Electronic Copies of Instructions

[apatti]

All,

I emailed Van's and asked if they have electronic copies of the instructions (i.e. fuselage assembly instructions) they could send out. I often find myself searching through the instructions trying to find where a specific part number is referenced. This task would be much simpler if I could just use a word processor to search for me.

The reply I got was "Sorry. We do not." Does anyone have any idea why they wouldn't be willing to do this? I assume the instructions are not done on an IBM Selectric. And I don't know why they would be concerned about having electronic copies of the instructions floating around. It is not like therein lies their intellectual property.

Has anyone else asked Van's for this?

Thanks,

[PaigeHoffart]

For just a few bucks Staples will scan several pages and turn them into an .pdf file. It takes a little coaxing, but you can get them to use their software to index the file, so you can use the search feature.

You really have to love optical character recognition. I think the charge is $3 per .pdf file.

I understand Van's concern with easy electronic re-distribution, but I can't help but think the majority of their profits can't come from preview plan sales. I think most builders would jump at the chance to spend a few bucks on a CD with everything on it. But, it's their call.

Paige Hoffart
RV-8A
Finish Kit

[kentb]

About 4 years ago I asked the document guy (I can't remember his name now) about getting a search-able version of the documentation. He said that the problem was that they used special document creation software and that converting to something that the general PC user could access would be very difficult.

Kent

[szicree]

That sounds plausable. I write a lot of technical material that's formatted in a language called LaTex. This produces technical documents that are publication quality; however, they are not readable in Word, Excel, etc.

[TShort]

I don't have much trouble with the instructions, but boy are there some times where searchable plans would be nice! I've stared at some drawings for a long time looking for a particular part # ... they can be hard to find!

T.

[vlittle]

I was told by an official at Vans that the material is copyrighted and they don't want unofficial versions drifting around the internet.

That being said, they should put up an instructions/plans search engine on their website that will give page number hits. Then you can refer to your hardcopy. They can control their copyrighted material, yet still help the builders searching for "Widget 602".

I think that this would be minimal cost because they can cross-reference most items & keywords in 'the list' with plan/instruction page numbers pretty quickly. The devil is in the details, but it would be a start.

Vern Little

[xavierm]

A lot of new copy machines have the "Scan and E-Mail" function.


Scan it in, email it to yourself, open it in Adobe Acrobat Pro and use the "Recognize Text using OCR".

Hope this helps...

[Davepar]

Originally Posted by kentb

He said that the problem was that they used special document creation software and that converting to something that the general PC user could access would be very difficult.

There's a PDF converter for just about everything these days. The copyright issue sounds more plausible to me. Vans probably just doesn't want us to fix the instructions for them.

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by Davepar

There's a PDF converter for just about everything these days. The copyright issue sounds more plausible to me. Vans probably just doesn't want us to fix the instructions for them.

You're right, there is software to convert anything to just about anything Dave...however - I remember when we changed text editing software at work, and converted all of the Shuttle checklists and books (we call it Flight Data File, and it fills a couple of 60 pound lockers on every flight) to a different software package. Sure it was automatic - but that was followed by thousands and thousands of man-hours of proof reading to make sure that every comma, decimal point, and letter was the same as the old version. Very time-consuming and costly - and very necessary if you want to make sure you don't introduce errors.

And yes, I really wish that we had the Van's books electronically.....

Paul

[Rockyjs]

I scanned the instructions and saved the files under Rich Text Format. When I built my tail, I edited the pages and made notes within the document clarifying things for myself. I then printed these pages and used them during the build.