DailyTech - Chrysler Ditches Full Paper Owners Manuals for DVDs

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Auto Chrysler Ditches Full Paper Owners Manuals for DVDs
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - September 22, 2009 12:30 PM

55 comment(s) - last by Souka.. on Sep 23 at 4:24 PM

Chrysler to see substantial savings from ditching paper owners manuals

In an effort to save money and trees, Chrysler has announced that it will be moving away from full printed owner's manuals to DVDs and abridged manuals with the 2010 model year.

Chrysler won’t get specific on how much money it will save by not proving full owner's manuals, which often had 500 pages or more, and will only say that it will see "substantial savings" from the move. The abridged paper owner's manuals will only have around 80 pages and go over basic details like how to operate the navigation and cooling system of the car.

The DVD will contain the full owner's manual in a searchable format along with instructional videos for things like lowering the soft top on a Jeep. The DVDs will be designed for viewing on home computers and on some entertainment systems on vehicles.

The informational movies will also be available on the Chrysler website. Buyers of new 2010 vehicle models will be able to get a full print owners manual on request. The change has been under consideration for more than a year reports AutoWeek and the car maker recently decided to make the switch after polling a number of owners.

Chrysler also mailed 500 sample DVDs and printed guides to customers who had purchased 2009 Wranglers and asked for feedback. The response was mostly positive with especially good reactions on things like the soft-top video tutorial.

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What a terrible idea..

By MeatballB on 9/22/2009 12:38:54 PM , Rating: 5

The only time I've ever reached for my owner's manual is when I've actually been in the car and needed to know something. So now I'll need to wait to get home, fire up my computer and read a pdf to see that that light that came on was telling me to stop driving...nice.

RE: What a terrible idea..

By glenn8 on 9/22/2009 12:46:24 PM , Rating: 2

Maybe future cars will come standard with dvd drives.. Trust me. With today's modern cars, you can't get lost, what with all the silicon chips and such...

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By Brainonska511 on 9/22/2009 1:41:18 PM , Rating: 3

That will be great, especially when your car mysteriously breaks down for say, lack of power.

Let's just pop in the owner's manual DVD - oh wait, the car has no power...

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By AnnihilatorX on 9/22/09, Rating: -1

RE: What a terrible idea..

By Kougar on 9/22/2009 5:23:41 PM , Rating: 2

I've seen or been riding in several, since you ask... the battery doesn't have to explode in order to die, especially if there are alternator problems. No power, no spark for your spark plugs, and presto one dead car.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By Diesel Donkey on 9/22/2009 5:24:26 PM , Rating: 2

I have been in a couple of cars whose alternators died, so of course the battery was shortly drained and the vehicle dead.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By Samus on 9/22/2009 7:20:42 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
How many cars have you seen which broke down due to lack of power? Battery suddenly exploded?

You sound like a complete moron generalizing any sort of automotive failure (particularely a power-related one) when many common automobile failure involve an electrical component such as sensors, relays, and fuses, most of which are documented in the Owner's Manual

Glenn, love the simpsons quote, that one's an oldie but a goldie!

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By myhipsi on 9/23/2009 8:56:23 AM , Rating: 3

The owners manual wasn't meant to be a troubleshooting guide or service manual. The article mentioned the fact that they will still have a condensed 80 page version of the owners manual which, more than likely, will contain common reference material like fuse locations, maintanance schedules, warning indicators, basic functions, etc. IMO, that's a good thing, now people won't have to sift through all the useless crap to find pertinent information.

Let's face it, the majority of information contained in the owner's manual consists of things like, how to operate the radio, wipers, rear defrost, air cond., how to recline your seat, etc. Stuff that most people figure out in the first 60 seconds of sitting in the driver's seat.

I operate a rental car company, so I've driven dozens of different makes and models of vehicles and I have yet to have to refer to the owner's manual to figure out how to use the horn or the wipers, and neither have my customers, and this is the kind of information that takes up the majority of the pages in an owner's manual. If you are completely clueless on how to operate the vehicle or you just want to take the guesswork out than you can still refer to the DVD before your maiden drive or if you insist on having the full manual in the vehicle, you could just print the manual from the DVD and put it in your car. I also like the idea of instructional videos, especially for features that are unique to a specific vehicle, like for example, stow-and-go seating in the Dodge Caravan.

