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ZithRob
Participant
October 5, 2009
Question

Clearly stated procedures for RoboHelp Server/Client installation and config?

  • October 5, 2009
  • 1 reply
  • 2325 views

I've been attempting to get RoboHelp Server and Client (Version 😎 installed in my environment for a few weeks now.  Every day I make a little more progress, but I need to get this thing up and running and move on to other things.

I would like a clearly documented methodology for the installation of these products.  I have found the included documentation to be close to useless, beyond setting up Tomcat and running the install from the disk.

I need something along the lines of the following:

1. After verification of the RoboHelp Server by going to http://<servername>:portname/robohelp, you will now need to set up the folder structures to support development, testing and production environment of help materials.

2. To setup the development folder, do the following...

3. To setup a testing environment, do the following...

4. To setup the production environment, do the following...

5. To set up access to these folders, you will need to address the security for each.

5.1. To set up a development environment, do the following...

5.2. To set up the testing environment, do the following...

5.3. To set up the production environment, do the following...

6. To set up a database using Microsoft SQL on your server, do the following.

7. You'll need to set up accounts for SQL database, following are minimum, and this is how it's done.

8. To access reports for RoboHelp, do the following...

9. To integrate users when when working with a Microsoft Active Directory, this is what you must do...

10. This is how to set up RoboHelp clients....

Honestly, I've spent over 40 hours looking all over the web on how to set up this product, and have found no concise methodology to do so. How 'bout some basic illustrations on how the communication is supposed to work?  I frequently get re-directed to my IT administrator when reading through the documentation - but I don't know what to ask them.

It may be a great product, but if you're coming to the Robohelp 8 environment without any previous Robohelp experience, you're in for a frustrating experience.

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

johndaigle
johndaigle
Legend
October 6, 2009

Hi, ZithRob.

I can understand your frustration. No matter how useful server database applications may be, installation of any of them is not a trivial task. This is because of the complexity you so well articulated. I am decidedly not a network or database administrator. I am an author first, and work with servers and databases only occasionally. So, I too, had to confront the steps you did as a novice. I did successfully install RH Server 8 (and Tomcat) on two laptops (for testing) and one desktop. I documented my experience and am preparing an Adobe Captivate video(s) to show newcomers like you what I learned. Unfortunately the videos are not finished. If you email me at the address shown in my profile, I will share my "first draft" of the video which may help you sort some things out.


Meanwhile, I am not quite sure where you are in the process. After your hard work, what do you feel is left "undone" or that needs to be fixed. Or is it that you just want to make sure you've covered all the bases? If you will outline that, I will try to address it. Maybe my colleague, Colum McAndrew, will chime in as well (there is a link to his fine blog shown below.) I have spoken to Adobe engineers at various tech comm conferences and they are very committed to making the process easier, including more thorough documentation.

Meanwhile, thanks for your patience and I hope it will be rewarded soon.

Thanks

John Daigle

www.showmethedemo.com

No doubt you have already located some of these links, but here are the main ones in case you have missed any. First, server-related items and then some links to info regarding the authoring client:

Deploying Adobe RoboHelp Server on Windows (Online Help Topic)

http://help.adobe.com/en_US/RoboHelp/8.0/RoboHelpServer/WS5b3ccc516d4fbf351e63e3d11c0aaa9fd7-7ff4.html

Adobe RoboHelp Server 8 - Installation (Adobe Tech Comm Blog)

http://blogs.adobe.com/techcomm/2009/03/adobe_robohelp_server_8_installation.html

Colum McAndrews fine blog which has chronicled his success with Adobe Robohelp Server 8

http://notcolin.wordpress.com/2009/08/04/robohelp-server-8-areas-the-path-to-enligtenment/

As for the Adobe RoboHelp 8 authoring client, here are some resources to get you started:

  • Adobe RoboHelp 8 Reviewer’s Guide:  A major document highlighting all the new features of RoboHelp 8 and RoboHelp Server 8 and how they can be used to increase your productivity.
  • “Try it” exercises: These are a set of exercises that you can use to see for yourself the benefits of RoboHelp as described in the reviewer’s guide. An excellent way to familiarise yourself with the new features.
  • 7 x videos of the new RoboHelp features: A set of Captivate videos each of which describes a new feature of Robohelp 8.
  • RJ Jacquez’s blog: RJ is the Adobe Technical Communication Suite Evangelist and has lots of using information to hand. Also follow him on Twitter (rjacquez).
  • RJ’s Webinars: RJ frequently performs online training sessions that are recorded for later use. These are a great way to see the features of the Technical Communication Suite at your leisure.
  • Adobe Technical Communications Suite blog: Finally a blog with posts by the Adobe RoboHelp engineering team.
John DaigleAdobe Certified RoboHelp and Captivate InstructorNewport, Oregon
Z
ZithRobAuthor
Participant
October 8, 2009

John;

Thanks so much for the response.  Yes, I had discovered the links you had mentioned on server configuration.  I have to report that the link “Try it” exercises: did not work for me.

I'm your exact counterpart - 20 years involved in various types of network administration (Novell, Apple, Lotus Notes and Microsoft), no authoring experience.

The problem is, after much gnashing of teeth, and finally finding the links you mentioned and getting the server up and running, we come to the question:

"Now what?"

I have access to an Admin utility, but no instruction on it's use, a list of best practices, even a set of examples, just "here's the Admin window, good luck!"

OK, for the purposes of illustration, let's say I've completed the server installation, as I seem to have done.  What's my next step?  Do I set up users and groups?  Do I set up areas?  How do I test to make sure everything is working?  How do I test a security model?  How do I know if users will be able to access the help files?

More specifically, do I have to set up users accounts for every single user?  Can I not integrate with Microsoft Active Directory?  If I don't set up individual accounts, will I be able to track individual user activity to help files (Thus knowing which help files need improvement, and which users may need further training)?

I sometimes tell a classic joke, about a man of a certain ethnic (or regional) persuasion (usually my own), who one Saturday morning rents a chain saw.

He storms into the rental place the next Monday, furious.

"Mr., you lied to me!  You tell me this chain saw cut down maybe 10 trees in a weekend.  I work like the devil all weekend, only able to cut down three trees!  I want my money back!"

The clerk is perplexed.  "Gee, I don't know what could have been wrong.  This unit is brand new, and I tested it and fueled it up before you come in.  Let's take it out back and give it a try."

The walk to the back of the store, the clerk pulls the starter cable, and the chain saw roars into life.

"What dat noise?!" shouts our hero.

That's how I feel with RoboHelp.  I feel like I'd be a heck of a lot more effective, if I could just find the damned starter!

RoboColum_n_
RoboColum_n_
Legend
October 8, 2009

LOL! I love the analogy. Anyway, check out this link for what to do next on the server. You don't need to setup userids for each user so long as the area you use to publish the output isn't protected.

Read the RoboColum(n) for a tips,  tricks and musings on the Technical Communication Suite products.

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