Do you read the instructions when putting together a bookshelf, installing a new WordPress theme, putting together a new Playmobil set, or when installing a plugin for your blog?
I am interested in how people do things – do you follow the step by step instructions? Or do you dive in and figure it out through trial and error?
The reason I ask is that recently I helped a couple of people with problems they were having with their WordPress themes. The issues were related to the themes use of custom fields. If the custom fields were not used correctly then the main page content wouldn’t look right.
And in both instances the answer was in the intructions for the theme on the theme’s website. All I did was locate the information and then copy and paste in into an email. The people I helped thought I was so clever but really all I did was locate and read the directions. I’m not criticizing the people for not reading them because most themes are installed and used in the same way. I also know that people have different approaches to learning and performing tasks.
I do both – I follow directions and I dive right in. When I am familiar with a task, I don’t bother with the instructions but for something that is unfamiliar, such as putting together a toy, I follow the directions and am especially happy when they are in picture form. Even though I have installed a ton of WordPress plugins, I still check the faq to see if there are any quirks or conflicts with other ones.
I suppose it comes down to your learning style. Do you follow written instructions, do you need to be shown how to do something, or do you learn by doing?
photo credit: sheeshoo
I usually try to find ways around using the directions until I get to the point where I need them, but if I find a task particularly difficult from the start I immediately go to the directions or ask an expert.
For me, it really depends on three things: have I done it or something similar to it before, how good are the instructions and how much damage will i cause if I mess up? If the answers are “no, good and catastrophic amounts” respectively I will generally follow the instructions. In general I prefer written instructions to oral instructions if i have the choice. I like to have something in front of me to reference and like you, the more pictures the better!
Ron Obvious’s last blog post – Racism in the Elevator.
I’m usually a dive-in guy, but I’ll revert to the manual if I have a problem, before asking someone.
ari
Ari Koinuma’s last blog post – My Vision for Our Best Version
I do follow written instructions, especially if it’s something I’m not very comfortable with such as technology or building stuff.
Vered – MomGrind’s last blog post – Saw “Burn After Reading”. Non-Botoxed Actresses. Awesome.
I usually read all instructions first and check whether I have everything mentioned and ensure that I understand everything clearly. Then I follow instructions step by step.
Avani-Mehta’s last blog post – How To Pick Your First Anger Management Area – Anger Management Series Part IV
Much like you, Kim, I will skip the directions — or just glance at them — if what I’m doing is familiar, like assembling a bookshelf. When it comes to plugins and themes and such, I always at least scan the readme’s to see if there’s anything new and different.
What frustrates me is when there is something new and different and the readme is non-existent or poorly written!
Mike Nichols’s last blog post – Radical Approach to Therapy for Anxiety Disorder
Wow – I take a nap and everyone stops by to say hi!
@Danny – Thanks so much for stopping by! I think your way is the way we think most men approach tasks – while I was doing some research for this article though, I discovered that men usually read the instructions more than women.
@Ron – hahahaha – catastrophic amounts! What are you doing that could lead to a catastrophe? Avoid electrical work ;-) I don’t like oral instructions much either – I need to read it or try doing it. I wonder if the people who don’t like to read instructions are auditory rather than visual learners.
@Ari – Thanks for visiting! I don’t usually approach things your way – unless I’ve done it before.
@Vered – Me too – I HAVE to have the instructions to assemble toys and furniture. I prefer to find someone to those types of tasks for me.
@Avani-Mehta – Are you that meticulous about everything? It sounds like you are very detailed so that you don’t make mistakes. I don’t think many people approach tasks the way that you do
@Mike – I agree about the readme files for plugins. What almost bothers me more than when they don’t exist is when the instructions assume a certain level of knowledge and don’t help the average user at all.
:) No, I am not that meticulous about everything.
In areas where mistakes can be costly or time consuming or I don’t have the expertise to make corrections easily, I would rather go slow and get it right the first time.
In areas where I can afford to let my hair down, I happily do so.
Avani-Mehta’s last blog post – How To Pick Your First Anger Management Area – Anger Management Series Part IV
Hi Avani – That’s probably a better way to do things :-)
In many things, I am very intuitive and just dive in. The harm in that is that I never learn a subject in depth, just the surface. As I go along, I will add depth, as in getting more features out of software or skills in something else. But I get impatient with directions and skip to doing when following directions would move me along much faster. When you share codes, I know I am in over my head. That’s one of the reasons I subscribed to your blog, because I know that when I get around to blogging myself, I may need to know what you are teaching. However, I believe that many things stay on the someday list because I refuse to take the time to read the directions. Food for thought, thanks for letting me think!
Hi Julie,
Thanks for sharing. It seems like you’ve put a lot of thought into your learning style. I completely understand what you mean about not getting too deep into a subject. I’m like that in many ways. I’m interested in SO many different things that I become unfocused and end up learning a little about a lot rather than a lot about any one thing.
It depends on what it is.
For anything related to working with WordPress, my website HTML/CSS templates, etc I read as I go step by step. For everything else, from putting together a bookshelf to learning how to work the different features of my car, I tend to try it on my own first, then read when I need to (as long as it doesn’t involve driving!).
Carla’s last blog post – Alternatives to fabric softeners
Hi Carla,
Thanks for visiting.
I’m intrigued by your driving comment – do you not drive? I know how but I don’t drive and I don’t own a car.
Do you read everything related to WordPress because you aren’t comfortable with it? Or do you just not want to mess up your blog (which I do frequently) :-)
Hi Kim,
I meant I dont try to figure out my car’s features/commentsFir *while* I’m driving! For example, trying to figure out how to use the internal Bluetooth or iPod while the car is in motion. :)
In terms of anything related to WordPress or my website, I am pretty new to using WordPress on my own server and its a little more complicated than I thought it would be, but I’m getting through it. I also never used HTML and CSS before I started on this site about a month ago, so when I’m updating my site, I have the HTML book or CSS instructions (online) right at my fingertips.
Carla’s last blog post – Alternatives to fabric softeners
Carla – lol :-) Yeah, it’s definetly not a good idea to read instructions while driving.
I rarely read instructions. I only read them when it’s too risky not to, that is, when what I’m installing/doing is very important. ;)
Lucas’s last blog post – Oops, You Just Killed Your Reputation!
Hi Lucas,
Thanks so much for visiting :-) What would be an example of something that is so important that you must read the instructions first?
It all depends on the thing. If it’s programming related, I usually jump in and get instruction when I absolutely can’t get something to work. I’m especially like this when I download WordPress plugins – the instructions are the last thing I read, when all else has failed. I also don’t read instructions when it comes to beauty care products, unless it doesn’t produce the desired effect.
With cooking, it’s half and half. If it’s a new recipe, I go detailed with the instructions. If it’s something similar to something I have cooked before, I just wing it, trial and error.
Putting together Ikea furniture, on the other hand, I organize all the pieces first, then go step by step with the instructions. I probably should read them all the way through first, but I usually just start with Step 1 and go from there. Mostly because if you put the wrong part into a piece, it can be a nightmare to get out.
Kristi’s last blog post – Our New Miniature Schnauzer Puppy’s First Day Home
Hi Kristi – It sounds like you use instructions based on how comfortable you are with what you are working on. I am the say way about cooking – the first couple of times I use a new recipe I follow all of the instructions and then once I know it I adapt it, change ingredients, etc.
I hope your puppy is doing great and isn’t destroying the house :-)