Pentax Manual

Good point, well made.

I'd be interested to see how the two stack up. I'd certainly prefer to see the cost of physical printing and distribution of the manual redirected to the camera development.

But not to being able to read the thing in the camera. I have a perfectly good computer for that, and I can print out the bits I really need if I want to. Or indeed to optimising an already good UI. (I'd rather they added something to the firmware that would let me lock the mirror up properly. But the wishlist is another thread.)

I think you made some good points also.
My position comes from the perspective of the guy who gets asked by everybody, to "fix" things that aren't broken, and come with manuals they can't understand.
Really, you get into a new car, how long does it take you to figure out how to drive it, versus how long does it take you to set the clock and find your favoritte radio stations?
your computer, vcr and radio are all recieving signals from vast networks, all of which have time scheduals...why is it your responsibility to wade through a manual to figure out how to set the clock? Why shouldn't you be able to just plug it in and have it find out on it's own? (we're getting there...)
The list goes on and on...