Comments on: What I Taught My Dad About the PN-20 http://blog.delorme.com/2008/03/27/what-i-taught-my-dad-about-the-pn-20/ Mapping, GPS, and GIS Technologies — We Bring Technology Down to Earth™ Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:16:48 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Chip Noble - Design http://blog.delorme.com/2008/03/27/what-i-taught-my-dad-about-the-pn-20/#comment-68 Chip Noble - Design Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:26:43 +0000 http://delormegps.wordpress.com/?p=12#comment-68 I sat in on a meeting with our technical writer, support manager, and graphic designers the other day. They are working on an update to the Getting Started Guide to help people with their out-of-box experience. Half of the effort will focus on setting up the device; the other half will focus on important core features to help people with the PN-20 once they get outdoors. Since you've already learned about waypoints and tracks, I'd encourage you to look at the three scenarios found in the PN-20 manual. Perhaps these will help you access some of the more advanced features. I'd also suggest pressing the Menu button any time you are looking for additional features. Remember that each page has unique options displayed at the top of the menu and standard options displayed at the bottom. Consider posting a question on our forum too, there are lots of very helpful people there that will guide you through all the features on the PN-20. Thank you for taking the time to comment. -Chip I sat in on a meeting with our technical writer, support manager, and graphic designers the other day. They are working on an update to the Getting Started Guide to help people with their out-of-box experience. Half of the effort will focus on setting up the device; the other half will focus on important core features to help people with the PN-20 once they get outdoors.

Since you’ve already learned about waypoints and tracks, I’d encourage you to look at the three scenarios found in the PN-20 manual. Perhaps these will help you access some of the more advanced features. I’d also suggest pressing the Menu button any time you are looking for additional features.

Remember that each page has unique options displayed at the top of the menu and standard options displayed at the bottom.

Consider posting a question on our forum too, there are lots of very helpful people there that will guide you through all the features on the PN-20.

Thank you for taking the time to comment.

-Chip

]]> By: Peter http://blog.delorme.com/2008/03/27/what-i-taught-my-dad-about-the-pn-20/#comment-65 Peter Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:59:05 +0000 http://delormegps.wordpress.com/?p=12#comment-65 THANK YOU KATHY! I'm not even over 60 & my brain is already full. So, Chip, it is not quite as simple as not using something enough to remember steps. There are some tech things that I will never be able to remember how to use without the instructions, they are just that unintuitive. My mom had her air transport rating and could fly B-17 bombers, but a VCR mystified her. Therefore, revisiting the trifold plastic laminated insert and designing it with your dad looking over your shoulder would be VERY HELPFUL. I have struggled witht he PN-20 and really only use it to make tracks and waypoints. Being able to learn more would be helpful. Thanks for the great product though! THANK YOU KATHY!

I’m not even over 60 & my brain is already full. So, Chip, it is not quite as simple as not using something enough to remember steps. There are some tech things that I will never be able to remember how to use without the instructions, they are just that unintuitive. My mom had her air transport rating and could fly B-17 bombers, but a VCR mystified her. Therefore, revisiting the trifold plastic laminated insert and designing it with your dad looking over your shoulder would be VERY HELPFUL. I have struggled witht he PN-20 and really only use it to make tracks and waypoints. Being able to learn more would be helpful. Thanks for the great product though!

