Does anyone really read thier DVD Instruction Manual, anymore?

6

65rosessamurai

Guest
This non CF related topic is more like a general poll, because of the fact that my new job involves the translation of English Manuals for Panasonic Products.
Since I got here, many parts of the manuals have been found to be vague in some areas, and totally incomplete in their explanation in others. Also, the style to some manuals (various brands) are either all photos, diagrams, or practically all words.
The questions I have for anyone who reads the manuals to their DVD player, are:
1. What brand is it?
2. How well do you understand the contents?
3. Are the contents all photos, or mostly all words?
With this feedback, I'm hoping to be able to "encourage" Panasonic to give a more precise explanation to their manuals, if anyone other than I happen to find "oddities" in thier English explanations! I learned that in Japan, they are poor at describing something by words, though they can communicate it verbally. (Thus, most their manuals look like Japanese Manga-comic books!)
I found this a plus for English speakers, because we ARE able to describe our thoughts in words! (I'm willing to use this as an argument for the necessity of extra wording in English) And, I found out that in America, there are schools that teach technical writing, but nothing like that actually exists in Japan, so most technicians who do the writing are not always good at written communication.
(Note: I work for a company that cooperates with Panasonic on the development of their manuals, but the final decision is always Panasonic, not my company. Also, I have just started here last month, so any oddities to Panasonic related manuals haven't reached my desk, yet!!)
With the utilization of this forum, I'm doing a little extra "homework", and everyone's cooperation is greatly appreciated!!
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
This non CF related topic is more like a general poll, because of the fact that my new job involves the translation of English Manuals for Panasonic Products.
Since I got here, many parts of the manuals have been found to be vague in some areas, and totally incomplete in their explanation in others. Also, the style to some manuals (various brands) are either all photos, diagrams, or practically all words.
The questions I have for anyone who reads the manuals to their DVD player, are:
1. What brand is it?
2. How well do you understand the contents?
3. Are the contents all photos, or mostly all words?
With this feedback, I'm hoping to be able to "encourage" Panasonic to give a more precise explanation to their manuals, if anyone other than I happen to find "oddities" in thier English explanations! I learned that in Japan, they are poor at describing something by words, though they can communicate it verbally. (Thus, most their manuals look like Japanese Manga-comic books!)
I found this a plus for English speakers, because we ARE able to describe our thoughts in words! (I'm willing to use this as an argument for the necessity of extra wording in English) And, I found out that in America, there are schools that teach technical writing, but nothing like that actually exists in Japan, so most technicians who do the writing are not always good at written communication.
(Note: I work for a company that cooperates with Panasonic on the development of their manuals, but the final decision is always Panasonic, not my company. Also, I have just started here last month, so any oddities to Panasonic related manuals haven't reached my desk, yet!!)
With the utilization of this forum, I'm doing a little extra "homework", and everyone's cooperation is greatly appreciated!!
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
I guess nobody does!!! Might mean I either:
1. Rewrite them, so they are more enjoyable to read!
2. Look for another career cause nobody seems to need them!
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
I guess nobody does!!! Might mean I either:
1. Rewrite them, so they are more enjoyable to read!
2. Look for another career cause nobody seems to need them!
 
A

anonymous

New member
Sounds like an interesting and creative job. I personally do not read manuals that often because my husband is a techno file. He never needs to read a manual. It drives me crazy. I always keep all my manuals. Make it colorful and lots of pictures and of course paragraphs explaining step by step. So you work for Panasonic how long have you worked for them? That must be an interesting job. I am very interested in learning why you live in Japan. How do you deal with smoke in the public places?

Risa
 
A

anonymous

New member
Sounds like an interesting and creative job. I personally do not read manuals that often because my husband is a techno file. He never needs to read a manual. It drives me crazy. I always keep all my manuals. Make it colorful and lots of pictures and of course paragraphs explaining step by step. So you work for Panasonic how long have you worked for them? That must be an interesting job. I am very interested in learning why you live in Japan. How do you deal with smoke in the public places?