Overall, I think it's a good idea. It's an easy way to save on overall vehicle manufacturing costs without taking away any of the vehicle's functionality. Two thumbs up here.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By glenn8 on 9/23/2009 9:36:16 AM , Rating: 2

I was being sarcastic anyways.. while working in an obscure quote from the Simpsons.
Although, if your car broke down due to power failure... do your really need the manual? Most people I know would either ask for a boost or call CAA (I'm Canadian).

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By kattanna on 9/22/2009 12:54:13 PM , Rating: 5

quote:
The abridged paper owner's manuals will only have around 80 pages and go over basic details like how to operate the navigation and cooling system of the car.

im sure any dashboard lights would be covered in the smaller manual.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By SavagePotato on 9/22/2009 12:56:56 PM , Rating: 1

Or where they managed to hide the jack and it's accessories, and where the little reinforced points on the car body are to place it when in use.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By Lord 666 on 9/22/2009 1:07:39 PM , Rating: 5

Did you even read the article? It clearly states it will include a 60-80 page "quick start" reference guide.

I'm all for the downloadable PDF version versus the DVD. The printed versions just take up too much room in an already small glove box.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By MrBlastman on 9/22/09, Rating: -1

RE: What a terrible idea..

By ClownPuncher on 9/22/2009 2:12:04 PM , Rating: 4

A little sugar in your coffee will cut the bitterness.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By MrBlastman on 9/22/2009 4:20:20 PM , Rating: 2

Punching clowns works even better. :) Or, at the least soothe it.

(I've always liked the name btw)

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By afkrotch on 9/23/2009 5:38:39 AM , Rating: 2

A little salt will do the same too.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By mindless1 on 9/22/2009 3:28:41 PM , Rating: 2

Umm, only retarded people need a quickstart guide to using a car.

This is ludicrous, you pay many thousands and they can't just include a manual covering the unique topics? They never needed the idiot topics, only the things an intelligent person would need to know specific to the car.

For generic crap you need no dvd at all, do a web search for any random automobile.

On the other hand I'm all for it if they demonstrate they lowered the price enough that I can take the savings and buy a professionally made manual, including their providing the contact info to do it without spending an excessive amount of time, and of course the cost of that manual being reduced by the value of my time spent.

Geeze, the info they already provided was sorely lacking and now they decide to provide LESS? It's highway robbery all the details of the car they hide from you trying to make you pay a premium for repairs you could DIY if you had the basic information about what you own.

It will only get worse if we don't speak up about it. Can't tell you the last time I had a car in for repair that I didn't regret it, these days I loathe letting a mechanic touch a car, it seems they are able to screw up even something as simple as an oil change and lube.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By Souka on 9/22/2009 5:39:36 PM , Rating: 3

Hmmm...well my 05' Acura MDX wasn't intuitive to program the homelink system (for garage door openers), nor was setting up the voice activated controls to sync with my blackberry or WM6 phone... Good thing the manual was in the glove box...quick read of a paragraph or two, I was all set.

Also, when a pasenger on those long road trips, I like browsing the car manual...often you find little gems of info. Such as: putting car in 2nd gear (automatic) prevents roll back, very nice when starting on steep hills in Seattle when wet. Pushing gas pedal more than %75 down disengages the AC if its on to help with acceleration. Changing the security system so that a single click of the key-fob will unlcok all the doors, not just the driver.

etc etc.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By ggordonliddy on 9/22/2009 8:54:11 PM , Rating: 2

Don't you know? Americans cannot handle such details. Please just spoon-feed us Mac OS and Vista/Win7, and of course iTunes. We don't need no infomationistics or brainstuffs-and-such. Ow my bwain hurtz from thinksings and all. GIBBA-ME_-MY-DVD Peepziz! ME wAnT PICTURES AND SoUnD!! I WILL BUY CRHISLERZ N@w see.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By Noya on 9/23/2009 6:14:12 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
Ow my bwain hurtz from thinksings and all. GIBBA-ME_-MY-DVD Peepziz! ME wAnT PICTURES AND SoUnD!! I WILL BUY CRHISLERZ N@w see.

