Re: The life of WinHelp

[Richard Wrye <rwrye -at- GATE -dot- NET>]

Sonja,

Microsoft is constantly changing the look and feel of the HTML Help standard
right now. Version 1.2 should be out this summer. Version 2.0 probably
sometime in early 1999. If you are using a Help Authoring Tool that supports
output to HTML Help, then you would probably be OK since the HAT vendors are
committed to keeping up with the changes in HTML Help.

The word from Microsoft is that WinHelp will continue to be available in
Microsoft's operating systems. They are just not going to support or improve
it any more. So, if you want to continue delivering online .HLP files for
another year or two while Microsoft finishes their design of HTML Help and
polishes it a little, then you should have no problem.

Likewise, if you have a client that wants you to deliver HTML Help .CHM
files this year, you COULD do it, but you should evaluate the consequences
and relay that info to the client first. HTML Help still lacks true
context-sensitivity and other features. You should try to attend a
conference where HTML Help is featured. Then you can get some good answers
and details for making your decision.

I think Help University is planning a conference in Chicago in November. Go
to http://www.helpuniversity.com for more info.

Richard A. Wrye
ALLTEL Information Services
Jacksonville, FL
rwrye -at- gate -dot- net

Date:    Wed, 1 Apr 1998 11:11:55 +1000
From:    Sonja Draeger <sdraeger -at- NORMAN -dot- COM -dot- AU>
Subject: The life of WinHelp

I'm curious about when we should switch to HTML Help. Seeings as HTML Help
is taking over from WinHelp, how long do you think WinHelp will stay around
for?

I've been told that the release of Office 99 (or whatever it will be called
by then) will be the milestone when HTML Help becomes mainstream help. Will
WinHelp completely die after that and not be supported any more?

Sonja

sdraeger -at- norman -dot- com -dot- au
Norman Data Defense Systems, Australia