Ffs symbols as instructions

[abracadabra1980]

When, oh when, did symbols on almost everything, replace a written word? I recently inherited an electric Gazco stove. The remote control is just a bunch of NONSENSICAL symbols that have taken me a year to understand, with the help of ChatGPT. Same with my washing machine, TV remote, & robot vacuum. Please just give me a clue with WORDS. AIBU to feel like this?

So they don't have to print the instructions out in sixteen different languages and have one set for all places ?

I agree sometimes the symbols can be mysterious.

I am surprised though they would do this with a cooker though, as I'd expect some regulatory information to be provided.

Some people have difficulties reading after a stroke, for example, so symbols are easier for them to understand.

I bought a Phillips iron with insane pictorial instructions. When I contacted them, they sent me written instructions that was a transcript of their instructions for the blind!

I'm puzzled why you'd need a remote control for a stove. I can understand it having a facility where you can link it to your phone for controlling at a distance but not a physical remote control like for a telly. Or have I got hold of the wrong end of the stick?
On the whole I agree with you though, OP.

I guess the OP means the touch control panel. I can't make sense of my oven either.
I was recently putting together some IKEA furniture and thought the same. I have no idea what they mean with some of the images. Would it have killed them to put some words in?!

I had to put together a lawn mower which I thought would be fairly straightforward. It wasn't. The instructions were all pictorial and I ended up Google image searching them. Ridiculous.

It's not just you. I'm visually impaired and the symbols are so difficult to read

I struggle with symbols and diagrams too, and much prefer written instructions. I can understand why Ikea don't use words though. They're a global company and would have to have them translated into loads of different languages.

Oddly, I find OS maps really easy to read. The late Mr Lakie was completely the opposite, really good with symbols and diagrams, but couldn't read an OS map to save his life.

Good brain training

I think most companies are now global so this probably shouldn't be a problem. I am not asking for lengthy descriptions as most diagrams are self-explanatory but some pictures really don't make sense and some one sentence explanation would be helpful. Even if it is in Swedish (or Polish where they seem to have a factory) - I can use Google translate.

@Floatlikeafeather2 I understand your confusion - I moved busier last year and inherited it. It's an excellent woodburner design in that it looks extremely authentic-you can change the flame strength and style etc.. but it's electric. It has a remote that would test the patience of a saint!

@Flamingojune I'm afraid that ai just don't have the type of brain what can process the symbol. I'm the same with cryptic crosswords-have absolutely no idea how to use the process or get the concept. The written word, however, I have no problem with.

i struggle with ikea pictorial instructions let alone anything more serious.

manufacturers should work out the three most common languages and use AI to write instructions in those three languages as well as stupid pictures that make no sense.

that way we could ask google to translate them into whatever language we require.

I see now that my confusion was about the actual appliance. I was imagining a kitchen stove for cooking not a pretend woodburner.