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nancy33534756
nancy33534756
Inspiring
April 23, 2016
Answered

RH 2015: What is the difference between Responsive and Multiscreen HTML5

  • April 23, 2016
  • 3 replies
  • 454 views

I've compared the two write-ups in the RH 2015 User Manual pdf, beginning on

p. 433 -- Responsive

and

p. 436 -- Multiscreen

and they are word-for-word the same.

I've tested Multiscreen and see that it lets you choose layouts for desktop, tablet, and phone, but doesn't Responsive HTML5 do that as well?

Why would you choose one over the other?

Thanks very much.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Captiv8r

    Huge difference between the two.

    With Multiscreen, you end up with several different sets of files. There is one page that is launched, it sniffs the environment and directs to one specific set of output files. So, perhaps you have 300 topics. You might end up with say, 410 different files for each of the different outputs created. RoboHelp 2015 Release seems to include three layouts in the default configuration. So that would be a grand total of roughly 1,230 files to distribute.

    Responsive is simpler. The same project in Responsive output would exist in a single set of files. Again, assuming 300 topics, you might end up with a total of 468 files to distribute. The coding causes the content to simply "adapt" to the available screen space.

    Another bonus with Responsive output is that a nice interface is provided to customize it. Customizing Multiscreen is something not for the faint of heart. It's arcane to say the least.

    Hopefully this helps... Rick

    3 replies

    nancy33534756
    nancy33534756Author
    Inspiring
    April 25, 2016

    Thank you, Rick. That was very helpful! I guess it's not a complete answer, but it was enough for me to go on.

    At this point, it appears that HTML5 does what we want and we don't need to mess with Multiscreen.

    Peter Grainge
    Community Expert
    Peter GraingeCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 25, 2016

    I have notified Adobe that the OLH does not explain the differences and this will be addressed at some point.

    See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring information

    @petergrainge

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    Captiv8r
    Captiv8rCorrect answer
    Legend
    April 23, 2016

    Huge difference between the two.

    With Multiscreen, you end up with several different sets of files. There is one page that is launched, it sniffs the environment and directs to one specific set of output files. So, perhaps you have 300 topics. You might end up with say, 410 different files for each of the different outputs created. RoboHelp 2015 Release seems to include three layouts in the default configuration. So that would be a grand total of roughly 1,230 files to distribute.

    Responsive is simpler. The same project in Responsive output would exist in a single set of files. Again, assuming 300 topics, you might end up with a total of 468 files to distribute. The coding causes the content to simply "adapt" to the available screen space.

    Another bonus with Responsive output is that a nice interface is provided to customize it. Customizing Multiscreen is something not for the faint of heart. It's arcane to say the least.

    Hopefully this helps... Rick

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