Are .chm files outdated technology?

Hi, all,
I'm researching the next step (technology-wise) for our help files. Currently, I am using RH8 and generate our help using HTML help, thus creating a .chm file. The application for which I create help is Windows-based. So far, all of my research indicates that .chm files continue to be the standard for Windows-based applications. Also, we use context-senstive help (click F1 in the field and the help for that definition displays), and we do not want to get rid of that functionality. That is another reason we are stuck with .chm files--it's the only format I'm aware of that allows context-sensitive help.
I suppose my question is if anyone is aware of a "newer" and more "modern" output that still allows me to use context-sensitive help. Also, our developers may be using Silverlight in the future--not sure if that will have any effect on my research or not...
I appreciate your feedback!

Hi there
Based on what you posted I see other questions. I'll copy what you posted and intersperse answers (and questions) inline.
I'm researching the next step (technology-wise) for our help files. Currently, I am using RH8 and generate our help using HTML help, thus creating a .chm file.
Fair enough. But keep in mind that the output depends on other unknown factors.
The application for which I create help is Windows-based.
Windows-based. While I'm certain you meant that it only runs on the Windows platform, it could still be a Windows application that runs from a server. So the big question here is to ask where the application exists when the user runs it. Local PC or from a Network drive? If local PC, CHM is your answer. But if you want the help on the network, WebHelp or FlashHelp is the answer. More on this later.
So far, all of my research indicates that .chm files continue to be the standard for Windows-based applications.
Assuming you mean locally installed applications, that's mostly right. Again, more later.
Also, we use context-senstive help (click F1 in the field and the help for that definition displays), and we do not want to get rid of that functionality.
You don't have to. WebHelp, FlashHelp and AIRHelp all have the same functionality.
That is another reason we are stuck with .chm files--it's the only format I'm aware of that allows context-sensitive help.
Nope. As I said earlier, CSH exists in many shapes and sizes.
I suppose my question is if anyone is aware of a "newer" and more "modern" output that still allows me to use context-sensitive help.
Yep. WebHelp and FlashHelp are newer and more "Modern" looking. So is AIR Help. What it boils down to is how "Modern" you want it to look, as well as other factors I'll describe later.
Also, our developers may be using Silverlight in the future--not sure if that will have any effect on my research or not...
I'm not sure about Silverlight either. But it seems to me that Silverlight is falling by the wayside. I base that judgement on viewing some popular web sites that once had Silverlight apps running, but have since moved back to Flash. I'm guessing there is a reason they made that move.
It would seem to me that AIR Help may be what you are looking for here. But only you can decide that once you know its strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths:
Looks newer.
Able to easily update help later.
Able to use user added commenting if using the locally installed AIR Help.
Weaknesses:
Must be installed like an application
In addition to each user having to install AIR Help, they must also download and install the AIR viewer application prior to installing the AIR Help package.
Must have a digitally signed certificate - Allows one to be created, but it's not the same as purchasing one. Users may be hinky over that.
Not easily customized. You are bound by the look and feel Adobe decides to offer. They do offer some customization, such as adding a Company Logo, but you cannot change the colors or the layout.
I don't believe user added commenting is possible for Web Based AIR Help.
User commenting isn't easy to discover for locally installed AIR Help.
There is more on the AIR Help format over on fellow Adobe Community Professional Peter Grainge's site.
Click here to visit Peter's site
Cheers... Rick
Helpful and Handy Links
RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form
Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7 or 8 within the day - $24.95!
Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training
SorcerStone Blog
RoboHelp eBooks

Similar Messages

Hyperlinks to XLS, DOC, and PDF files that are included in a .chm file work intermittently.

