|
by Mike Hendry
Interdigital Communications
Contributions on HDK by:
Ian Johns
Towers-Perrin
Summary originally published in News & Views May 1998 issue.
Copyright 1998 STC-Philadelphia Metro Chapter. For permission
to reprint this article, contact the Managing Editor.
| This review is separated into 6 main sections:
Introduction
This review compares the latest versions of the major help authoring tools
to help you decide which tool may be best for you. At this point, all the
tools are well tried and competent. You need to base your decision on your
project needs and how you like to work. Some things to consider, and which
I’ll cover, are:
- Is your main objective a written manual or online help?
- How familiar are you with the help compiler?
- How familiar do you want to get with the help compiler?
- Do you manage large projects with many files and authors, or small projects?
The answer to these questions, along with your evalutation of the features
that are important to you, will help you determine which package best meets
your needs. This review covers the following packages:
Software |
Version |
Company |
New version due? |
DocToHelp |
3.0 |
Wextech Systems |
This is new |
ForeHelp |
2.97 |
ForeFront |
3.0 due this summer |
HDK |
3.2 |
Virtual Media |
3.3 due end of April |
RoboHELP |
5.0 |
Blue-Sky Software |
5.5 just released |
Note: Throughout this review, I list these packages in alphabetical order.
I don’t mean to imply any hierarchy.
What can I get for free?
If you’re anxious to jump in and start playing, run, don’t walk, to ForeFront’s
website and download a generous trial version of ForeHelp. You can create
a fully functional help file, limited to 10 topics.
Also available for download:
- ForeFront has demos of all their products and utilities, including tutorials
and samples to help you learn how to use them.
- Wextech offers some interesting papers on single sourcing and other documentation
issues.
- Blue-Sky offers a free demo of RoboHTML, and a biweekly newsletter answering
technical questions about help development.
Vendor contact information is available at the end of this review.
|
 Operational paradigms
|
Operational what?!? Obviously, I’ve been reading too much Dilbert. By “operational
paradigm” I mean the context in which you work, and the approach the tool
takes to help authoring. For example, whether the tool is stand-alone or
a Microsoft Word add-on, and whether you feel you are working on a manual,
a help file, or raw RTF coded files.
DocToHelp
DocToHelp is a Microsoft Word add on. It adds templates to your Word
installation, using macros to add help authoring functionality.
With DocToHelp, you write a manual first, using DocToHelp’s tools to add links,
glossary and index information, and other WinHelp information. When you
have finished, DocToHelp converts and compiles your manual into a WinHelp file.
Their templates provide some nice styles and layouts, which you can customize
to your liking. Wextech’s goal is that you never have to look “under the
hood.”
ForeHelp
ForeHelp is a stand-alone, WYSIWYG help tool. ForeHelp is like a WinHelp
editor, you feel like you’re working directly on the help file. It provides
graphical views and reports of your project, and you can jump to links
while you are working. You write the help file directly, even edit the
segmented hypergraphics within the help environment. ForeHelp is also a
database tool, storing all the elements of your help file in one large,
proprietary database file. This makes all elements accessible at all times.
HDK
The Hypertext Development Kit (HDK) is a Word for Windows add-on, you work
in a word processing context. Also a database tool, all elements are in
one database file. HDK doesn’t print a manual; its focus is strictly online.
Its aim is to go beyond WinHelp, adding such features as a floating table
of contents window capable of up to 16 tabbed lists (lists of tables, figures,
anything you want). It has extensive project management capabilities.
RoboHELP
RoboHELP is a Word for Windows add-on, you work on coded RTF files. RoboHELP
maintains Doc file(s), converting them to RTF at compile time. Manage an
entire project with explorer-style interface, providing graphical views
and reports. Create table of contents (TOC), index, etc., within the one explorer
window.
|
Summary of features
DocToHelp
|
Where it excels
DocToHelp was the easiest to learn, producing fast results. It also has
the best single sourcing features. If you're more comfortable writing a manual
than designing a help file, this is for you. It has a nice margin note/popup
feature, and generates its own floating table of contents, which is a nice
navigational aid for your users. It comes with three sets of templates
that produce nice manuals as is. Its own manual, and especially the tutorial,
is friendly and well-written.
