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Anonymous
Nov 14, 2014 3:23 PM UTC
Question

RoboHelp HTML 11 - If I publish using a responsive HTML5 layout, will the output be available to users who want to view it offline? Or does it require an internet connection and a browser to view?

I am writing help content for software that has two essential components - one web-based and the other a locally installed app (our users work in both). I need the help documentation to be available from both and I wanted to use the new responsive HTML5 layout to make it accessible from a PC, tablet or smartphone while publishing from a single source, but the locally installed app allows users to work offline so I need the help to also be accessible when a user works offline. Is this covered with responsive HTML5 publishing or do i need to publish the documentation to an application help viewer as well?

I apologize if there is an obvious answer to this. I am new to this and I have already checked the RoboHelp user guide and the FAQ and forum to try and find the answer.

Thanks for your help.

Cat

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8 replies

Willam van Weelden
Willam van Weelden
Inspiring
Nov 14, 2014 3:35 PM UTC

HTML5 help always requires a browser to be viewed. But that doesn't mean it can't be installed locally.

I see three ways of getting it locally (at least for Android):

  • Create an Android app from the help. RoboHelp as a script included that can help you with this. (But you will have to install some software.)
  • Package the help in your app. You package the help in your app. The developers can use the internal browser to open and show the help.

As an alternative, allow me to suggest the following:

  • Place your help system on a web server only. This will require an internet connection.
  • Create with your designer and programmer a kind of quick start guide or embedded help (think images and overlays) and build that right into the help.

This way the user has basic help in the app at all times. They will only require an internet connection if they want the full help.

Kind regards,

Willam

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Captiv8r
Captiv8r
Legend
Nov 14, 2014 3:31 PM UTC

Hi there

Most generally output such as Responsive is stored somewhere on a web server. That means that if the user is offline, they won't be able to access it.

If there is an app, that means they have to download and install it in some way, no? So you would need to find a way to package the help for the app along with the app so it is installed at the same time as the app.

Hopefully this clears the water a tad... Rick

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Anonymous
Nov 14, 2014 3:40 PM UTC

Thank you, Rick. That does help. My goal, if possible, was to try to publish to one output   but I'll just do two.

So if I create an application help-type project, which output type is right for a help viewer that can be installed locally with the app?

Much appreciated,

Cat

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Captiv8r
Captiv8r
Legend
Nov 14, 2014 3:48 PM UTC

As my dear friend Peter Grainge would say...

How long is a piece of string?

And the answer, of course, is "it depends". Depends on the app and on the device. If it's a desktop, perhaps a CHM file. But if it's a tablet of some sort, perhaps some form of app packager or something. Maybe Willam, Peter or John will know and pop in to advise.

Cheers... Rick

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