Risa
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
Thanks for the reply, Risa,
Actually, I JUST started this job last January!!! (Only been a month, and found out soooo many oddities in their use of the English language!)
I don't work for Panasonic, I work for a printing company that Panasonic uses for the aid in their manual design and publishing.
I technically came here as a "Native Proofreader", meaning I use my English ability to check the wording of the manuals. But, as an unwritten job I perform, is being a technical writer. I had never worked in this area, except for the occasional requests from my former company to translate their manuals from Japanese to English, and then prepare them for publication (They were never published, though!).
With over 20 years experience in the electronics field, the company had found my additional talents of electronics knowledge, Japanese and English abilities to be a plus for their company. I had thought of writing about a year ago, and this most certainly is a start, though my "writing creativity" is actually limited. I realized in Japan, that English IS the most valuable asset for foreigners!! I tried applying to the same job that all other Japanese would apply for, and never had any luck.
I was at a company for nearly 13 years before this job. I had been subjected to "company restructure" three years ago, with the impression that it was a promotion, not a demotion (I even GOT promoted after the move!)
The previous company, didn't think my English abilites were any merit to them, and had basically given me a very rough time in treatment, i.e., plagerising documents I made; shifting responsibilies on me that were not mine, but were the manager's; expecting me to do overtime (not mandatory, but was insinuating it as mandatory); and throughout this they were exploiting the abilities I had, while I was fighting health problems ranging from constant colds and fevers, to overall stress from the job. It's questionable whether they were trying to force me to quit, because that particular company held the old rule of Japanese business, which is to never fire anyone for thier performance, abilites, etc., but to place them in a position in which they either learn to adapt, or voluntarily quit.
I found out the Japanese are not very skillful in written directions, as compared to verbal, so they use plenty of drawings, and photos for their manuals. Unfortunately, color adds cost to the publishing, but my job is to improve their step-by-step explanations to make them short, and to the point.
As for dealing with the smoking in Japan, I usually have to hold my breath! No one can smoke at their desk (THANK GOD! that was something they practiced a long time ago, and only recently changed!), and there are designated smoking areas at work and train stations, etc. However, I may decide to become a "crusader" in fighting those who don't smoke in their designated areas!! (I hate it when they are walking and smoking, I get it in the face when I'm downwind, and hack my lungs out!!)
As for why I live in Japan, I'm still asking myself the same question!
Actually, my major reason was to learn Japanese, and have an unusuall skill for my return to the U.S. I ended up marrying a Japanese lady, and she wanted me to come to Japan to live (I never intended on living here forever!). Originally from Detroit, I used to work as a contract employee for Ford Motor, and noticed a "wave" of Japanese pouring into the area. That was when I thought Japanese would be most beneficial, along with my electronics skills.
Well, I had divorced a year ago last December, and actually ended up re-marrying another Japanese lady. I still have determination to return to the states, but it's not definite as to when, and most importantly, how.
Hope that answered the question, any others, just ask away!
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
Thanks for the reply, Risa,
Actually, I JUST started this job last January!!! (Only been a month, and found out soooo many oddities in their use of the English language!)
I don't work for Panasonic, I work for a printing company that Panasonic uses for the aid in their manual design and publishing.
I technically came here as a "Native Proofreader", meaning I use my English ability to check the wording of the manuals. But, as an unwritten job I perform, is being a technical writer. I had never worked in this area, except for the occasional requests from my former company to translate their manuals from Japanese to English, and then prepare them for publication (They were never published, though!).
With over 20 years experience in the electronics field, the company had found my additional talents of electronics knowledge, Japanese and English abilities to be a plus for their company. I had thought of writing about a year ago, and this most certainly is a start, though my "writing creativity" is actually limited. I realized in Japan, that English IS the most valuable asset for foreigners!! I tried applying to the same job that all other Japanese would apply for, and never had any luck.
I was at a company for nearly 13 years before this job. I had been subjected to "company restructure" three years ago, with the impression that it was a promotion, not a demotion (I even GOT promoted after the move!)
The previous company, didn't think my English abilites were any merit to them, and had basically given me a very rough time in treatment, i.e., plagerising documents I made; shifting responsibilies on me that were not mine, but were the manager's; expecting me to do overtime (not mandatory, but was insinuating it as mandatory); and throughout this they were exploiting the abilities I had, while I was fighting health problems ranging from constant colds and fevers, to overall stress from the job. It's questionable whether they were trying to force me to quit, because that particular company held the old rule of Japanese business, which is to never fire anyone for thier performance, abilites, etc., but to place them in a position in which they either learn to adapt, or voluntarily quit.
I found out the Japanese are not very skillful in written directions, as compared to verbal, so they use plenty of drawings, and photos for their manuals. Unfortunately, color adds cost to the publishing, but my job is to improve their step-by-step explanations to make them short, and to the point.
As for dealing with the smoking in Japan, I usually have to hold my breath! No one can smoke at their desk (THANK GOD! that was something they practiced a long time ago, and only recently changed!), and there are designated smoking areas at work and train stations, etc. However, I may decide to become a "crusader" in fighting those who don't smoke in their designated areas!! (I hate it when they are walking and smoking, I get it in the face when I'm downwind, and hack my lungs out!!)
As for why I live in Japan, I'm still asking myself the same question!
Actually, my major reason was to learn Japanese, and have an unusuall skill for my return to the U.S. I ended up marrying a Japanese lady, and she wanted me to come to Japan to live (I never intended on living here forever!). Originally from Detroit, I used to work as a contract employee for Ford Motor, and noticed a "wave" of Japanese pouring into the area. That was when I thought Japanese would be most beneficial, along with my electronics skills.
Well, I had divorced a year ago last December, and actually ended up re-marrying another Japanese lady. I still have determination to return to the states, but it's not definite as to when, and most importantly, how.
Hope that answered the question, any others, just ask away!
 
