forum.vdsworld.com

Vic D'Elfant · Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2002 5:43 pm Post subject: Windows Help

Can somebody explain me how to make a windows help file?

Dr. Dread · Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2002 6:15 pm Post subject:

Whooo, that's a big question. Coding WinHelp files is a world of its own. You could start here:
http://www.winwriters.com/resource.htm

There you'll find links to tools, training, resources, etc. in the sphere of WinHelp files.

Greetz
Dr. Dread

Vic D'Elfant · Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2002 6:56 pm Post subject:

Thanks..

I didn't knew that Helpfiles so difficult were to made Embarassed

I downloaded HelpWord 3. It's an easy program to use!

PGWARE · **Web Host** Joined: 29 Dec 2001 Posts: 1565

People please please come to the new century and start using HtmlHelp files which are the new standard. You use html to make your help files with so it's very easy.

>>

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/htmlhelp/html/vsconHH1Start.asp?frame=true

FreezingFire · **Admin Team** Joined: 23 Jun 2002 Posts: 3508

I have always used .chm (compiled HTML help file). They have now been the popular choice even among Microsoft applications, and if you don't know HTML, you can just use Microsoft Word or something equivalent to easily generate your HTML files. From there, you simply add them to the Microsoft HTML Help Compiler, create a table of contents, and index (optional), etc...

HTML Help is very easy; I never found the traditional help files to be easy.

Vic D'Elfant · Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2002 6:53 am Post subject:

Thanks,
I will try that to!

Jimjams · Newbie Joined: 23 Sep 2002 Posts: 21

To make things even easier you might consider downloading HTML HELP EPUBLISHER which acts as an interface between HTML HELP WORKSHOP and your HTML-editor (Word, Dreamweaver, Frontpage...).
It's freeware and it really speeds things up for a newbie.

You can download it at http://www.htmlhelp-epublisher.co.uk

Good luck! Very Happy

Serge · Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2002 9:54 am Post subject:

I found a couple of restrictions with the HtmlHelp files, if i read the info correctly. You need an intel processor and you need to be running IE - both i think are serious restrictions. For example, i am running amd on my computer Razz

Serge

Dr. Dread · Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2002 10:04 am Post subject:

There shouldn't be any problems regardings processor types. Users should be running MSIE 3.02 or later, but HTML Help files incorporate
a Java applet which provides some degree of cross-browser portability. So you shouldn't worry about those things.

As concerns the choice of help file format, well that's a matter of taste. Many professional help file writers (about 40%) still use the old
WinHelp format as it has features that HTML Help does not (e.g. those well-known pop-up boxes).

Greetz
Dr. Dread

PGWARE · **Web Host** Joined: 29 Dec 2001 Posts: 1565

Actually there are ways to simulate a popup using CSS and Javascript.

Dr. Dread · Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2002 3:51 pm Post subject:

Sure there are ways of doing this, but unfortunately JavaScript etc. tends to be vulnerable to different browser systems and browser versions
so you could, by using such non-standard techniques, end up with a help file that does not run properly in older browsers (for instance Mac
might have trouble here Laughing

) or you lose the cross-browser abilities of the system.

This being said, I must point out that I use HTML Help myself (and like it) but alongside with the classical help file format, which is really robust in
any Windows environment.

Greetz
Dr. Dread

Mac · Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2002 8:49 pm Post subject:

Cheers, Mac Smile

SnarlingSheep · Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2002 11:39 pm Post subject:

Needing an Intel processor is like needing an IBM computer, just means something compatible to that.