SUMMARY
Hyperlinks to XLS, DOC, and PDF files that are included in a
.chm file (and the Baggage Files) only work intermittently. The
only solution appears to be deleting the Temporary Internet Files.
PROBLEM
1. I place the XLS, DOC, or PDF file in the Windows
sub-directory that corresponds to the RoboHelp project sub-folder
where the topic in which I’ll place the hyperlink exists.
2. I open the help project in RoboHelp HTML.
3. I right-click on the project’s Baggage Files
sub-folder that corresponds to the Windows sub-directory in which I
placed the XLS, DOC, or PDF file (in step 1).
4. I import the XLS, DOC, or PDF file.
5. I open the topic in which I’m going to place the
hyperlink in the WYSIWYG editor.
6. I “drag and drop” the Baggage File into the
topic (in the WYSIWYG editor) to create a link to it.
7. I save the changes and then generate HTML (.chm) help.
8. I open the .chm file and click the hyperlink. The XLS,
DOC, or PDF file may or may not open.
9. When the hyperlink works correctly, for DOC and XLS files,
a “File Download – Security Warning” dialog box
appears asking, “Do you want to open or save this
file?”. The buttons that are available are
“Open”, “Save”, and “Cancel”.
These buttons work then as one would expect. (When the hyperlink
works correctly for a PDF file, it simply opens the PDF file in a
new window; there’s no prompt to save, open, or cancel.)
10. When a hyperlink does NOT work, for DOC, XLS, and PDF
files, no dialog box or other visual message is displayed. Instead,
the sound that is associated with the “Exclamation”
program event is played (the “Windows XP
Exclamation.wav” file is the WinXP default).
Other Notes:
- The hyperlinks ALWAYS work when I view a topic using the
“View Selected Item” function (Ctrl+W) in the RoboHelp
HTML project.
- Once a hyperlink stops working, it will not start working
again until I delete all the Temporary Internet Files.
- A hyperlink will stop working even if Internet Explorer
(iexplore.exe) is closed the entire time.
WORKAROUND
Through trial and error, I have discovered that if a
hyperlink stops working, I can get it to work again using the
following steps:
1. Leave the .chm file open.
2. Open Internet Explorer.
3. Click Tools>Internet Options….
4. From the “Internet Options” dialog box, select
the “General” tab.
5. Under the “Temporary Internet Files” section,
click the “Delete Files…” button.
6. From the “Delete Files” dialog box, select
“Delete all offline content” and then click
“OK”. The files are deleted and the “Delete
Files” dialog box closes.
7. Click “OK” to close the “Internet
Options” dialog box.
8. Without closing Internet Explorer and without re-starting
the .chm file, all the hyperlinks that didn’t work before
will now work.
GENERAL SYSTEM INFORMATION
- Windows XP Pro, SP2
- Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.2180
- RoboHelp X5, 5.0.2 Build 801
- HTML (.chm) help project files exist on my local machine
- HTML (.chm) help file is run from my local machine
- Project is under RoboSource version control
TEMPORARY INTERNET SETTINGS
- “Check for newer versions of stored pages” is
set to “Automatically”
- “Current location” for the Temporary Internet
files folder is set to “C:\Documents and Settings\My
Username\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\”
- “Amount of disk space to use” is set to
“594” MB
“View Files…”
- An XLS or DOC file will be listed here if I click its
hyperlink and then click either “Open” or
“Save” from the “File Download – Security
Warning” dialog box.
- A file will appear here even if I click “Save”
and then click “Cancel” from the subsequent “Save
As” dialog box.
- If I click “Cancel” from the “File
Download – Security Warning” dialog box, the file does
not appear in the Temporary Internet Files folder.
- When a file does appear in the Temporary Internet Files
folder, its Internet Address is displayed similar to the following:
“ms-its:C:\PrimaryProjectFolder\ProjectName.chm::/SubFolderName/FileName.xls”
“View Objects…”
Here’s a list of all the program files that appear:
- “Microsoft Office Template and Media Control”
(Last Accessed 12/13/06) (Version 12,0,6024,0)
- “Shockwave ActiveX Control” (Last Accessed
12/14/06) (Version 10,1,4,20)
- “Shockwave Flash Object” (Last Accessed
12/18/06) (Version 9,0,28,0)
- “Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool”
(Last Accessed 12/14/06) (Version 1,5,722,0)
- “WUWebControl Class” (Last Accessed 12/13/06)
(Version 5,8,0,2469)
Today is 12/18/06 so the only program file that is listed as
having been “Last Accessed” today is the
“Shockwave Flash Object”.
REQUEST FOR HELP
I really want to include certain PDF, DOC, and XLS files in
their native format in a .chm file. However, I need a better
solution to my problem than the one I discovered. What I really
want is to avoid the entire problem altogether.
Have anyone seen this before or have any suggestions?

