So... why isn't there a software manual?

[MichaelL65]

I've finally gotten a project to use the Do-more, and unfortunately instead of learning by writing my own code, I get to decipher someone else's code ("make it more efficient!"). I really need a manual to reference while I'm doing that but it is conspicuously missing from the downloads. Why?

I realize that technically pretty much everything I am looking for is probably in the help file (if you know where to look and can move back and forth without getting lost in the links), but a document with a multitude of hyperlinks for some reason is harder for my brain to follow than a .pdf manual. Plus you can annotate a .pdf with your own notes. In .chm files, not so much.

And there are Do-more hardware .pdf manuals... and .pdf manuals for the other Host software products...

I did see something from a couple years ago about putting everything together in a book form, but that appears to have not gotten anywhere.

[ADC Product Engineer]

I hear you.  It's something that I personally would like to do, the issue right now is time.  If resources were infinite, I would be trying to make it happen right now.  Unfortunately it's going to have to wait for a while on other things to happen.

[BobO]

Some history...

When we first developed Do-more, my vision was to have a Do-more manual, hardware platform Do-more addenda, and DmD's help system. The primary manual would be on how to use Do-more in general, the addenda would be how Do-more affects the usage of each platform, and the help system would be oriented toward how to use DmD. The product manager at the time disagreed with that approach, choosing to pursue the same approach as was used in Click, which though very well-done, is vastly less capable and a much simpler product. I thought it was wrong then and my opinion hasn't changed.

It's still something we want to do, but will have to wait until our current development project is launched. Do-more will be coming to the masses soon, and the significantly expanded customer base will likely help drive the point. Little help to you now, but please know that we both aware and sympathetic.

[Controls Guy]

That makes sense.  The help-only system isn't as helpful or easy to use as a book-form manual like the one you got with DirectSoft, but not as important at the moment as expanding Do-More's availability to new form factors.

Besides, DMD is free!  Makes it kinda hard to grouse about the niceties.  (But I'd still like a manual eventually  )

[BobO]

We have developed a slide show presentation that is used to train support personnel. It isn't a manual per se, but does cover many relevant subjects in a form that might or might not be useful without the associated lecture. I know we talked about posting it, and it's even possible that earlier versions might be out there, but we are happy to do so if y'all are interested.

[HB_GUY]

I feel pretty comfortable using the do-more, but would love to see the preso.
You can hardly ever have too much information, and I learn something new everyday.

[BobO]

The author of said slideshow is conducting training at ADC this week and is continuing to tweak the presentation based on feedback from them. I'll get him to post it when he gets back.

[Tark]

The author of said slideshow is conducting training at ADC this week and is continuing to tweak the presentation based on feedback from them. I'll get him to post it when he gets back.

I'm interested in seeing this presentation.

[BobO]

The author of said slideshow is conducting training at ADC this week and is continuing to tweak the presentation based on feedback from them. I'll get him to post it when he gets back.

I'm interested in seeing this presentation.

It's being tweaked following the most recent training, but will definitely be posted soon.

[Greg]

I'm actually adding them as a table of links that you'll be able to get to via Do-more FAQs being constructed as we speak.

[Greg]

Do-more Tech Training Slides:

http://www.hosteng.com/FAQFiles/TechSlides/TechTrainingSlides01.html

Remember, these were not made for public consumption, but I use them to teach AD techs on a personal basis (I'm there talking). I don't guarantee them to be error free or even always technically accurate.  Grin Also, they are animated, so PDFs and printouts do not exist and are very difficult to produce from animated slides. You'll need PowerPoint, or a viewer of some kind. I also did not zip them up, but posted them individually because as I change them I didn't want to have to keep updating the zip file every time I changed a typo or something.

Of course, I'm open to suggestions on improvement. Just keep in mind they are not to train the general public on PLCs, but rather techs. I don't always use all the slides and some I haven't updated completely. They are in a constant state of revision. I have no idea if there will ever be a final version, especially since our new Do-more PLC is coming out soon and thus will necessitate even more slides.

They are also subject to change without notification at any time I see fit.  Grin

Also, MikeS is creating some ways to get to them from different spots on our website. Currently you can access them in Do-more PLC FAQs; I put a pic and link at the top of those.

[Dean]

This is great! I've already learned stuff, and I've only viewed 2 slideshows. Thank you for making this available.

[BobO]

This is great! I've already learned stuff, and I've only viewed 2 slideshows. Thank you for making this available.

Awesome. Don't hesitate to ask questions it brings up.