Comparing Help Formats

Paula R. Stern

WritePoint

© 2003 Paula R. Stern. All rights reserved.

Comparing Help Formats

• WinHelp (.hlp and .cnt)• WinHelp2000 (.hlp and .cnt and .dll)• HTML-help (.chm)• WebHelp (uncompiled: html/gif files)• FlashHelp (uncompiled + Flash)• JavaHelp (uncompiled files or .jar)• Printed Documentation

WinHelp (HLP/CNT…sort of)

• WinHelp (.hlp and .cnt)

• Windows, not Browser-based

• Cnt disappears when you click on a topic

• Old format, barely used

Consider….WinHelp2000

WinHelp2000

• WinHelp (.hlp and .cnt)

• Windows, not browser-based

• + .dll (Roboex32.dll)

• Looks like HTML-help

• Familiar HLP/CNT for programmers

HTML-help

• Compressed, compiled .chm file

• Browser-based, but not Web-based

• MS Internet Explorer only

• Not customizable

WebHelp

• Uncompiled• Browser-based• Can launch

directly off the web

• Customizable (really)

• Skin Editor

FlashHelp

• Uncompiled

• Browser-based

• Can launch directly off the web

• Not so customizable (yet)

• Flash

JavaHelp

• Compiled or Not

• Java environment

• Using RH, difficult to produce

• FTS (known bug)

• Bullet and numbering formation (known bug)

Think…WebHelp?