Research Blog : useful web sites, consumer

User manuals online

googler@evpl — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:22:00 GMT

It's actually not that hard to find recent user manuals online, using Google. But the MakeUseOf blog has linked to a site that not only provides access to a bunch of manuals in one convenient place, but also allows you to register and then store all of your virtual manuals in a "filing cabinet."

And, like many websites these days, the The User Manual Site is social and interactive, maintaining a community message board where you can ask for help and tips from other consumers who are using the same product that you are.

These features make it worth checking out, and as you acquire new devices, adding those manuals to your online file. If they don't have a manual you need, you might be able to find it elsewhere. There are other user manuals sites, like http://www.usersmanualguide.com/ and http://www.user-manual-search.com/default2.aspx, but when you're looking for manuals, the best way to find them is often to simply Google the name of the manufacture, the model number, and the word "manual."

Hard-to-find customer service

googler@evpl — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:47:00 GMT

It seems that the more prominently web-based a business is, the harder it is to contact customer service, particularly a human via telephone. A website called ContactHelp maintains a database of tricks for bypassing the customer service circus and getting to a real person. Just type the company name into the search box, and you'll get detailed instructions, written by a person who's had a successful contact, that tell you what number to dial and what will happen after you dial it.

It also gives company hours of operation, email addresses, and links to customer service FAQs and knowledge bases when available. Plus it offers users the ability to rate companies and leave comments.

And if ContactHelp doesn't show the company you're looking for, try GetHuman. Between these two sites, you should be able to conquer the menu trees and get to a real human for just about any major brand.

How to find how-tos on the web

googler@evpl — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:20:00 GMT

The "Webware" blog at CNET has an excellent post about finding how-to-do-it information on the web. For a variety of sites such as eHow, Howcast, and Instructables, the author assesses the quality of the instruction, the level of expertise and authority, and is especially concerned whether there are accompanying videos. You can learn how to do just about anything on sites like these, from tying a tie to installing weather stripping to making sure you follow proper etiquette in China.

While you're at CNET, check out their vast collection of product reviews. This is one of the premier sites for recent consumer-oriented ratings and reviews of all sorts of electronics and high-tech products.