I would be willing to bet if you didn't bother signing the check, they wouldn't bother shipping the product. Yeah I suppose they could add a manual with the shipment, but then it would only be fair to bump up the price to cover the printing cost, and the time to get it printed, etc... Then they would constantly be having to print revised copies because who wants an out of date manual. I will just take the board, and get the latest software on the website. Support is free, too. Can't really ask for more than that. Honestly, when I get a piece of hardware, no matter what it is, the CD almost always never gets opened. First order of business is to go to the website and get latest drivers. I'll keep the bare bones, and minimal price, please. I completely know where your coming from though. It may seem like they are cheaping out, and don't really care after they have your money. i can assure you that is not the case.