How times change..

[ElectricShitbox]

I prefer the warm soft sound of compression losses in low quality mp3 files that I downloaded 20 years ago and still listen to.

 

[Kopsis]

I said it when CD’s were invented, and I’ll say it again. I don’t care how many digital blocks you break a sine wave into, it will still not approach a true analog signal. That is what the hipsters describe as “warm.”

The "warmth" is real but has nothing to do with quantized sampling. It's due to mastering choices, not the format itself. Historically, vinyl records were mastered with reduced high-frequency content to control sibilance and harshness. Some of the "better sounding" modern releases continue this practice even though the the original source was never captured in analog form and remained digital right up to the point of creating the physical vinyl master.

 

[ClayJar]

My biggest concern is the amount of $$$ Slate is spending on marketing. That money would be better spent on producing the Slate U videos.

At this point in the development to production process, I can see how it could be difficult to make a bunch of Slate U videos. Nobody wants Slate U to be like Google documentation, where you have the whole process with every step documented with precisely where to go and what actions to take, but it's all based on what the admin UI used to look like before they renamed and reorganized everything yet once again.

Once designs are frozen and actual production vehicles are rolling out, I definitely want to see a huge catalog of Slate U videos and documentation, and in certain demographics, Slate U is going to be a huge draw. For the time being, on the other hand, I don't mind Slate prioritizing marketing over Slate U videos that might end up scrapped and re-shot.

(My own feelings, meanwhile, are that I personally want all the Slate U videos/documentation and especially the owners manual ASAP! I'm probably not going to have an actual Slate truck of my own for something like a year and a half, at least, I'd guess, so all I can do is learn everything about it and dream of the day I'll get my very own official Red Ryder carbine-action, 200-shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time, and I promise I won't shoot my eye out.)

 

[Doctors Do Little]

The "warmth" is real but has nothing to do with quantized sampling. It's due to mastering choices, not the format itself. Historically, vinyl records were mastered with reduced high-frequency content to control sibilance and harshness. Some of the "better sounding" modern releases continue this practice even though the the original source was never captured in analog form and remained digital right up to the point of creating the physical vinyl master.

So I need to digitally record a fancy turntable’s rendering of Bluey’s theme song into a file that I can then use as a 70dB horn sound?

Does that tie all of this together for our $35K Tupperware truck conversation?

 

[E90400K]

At this point in the development to production process, I can see how it could be difficult to make a bunch of Slate U videos. Nobody wants Slate U to be like Google documentation, where you have the whole process with every step documented with precisely where to go and what actions to take, but it's all based on what the admin UI used to look like before they renamed and reorganized everything yet once again.

Once designs are frozen and actual production vehicles are rolling out, I definitely want to see a huge catalog of Slate U videos and documentation, and in certain demographics, Slate U is going to be a huge draw. For the time being, on the other hand, I don't mind Slate prioritizing marketing over Slate U videos that might end up scrapped and re-shot.

(My own feelings, meanwhile, are that I personally want all the Slate U videos/documentation and especially the owners manual ASAP! I'm probably not going to have an actual Slate truck of my own for something like a year and a half, at least, I'd guess, so all I can do is learn everything about it and dream of the day I'll get my very own official Red Ryder carbine-action, 200-shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time, and I promise I won't shoot my eye out.)

I hope Slate bags the idea of producing videos. As Barman indicated, Slate is going to also produce paper instructions. I hope they go with just the paper. I hate video repair tutorials. With a passion. You have to watch a 45 minute video to make a 15 minute repair.

 

[ClayJar]

I hope Slate bags the idea of producing videos. As Barman indicated, Slate is going to also produce paper instructions. I hope they go with just the paper. I hate video repair tutorials. With a passion. You have to watch a 45 minute video to make a 15 minute repair.

You are a mean and selfish person! Shame! Shame! 😝😂😜🤣

Seriously, though, I certainly understand where you're coming from with your preference for printed instructions. I'm right there with you in preferring to work from text and images. However!

However, I absolutely understand that there are a great many people who have very different preferences, and for quite valid reasons. One of my friends does all sorts of tech work, is currently building a workshop into what used to be a garage, and does algorithmically-generated stained glass panels (actual glass, lead solder, etc.) as a hobby. He can follow a YouTube tutorial like a pro, but printed instructions may as well be in 한국인 for how difficult they are to follow. I want people like him to be able to work on their Slates.