Okay, Simple Jack.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By Noya on 9/23/2009 6:18:07 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
Pushing gas pedal more than %75 down disengages the AC if its on to help with acceleration.

Actually, I thinks it's to protect the AC compressor from burning out as the engine at redline probably = slowly killing the compressor bearings.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By Souka on 9/23/2009 4:20:20 PM , Rating: 2

Probably so...but that is what manual said "to improve acceleration" or something like that.

Besides, RPM would be the better determining factor on cut-off if that was the case... but perhaps it was lost in tranlation. Eg.. %75 pedal travel was realyl written as %75 RPM of engine limits in Japanese..heh :)

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By Souka on 9/23/2009 4:24:18 PM , Rating: 2

Oh and regarding AC.. I had a Z-car...did some test runs... 0-60 and 1/2 mile to see if accesories made much of a difference. This was years ago, but basically tested

everything off
lights/fog on high, AC at max, stereo (custom) at max...etc
did multiple runs and wrote down times.

Bottom line... didn't make a difference worth noting.

anyhow...not the point of the article, but I felt like rambling...

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By V3ctorPT on 9/22/2009 1:07:36 PM , Rating: 2

I agree with you... This must be one of the most idiotic ideas I ever saw...

They save the money (DVD vs paper), but the consumer has to print the manual if he ever wants to use it :D

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By Inkjammer on 9/22/2009 1:26:20 PM , Rating: 2

But how many people actually use their manuals? With cars become more computerized it's becoming more difficult for people to do their own repair jobs. Pretty much all mechanics have access to that information on their systems. The average consumer/car buyer won't be affected.

Anything people REALLY need to know will be in the quickstart for basic maintenance and operation (gas requirements, tire psi pressures, etc.)

If you have a laptop (which most people do) the DVD won't be an issue. You can take it in your car, quick search for what you need, etc.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By mindless1 on 9/22/2009 3:39:57 PM , Rating: 2

The reason people don't use the manuals is they were already woefully lacking, that this is the opposite direction they should go in.

It is more difficult because automakers aren't providing the info, that is not an excuse to make accessing it even more of a burden.

Anything obvious will be in the quickstart, that is like a waste of paper or DVD. That they don't feel it is necessary to prominently present it is an admission on their part that this is info we don't need, contrasted with what we obviously do need.

Only someone who thinks instead of doing will not see the problem in having a laptop on hand while doing auto repairs, because they can't realize the factors of odd angles, rust, road grime, and weather when out on the road.

IF the DVD includes more info than the manual would, which is certainly possible, then I am all for having it in addition to the manual, and to reiterate a past point that the manual leave out the obvious things any car owner needs to know and only concentrates on things specific to the particular automobile it covers.

Overall, the general idea is not one of "is there some other possible way", it is one of "they are deciding to burden us even more on a topic they were always sorely lacking on, to make more profit themselves by making US do more of their work".

Screw them. I've had quite enough of the asshats that dream up ways to make excuses why it's ok for them to give me less for my money. Give me the appropriate discount and more information to prove your point, but no, we already know that's just a pipe dream, it will be nothing more than a generic guide to cars, a waste of a DVD.

Know what the crazy part is? In this day and age, printing paper manuals is GREEN. They are biodegradable and we can just plant more trees easily enough, but not so with plastics/DVDs.

If they want to print the full manual and make the DVD too, then they let users decide which they want to use. If they can't do that if they think a DVD is important, on a several thousand dollar purchase, screw 'em.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By Spuke on 9/22/2009 3:52:13 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
The reason people don't use the manuals is they were already woefully lacking, that this is the opposite direction they should go in.

Wow! You really like your paper manuals. LOL! For me, this is not a big deal and I wouldn't care if the whole manual were on DVD. I don't look at my manuals when I'm in the car anyways (too busy driving).

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By afkrotch on 9/23/2009 5:50:03 AM , Rating: 2

I'm waist deep in the manual the first day I own the car. Usually within the week, I'll order a Chilton or Haynes for the car too.