You wont be able to do that. The embedded objects would appear as images only.

Invalid HTML tag - Is this true? Child .chm files cannot have underscores in name?

I’ve been having the following problem:
file mk:@MSITStore: … xxx.chm::/xxx.hhc contains an invalid HTML tag
In more detail what happens:
You click on the .chm file to open it and you get a dialog with an error message:
The file mk:@MSITStore:E:\p4_work\1663\isentris\isentris\end-user\trunk\src\Symyx_Isentris\!SSL!\M icrosoft_HTML_Help\Symyx_Isentris.chm::/Symyx_Isentris.hhc contains an invalid HTML tag
There is an OK button and when you click that, then the .chm file opens just fine.
All child .chms open fine when I click on them.
This merged help project worked fine until I upgraded from RH X5 to RH7. I hadn’t changed anything. Then I started reading the forum (RoboHelp HTML Help).
What I’ve done so far:·         Upgraded all help projects from RH X5 to HR7.
·         Regenerated all .chm files, added them again to parent help project’s TOC. Child .chm files open fine.
·         Regenerated a new parent .chm.
So, I see that one of Colum's answers in another thread was to make sure that none of the child .chms had underscores in the title.
>>>>>>>>>> !!!!!!!!   you mean that RoboHelp now does not accept underscores in .chm titles? Please don’t let it be so.
Also, several people said that they solved the problem like this:
·         “You will get this message if your merged CHMs are not in a book in your merged TOC. Check that. “ You mean I have to associate a book icon with each child .chm in the parent’s TOC?
·         My guess is that the merged project should be placed inside a book in the main project's TOC. You'll just have to rearrange the subprojects TOCs so you don't have books inside books.
What does “in a book” mean? See my attached jpegs. The child project’s TOC is in book form … within the child project. However, in the parent project’s TOC, the child projects are shown with that merged symbol … kinda looks like a very angular G. Should I create books that link to destinations? Is that what I should do in the parent project’s TOC? Somehow that doesn’t look like it’s going to work – I looked at both dialogs – link and no link – neither one looked like it would work.
Thanks so much for your help!!

When you have a directory path in the TOC, that means that the directory structure should match. So for example:
TOC (in parent.chm)
!SSL!\Microsoft_HTML_Help\symyx_client.chm
symyx_for_excel.chm
End folder structure: (+ for folder, - for file)
+ Help
   - parent.chm
   - symyx_for_excel.chm
     + !SSL!
        + Microsoft_HTML_Help
           - symyx_client.chm
Now if the symyx_client file shows up okay after the error message, possibly the parent chm file is smart enough to correct for the directory structure not being there, but a file with the correct name existing in the same directory as the parent.
We've always tried to ensure out merge references don't have a path - RH has the annoying habit of requiring the chm file to be copied into the root, but we just delete it after the first build, as it shouldn't need to be there for the actual compile process. In fact, we've had problems with the chm being physically built into our parent chm, drastically increasing the file size and resulting in duplicate and outdated topics in search. We leave the file there for the first build as sometimes the merge doesn't work first go without it; I think it has to do with how it gets added to the hhp file.
To test that our merge works, we just copy a couple of the files into the same folder (e.g. c:\temp\test) to double-check. We need this process as our clients get different combinations of the total chm files built into our parent.
Something else I've just thought of is maybe there is something strange happening in the actual hhc file. Do you have any topics in that TOC with characters other than a-z, 0-9 and underscore in the filename (in the topic title should be okay, but maybe some particularly odd ones might cause an issue)?
Amber

