Have you ever been so frustrated with a manual or set of instructions that you cursed the author and wished you had never bought the product? Do you remember the last time you used Help on your computer and every click of the mouse led to a new set of decisions?

Does this sound familiar? ? How about $500 for your frustration? Technical Standards, Inc. (TSI), a Southern California documentation services company, is offering $500 for the winning entry in their ëWorst Manual Contest.í

Send a manual or set of instructions that is hard to understand, poorly written or just plain wrong. Send it if it has bad grammar, too much legalese, is poorly translated or has missing steps. If it is the worst entry, you will win $500.

"We thought we would have fun with this contest. Everyone has had trouble with a manual," says Michelle Wier, Director of Operations of Technical Standards, Inc. "That's why we started our company. People like products they understand how to use, and good technical documentation reduces the need for technical support. Thatís why good manuals are so important."

You donít have to send the whole manual; excerpts of the worst parts are okay. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 15, 2001, so check those holiday gifts for potential entries. Entries must be in English. For complete contest rules see the TSI Web site at www.tecstandards.com. Entries and questions about the contest can be submitted via e-mail to contest@tecstandards.com, by fax to 1-800-889-7254 or by snail mail to 1145 Linda Vista Drive Suite 104, San Marcos, CA 92029.