What it lacks
DocToHelp lacks some of the advanced project management features of other
tools. I’d like to see it more automatic on startup (for example, more
wizard driven). When you open DocToHelp, all you have is Microsoft Word. You
have to start a new document based on a DocToHelp template, and also set up some
options manually.
Its features
Ease of learning/use
DocToHelp is probably the easiest to learn, because of its simple
nature. It introduces only 16 new icons, and the tutorial reinforces their
meanings. Most of us are used to writing manuals, so would feel comfortable
in this environment. If you are not already locked into a template and
set of styles, and can use the styles they provide, then you can really
get up and running in no time. If you need to customize the styles for
print, you would have some work to do. My only complaint is that startup
is not more automatic. When you start DocToHelp, you are faced with a
generic Microsoft Word screen. You need to start a new document with one of their
templates. Once you do, however, the wizards take over and you’re all set.
Included manuals and online help
Manual is comprehensive, quick tutorial gets you up and running fast. Help
file is good, and includes Answerworks, their help tool add-on that
lets you ask help questions in plain English. Note that Answerworks is
available for purchase, so that you can add it to your own help files.
Download a sample from their website.
Multimedia/graphics support
Supports AVI and Wav inherently, can link to MPEG and MOV players if you
distribute them with your system. Supports any graphic that can be inserted
into Microsoft Word, but recommends BMP or WMF. Supplies DLLs to support high-color
graphics and multimedia in Windows 3.1 and 95 Help files. Eliminates the
need for Multi-Resolution Bitmaps (MRB). Supports watermarks, transparent
BMPs.
HTML conversion capabilities
DocToHelp creates some fairly nice generic HTML. It uses Cascading Style
Sheets, a relatively new technology that gives you more control over the
final layout and rendering. Supports frames. HTML style allows you to include
your own HTML in document. It supports Microsoft HTML (Wextech literally
wrote the book), Generic, ActiveX, and Java HTML.
Print capabilities
DocToHelp is the best print source because it starts with a written manual,
so you format and print that exactly the way you want it. You need to make
sure that your formatting follows their rules of conversion to a help file.
This is easy enough, just not obvious because your file looks like a manual.
They supply three template sets for different manual layouts, each set
consist of a template for a master document, and one for included document
files. So you can easily create one big file, or separate your projects
into many smaller files. (This works with Word’s Master/Included document
feature).
Conditional text, the ability to mark text as “online only” or “print
only” is, IMHO, essential for claiming single source ability. DocToHelp
has an excellent conditional text feature.
Table of contents creation
DocToHelp uses Microsoft Word’s table of contents to generate the standard Win95
Contents tab. If you know how to do it in Word, you know how to do it
in DocToHelp.
In addition, DocToHelp can generate the Navigator, a separate window that keeps
the TOC available all the time. This is a nice feature for your users,
as it helps prevents them from getting lost in your help file. And since
HTML Help has the TOC frame always available, you are helping prepare your
users for the transition.
Index creation
In addition to using Microsoft Word’s index tags to generate the standard Win95
Index tab, DocToHelp supplies an indexing utility, a popup dialog that allows
you to add the selected word to the list of keywords, and provides Index
Targets, which DocToHelp will search for and auto-index (if you so desire).
Topic/element creation
DocToHelp automatically creates topics based on your heading styles. It has a
nice popup/margin note feature, where margin notes in the printed manual
are converted to popups in the help file. DocToHelp helps you define and link
a margin note automatically.
Browse sequence creation
DocToHelp generates browse sequences automatically from the heading hierarchy;
sub-heading topics are put into the main heading browse sequence.
Macro creation
DocToHelp supplies a good macro editor where you can choose macros and parameters
from drop-down lists.
Project management
DocToHelp has limited project management tools. It doesn’t have things like report
generators, or drag and drop topic/element control. This is because it
is manual based, and does not have project items until the conversions are
run.
