Here's a decent basic overview. There is a lot of info on the web if you search for it. This video may be a little outdated for some additional android features, but it will get you through the basics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_lF06g2lB8

Hello dairygoat,

                There is some great information regarding Venue 7/8 set up and support in Amy B’s post at the following link,

Android Mobile Products FAQ

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/mobile-devices/f/4585/t/19445211.aspx

Let us know if you have any questions.

Thanks,

I'm looking for some information about a Venue 8 too and all I seem to find are pages about smartphones.  Is there any actual documentation for this product?

Right now, I'd like to see how to configuration the dock/task bar to include my preferred applications and how to get rid of a app that I seem to have anchored to my desktop.

If you're talking about just moving apps off of the home screen or the "taskbar", it's as simple as long pressing the app, holding it, and moving it to the spot that you want it to go. Same for removing an app except you move it up to the "Remove" area at the top of the screen. If you truly want to customize the look of your tablet, such as icon size, number of rows/columns, etc., download Apex Launcher. If you want an app on your home screen that is in your app drawer, long press and slide it to the screen you want it on. If you want to make folders, just drag an icon on top of another, and they will be combined. You can then name the folder by clicking the unnamed folder area.

As for documentation or how to use tutorials, Amy's videos are a good start, but the best place to look is on You Tube. This is pretty stock Android, so it's about as simple as it gets. Doing a How to use Android tablet search should get you what you are looking for.

This is pretty stock Android, so it's about as simple as it gets. Doing a How to use Android tablet search should get you what you are looking for.

As a 20+ year right-click Delete/Paste person, there is nothing intuitive about anything on this tablet.  The rest of your reply was hard for me to appreciate since I don't know what an "app drawer" or folder is in this context.     All of which is why I wanted a simple document that I could read to get started.   

I'm really too busy to waste a lot of time experimenting with this right now.   I'm leaning toward returning this thing and  waiting a bit until Dell produces a decent Windows tablet.

Well, if you've never had an Android device, it may seem a little daunting, but it is actually easier than a Windows device. It just has more options and flexibility for the user interface. which is the whole idea behind an open source OS. Users can make their machines be exactly what they want them to be. The downside of that, is the large number of options requires the user to learn how to use them. And since most manufacturers have their own spin on the UI (User Interface), they all have different tweaks that make the experience a little different. Also, I've had 3 different tablets and 4 different Android phones and NONE of them came with "instructions". And, not to be a jerk, but if you would take the time to read an instruction manual, why wouldn't you take the minute longer it would require to look up the basic operating instruction easily found on the web?

Here's one that's 9 minutes long and will give you the basics. Just what a busy person on the go needs to learn a new OS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wlv9o2XvQvI

As for a Dell Windows device, the Venue 8 Pro and 11 Pro are Windows devices. For me personally, I don't need another computer, I want a tablet that is flexible, simple, and offers a multitude of apps. The available apps for Windows is still too small to be of use to me, but something simpler with fewer options may be what you need. Actually, it almost sounds like you need an Apple product. No user configuration, just tap and go.

And, not to be a jerk, but if you would take the time to read an instruction manual, why wouldn't you take the minute longer it would require to look up the basic operating instruction easily found on the web?

Not exactly jerky, just an example of assuming that everyone works the same way. There's a big difference to me, between having to spend time when I'm connected and being able to browse through a manual when I don't have anything else to do -- say in a waiting room or on a bus.  Also, I like to be able to go back and review details when/where I need to.

Tight now I'm trying to figure out how to get rid of the mail widget that is displayed before I unlock the tablet.  I can't imagine a scenario in which having my inbox visible to any one who happened to pick up the tablet would make sense but I somehow put that widget there and I can't remove it.

Like you, I like to have some basic coverage!

Try the "Dummies Guide to Android Tablets". Local library network had it, covered most of the basics and general stuff for my Venue 8 tablet. A lot of fluff you probably won't need, but skim through and get a decent overview and hints.

Excellent idea!  I just requested the title from my public library.

Thank you so much for the suggestion.

Another suggestion is to look at the Google Play Books App on your tablet. There is a free Nexus 7 user guide already loaded and it will give you an easy to read overview of the tablet and how to use many of the features and functions. There may be some things that are not applicable, like NFC and Android Beam, which are hardware differences, but the OS portions will be identical.