Index in .chm file is incorrect

Hi,
I'm using RoboHelp X5 with Windows XP SP3. I have an index that is correct in RoboHelp but not in the .chm file. In RoboHelp, I have General Ledger as a keyword and several sub-keywords. However, in the .chm file, the sub-keywords show up under General Ledger Journal instead of General Ledger. I've attached screen shots of both at the bottom of this post, and I've pasted the applicable section of the project's .hhk file. (The .hhk file is really long, so I didn't want to insert the whole thing.)
While troubleshooting this issue, my coworker changed the keyword from General Ledger to General edger, and that fixed the problem, but obviously we can't keep it that way.
I tried the following:
Compared that section of the HHK file to others. I may have missed something, but it looked OK to me.
Started the project, deleted the HHK file, and then saved a change to the index so RH regenerated the HHK file.
Deleted the .cpd file.
Deleted and reentered all of the keywords.
When the issue first started, the General Ledger subkeywords appeared under Future Periods instead of General Ledger Journal - I'm not sure what I did to change that, but I think it was when I deleted and then reentered the Future Periods keyword.
Unfortunately, none of these worked.I saw another thread with a similar issue where the solution was to create a second index and copy the keywords to it, but I don't think X5 allows a second index.
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
<li><object type="text/sitemap">
    <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Journal">
    <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Journal">
    <param name="Local" value="GLOverviews\GLJournal_Overview.htm">
</object>
<ul>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="overview">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Journal">
      <param name="Local" value="GLOverviews\GLJournal_Overview.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="fields">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Journal - Fields">
      <param name="Local" value="GLFields\GLJournal_Fields.htm">
    </object>
    </ul>
<li><object type="text/sitemap">
    <param name="Name" value="General Ledger">
</object>
<ul>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="account record layout">
      <param name="Name" value="Account Segments Record Layout">
      <param name="Local" value="GLConcepts\Account_Segments_Record_Layout.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="adding account groups">
      <param name="Name" value="Add or Change General Ledger Account Groups">
      <param name="Local" value="GLProcedures\Add_a_General_Ledger_Account_Group.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="adding accounts">
      <param name="Name" value="Add or Change General Ledger Accounts">
      <param name="Local" value="GLProcedures\Add_or_Change_a_General_Ledger_Account.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="daily activities flowchart">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Daily Activities Flowchart">
      <param name="Local" value="GLFlowcharts\GL_Daily_Activities_Flowchart.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="data, limiting export of">
      <param name="Name" value="Limit Export of General Ledger Data by Account Number">
      <param name="Local" value="GLProcedures\Limit_Export_of_General_Ledger_Data_by_Account_Number.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="deleting accounts">
      <param name="Name" value="Delete General Ledger Accounts">
      <param name="Local" value="GLProcedures\Delete_General_Ledger_Accounts.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="exporting information">
      <param name="Name" value="Export General Ledger Information">
      <param name="Local" value="GLProcedures\Export_General_Ledger_Information.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="features">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Overview">
      <param name="Local" value="GLConcepts\accounts_receivable_overview.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="flowcharts">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Maintenance Flowchart">
      <param name="Local" value="GLFlowcharts\General_Ledger_Maintenance_Flowchart.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="history, purging">