It does support workgroup activity by allowing you to separate out different
parts of the project into different files, using Word’s Master/Include
feature.
Testing/debugging
As with all the Word based tools, the help file must be compiled before
any sort of testing can be done.
DocToHelp provides a good deal of diagnostics when you compile.
|
ForeHelp
|
Where it excels
ForeHelp is also easy to learn, it has the most intuitive and easy to learn
interface (it ties with HDK for best icons). Probably has the most intuitive
interface because it is stand-alone, and is designed specifically to write
help files. Best interactive authoring, best test features. You can test
any link immediately by Ctrl-clicking on it, and test run the whole project
easily. Forehelp has its own Segmented Hypergraphic editor (SHED) integrated
right in, so you add hot spots to graphics directly in the help environment.
If you are focused on developing the help file, and prefer working in that
context, this is for you. Also has very good tutorial and manual.
Note: ForeHelp 3 is in Beta test, it will be in my online review ASAP.
What it lacks
Not being based on Microsoft Word, it does lack some of Word’s advanced features.
My biggest complaint is only one level of undo. Also, does not support
build tags, which I do use.
Its features
Ease of learning/use
ForeHelp excels at ease of use and learning. You are immediately immersed
in your help file, so you don’t have to constantly translate between word
document and help file in your mind. It introduces 17 new icons, and gives
you the option of having them with text, until you learn them.
Manuals and online help
Manual, online help, and tutorial are comprehensive. online tutorial
has a bug; use the print version.
Multimedia/graphics support
Supports AVI and Wav. Supports BMP, DIB, or WMF graphics files. Supplies
DLLs to support up to 24- bit high-color graphics and multimedia in Windows
3.1 and 95 Help files. Supports Multi-Resolution Bitmaps (MRB). Supports
watermarks, transparent BMPs.
One notable feature is that ForeHelp supplies its own Segmented Hypergraphic
Editor (SHED), so you can add hot spots to graphics without having to leave
your help authoring environment.
HTML conversion capabilities
Only available with add-on.
Print capabilities
ForeHelp converts the help file into an RTF file. You can choose which
topics go into the manual, so it has some conditional text features. You
would probably have to do some tweaking in your word processor or DTP program
of choice.
Table of contents creation
Dialog box displays all topics currently in your project. You can choose
some or all to go into the TOC.
Index creation
Dialog box lists all keywords currently in your project. You can add any
keyword to any topic, add new keywords, and make tables of keyword. Can
also add keywords to topics on the fly.
Topic/element creation
Straightforward dialog box to create new topic.
Browse sequence creation
Straightforward dialog box to create and edit browse sequences. You can
move topics up or down in the sequence by clicking a button.
ForeHelp cannot create browse sequences automatically. This would be a
nice feature.
Macro creation
ForeHelp supplies a good Macro editor, where you can choose macros and
parameters from drop-down lists.
Project management
Several good project management tools. You can create a report showing
project information and statistics. ForeHelp has a Navigator, a graphical
representation of your project that shows all the topics and links.
Files can be doled out to different writers and then combined later into
one project.
Testing/debugging
ForeHelp has the best test features. Since you are working in a WYSIWYG
help development environment, you get immediate feedback about your development.
You can test jumps immediately by Ctrl-clicking on them, and you can run
test mode almost instantaneously, where the whole project runs as a help
file. It relies on the help compiler error messages for debugging.
|
HDK
|
Where it excels
HDK provides more options than the standard WinHelp look and feel.
You can have dynamic table of contents frame in your WinHelp file, helping
users navigate. Good workgroup management features, can merge smaller help
files into single system. Best for having multiple builds from same set
of files.
Extends Word’s style concept to topics and jumps, incorporating many hypertext
features into the styles, making topic and jump management easier and more
powerful.
Note: HDK 3.3 should be out by the time you read this.
What it lacks
Has a rather steep learning curve; tutorial is mixed with theory, which
makes it time consuming to get through. Documentation as a whole could
be better.
