Hardware architecture for RH 8 authoring with CSH

[donindallas]

Hello,

My last direct experience with RoboHelp was version X5 and I have read there have been some fundamental changes (understatement).

I'd like to wrap my head around what all the h/w requirements might be for the following scenario:

- custom web application hosted on a UNIX box (Apache server?)

- need for context-sensitive help (CSH) topics linked to pages of the application

- need for general user manual with all topics, and additional depth

- support 3 authors developing help content on their own PCs

- centralized single-source with version control

From what I have read about CSH, it sounds straightforward

- load a standard .js library at the top of each webpage (other libraries available but .js sounded most portable for UNIX/Apache server)

- put a call to the particular help topic by ID wherever needed within the page

- no doubt, the devil is in the details (exact synax is discussed in other places on the forum)

My question has to do with what h/w platforms (and licenses) do I need to make provision for?

- UNIX/Apache and web application already in position

- author PCs already in position (these need RH 8 s/w installed and license?)

- does "single-source, version control" require a separate Windows XP (or higher) server to run RoboHelp Server?

--- can we run RoboHelp Server in a Virtual Machine on a UNIX box?

- do context-sensitive help calls by topic Map ID require the RoboHelp Server to parse and deliver?

If someone knows of a concise resource for this kind of architecture for RH 8 that would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

donindallas

[Captiv8r]

Hi there

Version Control and RoboHelp Server are two entirely different animals.

See if the thread below offers help distinguishing the two.

Click here to view

Cheers... Rick

Helpful and Handy Links RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7 or 8 within the day - $24.95! Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training SorcerStone Blog RoboHelp eBooks

[donindallas]

OK, thanks Rick.

That was helpful, if nothing else to make sure I ask a better question.

Given the scenario, what RoboHelp products, licenses and dedicated PCs are needed?

I think I hear the product options are RoboHelp, RoboHelp Office, and RoboHelp Server.

For multiple author environment we need RoboHelp Office. That will provide desktop authoring, RoboSource Control and publishing. As I recall RSC uses a database to manage all the content versions and licensed users, so does that need its own PC or can that be shared with the RH Server?

For "hosted" help topics with Map IDs to locate context-sensitive help files we need RoboHelp Server. That will need its own PC. VM is a possibility, but may get tricky for support.

I'm just trying to get a picture of the true cost of this kind of deployment, and that has to include the "oh and you need a dedicated windows server" for that.

Thanks again!

donindallas