      <param name="Name" value="Purge General Ledger History">
      <param name="Local" value="GLProcedures\Purge_General_Ledger_History.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="import utilities">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Import Utilities">
      <param name="Local" value="GLConcepts\General_Ledger_Import_Utilities.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="importing information">
      <param name="Name" value="Import General Ledger Information">
      <param name="Local" value="GLProcedures\Import_General_Ledger_Information.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="integrating with Accounts Payable">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Overview">
      <param name="Local" value="GLConcepts\accounts_receivable_overview.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="integrating with Accounts Receivable">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Overview">
      <param name="Local" value="GLConcepts\accounts_receivable_overview.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="integrating with Advanced Consolidations">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Overview">
      <param name="Local" value="GLConcepts\accounts_receivable_overview.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="integrating with Cash Management">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Overview">
      <param name="Local" value="GLConcepts\accounts_receivable_overview.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="integrating with Inventory Management">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Overview">
      <param name="Local" value="GLConcepts\accounts_receivable_overview.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="integrating with Multicurrency Management">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Overview">
      <param name="Local" value="GLConcepts\accounts_receivable_overview.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="integrating with Purchase Order">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Overview">
      <param name="Local" value="GLConcepts\accounts_receivable_overview.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="overview">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Overview">
      <param name="Local" value="GLConcepts\accounts_receivable_overview.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="multicurrency reports">
      <param name="Name" value="Multicurrency Reports for General Ledger">
      <param name="Local" value="GLConcepts\Multicurrency_Reports_for_General_Ledger.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="period-end flowchart">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Period End Flowchart">
      <param name="Local" value="GLFlowcharts\General_Ledger_Period_End_Flowchart.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="Registers">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Registers">
      <param name="Local" value="GLConcepts\General_Ledger_Registers.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="reprinting transaction registers">
      <param name="Name" value="Reprint a General Ledger Transaction Register">
      <param name="Local" value="GLProcedures\Reprint_a_General_Ledger_Transaction_Register.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="transactions record layout">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Transactions Record Layout">
      <param name="Local" value="GLConcepts\GL_Transactions_Record_Layout.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="using reports as auditing tools">
      <param name="Name" value="General Ledger Reports as Auditing Tools">
      <param name="Local" value="GLConcepts\General_Ledger_Reports_as_Auditing_Tools.htm">
    </object>
    <li><object type="text/sitemap">
      <param name="Name" value="viewing account information">
      <param name="Name" value="View General Ledger Account Information">
      <param name="Local" value="GLProcedures\View_General_Ledger_Account_Information.htm">
    </object>
    </ul>
<li><object type="text/sitemap">
    <param name="Name" value="Future Periods">
    <param name="Name" value="Future Periods">
    <param name="Local" value="GLConcepts\Future_Periods.htm">
</object>
</ul>
</html>

