Re: tools-how specific in a hardware manual

["Susan W. Gallagher" <sgallagher -at- STARBASECORP -dot- COM>]

From Kelly K...
>      Finishing a hardware manual. My mgr want me to include specific tools
>      in procedures.
[snip]>
>      The mechanical engineers is against this. He can't guarantee what
>      screw (or bolt or whatever) might be used in a given situation & the
>      So, opinions? Experiences? Recommendations?

Well, Kelly... Never documented hardware myself, but sure
have read a number of repair manuals to my husband while
he disassembled and swore at the car (they run better if
you do this periodically). ;-)  From my experience...

*  If you include the specific tool the user will have a
   better idea and grumble something like "Yea, that's
   what they think"

*  If the job can only be done with a special tool that
   must be purchased from the manufacturer, the user will
   grumble something like "Yea, and it probably costs
   a hundred bucks" and then bend a wrench to do the
   same job.

*  If you list the tools required at the beginning, the user's
   wife may have time to assemble them before the project
   is 90% complete.

*  If you say nothing about the tools required, nobody
   will miss the information and you'll never be wrong.

Of course, we in the software industry would say we're
encouraging system exploration! ;-)

Sue Gallagher
StarBase Corp, Irvine CA
sgallagher -at- starbasecorp -dot- com