New Poll: your preference on printed manuals

Posted on 2007-03-22 09:25 By Tom 4 ( Maple Rating 4

468)

Hello all. At the company, we've recently had discussions on the future of printed manuals. Many software companies are moving towards CD-only packaging for many reasons. Today, if you buy the full professional version of Maple, you get all manuals printed. I just wanted to get a sense of your feelings on paper vs. electronic manuals. Thanks. T4.

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paper and electronic manuals

Comment on 2007-03-23 00:48 from jakubi ( Maple Rating 4

943)

I find both versions of the documentation complementary and I like to have both.

A version printed on paper is more comfortable for reading (and probably more healthier), more convenient to take anywhere, compare different pages or with other printed material and use as a reference.

An electronic version is more convenient for searching a specific content or further processing (as pasting some material in a worksheet).

With a CD-only version I should go to print them, but that is too inconvenient for me.

I agree with jakubi completely

Comment on 2007-03-26 09:40 from S.Arlou (

46)

Hello All!

It is very nicely to relax in bathroom with Maple Advanced Programming Usual Book reading.
It is very nicely to fast search and copy code blocks with Maple Advanced Programming E-Book too.

Ditto

Comment on 2007-03-28 22:10 from John Carter (3)

Not much to add. Both are nice since each has its advantage. Since I purchased the download version of Maple 11, and since I don't care to have books laying around that are seldom referenced, I think I've made my peace with not having the printed manuals. For those that purchase the boxed version of Maple, both media should be there.

manuals

Comment on 2007-04-04 14:33 from Timothy Lippa (3)

If you want to give me both fine, but If I could only have one I'd take the paper version.

I know you can't do a text search with the book, but you can use the index. And I like to be able to take it with me.

This is one of the big complaints I had with MathCAD...
No decent hardcopies of the manuals. For the price most pay for this type of software the cost of manuals should be a drop in the bucket.
In my opinion it is not the place to try and save a buck.

I'd take the paper version

Comment on 2007-04-09 17:10 from S.Arlou (

46)

Timothy: If I could only have one I'd take the paper version.
Yes that is right! I am too.

paper

Comment on 2007-04-20 13:38 from mjsottile (1)

I prefer the paper versions -- no electronic manuals I've found have an easy way flip around through the manual and make bookmarks the way you can with paper.