Hi there
Are you using any Build Tags along with a Build Expression to control the output?
I ask because the screen capture of the CHM seems to intimate that General Ledger is absent from the list. If it was linked to a topic and the topic was removed from the build, it would seem to make sense.
Cheers... Rick
Helpful and Handy Links
RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form
Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7, 8 or 9 within the day!
Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training
SorcerStone Blog
RoboHelp eBooks

Unable to open .chm file from a link in Weblogic 7.0

Unable to open .chm file from a link in weblogic server. But the same
jsp code works in Websphere
Sample Code :

The above link, works well in websphere. help is a folder that
resides in the server. But when i tried to execute the same in
Weblogic, some junk characters appeared . so i tried to direct the
link to Display.jsp and passed the path of the chm file as the
parameter. I cleared teh out buffer using out.clearBuffer() . i set
the content type to application/x-msdownload and also set the header
to content disposition.
Nothing worked .
I also tried another way.. That is the following
I even tried including the mime type
<mime-mapping>
<extension>chm</extension>
<mime-type>application/x-msdownload</mime-type>
</mime-mapping>
in the web.xml file. and still it doesnt work
Nothing Worked . What should i do ? I need immediate help to sort out
this issue. Can anybody help me
- Angel

This could be a Launch Services issue. The following article describes how to manually reset Launch Services — the notes at the bottom of the article also provide information about the side effects of deleting each of the files involved:
Resetting Launch Services
If you prefer using a cache cleaning utility instead of following the manual procedure described in the previous article, take a look at this other article for general troubleshooting and cache-cleaning procedures. Actually, you should also verify/repair the startup disk (not just permissions), as described there:
Resolving Disk, Permission, and Cache Corruption
The most appropriate utility for this particular problem probably is Tiger Cache Cleaner, but you may also want to consider other utilities, such as OnyX, or Cache Out X, which are free. Whatever utility you choose, be sure to read this first:
Side effects of System cache cleaning
As an example, this is how you should proceed with OnyX:
1. Quit all applications.
2. Launch OnyX and enter your administrator password.
3. Go to Maintenance > Reset and check LaunchServices database.
4. Un-check any other pre-checked options.
5. Click the Execute button.
6. Restart the computer.
BTW, if you’re running Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger), as your profile indicates, it would have been more appropriate to discuss this in the Mail & Address Book - Tiger forum. If the discussion applies to both Mail 1.x and Mail 2.x, it doesn’t really matter, but it’s difficult to know that in advance.

Script error when viewing CHM file

I recieved this error message when attempting to view the page in a CHM file that contains a Captivate demo:
The demo was imported to FrameMaker and the FrameMaker files are live links in RoboHelp to make the CHM. Captivate and FrameMaker files reside on network, and RH project is on local drive. I cannot get rid of the error message by selecting either yes or no, so I can't navigate any further in the CHM file.

Check this link out for some possible solutions.
The RoboColum(n)
@robocolumn
Colum McAndrew

Plus/Minus Squares in .chm file

Hi Everyone...
Two questions, thanks in advance for the help. FYI: Using RoboHelp HTML, ver 8 with a project that has multiple folders and topics; also using it in a shared environment with multiple users, using RoboSource for version control.
1. Any ideas as to how I can enable the "Plus/Minus Squares" option in HTML Help - Advanced Settings? I want to generate a .chm file that has the plus and minus signs next to the book icons. I found the settings in the HTML Help Options - Microsoft HTML Help but they're grayed out. Trying to figure out how I can enable them so I can generate the .chm with the signs in help file output.
2. I have two topics that "disappear" everytime I go out of RoboHelp and come back in. I need to import them each time I open the project. I can see them in RoboSource. I can't find any way to unhide them -- I swear there was a way to just "unhide" them from RoboSource that I've used in the past but can't remember how I did it (senior moment, that won't end....).
Thanks!!

Hi there
I'm not sure exactly why, but this goes back to the eHelp days. In their infinite wisdom, the developers decided that you would never ever want Plus Minus Squares unless you FIRST wanted Lines From Root!
So enable the Lines From Root and the Plus Minus squares should become enabled.
On the topics you don't see, I'm wondering if at some point you saw a message about files being outside the project and therefore not being shown in RoboHelp. If so, there was a dialog with a check box you could select that says "Don't show me this again". And sure enough, you aren't seeing the message that alerts you there are missing files.
Cheers... Rick
Helpful and Handy Links
RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form
Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7 or 8 moments from now - $24.95!
Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training
SorcererStone Blog
RoboHelp eBooks

How can I open .chm files in Firefox?

I'm trying to open a .chm file in Firefox. I've read that this is possible -- ultimately, I want to save the content out as something more accessible. But whether I right-click the .chm file in Windows Explorer, and use "Open with ... Firefox", or use the File/open menu command from within Firefox itself, it merely brings up a dialog box in Firefox asking me where to save the file, with the same filename and filetype extension. I save the file, and the pattern repeats. It never opens.
I can open the file in the Microsoft Help File utility, so I know it's a valid file, but that utility doesn't let me save or export it in any other format.
I've gone into Options/Applications in Firefox to set how this filetype is handled, but can't find any reference to Compiled Windows Help Files on the list in any form, and I don't know how to add it as an option.
How can I resolve this, please?
For reference, I'm running Firefox 35.0.1 on Windows 7 x64. Thanks for any help.