It's not just people who don't handle paper instructions well that can benefit from videos, either. I'm absolutely a paper-first person, but I will absolutely pull up a video for several reasons. A video:

• Can give a nice overview of the process, providing a useful orientation before hitting the sheets.
• Can show context that may not be present in the image(s) in the printed steps. (For example, watching a camera pan across and suddenly having spatial awareness of precisely where the images were taken from and where the hard-to-reach fasteners are hiding.)
• Can convey important details that don't translate (or translate well) to text. (For example, just how fast is "slowly but firmly slide the squeegee across...")
• Can be played at any speed, and can be skipped back and forth to the good stuff. (If you don't like repair videos because they're slow and rambling, you're watching them wrong. 😉)

Preferring printed instructions is fine. Completely ignoring the existence of well-produced technical videos is also fine. Hoping that something will be scrapped just because you personally don't care for it and it doesn't directly benefit you? Not really fine, but I suppose if it's because you think the resources would be better spent elsewhere, I suppose I can understand (while still vehemently disagreeing).

 

[E90400K]

You are a mean and selfish person! Shame! Shame! 😝😂😜🤣

Seriously, though, I certainly understand where you're coming from with your preference for printed instructions. I'm right there with you in preferring to work from text and images. However!

However, I absolutely understand that there are a great many people who have very different preferences, and for quite valid reasons. One of my friends does all sorts of tech work, is currently building a workshop into what used to be a garage, and does algorithmically-generated stained glass panels (actual glass, lead solder, etc.) as a hobby. He can follow a YouTube tutorial like a pro, but printed instructions may as well be in 한국인 for how difficult they are to follow. I want people like him to be able to work on their Slates.

It's not just people who don't handle paper instructions well that can benefit from videos, either. I'm absolutely a paper-first person, but I will absolutely pull up a video for several reasons. A video:

• Can give a nice overview of the process, providing a useful orientation before hitting the sheets.
• Can show context that may not be present in the image(s) in the printed steps. (For example, watching a camera pan across and suddenly having spatial awareness of precisely where the images were taken from and where the hard-to-reach fasteners are hiding.)
• Can convey important details that don't translate (or translate well) to text. (For example, just how fast is "slowly but firmly slide the squeegee across...")
• Can be played at any speed, and can be skipped back and forth to the good stuff. (If you don't like repair videos because they're slow and rambling, you're watching them wrong. 😉)

Preferring printed instructions is fine. Completely ignoring the existence of well-produced technical videos is also fine. Hoping that something will be scrapped just because you personally don't care for it and it doesn't directly benefit you? Not really fine, but I suppose if it's because you think the resources would be better spent elsewhere, I suppose I can understand (while still vehemently disagreeing).

"... well-produced technical videos...". Where are these found?

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I hope Slate bags the idea of producing videos. As Barman indicated, Slate is going to also produce paper instructions. I hope they go with just the paper. I hate video repair tutorials. With a passion. You have to watch a 45 minute video to make a 15 minute repair.

I dunno, Boss. I like good video tutorials- use etrailer.com as an example. I’ve installed multiple electrical harnesses and receiver hitches from everything from an X5 to a minivan. All made much easier by watching and listening (in addition to reading the instructions).

Adult learning should provide for multiple ways to master content…some (esp surgeons) folks like to see one, do one, teach one. And, many written instructions are horribly incomplete.

 

[ClayJar]

"... well-produced technical videos...". Where are these found?

Way to double down. Okay, then, I guess I'll just give one reasonable non-Slate example as a proof of existence. May I present, the iFixit video accompanying the Pixel 7 Pro screen replacement procedure. I found it quite useful as an overview, it provided helpful context, and it was useful for a few details that didn't fully translate to text.

I would note that it was well-produced, useful, and significantly shorter than the actual screen replacement process, which I did successfully the first time while following the printed instructions and photos after watching the video.

This is pretty much what I expect from Slate, and I should note that I consider the Slate U Tutorial: Front Lamp Covers video an excellent example of a well-produced technical video for a beginner-level selection. Is that particular one a bit below my level? Uh, duh, of course it is! Is it well-produced with a composition and style befitting a beginner video for a nervous newbie to follow to get their hands ever-so-slightly dirty and build confidence? Youbetcha!

 

[E90400K]

I dunno, Boss. I like good video tutorials- use etrailer.com as an example. I’ve installed multiple electrical harnesses and receiver hitches from everything from an X5 to a minivan. All made much easier by watching and listening (in addition to reading the instructions).

Adult learning should provide for multiple ways to master content…some (esp surgeons) folks like to see one, do one, teach one. And, many written instructions are horribly incomplete.

