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August 15, 2011
Question

Is ASP needed?

  • August 15, 2011
  • 5 replies
  • 682 views

I'm using RoboHelp 9 to generate documentation in WebHelp Pro format.

I've been warned that search will only work in this environment if I'm viewing on a Windows client and/or from a Windows-based server because WebHelp Pro requires Microsoft ASP to be present.

Is that true?

I see some .js files coming from RoboHelp. Maybe they're part of the search functionality?

All help very welcome.

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5 replies

August 15, 2011

You've been really helpful, folks. Many thanks.

RoboColum_n_
Legend
August 15, 2011

Welcome to the RH forums.

The first thing you need to know is that RoboHelp and RoboHelp Server (the application used to host your WebHelp Pro output) are two very different applications. RoboHelp does not need ASP to produce your WebHelp Pro output. That said, most Windows PCs would have ASP installed, but whether it is there or not will make no difference. RoboHelp Server also does not need ASP as far as I know, but it does require a Windows Server. I'd like to know where you heard this from. I list of the supported OS and DB combinations can be found at:

http://blogs.adobe.com/samartha/2011/03/recommended-osdatabase-combinations-for-robohelp-server.html


  The RoboColum(n)   @robocolumn   Colum McAndrew
August 15, 2011

Thank you!  I really appreciate your time.

I bought Technical Communication Suite 3. The Adobe sales guy told me I have RoboHelp 9 but not RoboHelp Server. I looked at the facilities in RoboHelp Server and felt we didn't need them so I was very comfortable with the purchase decision.

We serve lots of web pages here so I thought we could simply build a machine to serve our help too. I intend to use the Generate facility in RoboHelp 9 to push our help system onto the new server, which will run a version of Linux.

1. Obviously we need to have a server but my understanding is RoboHelp Server (the product) wouldn't be needed. Is that correct?

2. Our engineers here warned me that the Search facilities in the generated WebHelp Pro system won't work because they rely on ASP. That seemed wrong to me but I didn't know for sure.

Do you know if the built-in search button will work for WebHelp served from a Linux server?

3. Will it work for Mac, PC, and Ubuntu clients?

Thank you VERY much for helping.

Ed

RoboColum_n_
Legend
August 15, 2011

You are correct. The RoboHelp Server application is only required if you want to benefit from the feedback analytics that it provides. If you are just publishing WebHelp output to a server - Linux or Windows - then you don't need RoboHelp Server. Note that WebHelp is slightly different from WebHelp Pro output which is only required when publishing to the RoboHelp Server application. RoboHelp Server can't be run on a Linux server as far as I know so maybe this is what is behind what your engineers said.

If running on a Linus server I believe you're search will be OK. I don't use Linux here so can't be 100%. Hopefully someone else will chip in here. Likewise with your questions about other platforms.


  The RoboColum(n)   @robocolumn   Colum McAndrew