Its features
Ease of learning/use
The H in HDK stands for Hypertext, not Help. HDK is geared toward different
types of large-scale multimedia hypertext systems. Therefore, it gives you
many options over and above the standard WinHelp options, and so it has a rather
steep learning curve. It introduces 18 icons which are clear and well labeled.
Manuals and online help
HDK comes with two small printed books, basically tutorials. Most of the
documentation is online, in their Hyper-bookshelf format. It is pretty
formidable to learn to navigate through.
The help file demonstrates how you can improve on the standard WinHelp
look and feel. For each topic they provide links to several options:
- Window: a screen capture of the window
- Overview: some theory behind what you are doing
- How to: the steps
- Notes: any notes associated with the topic
- See also: related links
This is a nice organizational feature. The overview button is especially
nice, it separates background information from how-to, yet makes it readily
available if you want to know more. The help file index is not so good,
however. The help is most useful when accessed in context.
As I said before, the tutorial is mixed with theory. While I do understand
the intent behind it (if you are dedicated to learning the tool, a good
mix of how-to and theory would teach you more in the long run), it was
difficult to get through the tutorial, and get up and running.
Multimedia/graphics support
Supports AVI and Wav, Midi, MMM files. Supports BMP, DIB, or WMF graphics
files. Supplies DLLs to support up to 24- bit high-color graphics and multimedia
in Windows 3.1 and 95 Help files. Supports Multi-Resolution Bitmaps (MRB),
watermarks, transparent BMPs. It also supports animated bitmaps and text, and Gif files.
HTML conversion capabilities
Can convert a help file with less than 10 topics to HTML. More than 10,
and you need to buy the IntraWeb HTML add-on. With the add-on, it supports
HTML, HTML with a Java or plug-in dynamic Table of Contents, and Microsoft
and Netscape HTML Help
Print capabilities
HDK doesn’t claim to produce printed documentation. It is strictly a Hypertext
Development system. However, you can print your (or any) help file with
Hypershelf, a light version of which will be available with HDK 3.3.
Table of contents
The HDK creates the TOC automatically based on styles. You have the choice of regular
Win95 TOC :-( , or an embedded or floating dynamic TOC, which always shows you where you are
:-). HDK also allows you to define several different lists, for example lists of tables and figures, which will have
their own tab in the HDK contents window.
Index creation
HDK will automatically create an index from Word codes, or you insert index
entries as you go along, and HDK automatically generates the index. Its
keyword management capabilities are extensive.
Topic/element creation
HDK uses Topic and Link styles to specify and automate topic creation and
management. It may take some time to set up the styles for your project,
but then you have complete control over aspects of your topic. With Link
styles you can specify color, font, underlining, and other features of
different jumps, and apply the styles selectively.
Browse sequence creation
HDK automatically creates browse sequences based on styles. You can add
or remove individual topics or sets of topics based on their style.
Macro creation
HDK provides its own “plain English” scripting language. You can make up
your own scripts to extend the power of your help file considerably, as
well as use the standard WinHelp macros. You can mix and match. Some of
the standard macros, such as adding buttons or menu items, have nice graphical
interfaces instead of the standard parameter drop down lists.
Project management
Project management is powerful, but not quite as intuitive as it could
be. The project dialog box gives you access to every aspect of your project.
Provides the most control and options of any package.
HDK also supports a Master/Slave linking system, so different authors can
develop different sections of the help, and they can be dynamically linked
together, with a common TOC and index.
Testing/debugging
Testing: Can compile one page at a time, popup will tell you where links go.
Debugging: Extensive error checking before you compile.
|
RoboHELP
|
Where it excels
If you are comfortable with the RTF help codes, and like to tweak them
and have them available, you’ll like RoboHELP. Best project management,
with explorer-style project manager always available. A lot of workgroup
management tools. Excellent report generation. Excellent email technical support.
Note: RoboHELP 5.5 now available.
What it lacks
RoboHELP has a steep learning curve. Be prepared to dedicate yourself to
it. Adds a lot (41) of cryptic icons. The tutorial was frustrating because
it didn’t include pictures of the icons you were instructed to click. I
spent a lot of time chasing them down.