Both of them will be sitting in the car with a small toolbox. Road flares, emergency triangle, jumper cables, tow cable, flashlight, first aid kit, and emergency blanket will join the rest. You know, standard car emergency kit. In the winter, a good blanket, spare coat, sand, salt, and a shovel will get added.

Usually only the jumper cable and tow cable gets used. Not on my car, but on other ppl's cars. You know, those who don't know how to take care of a vehicle.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By Oregonian2 on 9/22/2009 8:23:37 PM , Rating: 2

They're following the crowd that has been going in this direction all over the place.

I personally prefer a pdf manual and find one if I can, even for things with paper manuals. For small ones not available in pdf, I scan them and make the pdf myself. I then have a "manuals" directory on my pc with mfgr subdirectories. It's a blessing just to be able to find somethings manual "instantly", let alone be able to search most of them.

If anything, a DVD manual provides the ability to make larger and more extensive manuals without impacting manufacturing costs.

There also are different manuals. User manuals are usually included with a car. Service manuals usually are of additional expense and something separate (unless things have changed -- something that might be true). References to replacement by a 'quick-start' manual clearly are talking about user/operator manuals, not service manuals.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By afkrotch on 9/23/2009 5:51:58 AM , Rating: 2

Doubt a manufacturer would expand on their user manual. If you knew how to fix your car, that's less money they'd make getting you to get a car repaired through them.

They want their users to be as dumb as possible.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By Oregonian2 on 9/23/2009 12:41:31 PM , Rating: 2

Pragmatically I agree, but my main point was that increasing production costs with larger manuals is an excuse that disappears until the DVD fills up.

:-)

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By therealnickdanger on 9/22/2009 1:18:05 PM , Rating: 2

Last time I checked my Dodge manual (2005), I didn't find anything useful in there anyway. Not even bulb replacement part numbers. FFS...

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By WheelsCSM on 9/22/2009 2:06:00 PM , Rating: 4

I just wish they would include a copy of the factory service manual on the DVD for people who do their own maintenance. That would cost them nothing, and be much more useful.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By randomposter on 9/22/2009 2:16:33 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
That would cost them nothing

It would cost their dealer network in lost service revenue. Why on earth would Chrysler want to facilitate something that helps consumers help themselves?

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By Entropy42 on 9/23/2009 3:17:39 PM , Rating: 2

This is such a weak argument that is just being repeated over and over in these comments. If everyone was really so gung ho about doing their own car maintenance and saving themselves money, they would just go BUY the service manual. It would pay for itself after a few routine maintenance items or one repair. With cars, like many other things, people pay for convenience and anything that saves them time.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By Ratinator on 9/22/2009 2:33:57 PM , Rating: 2

I had same issue with a new stereo deck from pioneer that I put in my car. All the instructions where on CD which I had to go to my computer to print a copy so I could work with some of the features in the car. Was a bit of a pain in the ass.....though I did get an 80 page manual down to 10 sheets a paper when doing it (if you don't mind reading small print)

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By tastyratz on 9/22/2009 3:48:18 PM , Rating: 2

And for people who want the full owners manual it is provided in print on request.

The majority of people use their owners manual to soak up ketchup packets that exploded in their glove box.

The reality is you gain so much more insight through the dvd with things such as videos, better high resolution images, etc. which you couldn't have put on paper. Its not a troubleshooting guide or a factory service manual (nor would a fsm ever be included) The owners manual rarely gives you much car specific information of relevance on the road.

A quick start guide is all a standard owner should need, if that. What did you think they would break down all the obd2 trouble codes? if you get a check engine light it means pull over and check the engine if your capable or bring it to a professional. When have manuals really broken it down further than that? Your going to likely need an obd2 reader tool to see the error code which wont be included and interpret it.

owners manuals are pretty overrated (unless you really spill a lot of ketchup).

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By croc on 9/22/2009 8:12:30 PM , Rating: 2

What the hell is this 'ketchup' crap?

My 1959 AH Sprite didn't even include a glove box, let alone an 'owner's manual'. It did include a 'drivers' manual', as I recall, with lots of good information such as where the spare tyre was, how to use the car jack, what oils to use, grade of fuel, etc. Kept all 30 or so pages in the map pocket of the passenger door.

