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Subject:Re: html help vs java help (beginner's question) From:"Martin, Chuck" <chuckm -at- EVOLVESOFTWARE -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 4 Feb 1998 10:41:33 -0800
On Wednesday, February 04, 1998 11:45 AM, Joe Malone
[SMTP:joe -at- VNETTECH -dot- COM] wrote:
> I need to do help for a Java application that "runs" on the user's
> browser (the browser connects to a Java server). The Java server will
> currently run on NT and Solaris machines, and Netscape, IE, and
HotJava
> browsers can connect to it.
>
> Do I do Java help using Jelp or Oracle's Java help or whatever, or do
I
> do html help? what's the difference? I'll be doing the help in NT.
>
You use the technology that is best for your users. You have to evaluate
your users' needs and then look at the various tools.
Oracle is supposed to be releasing its official version soon now. It
looks like the best available technology. But we're creating a
full-fledged application, not an applet.
The difference is in the display engine. HTML-based Help systems
generally have controls connected to existing browsers to display HTML
pages (or in Microsoft's case, compiled HTML files). Java-based Help
does the same, but usually with Java browsers. For example, Oracle
Help's default is the HotJava browser.
whatever you decide, remember that Java-based Help is truly a
bleeding-edge field.
--
"You don't look American."
"Everyone looks American, because Americans are from everywhere."
- Doonesbury
Chuck Martin, Technical Writer
Evolve Software | Personal
chuckm -at- evolvesoftware -dot- com | writer -at- best -dot- com
www.evolvesoftware.com | www.writeforyou.com
