RoboSource Control or similar

[Guest]

Hello.

I am using RH10 and need to set up Source Control - it doesn't have to be RoboSource Control but the company I contract for is moving away from SharePoint so I can't use that. Any advice on this area will be gratefully received.

I think I understand correctly that I need to ask a DB or Technical Support expert to set up an SQL database for me. That should hopefully prove to be straightforward.

However, when I currently open the Connection List in RH10 (File > Version Control > Add To Version Control), I can only see a connection to SharePoint. There is no Create button to enable me to add a new link for when the new database is set up for me.

Can anyone advise what I need to do to get this working as described in the RH10 Online Help?

Thanks.

Philip

[Willam van Weelden · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Adding RoboHelp to source control requires a little more work, since you need to install the correct components to make everything work together. What you need to do depends on the source control system you want to use. You can find instructions for several source control systems on: http://www.adobe.com/devnet/robohelp.html

On which system to choose, I recently answered a similar question. I can't find the post anymore, but here was my answer. I hope this gets you started. Please post back if you have any further questions.

With source control, the easiest option is usually the best. Here are the three global options:

• Use SharePoint for version control: This is very easy to set up and if you are a SharePoint administrator you don't need any IT guys helping out. This is by far the simplest way to go.
  • You will need SharePoint 2010 or 2013. SharePoint 365 doesn't work.
  • If you have SharePoint there is no additional cost involved.
• Use RoboSourceControl: This is the source control system included in RoboHelp itself.
  • It works rather well, but it is a pain to set up. You need a database (and a server to host that) and connect every team member to the source control system.
  • You will require the support of an IT guy. I normally advise against this system because it is so problematic to set up.
  • There is no additional cost for this option.
• Use the source control system your developers use. If your developers use a source control system that support the Microsoft SCC API, you can use that source control system.
  • The advantage of these systems is that they are generally more rubust than SharePoint, they are optimized for speed and they offer many advanced features that SharePoint lacks such as check in policies, integration with issue trackers, reports, etc.
  • The knowlegde of this system is already in house so no consulting will be required for this side.
  • You will need the support of the manager of the source control system and most likely also the support of an IT guy.
  • You will be able to get a complete version of a project from a specific label/date/etc at once. With SharePoint you can only get older versions of individual files.
  • Depending on your licensing structure, this option may require more additional licenses.

My advise is to choose for either SharePoint or the source control your developers use. Your management might prefer to have all content in a single repository and so choose the third option. In any way, backups will be made centrally and you will have the capability of comparing files between different versions.

If you want to quickly get older versions and have advanced reports on check in history, number of changes, etc. Than the third option is the way to go. If you only need older versions of single files and you want to get it done tomorrow, go for SharePoint.

You can always later change the source control system you use. But you will lose all history if you do this.

Please note that comparing files may require an additional free tool such as WinMerge (http://winmerge.org/)

Kind regards,

Willam

[Guest]

Hello Willam,

Thank you so much for your detailed reply. Very much appreciated.

From what you have said, I think the source control that our developers use is the best option. I do not know what that is yet but there are many people who will be able to assist.

Regards

Philip

[Guest]

Hello Willam,

I do have another question for you about source control.

For my current projects, and even when I create a new one, the Select Version Control Provider option defaults to SharePoint (I am using RH10).

How do I change this to the source control I want to use, for example, Perforce SCM? There is no Add or Create button on the Select Version Control Provider dialog box.

Thanks.

Regards

Philip

[Willam van Weelden]

You will get the new option when you have installed the MSSCCI provider AND the source control client. If you have installed everything, the new option will automagically pop up.

Kind regards,

Willam

[Guest]

Thank you Willam. You have been a great help with this issue.

All the best.

Philip