Its features
Ease of learning/use
RoboHELP has a sharp learning curve. You also work directly in the coded
RTF files, so this is the least intuitive package to work in. It also remains
very close to the help compiler. Its project management tools follow the
design and layout of the help project (HPJ) file.
Manuals and online help
Manuals and online help are comprehensive. Tutorial is good, but does
not help with learning icons. This was very frustrating.
Multimedia/graphics support
Supports AVI and Wav. Supports BMP, DIB, or WMF graphics files. Supplies
DLLs to support 256 color graphics and multimedia in Windows 3.1 and 95
Help files. Supports Multi-Resolution Bitmaps (MRB). Supports watermarks,
transparent BMPs.
HTML conversion capabilities
Generic HTML limited. Supports Microsoft and Netscape HTML Help.
Print capabilities
Generates a Word doc file. Provides a wizard to make some limited choices.
Does not provide for conditional text; you get a printed version of your
help file, which you would probably want to tweak.
RoboHELP Explorer
I’ll cover these topics together:
- Table of Contents creation
- Index creation
- Topic/element creation
- Browse sequence creation
RoboHELP provides RoboHELP Explorer, an explorer-style drag and drop interface
for handling the project management and all the elements This puts TOC,
index, topic/element, and browse sequence creation and maintenance all
in one place. This is an area where RoboHELP definitely excels. Creating
and maintaining all these elements is easy and accessible. Popup editing
is also especially nice.
Project management
RoboHELP provides extensive reporting features, including broken link information
and other debugging tools. It has a graphical viewer (Tree View) that graphically
shows how topics link and all broken links. Navigating around the Tree
View is a bit rough; it still needs some refining.
Macro creation
Macro creation is very manual, you must go through and type all the macro
arguments by hand. They do provide a help file to explain all the macros.
Testing/debugging
Good debugging tools, testing is limited. Will show you the page in a help
window, but you must compile and run the project to see the help file work.
|
Comparison of Features
|
Ease of learning/use
Tool |
Rating |
Comments |
HDK |
5 |
Provides many more options, including animations and animated text.
|
ForeHelp |
4 |
WYSIWYG SHED tool integrates graphical hot spot editing right into your
project. 16 million color support.
|
DocToHelp |
3 |
16 million color support. |
RoboHELP |
2 |
256 color support. |
HTML conversion capabilities
I rate Website HTML generation here. I list HTML Help support in each tool’s
section.
Tool |
Rating |
Comments |
DocToHelp |
5 |
Uses Cascading Style Sheets to control format.
|
RoboHELP |
2 |
Very Plain HTML. |
HDK |
n/a |
Can generate HTML with add-on. Add-on would probably bring HDK to a 5 rating.
|
ForeHelp |
n/a |
Can generate HTML with add-on. |
Print capabilities
Let me first say that I do not believe in single source for print. Products
should be tailored to their end format. However, I think conditional text
is a must if you are going to target both formats with one set of files.
Only DocToHelp has this feature (HDK supports conditional text, but does
not target print documentation).
Tool |
Rating |
Comments |
DocToHelp |
5 |
Made to print manuals. You can specify items specifically targeted for
one format. Comes with nice templates.
|
ForeHelp |
3 |
Convert your help file to RTF files, creating TOC, glossary, and index.
|
RoboHELP |
3 |
Convert your help file to RTF files, creating TOC, glossary, and index.
|
HDK |
n/a |
Can print using Hypershelf add-on. |
Table of contents creation
Tool |
Rating |
Comments |
HDK |
5 |
Can create dynamic TOC frame, and add your own lists to it.
|
DocToHelp |
4 |
Can create Navigator window with TOC and index.
|
RoboHELP |
3.5 |
Drag-and-drop TOC and topic management make this easier.
|
ForeHelp |
3 |
Perfectly acceptable TOC creation. |
Index creation
Tool |
Rating |
Comments |
DocToHelp |
5 |
Auto-index will find all targets automatically. Also provides manual control.
