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Subject:RE: [HATT] External Topic Links Not Working From:"Carol Lee" <clee -at- austin -dot- rr -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Mon, 3 Nov 2003 12:47:12 -0600
<<<<Jamie says: "I have been pulling my hair out on this one. I am
attempting to create external topic links in a project (external links
will be a big deal in all my projects).">>>>
Jamie,
Did RoboHelp support also tell you there is a known problem with calling
external .chm files via buttons (shortcut or customized toolbar button)?
They used a wad of my hair to create request 6150 a few months ago. ;-)
Try compiling your project with HTML Help workshop and see if your links
then work. The only method for linking to an external .chm that I found
to work from RoboHelp X3 is from a TOC entry. Following are the details
of the problem I submitted and the response that I got from RoboHelp
Support after a few days of troubleshooting what turned out to be a RH
bug. I have received no further information about request 6150 getting
fixed---perhaps you or others who are bitten by this bug can help
influence whether they address it via the factor of "how many customers
report the issue"!
------Problem Description submitted to RH---------------------
Description: I'm trying to call an external .chm file (Help2.chm) from
another .chm file (Help1.chm). I've tried using the custom jump button 2
(from the Windows Properties) going to a URL of
"Help2.chm::/DDIntro.htm", and from a Shortcut defined in the header of
a template for the topics. For the latter case, there is conflicting
info in Article# 3236 ("enter HH.EXE for the prog to run, and the
Help2.chm::/DDIntro.htm as the prog parms") and Article#12795 (enter the
name of the .chm file in the "prog to run" field). I'm using very simple
names with no spaces or underscores. I've read all the online articles
I could find about it and am at wits end on getting either method to
work. I get the custom jump button in the toolbar, but clicking it
displays error "The page cannot be displayed." For the shortcut, I get
errors "Unable to start Help2.chm" or "Cannot find
Help2.chm::/DDIntro.htm" depending on which syntax I use. Please
advise.
------August 2003 response from RoboHelp Technical Support----------
We do have request 6150 submitted to our R&D department asking to
address this issue.
Problem: Buttons in HTML Help windows can't open topics in external
CHM's.
Desire: To be able to call topics in external CHM's through buttons.
I created an inquiry under your record and tied it to this request.
This way in the event that this is a addressed in a service release or
next version you will be notified. Once a month we have a meeting with
R&D to discuss product enhancements and bugs, and based on a variety of
factors, assign a status. Many factors are taken into consideration,
including how many customers have reported an issue, customer impact,
complexity of the issue, resource availability, etc. We in Technical
Support feel passionate about our customer issues and do our best to
represent you at the meeting. However, there's no guarantee that any
issue will be addressed due to the factors mentioned above. Once a
request is addressed, when possible, you will receive email notification
of a fix. This resolution could be a service release or incorporated in
the next version. If at any time you wish to check status on your
request, please reference the request number listed above.
I was however able to get the buttons to work when I compiled with the
Microsoft HTML Help Workshop. You can download the Microsoft HTML Help
compiler at the following location.
RoboHelp for FrameMaker is a NEW online publishing tool for FrameMaker that
lets you easily single-source content to online Help, intranet, and Web.
The interface is designed for FrameMaker users, so there is little or no
learning curve and no macro language required! Call 800-718-4407 for
competitive pricing or download a trial at: http://www.ehelp.com/techwr-l4
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