Possible changes to help

[jsachs]

I have the option of switching from the older HTML help system to the newer WebHelp system. When using WebHelp, the help file becomes a series of web pages you access via your web browser. The help files can either be on the dl-c.com web site or potentially a local copy can be installed on your computer. Another option is that a copy of the help file can be saved as a PDF file and stored locally. Regardless of the format, the help file looks virtually identical, but there are some important differences:

1) WebHelp with the files located on the web requires internet access as the help file is stored on the web -- no internet, no help. Slow internet, slow help.

2) Accessing a local copy of the WebHelp files seems to mostly work, but at least with my tests using Chrome, you can launch the help file but not specific topics. This means that while all the topics are there, when you click on the ? icon in a transformation, you get the main topic and have to navigate to the transformation topic yourself. Other web browsers may impose different restrictions on browsing local files as this is a favorite trick of hackers. Therefore, I don't think this is really a viable option. WebHelp on the web + a PDF file that you could download is also a possible option. The PDF file would not provide context-sensitive help, just one big document with a table of contents.

3) If help is on the web, the installer gets significantly smaller.

4) Microsoft has mostly stopped supporting HTML Help.

5) Help via the browser can be zoomed in or out to make the text larger or smaller.

Switching is fairly easy as the help compiler I am using can re-target from HTML Help to WebHelp.

Please let me know your preferences:

1) Keep it the way it is
2) WebHelp on the web only
3) WebHelp on the web + optional PDF file download

Personally, I am leaning toward 3), but will follow the will of the majority.

[tomczak]

My vote goes to #1.

[jfoster]

Happy the way it is. Hate needing an Internet connection for help.

[jsachs]

Option 4:

Leave it the way it is, but add a preferences setting to choose between web and local access.

[Winfried]

I like option 4 because I don't allways have access to the internet with my laptop if I am out of my home.

[frankpix]

Option #3.

If I can download a pdf file I can easily transfer that file to my iPad and peruse it when I'm off-line.

Frank

[MarkT]

Sure, Option 4 sounds like a solution, but for the record I'd be fine with Option 3. Whatever is easiest for you so far as maintenance is concerned.

[davidh]

My choice is Option #3.

[jsachs]

Latest version incorporates all the options - you can access either local or web based help and I placed a PDF copy of the help file on the web site that you can download if you want.

[frankpix]

Thanks!!