I’ve been reading the mail on a few scanner forums and notice there are questions that ask “What will happen if I do this?”. My first inclination is to ask “Have you tried it?”
I believe the scanner enthusiast, by and large, are hobbyists, some new and some seasoned. And while I also have been guilty of asking a “what will happen when I do this” question from time to time, it’s my belief a large part of the hobby has transitioned from “throwing the manual over your left shoulder and winging it” to having to “learn” that new scanner. I reason the need for this is due to the increased complexity of the systems we care to monitor... that complexity has caused the scanner to loose its “friendly” ability to be manually programmed. And therein lies the problem.
So, I thought it might help if we reinforced the general assumption (which I believe to be true) that simply pushing buttons will not harm your scanner. It may not do as you hoped but you haven’t broken it or“bricked” it. You just need to start over again.
(True, in some cases you could cause the scanner to become “bricked” where it’s been reduced to a paperweight, boat anchor or door stop, but a factory reset usually allows for the scanner to be returned to its basic state without a need to return it for service in those rare instances, where a need to return it might be required. But in those cases I believe there was something wrong with the scanner from the get-go and it wasn’t anything you did. The bottom line here is I am not aware of anyone needing to return a scanner for repair because their 4 year old started pushing buttons Indiscriminately like he saw his daddy do!)
The “What happens if I do this?” scenario should be part of the learning process. You aren’t going to hurt your scanner and you may learn something in the process... it’s also quicker than posing a question on a forum group! Try it first. You may answer your own question. The forums are always there if need be... But Today, it’s expected part of the hobby is exploring the scanners abilities. Especially when we consider what they cost.
This is a general observation of the hobby. I understand there are instances where non-tech savvy people or those with medical impairments require assistance, and I accept this. There are always exceptions.
I believe the scanner enthusiast, by and large, are hobbyists, some new and some seasoned. And while I also have been guilty of asking a “what will happen when I do this” question from time to time, it’s my belief a large part of the hobby has transitioned from “throwing the manual over your left shoulder and winging it” to having to “learn” that new scanner. I reason the need for this is due to the increased complexity of the systems we care to monitor... that complexity has caused the scanner to loose its “friendly” ability to be manually programmed. And therein lies the problem.
So, I thought it might help if we reinforced the general assumption (which I believe to be true) that simply pushing buttons will not harm your scanner. It may not do as you hoped but you haven’t broken it or“bricked” it. You just need to start over again.
(True, in some cases you could cause the scanner to become “bricked” where it’s been reduced to a paperweight, boat anchor or door stop, but a factory reset usually allows for the scanner to be returned to its basic state without a need to return it for service in those rare instances, where a need to return it might be required. But in those cases I believe there was something wrong with the scanner from the get-go and it wasn’t anything you did. The bottom line here is I am not aware of anyone needing to return a scanner for repair because their 4 year old started pushing buttons Indiscriminately like he saw his daddy do!)
The “What happens if I do this?” scenario should be part of the learning process. You aren’t going to hurt your scanner and you may learn something in the process... it’s also quicker than posing a question on a forum group! Try it first. You may answer your own question. The forums are always there if need be... But Today, it’s expected part of the hobby is exploring the scanners abilities. Especially when we consider what they cost.
This is a general observation of the hobby. I understand there are instances where non-tech savvy people or those with medical impairments require assistance, and I accept this. There are always exceptions.