I was purchasing a video light for my Sony Handycam from Best Buy for work and picked up the package for the HVL-S3D model. I was reading the features on the package:

• 3W Video Light for Intelligent Accessory shoe.
• No, Independent Battery Required.
• Easy, One-touch attachment.
• Advanced operation for <Auto> mode, relation to camcorder.

I thought to myself it's a good thing that I can actually see the product in the package, because I have no earthly idea what would be inside based on these descriptions. I went to Erin and handed her the box and asked her "Does this light require an independent battery?" She read the box and turned her head sideways and read it again. "Exactly!" I said. Is that bullet point stating a fact? Answering a question? What is it doing?

After Erin and I spent 7 hours getting our foosball table assembled I was relating the quality technical writing in the manual to my friend James. "Happily insert slot A into screw B using socket in toe." It's James' contention that manuals and instructions for such products are written by Taiwanese people who hate Americans. My inability to determine whether or not an independent battery is required makes me concur 100% with him.