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RE: What a terrible idea..

By jdietz on 9/22/2009 10:04:48 PM , Rating: 2

All the entertainment sections will be cut. This is like 1/3 of the manual for my Fit. As for what else they might be able to cut...

Safety disclosures
Warranty information
Information about how your car's safety systems work
Information about how to shift the car's gear, or different modes that the transmission can operate in
Information about what maintenance is recommended when
Information about how to check levels of and fill various fluids

Another thing that should stay in the in-car manual besides dashboard lights is controls (except for entertainment controls) and how to prepare the car to be towed.

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Can only be activated on one Windows PC at a time

By honestIT on 9/22/2009 12:52:45 PM , Rating: 3

If you run out of activations then you need to purchase another manual at your local dealer

RE: Can only be activated on one Windows PC at a time

By Inkjammer on 9/22/2009 1:20:22 PM , Rating: 2

Unfortunately, the car dealerships took a hint from Gamestop and decided to bundle new manuals together with a new car.

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RE: Can only be activated on one Windows PC at a time

By shaw on 9/22/2009 1:39:43 PM , Rating: 2

I want the 2010 model bundled with night vision goggles.

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Ok idea

By vazili on 9/22/2009 1:37:03 PM , Rating: 2

If you really need the full manual, print it. This will save Chrysler money and they need all the savings they can get at the moment

RE: Ok idea

By mindless1 on 9/22/2009 3:42:32 PM , Rating: 2

... then I'll save them the cost of making cars by not buying one from them.

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RE: Ok idea

By Spuke on 9/22/2009 3:58:01 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
... then I'll save them the cost of making cars by not buying one from them.

I'm sure the other automakers will follow this too. Just a matter of time.

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NO MANUAL WHO CARES

By EdeNRoW on 9/22/2009 4:08:39 PM , Rating: 2

I have the Haynes Manual in my vehicle right now. The manual that came with the vehicle new was crappy anyway. How about the auto industry doesn't put any manual in the car because it useless. If you want one then pay for the option!!!!!!

RE: NO MANUAL WHO CARES

By Belard on 9/22/2009 8:06:44 PM , Rating: 2

And such manuals are also in PDF or similar format.

A basic manual is fine, and for the most part - 80pages should be more than enough to show where things are.

I've seen full grown men who don't know how to change a tire... no manual would help such people.

Even doing repairs on my car, I can find some info on the Internet with photos, etc.

Save some trees.

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RE: NO MANUAL WHO CARES

By afkrotch on 9/23/2009 6:03:05 AM , Rating: 2

My old car had 3 manuals. One was an owner's manual, another was for warranty crap, and another minor repair. Only the minor repair was helpful. Where fuse boxes where and a diagram of what fuse does what.

Most helpful was the instructions on how to take the battery out. The battery location was on the passenger side, like right under the windshield. Most horrible location for a battery.

Required you to disconnect the battery, remove the battery clamp, remove 3 screws that were attached to a plastic piece, then somehow remove a plastic piece that was firmly attached to the lower section of the windshield.

The car was a total nightmare to work on. 96 Opel Tigra. Thanks GM for building that piece of crap.

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this always drives me crazy

By johnsonx on 9/22/09, Rating: 0

RE: this always drives me crazy

By Camikazi on 9/22/2009 7:00:31 PM , Rating: 2

Trees take MANY times longer to grow then corn. Corn each year you got a harvest, a tree can take decades to grow before it is big enough to use for anything, there is a HUGE difference between the two.

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RE: this always drives me crazy

By HostileEffect on 9/22/2009 8:54:19 PM , Rating: 2

This is why we have very large tree farms, to keep up with future demand.

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A developer from the company who produces the manual

By supermitsuba on 9/23/2009 3:51:33 PM , Rating: 2

Just so everyone knows, there is a quick reference guide that comes with the manual, for the on the road emergencies.

The complaints I see are more of people who do not want to change.

Its not like they are JUST throwing out a dvd.

It's kinda nice to see all the hard work you do get diminished cause of people who dont know what the full story is yet...