TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:at a crossroads HTML versus WinHelp From:"Brierley, Sean" <Brierley -at- QUODATA -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 3 May 1999 14:52:09 -0400
Hallo:
My company currently provides WinHelp on-line help. I am at a point where I
can lead the charge, all 40-leagues of it, into the guns of HTML help. This
is my call. Should I do it?
1. We have a captive audience who are necessarily bound to the Microsoft OS
and product line.
2. WinHelp produces two files, the HLP and CNT files. I like this. These are
usually small.
3. HTML help seems to produce numerous HTML files plus numerous separate
graphics files. I know HTML and assume there is no way around this. I don't
like this much because I sense there could be a document-file-management
issue.
4. Do HTML help and associated necessary files use more hard-drive space
than WinHelp files? Anyone have any experience with this? Hard drive space
is an issue for my customers.
5. Can HTML help files be installed on a server and accessed from a client
via a network? Does this work well? Anyone have any experience with this?
Okay, thoughts on HTML versus WinHelp considering a timeframe of the next
three years and assuming I have the tools, time, and experience to get it
done.
I know this has been discussed before, and I have looked at the archives,
but I am also looking for an updated view. Please email me directly if you
want to keep this discussion off the list.