Your comment "... it's a sign of poor marketing ..." is supremely accurate. I recently purchased a nook an it is about to be returned if I don't throw it through the window first. It is an utter piece of crap due to the lack of thought put into the user information. Very limited information is provided with it, assuming the user inherently knows all the details that are not mentioned. The frustrated users are forced to go looking for help at various websites where the information is limited. Eventually users are forced to rely on the outsourced tech support of the "user board" which is a mess in itself. Now they are simply shooting the other foot.

It is clear this new strategy is a ploy to get people into the store, where they may buy something because have gotten so frustrated with their nook at not being "easy". It also provides all the less than knowledgeable sales people the opportunity to continue to spreading incorrect information (since they don't have a nook themselves) in an attempt to fix the user problems.

Wow! I could not have had a more opposite experience! I absolutely LOVE my Nook. It took me a couple of hours of playing with it to feel comfortable with it. There is a very large tutorial within your library in "my documents" and another "getting to know your Nook" document. I actually purchased my Nook at Best Buy, but wished I bought it at B&N. The "Daily" tab is awesome. It changes every day with new tidbits of information & promotions. I got a new Phillip Margalin book from the "Free Friday" promo, right from the hotel room I was in without a wifi conection...Just the Nook. Then I went in for my voucher for the new promotion. It's 5 free books in the next 5 weeks. So that was the 1st time I brought my Nook into a B&N. I found that everyone that I spoke to regarding the Nook actually had one, one man even had 2 (one for his wife) and they were all extremely knowledgeable & happy to show me some tips. When you go into the store, the Nook picks up their WIFI and you have different options. The salesman even navigated me to a promotion on my Nook to get a free snack at Starbucks. I sat there, after getting my voucher for a free ebook, got my snack & started reading a free book (you can read any book inside B&N for up to 1 hour every day). I don't have time to do that everyday, but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I did not spend one dime when I was there, but even if I did, it would have been worth it. But then again...I do love the atmosphere there. And of course they want to get you into the store, do you blame them? It's good business. And besides, I would think that most people who would shell out the $259 for an ereader, probably like B&N anyway.

Just my 2cents

Huh? If you turned on your nook, you would be greeted with a quick tour which goes over the features of it and tells you (along with the small quick start guide that is in the package) how to access the users' guide in the nook. I found it very easy to use even without using the users' guide.