|
HDK |
4 |
All three have basically the same index capabilities and ease of use.
|
RoboHELP |
4 |
|
ForeHelp |
4 |
|
Topic/element creation
Tool |
Rating |
Comments |
HDK |
5 |
Topic styles are powerful and give you complete control over many aspects.
|
RoboHELP |
4.5 |
Not quite as powerful, but drag and drop interface is a bit more intuitive.
|
DocToHelp |
4 |
Automatic, based on heading styles. |
ForeHelp |
4 |
Easy to create manually or from TOC. |
Browse sequence creation
Tool |
Rating |
Comments |
DocToHelp |
5 |
Automatically creates browse sequences based on heading styles. Can then
edit.
|
HDK |
5 |
Automatically creates browse sequences based on Topic styles. Can then
edit.
|
RoboHELP |
4 |
Can automatically create browse sequence, one per document file (not quite
as automatic as DocToHelp). Drag-and-drop browse sequence creation and management.
|
|
ForeHelp |
3 |
Cannot create automatically, but straightforward creation and management.
|
Macro creation
Tool |
Rating |
Comments |
HDK |
5 |
Has its own “plain English” scripting language. More powerful than help
macros. Graphical front end for some WinHelp macros.
|
DocToHelp |
4 |
DocToHelp and ForeHelp tie with easy to use dialog boxes with drop-down lists to choose macro parameters.
|
ForeHelp |
4 |
|
RoboHELP |
3 |
Dialog box, but you have to fill in your own parameters. Good macro help
file, though.
|
Project management
Tool |
Rating |
Comments |
HDK |
5 |
Powerful project management tools, but not quite as easy as RoboHELP. Master/Slave
file linking good workgroup feature.
|
RoboHELP |
4.5 |
Reports, graphical view including broken links. Easy to use drag-and-drop
project and element management, but not as powerful as HDK.
|
ForeHelp |
4 |
Graphical-link view is a little easier to use than RoboHELP.
|
DocToHelp |
2 |
Little project management capability because it is document based. Can
farm out files using Word’s Master/Include capabilities.
|
Testing
Tool |
Rating |
Comments |
ForeHelp |
5 |
WYSIWYG environment -- you can test jumps as you author, fast test mode.
|
HDK |
3 |
Can test individual pages, popups show jumps.
|
RoboHELP |
2.5 |
Will show you static page in help window. |
DocToHelp |
2 |
Must compile to test.
|
Debugging
Tool |
Rating |
Comments |
RoboHELP |
5 |
Reports help with debugging, link view shows broken links.
|
HDK |
4 |
Extensive error checking before you compile. Can click on error to go to
it.
|
DocToHelp |
3 |
Comprehensive error checking, provides error report file.
|
ForeHelp |
2 |
Relies on help compiler for debugging.
|
|
Summary by Tool
|
DocToHelp
|
Feature
|
Rating
|
Comments
|
|
Ease of Learning
|
5
|
DocToHelp and ForeHelp tie in this area, your choice depends on which context
you prefer to work in.
|
|
Print Capabilities
|
5
|
Made to print manuals. You can specify items specifically targeted for
one format. Comes with nice templates.
|
|
Browse Sequence
|
5
|
Automatically creates browse sequences based on heading styles. Can then
edit.
|
|
Index Creation
|
5
|
Auto-index will find all targets automatically. Also provides manual control.
|
|
HTML Conversion
|
5
|
Uses Cascading Style Sheets to control format.
|
|
Topic Creation
|
4
|
Automatic based on heading styles.
|
|
Table of Contents
|
4
|
Can create Navigator window with TOC and index.
|
|
Macro Creation
|
4
|
DocTohelp and ForeHelp tie with easy to use dialog boxes with drop-down lists to
choose macro parameters.
|
|
Multimedia/Graphics
|
3
|
16 million color support.
|
|
Debugging
|
3
|
Comprehensive error checking, provides error report file.
|
|
Project Management
|
2
|
Little project management capability because it is document based. Can
farm out files using Word’s Master/Include capabilities.
|
|
Testing
|
2
|
Must compile to test.
|
ForeHelp
|
Feature
|
Rating
|
Comments
|
|
Ease of Learning
|
5
|
DocToHelp and ForeHelp tie in this area, your choice depends on which context
you prefer to work in.
|
|
Testing
|
5
|
WYSIWYG environment -- you can test jumps as you author, fast test mode.
