Some expectation that new editors read the manual?

[Jim_Simon]

how the Product Team might address making this process more bulletproof.

I think your target is too high.  This is Premiere Pro.  There should be some expectation that education/training/manual reading has occurred.

Premiere Elements should be the bulletproofed version.

[Kevin-Monahan]

There should be some expectation that education/training/manual reading has occurred.

We provide it and work hard on providing the info, but people learn difficult tasks in so many different ways now, as well.
There is no enforcement for reading the manual, attending trade school, sitting through an online training course—

Much less, going through an apprenticeship program with a veteran editor.

So, education in the manner you and I are used to will not necessarily be done.

The expression, "RTFM" is now answered with, "TLDR." (too long, did not read)
In fact, young people have never even heard the expression RTM. LOL.

Things have changed a lot since you and I took to the books when learning NLE.
Like the internet.

Like the availability of online information portals that are cheap or free on the internet.

I paid $30 grand to learn my trade at the source:

Avid Bootcamp in Hollywood!

People don't do that any more.

Young creators just break stuff until it works and looks good to them.

They tend to trust learning from their peers on a YouTube video;

Not some old codger about the age of their dads.

Sure, a lot of wasted effort in making errors.
3 steps forward, one step back.

But at least they're moving forward—

and that's the way I think they like learning.

So who's to blame when young creators take shortcuts?

People of our generation taught them that.

So consider the source.
I don't have kids so I must keep reminding myself of that.

Demanding young editors read every inch of the manual...

—is kind of unreasonable, I hate to say.

So don't worry. Lend young editors your tips.
I hope it comes back tenfold in kudos to you.

Good fuel for discussion though!

[shooternz]

[Jim_Simon]

Demanding young editors read every inch of the manual...

—is kind of unreasonable,

That's a consideration I don't share.  I'm happy to see the DaVinci Resolve product manager himself, the top dog for that software, espouse an RTFM attitude frequently in their forums.  There is an expectation that folks new to such complex software "do their homework".

I don't think that will ever be an unreasonable expectation.  I think a society that considers it so fails it's youth.

[Kevin-Monahan]

I'm happy to see the DaVinci Resolve product manager himself, the top dog for that software, espouse an RTFM attitude frequently in their forums.  There is an expectation that folks new to such complex software "do their homework".

Interesting. I like that. I'm all for that.

I don't think it's necessarily going to work, though. It's not based in the real world. You cannot tell a young person how to learn. They will take their own path no matter who the message comes from, how strong the message is, or even if the manual had the secret to conquer all worlds in it. Manuals will not be read by most unless and until is is absolutely necessary at that time and place.

You don't have to agree. That's just the way I see things.

Thanks,
Kevin

[Kevin-Monahan]

BTW, You, Me, and the PM of BMD (and all other braintrusts of that brand) are middle aged men. Don't you see a problem with that? 🙂