No, I know full well what .chm files are, and how to search for info about them. I'd rather have an answer to the specific question I asked, which I asked for specific reasons.
You seem to have ignored my question, and leapt to massive assumptions about what I "really" need, and it's puzzling that you persist with them even after I've told you your assumptions are wrong. Your answers come across as somewhat patronising, maybe intentionally so - is that what you intended? Why would you do that?

Problem with opening a chm file in java.

Hi all,
I m having an application in which i need to open a chm file from some gui interface. I m using the following code for that...
Process theProcess =Runtime.getRuntime().exec("hh.exe RWXml.chm");
it is working fine on my machine. But when i deploy the code on other machine, It shows some windows error. And when i give the same command on commandline it is working fine. Can anybody tell me that what's wrong with this code.
Thanks

Nothing to do with ID. It really means what it says - your file permissions are hosed and it being an ID file this could include things like fonts or placed images referenced within it.
Mylenium

Performance impact on the size of the CHM file

Is there any impact on performance depending on the size of a
CHM file?

The main issues people have with help file performance
(regardless of whether it is a CHM file) are related to the number
of images, DHTML hotspots, bookmarks and links they have in a
topic. The number of topics in a CHM should not be an issue. What
exactly are you trying to access the performance impact of?

Importing CHM files

I inherited a user manual, originally in the form of a
monolithic MS Word document from which PDFs could be created in any
number of ways - and an outsourced RH *.chm help file.
We have moved to the Tech Comm Suite (patched.to latest
level).
I have successfully converted the manual to a FM book, the
PDF's are fine and I can even generate an RH file - of sorts.
To get the RH formating to be as before I tried to
open/import/... the old CHM file - without success, despite the
existence of instructions how to do it in the RH Help - do a search
on "Decompile". The so-called HTML studio doesn't exist in the TCS
version of RH.
(There are third party decompilers, but they are less than
satisfactory since there is no obvious way to use their output with
RH.)
What now?

Hi all
As my friend and colleague Peter stated, the offline help
works better. So why my post? It's to advise that you may need to
close and restart RoboHelp in order to see a change in the help you
get from RoboHelp. At least, on my PC I have to. Maybe others will
be different. But I thought I'd mention it in case you decide to
try it and didn't see anything change.
Cheers... Rick

Trying to Link from CSH to Second (Custom) Window within same .CHM file

We are using RH8 on Windows XP Pro 2002, SP3, outputting CHM.
Background
Our single help source has 2 custom window definitions--one for context sensitive topics (tall and narrow, opens on right, no TOC, always on top) and the second for the main help window (shorter and wider, opens with TOC, in center). The intent is to enable the user fast access to field descriptions via the CSH, but then to link to the main help for those who want to peruse more background information. Thus our goal is to allow two help windows to be open at the same time.
In our CSH windows we are ‘writing to the box,’ and our text is brief. Our long-term design goal for the current CSH content is to create what we envision using in an embedded help pane during the next major product release. We need the CSH window to obscure only a small portion of the application real estate, hence the ‘tall narrow’ window design.
In our CSH topics, we want to add a link that when clicked opens up the separate main help using its own window definition, at a specific topic we specify on a case-by-case basis.
We have tried
First we started with a simple hyperlink, but that opens Main in the CSH window.
Next we tried HTML design time controls, but the second window opens in a browser window.
Then we tried using shortcuts, which worked well temporarily, however they lost their definitions (‘program parameters’ on shortcut tab especially) for some reason. Are there any fixes for this?
We have tried searching the RH help system and the forums but we have not a specific answer.
Can anyone help point us in the right direction to be able to meet our design goals? Are we missing something obvious or are we tilting at windmills?
Thanks!
Sue

Hi there
That link doesn't even work for me when I paste it into the address bar of my Firefox browser. It does work in IE, but not in Firefox. In Firefox it opens the PDF generically.
I tested in a CHM and it did try and link, but it presents a black page. Looks like the correct page, but it's blacked out.
CHM files rely upon elements of Internet Explorer to display their content. So perhaps it's something specific to a certain version of Internet Explorer as well as a certain version of the Acrobat Reader.
Cheers... Rick
Helpful and Handy Links
RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form
Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7, 8 or 9 within the day!
Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training
SorcerStone Blog
RoboHelp eBooks

