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plabarbera1
Participating Frequently
April 21, 2011
Question

Help system generated as WebHelp constantly reloading in iOS and Android browsers.

  • April 21, 2011
  • 4 replies
  • 4079 views

Using RoboHelp 9, I've generated a Help project as WebHelp. When viewing the project in any browser in Windows or OSX, everything looks fine.

When opening the project using the iOS browser or the Android browser, the project re-loads itself every few seconds. This causes a consistent flashing of the page and renders the project unusable. Is there a known solution to this problem?

Here are some details about the project:

  • All default WebHelp settings were used when published.
  • The only toolbar buttons published were TOC and Search.
  • The project has a master page and skin (.zkn) imported from projects created with RoboHelp 8.
  • This problem also appeared when using RoboHelp 8.
This topic has been closed for replies.

4 replies

P
plabarbera1Author
Participating Frequently
May 6, 2011

One of our developers found a workaround to this problem:

You can fix the flashing by taking out line 2054 of this file: .../robohelp/tree/sse/whtbar.js

The line in the javascript file intends to make the page reload anytime you resize the window. Make sure to try resizing windows in every browser after removing this line.

B
brunt65
Participating Frequently
May 12, 2011

We create the content in Robohelp as this our preferred tool and then copy to a new directory then import into Flare and generate the webhelp output from Flare if our team are going to view via mobile devices. We have had a couple of issues with tables when viewing on the ipad and tab. The Webhelp output has none of the flashing and redrawing the adobe output has.

B
brunt65
Participating Frequently
May 6, 2011

We have had the same issue trying to deploy a web help knowledge base to a mobile platform, the solution we came with was to author in robohelp and then import into another help authoring app and generate the web help in that  which works on the iOS platform with out the flashing.

Captiv8r
Captiv8r
Legend
May 6, 2011

Hi Brent

Curious here as to the approach.

brunt65 wrote:

...the solution we came with was to author in robohelp and then import into another help authoring app and generate the web help in that  which works on the iOS platform with out the flashing.

My question is to ask what the other app was. Perhaps it will help the original poster. Did you import the RoboHelp project files or the WebHelp output files? And I'm assuming you continued to use this process for updates down the line? If so, why did you continue to use RoboHelp? Why didn't you switch to the other app?

Cheers... Rick

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Captiv8r
Captiv8r
Legend
April 21, 2011

Hi there

Sorry, but I agree with Colum. Webhelp likely isn't the way to go. At least not until Adobe builds in compatibility and support for iOS and Android.

Last I looked those weren't listed as being supported browsers, so it's no surprise it fails to work properly in them.

Cheers... Rick

Helpful and Handy Links

RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form

Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7, 8 or 9 within the day!

Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training

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Captiv8r
Captiv8r
Legend
April 21, 2011

Hello again

One thing I forgot to mention was that you should seriously consider filing a Wish Form to ask for this compatibility to be built in. This will ensure it's on Adobe's radar as a need. After all, if nobody asks, it's not likely to happen!

Link to the Wish Form is in my sig.

Cheers... Rick

Helpful and Handy Links

RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form

Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7, 8 or 9 within the day!

Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training

SorcerStone Blog

RoboHelp eBooks

RoboColum_n_
RoboColum_n_
Legend
April 21, 2011

I think the answer is not to use WebHelp. There are other outputs like ePub that you should be using for handhelp devices. Check out this link.

  The RoboColum(n)   @robocolumn   Colum McAndrew
P
plabarbera1Author
Participating Frequently
April 21, 2011

So, WebHelp is out of the question?

The help systems in question aren't integrated in a mobile app. Instead, an HTML link is provided in the app that links out to the Help system. This Help system needs to be accessible and user-friendly on desktops and tablets.

While ePub definitely has its benefits, I don't think we're going to be replacing our help systems with it.

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