0
Web Help vs. HTML Help

/t5/robohelp-discussions/web-help-vs-html-help/td-p/975002
Apr 25, 2008
Apr 25, 2008
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
I just started using RH7 (upgraded form 2002). I have always
used HTML Help to generate a .chm. The users of my help work at
places where the IT departments often lock down Internet access;
i.e., many users are not allowed access to the Internet. And our
software only runs on Windows.
It seems help generated with Web Help can be more user friendly (I just like the idea of using skins, I guess) but I'm not sure it is worth doing in my case.
Anyone have any input on why I would switch to Web Help from HTML Help? Or is generating the .chm the best choice for my end users?
Also, if I do end up switching to WebHelp, how are context-sensitive IDs affected? Would the developers need to change anything on their end?
Thanks.
It seems help generated with Web Help can be more user friendly (I just like the idea of using skins, I guess) but I'm not sure it is worth doing in my case.
Anyone have any input on why I would switch to Web Help from HTML Help? Or is generating the .chm the best choice for my end users?
Also, if I do end up switching to WebHelp, how are context-sensitive IDs affected? Would the developers need to change anything on their end?
Thanks.
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting.
Learn more
Participant
,
/t5/robohelp-discussions/web-help-vs-html-help/m-p/975003#M41382
Apr 25, 2008
Apr 25, 2008
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Our software runs only on Windows too and end users don't
always have access to the internet, but we opted to go with Web
Help instead of CHM. Management here liked the cool things I was
able to do with custom skins. We include the Webhelp files right
along with the application and they get automatically deployed to
each user's computer during the s/w installation/upgrade process.
The developers said that the overhead of my giant help system is
not a factor (I guess it's relatively small compared to the
application itself!).
We haven't implemented context-sensitive help yet (users just press F1 or click Help to launch the whole system), but I would suspect there would be no changes to your internal process. That's just a guess though.
We haven't implemented context-sensitive help yet (users just press F1 or click Help to launch the whole system), but I would suspect there would be no changes to your internal process. That's just a guess though.
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting.
Learn more
Enthusiast
,
/t5/robohelp-discussions/web-help-vs-html-help/m-p/975004#M41383
Apr 25, 2008
Apr 25, 2008
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
The main trade-off is in updating help files. With a chm on a
local hard drive, or WebHelp on a local hard drive, you need to
deploy new help file(s) to each desktop.
With WebHelp on a server, you can update once for everyone.
With WebHelp on a server, you can update once for everyone.
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting.
Learn more
LEGEND
,
/t5/robohelp-discussions/web-help-vs-html-help/m-p/975005#M41384
Apr 25, 2008
Apr 25, 2008
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
And on the flip side of that coin...
I admire .CHM format for its ability to use the Shortcut control. If I'm describing how to do something and it would be helpful for the user to open Windows Calculator, I can insert a Shortcut that will allow the user to click and actually open Calculator instead of just telling them how to open it.
Cheers... Rick
I admire .CHM format for its ability to use the Shortcut control. If I'm describing how to do something and it would be helpful for the user to open Windows Calculator, I can insert a Shortcut that will allow the user to click and actually open Calculator instead of just telling them how to open it.
Cheers... Rick

Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting.
Learn more

Guest
AUTHOR
/t5/robohelp-discussions/web-help-vs-html-help/m-p/975006#M41385
Apr 25, 2008
Apr 25, 2008
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
All good points. Thanks everyone. This is an interesting
discussion.
Captiv8r - what is this Shortcut control of which you speak? Are there any examples you could pass on?
Captiv8r - what is this Shortcut control of which you speak? Are there any examples you could pass on?
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting.
Learn more
Enthusiast
,
/t5/robohelp-discussions/web-help-vs-html-help/m-p/975008#M41387
Apr 26, 2008
Apr 26, 2008
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Hi, tlcraig,
You may also want to note that the contents of HTML Help files are blocked when they're stored on a network drive. If there's any likelihood that your users will be accessing the help remotely then you should consider WebHelp instead, or else be prepared to request that they implement the registry changes described here:
http://www.grainge.org/pages/authoring/chm_mspatch/896358.htm
Switching between HTML Help and WebHelp will require changes in the application code because the methods for calling the two types of help are different. See the online help for RoboHelp for code samples.
A ShortCut control permits users to open documents or programs that are external to the help file. From the online help for HTML Help Workshop:
"Shortcuts are hotspots that can launch another application, or take the user to a specific dialog box within an application. You can also use shortcuts to activate things like Windows control panels. Use shortcuts to make things easier for novice users, and speed experienced users through complex procedures."
Pete
You may also want to note that the contents of HTML Help files are blocked when they're stored on a network drive. If there's any likelihood that your users will be accessing the help remotely then you should consider WebHelp instead, or else be prepared to request that they implement the registry changes described here:
http://www.grainge.org/pages/authoring/chm_mspatch/896358.htm
Switching between HTML Help and WebHelp will require changes in the application code because the methods for calling the two types of help are different. See the online help for RoboHelp for code samples.
A ShortCut control permits users to open documents or programs that are external to the help file. From the online help for HTML Help Workshop:
"Shortcuts are hotspots that can launch another application, or take the user to a specific dialog box within an application. You can also use shortcuts to activate things like Windows control panels. Use shortcuts to make things easier for novice users, and speed experienced users through complex procedures."
Pete
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting.
Learn more
Community Expert
,
/t5/robohelp-discussions/web-help-vs-html-help/m-p/975007#M41386
Apr 26, 2008
Apr 26, 2008
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Bear in mind that to make webhelp work locally, you will have
to select the Mark of the Web when you generate the help, that is
what it is there for. It does however seem to prevent PDFs opening
from links. May not be an issue for you.
Help others by clicking Correct Answer if the question is answered. Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here. "Upvote" is for useful posts.
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting.
Learn more
Enthusiast
,
/t5/robohelp-discussions/web-help-vs-html-help/m-p/975009#M41388
Apr 28, 2008
Apr 28, 2008
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Has anyone tested the shortuct control from a chm on a local
hard drive where the primary browser is IE 6 or 7 and security
settings are high or medium?
Harvey
Harvey
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting.
Learn more
LEGEND
,
/t5/robohelp-discussions/web-help-vs-html-help/m-p/975010#M41389
Apr 28, 2008
Apr 28, 2008
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Hi Harvey
I use shortcuts all the time. And I have IE7 installed. They still seem to work just dandy.
Cheers... Rick
I use shortcuts all the time. And I have IE7 installed. They still seem to work just dandy.
Cheers... Rick

Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting.
Learn more
Enthusiast
,
LATEST
/t5/robohelp-discussions/web-help-vs-html-help/m-p/975011#M41390
Apr 28, 2008
Apr 28, 2008
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Hi, Harvey,
The security settings that you can choose in IE via Tools > Internet Options apply only to files that you access over the Internet or a local intranet. Any files that are already in the "My Computer zone" (in other words, on the local drive) are assumed to be safe, so they're exempt from the IE security settings.
I believe this is why IE lets you change the security settings for four zones (Internet, Local Intranet, Trusted Sites, and Restricted Sites) but not for the My Computer zone. Anyone wanting to disable the functionality in locally stored .chm files would need to dig around in the registry, as described here:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=182569
Pete
The security settings that you can choose in IE via Tools > Internet Options apply only to files that you access over the Internet or a local intranet. Any files that are already in the "My Computer zone" (in other words, on the local drive) are assumed to be safe, so they're exempt from the IE security settings.
I believe this is why IE lets you change the security settings for four zones (Internet, Local Intranet, Trusted Sites, and Restricted Sites) but not for the My Computer zone. Anyone wanting to disable the functionality in locally stored .chm files would need to dig around in the registry, as described here:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=182569
Pete
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting.
Learn more