]]> By: Chip Noble - Design http://blog.delorme.com/2008/03/27/what-i-taught-my-dad-about-the-pn-20/#comment-59 Chip Noble - Design Thu, 29 May 2008 18:40:02 +0000 http://delormegps.wordpress.com/?p=12#comment-59 Thank you for the feedback Kathy, we've been working hard to improve our paper documentation, digital training material, and on-line resources but always appreciate user input to guide our next effort. I know how frustrating it can be when you don't need to use a particular feature often enough to commit it to memory. We've been evaluating our Getting Started Guide, the tri-fold insert that came with the PN-20, and are planning some improvements to that document. I know that all of the information a user needs is contained in that paper but realize that the approach doesn't seem to be working for some people. In case you've misplaced it, I've included a link to the support site where it is available... http://www.delorme.com/support/Downloads/GPS/PN20%20guide_web%20.pdf We're aware that there is a lot of information in that doc and that some first time users are having a hard time digesting the content. The area that addresses your need to create a map and move it from Topo USA to the PN-20 is titled Sending DeLorme Imagery and Data to Your Device. There's also a section to guide you through moving data between your computer and your PN-20; look for Section 3 of Using Topo USA With Your Device. For general PN-20 use remember that the Menu button is the gateway to all of the options on the device. The Track option is listed on each menu and the Waypoint button is on the front of the device. We'll be sure to keep your feedback in mind as we talk through ways to improve the documentation for first time users. Keep an eye on this blog for more info about the PN-20 or check out our Forum for help from other very knowledgeable users. Thanks for taking the time to post. -Chip Thank you for the feedback Kathy, we’ve been working hard to improve our paper documentation, digital training material, and on-line resources but always appreciate user input to guide our next effort. I know how frustrating it can be when you don’t need to use a particular feature often enough to commit it to memory.

We’ve been evaluating our Getting Started Guide, the tri-fold insert that came with the PN-20, and are planning some improvements to that document. I know that all of the information a user needs is contained in that paper but realize that the approach doesn’t seem to be working for some people. In case you’ve misplaced it, I’ve included a link to the support site where it is available…

http://www.delorme.com/support/Downloads/GPS/PN20%20guide_web%20.pdf

We’re aware that there is a lot of information in that doc and that some first time users are having a hard time digesting the content. The area that addresses your need to create a map and move it from Topo USA to the PN-20 is titled Sending DeLorme Imagery and Data to Your Device. There’s also a section to guide you through moving data between your computer and your PN-20; look for Section 3 of Using Topo USA With Your Device.

For general PN-20 use remember that the Menu button is the gateway to all of the options on the device. The Track option is listed on each menu and the Waypoint button is on the front of the device. We’ll be sure to keep your feedback in mind as we talk through ways to improve the documentation for first time users. Keep an eye on this blog for more info about the PN-20 or check out our Forum for help from other very knowledgeable users.

Thanks for taking the time to post.

-Chip

]]> By: Kathy Shearer http://blog.delorme.com/2008/03/27/what-i-taught-my-dad-about-the-pn-20/#comment-57 Kathy Shearer Wed, 28 May 2008 18:47:10 +0000 http://delormegps.wordpress.com/?p=12#comment-57 Chip, Thanks for the article about teaching your dad. I sympathize with him and any of us in the over-60 crowd. While I have read the set-up material and watched the video, and I am truly impressed with all the capacity built in to my PN-20, I have had to struggle at times not to toss it in a drawer and give up. I can't remember all the steps to go through just to do some of the basic functions because they are not, to my dimming mind, self-evident. And because, at this age, remembering new, complicated stuff is really difficult. For instance, I have moved topo maps from the computer to the device, but each time I have to look it up again in the guide. Here's what I want to do: I want to arrive at the start of my hike, turn it on, create a track of where I am going, perhaps toss in a few waypoints, and then turn it off when I (hopefully!) get back safely. Then I want to be able to move the route to my Topo program on my computer and review it. I suggest that you folks develop a VERY basic hiking guide that gives the simple steps for doing this. A small pocket card would work. Then have your dad review it! Thanks for listening. Kathy Chip,

Thanks for the article about teaching your dad. I sympathize with him and any of us in the over-60 crowd. While I have read the set-up material and watched the video, and I am truly impressed with all the capacity built in to my PN-20, I have had to struggle at times not to toss it in a drawer and give up.

I can’t remember all the steps to go through just to do some of the basic functions because they are not, to my dimming mind, self-evident. And because, at this age, remembering new, complicated stuff is really difficult.

For instance, I have moved topo maps from the computer to the device, but each time I have to look it up again in the guide.

Here’s what I want to do: I want to arrive at the start of my hike, turn it on, create a track of where I am going, perhaps toss in a few waypoints, and then turn it off when I (hopefully!) get back safely. Then I want to be able to move the route to my Topo program on my computer and review it.

I suggest that you folks develop a VERY basic hiking guide that gives the simple steps for doing this. A small pocket card would work. Then have your dad review it!

Thanks for listening.

Kathy

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