Worried we'll lose the art of written technical communication. But I'll be dead soon enough, so who cares. LOL.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Worried we'll lose the art of written technical communication. But I'll be dead soon enough, so who cares. LOL.

Do you remember 20 years ago when Technical Writers were coveted by the sales teams bc the engineers couldn’t even describe in coherent written English the process of even using the restroom in any detail?

I’ve bought a lot of things that were made in other countries and now expect that, at best, a code on the written instructions might lead to a video explaining the installation. I don’t do as well with 3 2-D line drawings accompanied by horrible foreign engineering gibberish (“You be careful because hot happen”).

When I create something de novo (furniture or landscaping), I draw all of the pieces with measurements that lead to my cut list.

With time, I could write each step, or I could video the process and later overlay it with slow, easy to understand English that an end user could speed up or repeat as needed. Come to think of it, I would do the audio overlay and then let Claude perform the written instructions afterwards?

Brand new world.

 

[E90400K]

Way to double down. Okay, then, I guess I'll just give one reasonable non-Slate example as a proof of existence. May I present, the iFixit video accompanying the Pixel 7 Pro screen replacement procedure. I found it quite useful as an overview, it provided helpful context, and it was useful for a few details that didn't fully translate to text.

I would note that it was well-produced, useful, and significantly shorter than the actual screen replacement process, which I did successfully the first time while following the printed instructions and photos after watching the video.

This is pretty much what I expect from Slate, and I should note that I consider the Slate U Tutorial: Front Lamp Covers video an excellent example of a well-produced technical video for a beginner-level selection. Is that particular one a bit below my level? Uh, duh, of course it is! Is it well-produced with a composition and style befitting a beginner video for a nervous newbie to follow to get their hands ever-so-slightly dirty and build confidence? Youbetcha!

That lamp cover video was about 2 minutes too long and oh so patronizing. LOL.

Here's the written version (using an illustration of the cover to show the parts and a note: "Remember - righty > tighty, lefty > loosey): <---- sarcasm

Step 1: Use a T20 Torx driver to remove the four (4) screws holding the lamp cover to the grille.
Step 2: Pull the lamp cover straight out from the grille
Step 3: Locate the new cover by aligning the bolt holes over the threaded holes, with the curved edge of the cover facing towards the headlight side of the grille
Step 4: Re-install and tighten the four (4) mounting screws at each corner of the new blinker cover.

Sorry it took so long to respond. I had to stop laughing about using a torque wrench... <---- not sarcasm

 

[netposer]

So I have been a contributing member here since shortly after Slate went wild. I have practically devoured every post, every glimmer of info, until…
yup until 6/24. My preorder secure I find myself being more selective. Whereas I would at least skim a post, searching for any tidbit, now I find myself just letting some things slip by. I know my Slate will not be fully tricked out, there are many accessories I will not own, so interest has waned.

Anyone else noticed how time seems to have slowed tremendously since 6/24?

Am I the only one getting annoyed that someone found the Slate last week and think they have the most important observation / question in the world but too lazy to do a search to reveal dozens of related posts? Just getting older? 😄😄😄

This type of post is as old as forums themselves. It's the nature of a discussion forum. I just ignore posts I don't find interesting. Something catches my eye, I click, read and move on. Searching a forum can be frustrating if the results 'kinda' answer your question. I don't mind repetitive posts unless they get really out of hand.

 

[E90400K]

Do you remember 20 years ago when Technical Writers were coveted by the sales teams bc the engineers couldn’t even describe in coherent written English the process of even using the restroom in any detail?

I’ve bought a lot of things that were made in other countries and now expect that, at best, a code on the written instructions might lead to a video explaining the installation. I don’t do as well with 3 2-D line drawings accompanied by horrible foreign engineering gibberish (“You be careful because hot happen”).

When I create something de novo (furniture or landscaping), I draw all of the pieces with measurements that lead to my cut list.

With time, I could write each step, or I could video the process and later overlay it with slow, easy to understand English that an end user could speed up or repeat as needed. Come to think of it, I would do the audio overlay and then let Claude perform the written instructions afterwards?

Brand new world.

I made my career rewriting the technical sections of proposals (written by engineers) so the information being conveyed to the customer was understandable. Maybe I'm jaded. LOL.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I made my career rewriting the technical sections of proposals (written by engineers) so the information being conveyed to the customer was understandable. Maybe I'm jaded. LOL.

I spent years writing/re-writing technical proposals for big government contracts bc most of the source selection committees were not, themselves, technical. I paid my way through med school by re-writing very technical stuff in plain language that anyone with 9th grade reading comprehension could consume.

I feel ya