Hall Of Technical Documentation Weirdness 437
An anonymous reader submits: "Generally speaking, with the exception of Tina on Dilbert, technical writers aren't very funny. This is something of a rare and unintentional exception. This guy has assembled a bunch of examples of bizarre technical illustration. There's only about 15 at the moment, but he's collecting further examples."
Others (Score:5, Funny)
THE ARTICLE FAILS IT! (Score:5, Funny)
i know (Score:4, Funny)
Only about 15 ?! (Score:5, Funny)
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"There's only about 15 at the moment, but he's collecting further examples."
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REFUND! (Score:0, Funny)
Comment removed (Score:3, Funny)
Full force and effect (Score:1, Funny)
Oh where can I find.... (Score:5, Funny)
On a Caterpillar trench digger, there was this funny picture of a NO sign around a chainsaw looking thing and a caption that said, "Engage crowd control before operating".
because-trench-diggers-control-crowds
japanese toilets (Score:5, Funny)
I used to like the japanese... (Score:5, Funny)
More like this.. (Score:3, Funny)
this [roxormedia.com]
And
this [roxormedia.com]
Example from the food industry (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Others (Score:5, Funny)
Best Quote hidden (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Only about 15 ?! (Score:0, Funny)
"About one optical drive"
"About 518MB RAM"
"About a 17" monitor"
"About one keyboard"
Re:Others (Score:2, Funny)
It takes quite a bit of work to get rid of melted, burnt, pizza-flavoured plastic from an oven.
Re:i know (Score:0, Funny)
Re:Others (Score:5, Funny)
"I found it in the last place that I looked"
- why would you keep looking?
"needless to say"
- then why say it?
"no offense but..."
- you know you're about to be offended
"new and improved"
- if it's new? how can you improve it?
"save money by purchasing..."
- really?
on a tv ad for bioflex
"to loose the weight you need to add muscle..."
- really?
this list too is endless...
Re:Others (Score:3, Funny)
Re:THE ARTICLE FAILS IT! (Score:5, Funny)
[xbox-scene.com]
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?act=ST&f
I ran across a site containing funny interpretations of airplane safety literature but I couldn't find it at the moment.
Re:Others (Score:5, Funny)
An here's a comment taken from a COBOL program I once had to maintain. It actually does make sense if you manage to guess the right punctuation:
"If not amending after total blank lines are shuffled up after total blanked lines are left blank in table to avoid shuffling."
The site's slashdotted, so here's my favourite (Score:3, Funny)
Re:japanese toilets (Score:5, Funny)
I prefered it when it watered other parts of my anatomy.
And the Japanese are totally on the ball with this one, having warm water sprayed on my ass was the highlight of my overnight stay.
Re:THE ARTICLE FAILS IT! (Score:3, Funny)
Here you go. [airtoons.com]
Pasta Maker (Score:1, Funny)
Examples:
There was a woman performing the things as he said them. He introduced her by saying, "Jane, who told us on her resume that her hobbies were stroking kitchen appliances."
And he referred to a metal measuring cup as, "A space age one-of-a-kind measuring tool"
Japanese Trough Dump? (Score:1, Funny)
Not funny, but I have something better... (Score:2, Funny)
Now, in a club in Lagos Nigeria (the bar is called Towers, a nice place on Victoria Island), there is a sign above the urinals, which says:
"Employees must wash genitals before returning to work"
I just wish I'd had my camera with me, but you will have to take my word for it.
Redundant instructions (Score:0, Funny)
Of course,.. (Score:0, Funny)
http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail64.html [homestarrunner.com]
Re:More like this.. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Not funny, but I have something better... (Score:5, Funny)
> place on Victoria Island), there is a sign above the
> urinals, which says: "Employees must wash genitals
> before returning to work"
> I just wish I'd had my camera with me, but you will have
> to take my word for it.
Funny sign, but my suggestion is that you don't try to take a camera into a public restroom, snapping pictures while standing at the urinal and snickering to yourself.
Just a friendly Slashdot public service announcement!
Worst article ever. (Score:1, Funny)
Mouse Balls Memo (Score:4, Funny)
More Mockery (Score:2, Funny)
Translation fun (Score:1, Funny)
From instructions for a plastic puzzle ball that comes apart into 8 pieces, to be reassambled:
"DECOMPOSITION FUN BALL. TAKE PIECES APART. TRY TO PUT BACK TOGETHER. NOW YOU CAN HAVE HOURS OF DECOMPOSITION FUN!"
(No cemetery required.)
And another one, which actually is technical writing of a sort; those instructions from the back of a pack of chopsticks at a Chinese buffet. For the most part, they're pretty good, but I like the last instruction, after telling you how to manipulate them:
"4. NOW YOU CAN PICK UP ANYTHING"
Haven't tested that bold assertion on cars or women, yet.
