In many other games, when a new player comes in to the server asking for help, you're often able to ask/tell them to go read the manual (aka RTFM). In this game, you have to redirect them to a website (which they may be unwilling/too obstinate to do), or explain how to go to the tower, open up the clipboard, and go to the trainers' website. Whilst the trainers' website is very helpful, it is most definitely not a manual. Whilst it does explain the basics of how the game works, it doesn't do so very concisely - it's spread out over many pages. Also, I noticed that the very basics of how to operate the game are not in fact the first topic on the page - which is certainly not ideal for a manual.
What I am suggesting is a PDF file that would be included in the download of the game, and also linked to on the clipboard of the game's starting menu. It wouldn't need to be long, but would just need to explain how to operate the game, and things like how the clipboard works (just copying the content on this topic from the trainers' website would probably be enough). Also, if there were some details on how to fly, how to set up a microphone/joystick/whatever, and how to troubleshoot the game, that would probably reduce the number of newb questions asked in the MA tenfold. A final topic would be how to find extra help - so for technical support linking to the forums or contacting HTC directly, for flying help linking to the trainers' webpage (or any of the other numerous ACM websites out there), for specific details on planes linking to Netaces/Soda's website, and for general BS linking to the forums.
I honestly can't see any reason why there shouldn't be such a manual included in the game, and suspect that any objections to doing so are most likely BS. But then again, I may be wrong. I guess I'll just wait and see.