A

anonymous

New member
Thank you for answering all questions. I think is so fascinating that you live in Japan. Does your current wife want to move to the USA? I hope you can get a really awesome job in the states. IT sounds like the smoking enviroment is terrible for you. Do you have family in the States? I find it strange that the Japanese are so advanced technologically and not to smart with their health. what percentage of smokers would you say are smoking on a street at a given time?

What do you do for treatments and how do you get your medications delivered? Do you have insurance their and is it like USA or better?

A few more questions
Risa
 
A

anonymous

New member
Thank you for answering all questions. I think is so fascinating that you live in Japan. Does your current wife want to move to the USA? I hope you can get a really awesome job in the states. IT sounds like the smoking enviroment is terrible for you. Do you have family in the States? I find it strange that the Japanese are so advanced technologically and not to smart with their health. what percentage of smokers would you say are smoking on a street at a given time?

What do you do for treatments and how do you get your medications delivered? Do you have insurance their and is it like USA or better?

A few more questions
Risa
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
Well, to answer the questions relating smokers here, I'd have to say the number has cut down. In my section at work, I only know of the manager who smokes, and the other five in the group don't--which is good if they ask me out for a drink (though that's another problem with me-I don't normally drink).
I'm caught in the middle of the morning rush hour, and maybe at the beginning of the evening rush hour. So, I see more smokers in the AM, but it would still be less than one-eight of those waiting for the train (assuming the other portion didn't already have their AM "cancer stick" before getting on the same train I was!). I'd have to say the majority of rude smokers are the younger ones (age range from "not of age" to early 20's) and the older ones (from about 60 or so years and up!), though there are still some of the people in the middle group who will flick a but on the ground right in front of you, or toss thiers out the window of thier car from the on-coming direction.
As for the other questions, the simple answer would be "I don't get that over here".
Treatments- I never knew there were treatments, and if it was from a nebulizer, I never had to do one (I tried once while at CF camp, that stuff was nasty!). I was in Judo and then Aikido for the past 15 or more years, and the excercise (and shock from being thrown on the mats) seemed to keep me pretty clear!
Medications-- My ex-wife kinda lied to me about the treatment, and medications (And other stuff, as well) that would be available in Japan (and the reliable doctors). I found out after my divorce, she had been giving me stomach medicine with yeast in it for people who over-eat, etc, not the enzymes I had been taking nearly my whole life in the states. As for others, I hadn't taken antibiotics for a while, until I saw the doctor who treated my new wife's father. He did some simple research on CF, and had given me some antibiotics since I had first seen him about last May.
As for insurance, Japan has a national insurance, which covers quite a bit in general, and I think even the deductible is farly reasonable. Overall, I think it's better than the coverage in the US, but it too, has it's disadvantages. It's like taking Medicaid on a higher level. There are other health insurances as well, and I had added that, but have been forgetting to make sure there is no "Precondition clause" because my ex-wife had applied for me, and I continued to carry it after the divorce because I didn't want to cancel it until I found out if there was better insurance than it or not.
As for my move to the U.S., my current wife is hesitant on moving to the U.S., especially in areas much colder than Osaka (it rarely drops below zero celcius). My family lives in Colorado (My parents and older sister), and they had hopes that when I'm able to return to the states, I locate somewhere around there. I was also told there is a Japanese Community within the area, so the wife won't get too homesick. But fortunately, this wife stated (before my marriage proposal) that wherever I go, she will go. The ex-wife never said that, she actually said if I decided to return to the states, that would be the beginning of our divorce, end of our marriage, and the end of my stay in Japan. Well, I sometimes wished I would have divorced the ex sooner!!
