Direct Access to Manuals / Documentation

[cfrag]

One of DCS's best kept secrets is that each module (and DCS itself) comes with extensive (and interesting!) documentation.

 

I propose a main level menu item 'DOCUMENTATION' (right under TRAINING) that links to a selection screen similar to Mission or Training where we can select by installed module to see all included PDF. Choosing a PDF and then pressing OPEN is similar to choosing a mission and pressing Start, except that the PDF opens in Acrobat Reader or Web Browser, or whatever your OS's preferred binding is for PDF.

 

That way scores of long-time users may discover that yes, Dorothy, there IS a manual for the F-15!

 

Edited March 23, 2021 by cfrag

[Mars Exulte]

Should be on the main menu, and on the ingame ESC menu, too.

[Northstar98]

8 minutes ago, Mars Exulte said:

Should be on the main menu, and on the ingame ESC menu, too.

 

Absolutely.

 

Maybe something like 'manual' underneath 'training' on the main menu or within 'training'.

 

How I got around this is by making a folder in my user area containing a copy of each manual, and then bundled it in with the DCS start menu folder. Unfortunately it means I have to keep checking whether each one is up to date periodically.

 

Spoiler

Yes, I could use a shortcut instead of a copy, which would save disk space and remove the hassle of making sure they're up to date. However, I also use this folder to synchronise with my phone, so they're all available in one place there - this way takes less time than adding each .PDF individually (and I would also have to check whether or not they're up to date). 

 

[Mike_Romeo]

Better acces to the manuals seems to be higly reqested

 

[Mad_Shell]

I agree, imo a lot could be done to help users to understand modules, the mission editor, the units/weapons....   Better access to DCS and modules manuals, with an updated encyclopedia would be a great step in the right direction!

[Mars Exulte]

3 hours ago, Mike_Romeo said:

Better acces to the manuals seems to be higly reqested

  Yeah, it takes the fun out of telling somebody ''RTFM NOOB'' when their response is ''Wait... there's a manual?''

 

 

-edit

Another idea : put a download link to the manual ON THE STORE PAGE right beside the BUY button, just to really make it painfully obvious and easy to find.

Edited March 24, 2021 by Mars Exulte

[imacken]

19 hours ago, cfrag said:

One of DCS's best kept secrets is that each module (and DCS itself) comes with extensive (and interesting!) documentation.

 

I propose a main level menu item 'DOCUMENTATION' (right under TRAINING) that links to a selection screen similar to Mission or Training where we can select by installed module to see all included PDF. Choosing a PDF and then pressing OPEN is similar to choosing a mission and pressing Start, except that the PDF opens in Acrobat Reader or Web Browser, or whatever your OS's preferred binding is for PDF.

 

 

I read in a thread somewhere recently in a post by BN that ED are doing that (or something similar) very soon.  Maybe in next week's 2.7?  Who knows?

[Buzzles]

It actually used to be a option back in the day if I remember correctly.

Not sure why it went away, I assume it was an issue opening the pdfs from inside the app.