Here's something actually funny (Score:5, Funny)
For example:
This page left blank (Score:5, Funny)
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
My first thought was "god, what a bunch of anal-retentive...." So I continued reading, and almost didn't notice that the next blank(or not blank) page was:
THIS PAGE ALSO INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
I smirked a little, and read on. It kept getting better though:
YES, THIS PAGE -ALSO- INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
THIS PAGE SHOULD NOT BE LEFT BLANK. OOPS, JUST KIDDING.
etc. etc...they obviously had some fun with that one, realizing just how stupid those messages are and poking fun at it.
It's almost as good as the Irix workstation which was donated to the HS...it would get increasingly cross if it found someone else was using its IP, and the logs would look something like this:
Computer with MAC Address 34:23:23... is using my IP address
Computer with MAC Address 34:23:23... is using my IP address
Computer with MAC Address 34:23:23... is still using my IP address
Computer with MAC Address 34:23:23... is STILL using my IP address
Computer with MAC Address 34:23:23... IS STILL USING MY IP ADDRESS GOD DAMMIT!
(I don't remember the exact wording, but yes, it would finally start cursing mildly).
Dell Midtowers (Score:2, Funny)
It had a screwless door that you could remove to add RAM and expansion cards. The instruction manual illustrated how to remove the door: one hand on each side to press the catches down, and one hand to push the door off. That's right, three hands to open your computer. And the illustration actually showed three hands!
I actually pinned the picture on my dorm bulletin board, and holding it up as an example of terrible industrial design...but maybe it was just 'bizarre' and deserves to be on that site.
Re:Others (Score:0, Funny)
One time (Score:5, Funny)
Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (Score:5, Funny)
:)
Re:Others (Score:0, Funny)
Re: Bizarre technical writing/writers (Score:0, Funny)
Re:Others (Score:5, Funny)
"Wash inside out with like colors".
Or the back massager that proclaims: "If any of the following symptoms occur, please discontinue use", and then lists a whole bunch of symptoms, including drowsiness, soreness, fatigue and DEATH.
And here I thought the whole purpose was to use it when stiff...
Regards,
--
*Art
Re:Oh where can I find.... (Score:5, Funny)
Do not stop the chain using your hands or gentials.
Technical writers aren't funny? (Score:3, Funny)
What d'ya mean technical writers aren't funny? We have great senses of humor. How else could we tolerate working with engineers?
Re:Best Quote hidden (Score:5, Funny)
Dude, that's not Engrish...That's Chaucer.
Re:Best Quote hidden (Score:3, Funny)
> I saw the same line in the manual for a Japanese vibrator. Wierd.
That is weird...cuz I actually experienced the emission of heat rupture liquid while using a Japanese vibrator manually. Small world!
Re:japanese toilets (Score:5, Funny)
Anyway, when she is done giggling I explain my predicament. Her eyes get wide. "Guren-san, " she asks, " but why were you using the bidet?". I refused to answer, mostly because I had no answer, and sloshed over to the table where my client was waiting. Laughing. Hysterically. Also being a gaijin he had experienced something similar. All's well that ends well, I guess: We ended up working together and I never pressed that damn button again.
The scheme shell! (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Others (Score:5, Funny)
I like my coffee like I like my women: tied up in a burlap bag and dragged through the Andes.
Re:Microfortnights (Score:5, Funny)
When in the VMS SYSGEN utility, and you asked for a list of the parameters, the list included the units. The TIMEPROMPTWAIT parameter was unusual in that values in one range did one thing, while values in another range did something else. Dick wanted to encourage users to go read the manual for the full explanation, so he had the units listed as microfortnights, hoping that puzzled readers would go search out the details.
Sadly, Dick suffered severe brain injury in a car accident many years ago, and was unable to return to work. We named a conference room in his honor at the Nashua, NH facility where VMS engineering lives, and if you visit it, you can see the prototype SD730, which was introduced as an April Fools joke one year. Here's the text from the "Product Information Sheet" for the SD730.
VAX-11/730
SD730 Fixed Head Solar Horologue
Overview
The SD730 is an option for the VAX-11/730(TM) that provides an inexpensive solution to the problem of setting system time correctly following a power failure. An astronomical reference is used to assure accuracy. Reliability is assured by the simple, elegant design which employs well-proven technology.
Description
The SD730 is a gnomonic high noon detector that provides a simple, but elegant solution to the problem of setting system time correctly following a power failure. This option is particularly valuable for processors lacking battery backup for their time-of-year (TOY) clock.
