I'm currently doing some work on quick-start guides for VoIP phones for Gradwell. When you read the documentation that comes with the phone, you may realise why. This is from the User Guide for one model (take a deep breath before you start reading):
"Experienced telephony service network operators recognize that technical acumen coupled with responsive pre and post sales support are critical for a successful deployment. [Manufacturer]'s extensive interoperability track record with VoIP industry infrastructure leaders via standards based and platform specific SIP signaling enable network providers to quickly roll-out competitive, feature rich service offerings.
Featuring a mature feature set with hundreds of programmable parameters, the [model] utilizes the call processing functionality found in existing [Manufacturer] products. [Manufacturer] VoIP endpoint solutions solve many time-to-market requirements of enterprise users and leverage the advantages of an IP network like easy acceptance of station moves, presence and shared line appearances across geographically separate locations."
Call me stupid, but I can't see how this trowelful of marketing gobbledegook has any relevance at all to some poor sap sitting with a boxful of bits on the desk, and no idea of how to get the damn thing to work! Perhaps they pay their technical authors by the 1000 words rather than by any objective standard of usability?
http://www.doctor-dark.co.uk
09/10/06 @ 16:19