Bristol Caveat & Cross-platform help (was Robohelp 7.0)

[Mark Dempsey <mxd2 -at- OSI -dot- COM>]

I second what Mr. Knopf wrote with one addition:

Not only is Bristol pricey, it doesn't work on UNIX's equivalent of
*.bmp files (*.xwd). If you're thinking of using it with FrameMaker
files that originated on UNIX, plan to exclude all graphics. Much easier
and cheaper: WebWorks (http://www.quadralay.com).  Not a walk in the
park, but works with UNIX Frame files, and converts all graphics to
gifs.

For the whole cross-platform story, I recommend:
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Senate/1059/help.html



David Knopf wrote:
>
> David Thompson asked:
>
> | Has anyone got experience of designing On line help systems for non
> | Microsoft machines using RoboHelp?
> | When I create a Help file it runs fine on NT machines. However, I want to
> | run the same Help file on Silicon Graphics machines(SGI's), which use a
> | different OS. Any ideas on what I have to do? Include seperate
> | .dll's etc..?
>
> The WinHelp format (*.HLP) is Windows-specific. There are, however, several
> ways you can deploy WinHelp on SGI:
>
> - You can license HyperHelp from Bristol Technology. HyperHelp is a porting
> tool that lets you distribute standard WinHelp systems on various UNIX
> platforms. It's pricey, but it works. See http://www.bristol.com for more
> info.
>
> - You can convert your WinHelp system to WebHelp, an HTML-based format
> developed by Blue Sky that lets you deliver online help in HTML format for
> multiple platforms and multiple browsers. You can create WebHelp using
> RoboHELP 7. See RoboHELP's online help for more information.
>
> - You can convert your WinHelp system to plain HTML, which also runs across
> browsers and on multiple platforms. You can generate plain HTML from
> RoboHELP 7, as well. Note that plain HTML won't give you a traditional TOC
> or Index.
>
> | I don't mean HTML help which is by default, cross platform.
>
> Actually, this is not true. HTML Help is a Microsoft technology that
> currently runs only on 32-bit Windows. You will not, for now at least, be
> able to deploy HTML Help on SGI.
>
> I hope this helps ...
>
> David Knopf
> Knopf Online
> Tel: 415-820-2356
> E-mail: mailto:david -at- knopf -dot- com
> Web: http://www.knopf.com
>
> Writing * WinHelp * Web Sites * Training * Consulting
> RoboHELP Certified Trainer * RoboHELP Certified Consultant
>
> From ??? -at- ??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000==

--
Regards,

-- mailto:Mark -dot- Dempsey -at- osi -dot- com
--
-- Mark Dempsey
-- Technical Publications
-- Objective Systems Integrators
-- 110 Woodmere, Folsom, CA 95630
-- 916.353.2400 x 4777

 From ??? -at- ??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000=