In the interest of doing our part to help the environment, we want to know what you think of the prospect of removing the printed version of the user manual (approximately 40 pages) from the Norton 360 retail box. This would not affect the printed Quick Start card.
Of course, both documents would still be available as PDF files on both the retail CD as well as via direct download from Norton.com.
Your vote and follow-up comments much appreciated!
--Jordan
Norton 360 Product Manager
Hello jblake
I think that the printed manual should be included also in the box. There are times when your computer may be down and you need to consult the manual for various reasons. Not everyone has more than one computer to use. It's like having people's addresses and telephone numbers in the address book with email, but then your computer is down and you can't get to that address book to call up someone to help. There are times when you need a manual in front of you. That's my opinion.
I agree with flopot. So many peoples are new to Norton/Symantec and not connected to the Internet . I always advise them to read the Booklet first. Before I install any program I read the instructions first and then download the product. There where times when this little booklet helped me out a lot.
As few read the user manual, try for a middle ground. Focus on distro of a” Getting Started/Release Notes PDF. For DL buys, send it before the sware. With boxes, include the PDF, or print a link near product key. Make the point to users that it's critical mass info.
My opinion is to ditch the printed materials. Since the PDF files are availble online and on the product disc, it is not necessary to include printed versions in the box. If the user wants a printed copy, they can print the PDF files themselves.
Greener is better.
Based on the title of this question, it is intuitively obvious to the most casual observer, that Norton is clearly determined to eliminate the printed manual. However, for what it is worth, I would prefer the printed materials to be in the box.
I am still "old school" enough to like a hard copy in hand for my references and troubleshooting guides.
I think that this is a good "green" idea but a poor practical one.
If I'm having trouble with my computer because of " - - - - - - - - " I may not be able to access my online copy of the manual to determine how to proceed with solving the problem. I would say this to all of the developers of the basic parts of my system - both hard and software.
Sorry, have to vote NO on this one
Dick
I personally prefer the printed manuals.
I could be persuaded to not have the large user manual (mainly for 'green' resons) but would have big objections to not having a 'quick start'. I always use the quick start whilst installing - I don't want to be swapping between screens whilst installing a product, i.e. swapping between the program and the maunal.
Don't most set ups tell you to shut down all other applications during installation? How would you open an application to read the manual, say PDF, and do the actual install?
I would have to agree with the majority that thinks the booklet should still be included in the box. Their reasons are very valid. This last one I bought online from Symantec so now have no copy to go to (disc/PDF) if I'm having PC problems. How many people have bought a cell phone recently only to find that you can't learn the intricacies because it's on a disc on your PC that is unavailable because of power loss, PC problems, or maybe you're away from your home. Not everyone has a laptop to take with them everywhere and have everything stored on it also. Buying a boxed one from a retailer would give you the best of both worlds but only if they are both included.
Bad idea. All boxed Norton products should always include the literature on both paper and an electronic copy via disc. There are plenty of other ways to be a "green" company.
If you’re in favor of this idea please use the ‘click here to give kudos to this post’ icon in the uppermost left corner. We want to know what you think, so don’t hesitate to leave additional comments.
You essentially don't include the manual even in PDF as people go from version to version anyway (Did everyone who just downloaded the lastest v4 to v5 upgrade remember to locate and download the V5 manual?).
The Norton 360 manual(only 40 pages) is so imcomplete compared to older products (old NAS and NIS manuals ) its a joke anyway. A really complete manual in PDF only. And the basic manual in print and PDF that includes basic install, operation and most importantly recovery when there is a problem.
It's a good idea. It really is not necessary imo and no one is going to stop buying NIS purely because the small booklet isn't provided in the box.
I would like to see NIS with the smallest amount of packaging possible.