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Subject:Uncompiled MS HTML Help From:"Kelly Williamson" <kwcwtech -at- iwaynet -dot- net> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 23 May 2001 13:20:37 -0400
(Copying the list because I think uncompiled MS HTML Help is underused and
not very well known.)
David replied:
> I am referring here to uncompiled Microsoft HTML Help, using
> Microsoft's HTML Help Java applet for navigation. I am not referring
> to generic HTML-based Help. The latter works perfectly well.
> However, there are numerous problems (related to performance and
> functionality) with the Microsoft HTML Help Java applet. If you used
> that successfully on a project, you are part of a small group!
Count me as part of a small group that successfully used uncompiled
Microsoft HTML Help! Granted, we had a highly intelligent genius type (hi
Joyce!) leading the group and figuring it all out, but it turned out to be
an extremely effective solution. File size was *very* miniscule (MUCH
smaller than WebHelp) and you could completely control everything--no weird
surprises. We had several-hundred-page manuals that we did in this format at
less than 1MB (with graphics)! I can't recall what the entire suite of
manuals weighed in at, but let's just say we replaced the books that took up
the better part of a field-engineer's van with about 1/8 of a CD.
As I said, I wanted to write this to the list because I think this is a
completely underused yet effective solution that I wish more people would
look into. (If anyone does look into it, _The Official Microsoft HTML Help
Authoring Kit_ by Steve Wexler is a must have.) It does take significantly
more time and more brain power to create than, say, WebHelp, and there are
some difficult obstacles (such as adding a search feature) that require
resources, but the end result is worth it if you have the right environment.
(Oh, and you MUST know HTML and CSS thoroughly.)
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