RH Server and PHP

[shealy1]

Hi,
We have a KB that we want to publish to our users, as follows :

- SaaS software
- KB only accessible if logged into software

My fab web developer needs to have the htm output from RH converted into PHP in order to be able to do this and therefore hide the true URL.

I know nothing about RoboHelp Server and wondered how it worked. I don't want users to have to log into something else to gain access to the KB.

I guess my question is, would RoboHelp Server allow the scenario above, or should we just get a gizmo to convert the htm to php and tweak some bits and pieces?

Thanks!!

[Captiv8r]

Hi there

To my knowledge there is nothing RoboHelp Server would offer that would help with accomplishing this goal. You should save your $$$.

If you start converting pages to PHP extensions you will likely break WebHelp functionality. Not sure but it's likely.

Normally folks just enable security on the web folder and those without authentication are unable to see anything inside. Your dev can't do that?

Cheers... Rick

[shealy1]

Hi Rick,

Thanks for the advice, especially the bit about the $$$ - wasn't looking forward to using that from my budget!

My dev says that he can authenticate up front, but then can't stop people copy/pasting the address. Now I don't really know anything about the web side of things, so can't really come back with anything :-/

I don't know if it has something to do with the fact we're launching from our product ... if anyone else out there has experience I'd love to hear from you!

As far as you're aware, do you know if people could still manually enter in urls?

Thanks!!!

Sian

[Captiv8r]

Hi again

Consider the site Lynda.com. There are training pages located behind an authentication page. Unless you are a paid subscriber and have credentials, you cannot get past that opening page unless you have been authenticated. So even if you have a link you have copied, it forces you to log in to see the page.

That's what was in my mind when I advised what I did.

How all of this happens is a bit of a mystery to me. I just know it's possible to do.

It would be great if someone familiar with the process could chime in here and offer some basic guidance, as I'd love to know how it's all done.

Cheers... Rick

[vivek_k-GfmzA1]

Hi shealy1,

Let me correct Rick for a change :)

RoboHelp Server 8 very much supports your use case. We have introduced a feature of restricted area where only authenticated users get access to. You can publish your KB in the restricted area and given permission to only those users who you want to give access to.
You can create multiple sub areas in restricted areas and host different content for different set of users.
RoboHelp server 8 has LDAP integration for user authentication or you can create users in RoboHelp Server DB also.

I will be more than happy to answer your further questions.

Vivek Kumar
Engineering Manager - RoboHelp
Adobe Systems.

[Captiv8r]

LOL, thanks Vivek!

In my mind, what was being wanted was a way for RoboHelp to facilitate converting the output to PHP extensions.

I had totally forgotten about the new ability for RoboHelp Server 8 to do that. I sure do wish I could set that up on my own PC so I could test. Grrrr I've never been able to make it work.

Cheers... Rick

[vivek_k-GfmzA1]

Let me know when you want to set it up on your machine. It will take about 5 to 10 mins only 🙂

[shealy1]

Hi Vivek,

Thanks for the info. I know that RHS can do authentication, but I don't want users to have to log in to another system to get to the KB.

We'd like to use the authentication already in place once they've logged into our product. Would RHS still support this, or does it use it's own authentication?

Thanks!

Sian

[vivek_k-GfmzA1]

Hi Sian,

Your observation is right. RHS8 relies on its own authentication and single sign on from your software will probably not work.

Vivek.