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> Does anybody have any experience using Server-Side Include files in
> RoboHelp? I can't figure out how to get RoboHelp to read them.
> Any help with
> this would be GREATLY appreciated.
Yes, I have experience with server-side includes in HTML Help (not RoboHelp
specifically, but on the underlying help engine).
It's not pretty. You can't do ASP, or PHP, or any of the other server
technologies, because... well, because you need a server.
So there are two options... either make and install a server, or do
everything client-side.
Server version:
You will need to create some sort of object that runs outside the web page,
interprets content, and serves it up. It's possible to put an ActiveX object
in a hidden frame that performs this function, assembling pages on the fly
for the main content frame.
I do not recommend this route, though I've used such a system in the past.
About the only benefit is that you can conceivably code your include files
and content files the same way you would on a web site (= better
single-sourcing between help and the web). Your ActiveX object must be able
to read the include files packed inside the CHM, and handle all the
necessary assembly. You will need to register the ActiveX object using some
sort of installation script. And, of course, you have the drawbacks of
frames--printing issues, etc.
Client version:
Use DHTML and JavaScript. The basic idea here is that content is inserted
into the page after it loads. A script runs on load that goes out and grabs
content from the include files and inserts them into the page on the fly.
Only works with IE 4 or greater (not Netscape), and if you want to use data
binding, IE 5.
This is much easier to implement, but still requires development resources.
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