Manual - Printed or PDF?

[Crimguy]

Just curious if HTTR will have a printed manual like RDOA, or will go with PDF. While I understand the considerable cost savings of having a pdf manual, personally I think there are compelling reasons for a printed manual.

1) It's a nice thing to have in the bathroom when you need something to read.
2) The pirates on mlDonkey will shy away from a title that doesn't come with a manual in their warez copy.

[Arjuna]

I'm pleased to announce that HTTR will come with a full printed manual, which will include the tutorial and reference sections. The ScenMaker and MapMaker manuals will be in pdf format.

[Crimguy]

Nice.

[Mr.Frag]

Dave, hows the separate Strat Guide coming along?

[Arjuna]

Mr Frag,

Steve Barnes has finished the historical analysis section and Steve Long is working on the Strategy and Tactics section. We hope to have it finalised by the end of next week. Then it will need proofing and typesetting before printing. Probably about a month out.

[Hertston]

I'm pleased to announce that HTTR will come with a full printed manual, which will include the tutorial and reference sections. The ScenMaker and MapMaker manuals will be in pdf format.

Unless you are lumbered with the "Euro" version, presumably, assuming there will be one at some stage ?

[Arjuna]

The latest on the Strat Guide is that we have no chance of getting it printed before the end of the year. So we will spend the intervening time to flesh it out even further, before publication in the New Year.

[Crimguy]

So there's no way to package manuals for European apps b/c of the restrictions on the products packaging? IIRC, the box has to be about the size of a DVD case . . .

[Marc von Martial]

So there's no way to package manuals for European apps b/c of the restrictions on the products packaging? IIRC, the box has to be about the size of a DVD case . . .

No, you have to keep the packing size in mind, if you want to make it in the stores. Boxes are DVD sized yes. In the US generally "5th panel" a DVD sized (width and height) with a flap that you can open up. For Europe it´s generally (for most of the time) the standard DVD plastic box. If you don´t stick to these box standards some big chains will simply refuse to stock the product.

[Mr.Frag]

No, you have to keep the packing size in mind, if you want to make it in the stores. Boxes are DVD sized yes. In the US generally "5th panel" a DVD sized (width and height) with a flap that you can open up. For Europe it´s generally (for most of the time) the standard DVD plastic box. If you don´t stick to these box standards some big chains will simply refuse to stock the product.

It is sad what the console business has done to the PC business. This is just another aspect of it, retailers unable to dedicate space to PC products because they can fit 2-3 more products on the wall in the console world.

[Marc von Martial]

It is sad what the console business has done to the PC business. This is just another aspect of it, retailers unable to dedicate space to PC products because they can fit 2-3 more products on the wall in the console world.

I wouldn´t blame it on the console business, it was a natural step. The sheer mass of different titles available (Pc) today is much more then it was years ago, when we had the big boxes. Mass requires more shelve space, which is costly. So naturally they look for smaller packaging. Honestly, I have plenty of older titles (big box) here where I allways wondered why they drop the CD and the product registering card in such a massive box . Actually I´m somewhat happy about the DVD format. It saves me from buying new shelves too often LOL.

I´m now just wondering when this will apply to standard application software too.