Manual work is done by hand, without resorting to electronic machines.
Manual is a term that comes from the Latin word manuālis . The concept has several uses depending on the context, either as an adjective or as a noun.
What is done or handled with the hands is classified as manual . For example : “The machine is malfunctioning, we must turn the grinder manually,” “I love this dress: it was made by hand, with great manual work,” “My computer broke so I had to write down all the addresses.” manually.”
manual jobs
Broadly speaking, we can say that in the past all jobs and tasks were carried out manually, while today the opposite is true: machines save us time and physical energy in almost all our activities , both industrial and domestic level.
We can think about food, making clothes, scientific research, drawing or writing itself: today we usually use devices to make our products and to store our creations of all kinds. Manual methods have not disappeared, but have become very rare: there are still people who make all kinds of food manually, just as there are those who make clothes, paint or write without depending on automation.
The concept in vehicles
In vehicles , manual transmission is the system through which the driver must modify the gear ratio by manipulating a gearbox with his right or left hand, depending on the region. To shift, the subject must depress the clutch pedal to disengage the transmission and engine and then move a lever located on the floor.
While this may seem strange or too complicated for many people today, until a few decades ago it was the only option that existed. The automatic transmission is the most common today, and it consists precisely of a system that gives the driver the convenience of not having to make changes, since this process is carried out by the car itself using different parameters and technologies.
hand tool
A manual tool , on the other hand, is the utensil used to perform various tasks with the hands. These tools, such as a hammer, pliers, or screwdriver, help minimize energy use and effort.
In this case we find ourselves with a concept that may be slightly ambiguous since since it is a tool, that is, a creation of human beings, its use implies a series of mechanisms that were not found in our nature but that we had to learn. . Despite this, since they do not depend on the automation that an electronic device can provide us, they are part of manual tasks.
The manual of an electronic device may present a list of frequently asked questions with their corresponding answers.
A publication with instructions
Manual is also a noun used to refer to a book or notebook that gathers important information about a subject. Many times manuals present instructions for operating an appliance or other type of machine.
An instruction manual or user manual , in this way, explains how to use a device. These publications often include details of the available options and show how keys or buttons work, to name a few.
The instruction manual usually presents different sections in several languages. The first of them is intended for the list of the parts that make up the product: for example, in the case of an electronic device , the cables and accessories are included. Below are explanations for first use, maintenance and troubleshooting. Depending on the complexity of the product, the length of the manual may vary considerably.
In a sales course you can work with a manual that includes marketing techniques and strategies.
The importance of the manual
A manual works as a guide or a tutorial . A publication of this type, which can be digital (an eBook , a PDF document, etc.) or a paper print, presents the guidelines or step by step for developing different types of procedures.
In this way, the manual can be established as a reference that details an action protocol or that, at least, presents recommendations, tips and tricks to carry out an action. An illustration, diagram, photograph, infographic , or other image can accompany the text.
a textbook
In the educational field, a manual is a textbook : a work whose content aims to promote the teaching and learning process. These books are used in schools, being very useful for teaching work.
School manuals present theories and exercises . In this way, with the guidance of the educator, students have access to information that they can convert into knowledge.
These manuals usually focus on specific subjects or disciplines, with thematic and focused content. In this way, there are language manuals , mathematics manuals , natural science manuals , social science manuals , etc.