Is there any file carver technology tool to recover from a HDD only a group of named jpg files

Is there any file carver technology tool to recover from a HDD only a group of named jpg files that i lost? I lost 500 jpg files in my iPhoto library named i.e from 1.jpg to 500.jpg and I want to recover ONLY them from an 1TB external WD My Book e-sata disk, to avoid time waste and unwanted jpg files.
I' ve used data recovery software as Photorec, but it recovers all the jpgs it can find, it can't search for specific name files and as it uses its own naming for the files it recovers, i have thousands of photos to look up and find these i really want.Not to mention so much waiting time.
Even if you know other technology tool that can help me please tell me.
I've also used StellarPhoenixMacDataRecovery that is not file carving tool, but with similar results.

Prosoft Data Rescue may be what you need. Others may work that way, that are described here:
My data has become inaccessible, and I don't have a backup!

RoboHelp HTML does not generate .chm file

We have a large help system for F1 help with about 2,000 help
topics in about 50 different Word .doc files. We had used RoboHelp
for Word previously, but with the goal of generating a single .chm
help file, we tried using RoboHelp HTML to change the Word .doc
files to .htm files. RoboHelp HTML does this conversion and creates
2,000 .htm files.
When we try to generate the .chm file for the help system,
RoboHelp for HTML does not respond and does not create the .chm
file. Is RoboHelp HTML not capable of handling such a big help
system? Are there any workarounds to generate the .chm file
successfully?

Peter, thanks for your input. Here's where we are. We opened
RoboHelp HTML and converted the Word docs into .html files. Then we
were able to generate the .chm file (it worked this time) using
RoboHelp HTML. We have about 50 .gif images, and no external links.
The actual number of HTML files with help topics is close to
4,000 for this F1 field help in our application. Ideally, we would
love to have a master project with sub-projects, but it doesn't
appear as a practical alternative. The .hh file (for F1 field help)
is generated from the application by the developer and given to us.
In order to have a master project and slave projects, we
would have to manually split that automatically-generated.hh file
into individual .hh files, true? That means we would have to
correlate which .html help topic file corresponds with which map id
number, then chalk out how we want to divide the .html help topics
into individual projects that correspond to their .hh files?
This help system I inherited is 10 years old, and the
resource time we would spend (if we chose to modularize this help
system) would be gigantic in scope. If there is a simpler and
efficient way to modularize our F1 help system, I would love to
hear about it!

Map ID Processing for a CHM file

This is just a question so I understand fully how this
works...
I have created a Map file for my project and assigned numeric
map ID's to each topic that needs to be linked from my application
to my CHM file. I have a topic with:
Topic Title = "Historical HPI Data Viewer"
File Name in source = "Historical_HPI_Viewer_Overview.htm"
MapID = 60
My developers use the map ID of 60 and are having a problem
getting to the topic (all other maps work). Not sure what the
problem is just yet (developer just emailed this morning that "it's
not coming up"). I tested in the CSH tester in the Tools tab and it
works fine.
I just want to understand how the CHM file interprets the map
ID sent to it and would like to know how the map ID works with the
topic and the call from the application.
Does RoboHelp put the map ID in the topic source somewhere?
I cannot find any notation of the map id in the topic source.
Is this put into the CHM file when compiled or does it
interpret the Map ID to the Topic Title?
What if the topic title is modified and no new Map file is
generated, is this a problem?
As always, any information would be appreciated.
Thanks - Michael F Weart

Hi Michael.
There are two parts to context sensitive help. The first is
the map file that assigns a mapid number to a topic. This uses a
topic id that is linked to the file via the second element - the
alias file. This file - look for the project's .ALI file - contains
the topic id and the file name. Hope this helps.

Are .chm files outdated technology?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for