Comparing a Technical Manual with Another Non-fiction Book

1. read topic : Compare and contrast a technical manual with another non-fiction book of your choice
2: read my response to topic:
A technical manual is a document containing instructions on how to install, operate, use, maintain or any other requirement that can assist in the effect use of a machine. If a machine is correctly used, there is a lesser risk of it breaking down; thus increasing its self-life. There is also a lesser likelihood of legal liability that has to do with misuse of a device. This is vital to products that are capable causing injuries or fatalities if improperly used.
A technical manual plays the role of a sales literature. No other product brochure is capable of providing sufficient information for a repair technician who wishes to integrate the product into a bigger system. Only the technical manual can provide everything in one place, and is often what is requested by a client before asking for a quotation. If a firm wishes to highlight all the positive aspects of its product, it is advisable to document an excellent user manual.
3: read both peers responses and respond to each one of them (there are two, so keep separate). Tell what you like/dislike, agree/disagree, with that being said keeping in mind what I wrote so they are not on two separate levels.
Peer1:
I chose the HP PCL/PJL technical manual. The cover of this manual is primarily black and white with some blue, with no graphics. The main heading seem to be done in pink, more than likely because the printer it refers to is a color printer. The table of contents has ii through x and then begins the section 1-2 through 24-15, and also contains a section for Customer Support. The TOC has headings for each section, subheadings, and sub-subheadings. The manual did contain some tables. It contained Printing history for prior versions and listed trademark credits. Something I found interesting, was the section titled "Inside this manual" that came before the table of contents.
The non-fiction book that I chose was my CISM, Uing MIS, text book. This books title does include an edition number as it is the 8th edition. The cover is black and white, with some yellow; however it has sharks and clouds and even a drop down information box hanging from a hook. The cover is so much more fun than the technical manual. This book contains a brief contents page that has section titles and then divides each section into chapters. There is a brief description of the chapter to the right of the page that is connected by a dotted line. The design of the brief contents page keeps the book fun and lifted. The table of contents is several pages long. It begins with the section name and then lists the first chapter in that section. The sections are then divided into the question it answers about the chapters topic. There is even a description under each question so that you know more about what each question will answer. This book also includes a preface and then an "About the Authors" section that contains pictures of the authors. Overall this book has a more upbeat feeling to it.
peer 2 :in attachments.