has a pdf documentation explaining the use of software and any changes to code, skin bits, features and etc? If it's currently free, why would you opt to pay for a copy then?

The only documentation I have seen in my downloads is an "Installation Guide". And in my client area I see nothing about a "What's New pdf" download in my downloads section for any of the products i'm licensed for.

[IMO]Yes, I would pay the extra buck to save me the need to not weed through tons of posts to find out whats new/changed, how to use a new feature or even to apply manual patches.[/IMO]

Documentation Page: http://community.ipslink.com/board/documentation.html
Direct IP.Board 2.2 Documentation PDF File: http://community.ipslink.com/board/files/ipb22docs.pdf

[China J]

Ok, Im an idiot lol... was looking for it in the client area...

But just in case, can you specifically point out where in the "Client Area" or actual "File Download" it has a pdf documentation

explaining the use of software

and any changes to code, skin bits, features and etc?

sorry for overspeaking. However, I would still like to see changes/diff reports to code, html, css & etc somewhere in there for new releases to software.

I will now go hide somewhere and put the beer down :whistle:

[John__]

Really depends on interest I guess :)

Plus we have to be careful to order too many at once as we will be updating documentation now and then which means printed manuals will go out of date.

Don't you have a large printer?

We had a similar dilemma at my previous company. In the end we printed them ourself, laminated the front and back pages then hand bind them as people requested them.

It takes up extra man hours, but any low paid office junior can do them. The equipment needed is very cheap from online office suppliers... It used to save us money, passing on the saving to the clients.

[stobbo]

Don't you have a large printer?

We had a similar dilemma at my previous company. In the end we printed them ourself, laminated the front and back pages then hand bind them as people requested them.

It takes up extra man hours, but any low paid office junior can do them. The equipment needed is very cheap from online office suppliers... It used to save us money, passing on the saving to the clients.

I am sure they would consider which is cheaper to give customers the cheapest product feasible.