Relies on help compiler for debugging.
|
|
Multimedia/Graphics
|
4
|
WYSIWYG SHED tool integrates graphical hot spot editing right into your
project. 16 million color support.
|
|
Macro Creation
|
4
|
DocToHelp and ForeHelp tie with easy to use dialog boxes with drop-down lists
to choose macro parameters.
|
|
Project Management
|
4
|
Graphical-link view is a little easier to use than RoboHELP.
|
|
Topic Creation
|
4
|
Easy to create manually or from TOC.
|
|
Index Creation
|
4
|
Straightforward.
|
|
Print Capabilities
|
3
|
Converts your help file to RTF files, creating TOC, glossary, and index.
|
|
Table of Contents
|
3
|
Perfectly acceptable TOC creation and topic management.
|
|
Browse Sequence
|
3
|
Cannot create automatically, but straightforward creation and management.
|
|
Debugging
|
2
|
Relies on help compiler for debugging.
|
|
HTML Conversion
|
n/a
|
Can generate HTML with add-on.
|
HDK
|
Feature
|
Rating
|
Comments
|
|
Multimedia/Graphics
|
5
|
Provides many more options, including animations and animated text.
|
|
Table of Contents
|
5
|
Can create dynamic TOC frame, and add your own lists to it.
|
|
Macro Creation
|
5
|
Has its own “plain English” scripting language. More powerful than help
macros. Graphical front end for some WinHelp macros.
|
|
Project Management
|
5
|
Powerful project management tools, but not quite as easy as RoboHELP. Master/Slave
file linking good workgroup feature.
|
|
Topic Creation
|
5
|
Topic styles are powerful and give you complete control over many aspects.
|
|
Browse Sequence
|
5
|
Automatically creates browse sequences based on topic styles. Can then
edit.
|
|
Index Creation
|
4
|
Straightforward. High degree of control.
|
|
Debugging
|
4
|
Extensive error checking before you compile. Can click on error to go to
it.
|
|
Testing
|
3
|
Can test individual pages, extensive error checking before you compile.
|
|
Ease of Learning
|
2
|
Highest learning curve because it has the most power and features. Better
documentation would help.
|
|
HTML Conversion
|
n/a
|
Can generate HTML with add-on. Add-on would probably bring HDK to a 5 rating.
|
|
Print Capabilities
|
n/a
|
Can print using Hypershelf add-on.
|
RoboHELP
Feature |
Rating |
Comments |
Debugging |
5 |
Reports help with debugging, link view shows broken links. |
Project Management |
4.5 |
Reports, graphical view including broken links. Easy to use drag-and-drop
project and element management, but not as powerful as HDK. |
Topic Creation |
4.5 |
Not quite as powerful as HDK, but drag and drop interface is a bit more
intuitive. |
Browse Sequence |
4 |
Can automatically create browse sequence, one per document file (not quite
as automatic as DocToHelp). Drag and Drop browse sequence creation and management.
|
Index Creation |
4 |
Straightforward. Drag-and-drop makes this easier.
|
Table of Contents |
3.5 |
Drag-and-drop TOC management makes this easier.
|
Ease of Learning |
3 |
High learning curve, lots of icons to learn.
|
Print Capabilities |
3 |
Converts your help file to RTF files, creating TOC, glossary, and index
|
Macro Creation |
3 |
Dialog box, but you have to fill in your own parameters. Good Macro help
file, though.
|
Testing |
2.5 |
Will show you static page in help window. |
Multimedia/Graphics |
2 |
256 color support. |
HTML Conversion |
2 |
Very Plain HTML. |
|
Contact Information
|
Mike Hendry
email: 102701.1465@compuserve.com
Webpage: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/mhendry
|
