WebHelp
WebHelp Overview
Key Resources
Recommended Reading
Online Communities & Discussion Lists
WebHelp Overview
WebHelp is a Help delivery format developed by eHelp Corporation, the developers of RoboHelp. WebHelp enables browser-independent, platform-independent online Help and electronic books using a combination of HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, Java, and ActiveX.
To create WebHelp, authors use RoboHelp to create a WinHelp or HTML Help system, and then use RoboHelp's "generate" feature to convert the Help system to WebHelp format. WebHelp systems are distributed as a collection of individual files that are not compressed or compiled. This makes WebHelp a good format for publishing Help on a Web or intranet server, though it can also be deployed as locally installed Help.
In order to view a WebHelp system, users must have version 4 or later of either Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator on a Windows, Macintosh, or UNIX computer. Due to implementation differences in the various browser versions, the same Help system may look and act differently, depending on the user's browser and platform.
See a screen shot of WebHelp
View
a sample WebHelp Help system
Key Resources
Note: If you are creating WebHelp Help systems, you will benefit from being familiar with core Web technologies like HTML and CSS. This is true even if you are using a Help authoring tool.
Recommended Reading
There are currently no third-party books on WebHelp.
Online Communities & Discussion Lists
HATT - The Help Authoring Tools and Technologies group is a moderated discussion list for topics related to Help authoring and online information design and development. The HATT group was formed when the old WINHLP-L discussion list was closed. Discussion topics include help technologies like WinHelp, HTML Help, JavaHelp, WebHelp, and WinHelp 2000, authoring tools from various vendors, and issues related to design, development, and deployment of online Help systems. You can participate in the group through its Web interface or subscribe and receive messages by e-mail. David Knopf is a moderator of the HATT list, which has more than 2,000 subscribers worldwide.
eHelp's "RoboHelp Community" Web site - eHelp, the developer of RoboHelp, sponsors this Web site/mailing list to provide support to current RoboHelp users. The Web site offers a knowledge base, as well as discussion forums. You can participate in the discussion forums by e-mail or directly on the Web site.
