QTR-Quadtone RIP

--- In QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com, Mark Savoia <mark@...> wrote:
>
> Gee folks, it is only a $50 shareware program. The guy can only do so  
> much, I would hope he is spending his time making the program better  
> then writing "how to". Maybe he should raise the price to $1000-$2000  
> like other RIPS so he can hire a tutorial writer? :)
> Mark

As a general point, I don't see this as a reason for lack of suitable
documentation. Lots of other $50 programs have good documentation. If
users don't know how to use it, then there will be more requirement
for support resources, which could otherwise be put to better use.

As a professional sw developer myself, there is often a misguided
opinion that documentation is a peripheral item. In fact some users
see it as a macho thing - documentaion is only for sissys! However,
quality software dicatates that errors/missing documentation should be
treated just as seriously as a coding/design error. 

Getting down to specifics, I recently started evaluating QTR (XP), and
although the documenation could be improved, I did find it adequate.
One of the primary functions of a RIP is to give the user greater
control, but as a consequence, this requires a greater understanding
by the user of the problem space. Hence, I don't think that an
"idiots" guide is feasible, as "idiots" don't have sufficient
understanding of b&w digital inkjet printing.

For a reasonably knowledgeable user, I think the documentation is good
enough, especially combined with this support resource. 

Steve