Well, Here's my reasons for using this great website over tech support/manuals.
First off, I used to try and call tech support, not anymore. Most tech support people aren't any more knowledgeable about the products they represent than the average salesman. I think they honestly try, but with little real world experience, they are only as good as the manuals in front of them.
Secondly, As others have noted, getting lost in the myriad of automated phone responses and waiting FOREVER on the other end of that phone line, often makes one hang up in desperation. GE Fanuc actually gives you case numbers nowadays and you have to wait for a tech to call you!!! I once waited 3 days for them to call me back about a problem. 3 DAYS!!!
I got on this website, posted a question and had an answer within a few hours.
I often read the manuals, I still feel like they serve a valuable purpose in filling in the gaps of ones knowledge about a particular plc or it's software. The problem with manuals is the specifics. If I have a specific problem that isn't covered in the "troubleshooting section" of the manual, that leaves 3 options: (A)tech support (B) struggling and trying to figure it out (C) coming and posting a question in the forum.
I always wait till i've struggled with a problem myself before I post a question.
But, When I post a question here, chances are, somebody who literally has years of real world experience on the very plc i'm asking about will read it. It might be a simple fix, something they've ecountered long ago that they remember. Many problems are different, and there truly is no substitute for experience. I've always managed to get a correct answer to my specific problem on this website.
Also, as PLC technology continues to grow and more manufacturers and software platforms emerge, there is a growing complexity in the plc world. Each one has it's quirks. Sort of like learning RSlogix and cimplicity only to find out, some piece of equipment just go brought into the plant that has a directsoft plc in it. Yeah, they are similar but different enough to have a learning curve for the software.
Another thing I think might explain the popularity of this website is the growing trend for companies to try and squeeze every last red cent out of that bottom line, by not hiring dedicated controls engineers and the like, and instead handing their plc jobs to maintenance techs and electricians to do. A lot a times, the guys working on these projects don't have years of experience to draw on, they just got a project dumped in their lap and are trying to do the best they can with it.
So I will go on posting my "newbie" questions. I'm apolgize in advance if they show just how little I know about what i'm doing. Everybody has to learn somehow,and drawing on the combined experience and knowledge of the posters on this website has taught me almost as much about plc's as hands on experience. Certainly more than tech support and reading alone ever did.
BTW: Phil's videos are great, I just watched em again for the 2nd time. He really has a way of making complex issues understandable for the regular person.