Highlights
- Gnomonic interference high noon detector
- High accuracy assured by low-drift astronomical reference
- Connects to existing DR-11C port on VAX-11/730
- Proprietary high-moon rejection design
- Offline mode for standalone time measurement
- User installable and maintainable
- Reliability assured by minimal component count and proven technology
- Heavy duty construction resists solar wind
- Anti-corrosion coating prevents gnomonic plague
Description
The SD730 provides a single bit of data via the DR-11C port of the VAX-11/730 that encodes all of its sensory information. Decoding is accomplished by measuring the on/off intervals of this sensor channel. Derivation of the time and date is accomplished by the SD730 Shadow Processing Support Software.
Accurate high-noon sensing is obtained by measuring the solar transit time and computing the midpoint. This algorithm also corrects for variations in gnomon width, latitude and season. In the event that a cloudless night permits a high full moon to be seen, it will be differentiated from an authentic high noon by comparing observed transit time against a reference solar transit time.
Within 24 hours following power restoration, the SD730 driver software will restore the correct system time.
Power outages in excess of 24 hours can be accomodated once a reference year has been accumulated. Day length, solar transit time and their rates of change are used to recognize the day within the year.
Installation
The SD730 is user installable and comes complete with an installation kit consisting of a lensatic compass. All software is self-installing and self-calibrating. The only requirement is that system time be set correctly and that at least one clear day be allowed for self calibration.
The SD730 will not operate reliably when installed at latitudes greater than 60 degrees.
Maintenance
While the SD730 is simple and reliable, some environments may necessitate periodic cleaning of the gnomon and photo-detector. Although the gnomon shields the photo-detector from debris, this may not be sufficient for particularly hazardous locations subject to overflights by large flocks of migratory birds. To assist in problem detection, error log entries will b
The Greatest Sign In The World (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Best Quote hidden (Score:3, Funny)
I pointed out that this was crazy, that I couldn't make heads or tails of it and couldn't possibly translate it into something sane. But they needed the job done and didn't care and I needed the money, so I did the best I could. As near as I can tell, it involved heating up some kind of liquid I had never heard of, and you better be sure to adjust this widget and calibrate that thingamabob correctly, or else, well, some bad thing would happen. I cringe at the thought that some German lab grunt might have actually tried to follow the instructions I wrote.
Re:Actually, 'may contain peanuts' has a reason (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Oh where can I find.... (Score:3, Funny)
Since then, I have always kept that in mind.
Also baffling... (Score:2, Funny)
Garment Management System (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (Score:3, Funny)
"Do not look into laser with remaining eye."
Best is the ATTRITION disclaimer... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Others (Score:4, Funny)
Ingredients: Carrots
Re:Others (Score:4, Funny)
Why #define PI 3.14159265358979? In case the value of PI ever changes.
I guess in case PI ever becomes 23 or something.
Old /. story (Score:3, Funny)
As mentioned in that story, my all-time favorite is from a Mackie (audio mixer) manual:
"The mating ritual of consenting adult banana plugs".
(anyone who's ever "mated" banana plugs knows exactly what the author was talking about. (-: )
S
Warning on a stroller I bought for my daughter (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Others (Score:2, Funny)
There was a prominent sticker telling me not to lock the steering head lock while driving. It felt a little unnseccesary, considering you had to turn off the engine (to get the key out) and be able to reach forward to the side of the steering head with a small, fiddly key, all while keeping the steering fully turned to one side, as that's the only position where that lock will actually engage.
If you are able to actually do this, you don't need a warning sticker - you need a television contract.
Re:Others (Score:3, Funny)
My other favorite military instruction (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Others (Score:4, Funny)
Must
On a related note... (Score:2, Funny)
Dumb.Com - Product Warnings [dumb.com]
Sign, Interstate 10, Near Phoenix, AZ
"State Prison: Do Not Stop for Hitchhikers"
On a Rowenta iron:
"Warning! Never iron clothes on the body!"
On a blanket from Taiwan -
"NOT TO BE USED AS PROTECTION FROM A TORNADO."
The Elements of Style (Score:4, Funny)
I picked up this book yesterday for a writing class at SFSU and I agree, it's a gem. My favorite quote (so far):
Flammable - An oddity, chiefly useful in saving lives. The common word meaning "combustible" is inflammable. But some people are thrown off by the in- and think inflammable means "not combustible." For this reason, trucks carrying gasoline or explosives are now marked FLAMMABLE. Unless you are operating such a truck and hence are concerned with the safety of children and illiterates, use inflammable.
Priceless!
Re:Others (Score:5, Funny)
Now what the heck am I supposed to do when I've got a bad case of stinky-eye?
Re:Not too weird... (Score:2, Funny)
Highlight... (Score:3, Funny)
You must have not met a girl who does the thing with the string of beads.
New Scientist (Score:3, Funny)
Item: Locomotive Quantity: 1 (approximately)
Xix.