As for what I want to do when I return to the states, it's still not certain. I'd like to get into IT, but I would have to get a degree for that, and it may not be related to my Japanese ability. I just started at this job, and don't find a whole lot of enjoyment out of it, but it is easy work and does have it's advantages.
Any others, just ask away!
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
Well, to answer the questions relating smokers here, I'd have to say the number has cut down. In my section at work, I only know of the manager who smokes, and the other five in the group don't--which is good if they ask me out for a drink (though that's another problem with me-I don't normally drink).
I'm caught in the middle of the morning rush hour, and maybe at the beginning of the evening rush hour. So, I see more smokers in the AM, but it would still be less than one-eight of those waiting for the train (assuming the other portion didn't already have their AM "cancer stick" before getting on the same train I was!). I'd have to say the majority of rude smokers are the younger ones (age range from "not of age" to early 20's) and the older ones (from about 60 or so years and up!), though there are still some of the people in the middle group who will flick a but on the ground right in front of you, or toss thiers out the window of thier car from the on-coming direction.
As for the other questions, the simple answer would be "I don't get that over here".
Treatments- I never knew there were treatments, and if it was from a nebulizer, I never had to do one (I tried once while at CF camp, that stuff was nasty!). I was in Judo and then Aikido for the past 15 or more years, and the excercise (and shock from being thrown on the mats) seemed to keep me pretty clear!
Medications-- My ex-wife kinda lied to me about the treatment, and medications (And other stuff, as well) that would be available in Japan (and the reliable doctors). I found out after my divorce, she had been giving me stomach medicine with yeast in it for people who over-eat, etc, not the enzymes I had been taking nearly my whole life in the states. As for others, I hadn't taken antibiotics for a while, until I saw the doctor who treated my new wife's father. He did some simple research on CF, and had given me some antibiotics since I had first seen him about last May.
As for insurance, Japan has a national insurance, which covers quite a bit in general, and I think even the deductible is farly reasonable. Overall, I think it's better than the coverage in the US, but it too, has it's disadvantages. It's like taking Medicaid on a higher level. There are other health insurances as well, and I had added that, but have been forgetting to make sure there is no "Precondition clause" because my ex-wife had applied for me, and I continued to carry it after the divorce because I didn't want to cancel it until I found out if there was better insurance than it or not.
As for my move to the U.S., my current wife is hesitant on moving to the U.S., especially in areas much colder than Osaka (it rarely drops below zero celcius). My family lives in Colorado (My parents and older sister), and they had hopes that when I'm able to return to the states, I locate somewhere around there. I was also told there is a Japanese Community within the area, so the wife won't get too homesick. But fortunately, this wife stated (before my marriage proposal) that wherever I go, she will go. The ex-wife never said that, she actually said if I decided to return to the states, that would be the beginning of our divorce, end of our marriage, and the end of my stay in Japan. Well, I sometimes wished I would have divorced the ex sooner!!
As for what I want to do when I return to the states, it's still not certain. I'd like to get into IT, but I would have to get a degree for that, and it may not be related to my Japanese ability. I just started at this job, and don't find a whole lot of enjoyment out of it, but it is easy work and does have it's advantages.
Any others, just ask away!
 
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