The Help system sucks so badly it's unbelievable!

Sorry,
I don't usually rant on these forums.
But it is unbelievable how badly things work when you hit F1 in an Adobe application these days.
The actualy help content, if and when you can find it, is okay.
But getting there is the worst experience possible.
I've been using the Creative Suite since CS2. The CS2 Help Center was a dream compared to anything we've got now.
Here's a case study:
Using Acrobat XI, with Hebrew support (this is now a 100% Adobe product -- no Winsoft involved).
Searching unsuccessfully for the Measurement tool (know where it is in Acrobat 7, can't find it in XI).
Click on Help.
Get taken to a website that's all in Hebrew. Did I ask to be given help in Hebrew? No. The user interface of Acrobat is in English, thanks..
I type "measurement tool" in the search box on that help page. Get taken to some stupid search-results page about Photoshop!
For crying out loud!?!
Go back to the F1 page.
See, in Hebrew, that there is an option to change language. Change it to English. Just changing the language takes me to what looks like the Adobe home page.
So I go to the Acrobat Product help. Type in "measurement tool". Get a bunch of pathetic search results from the "Adobe community".
This is unbelievably pathetic.
In CS2, you press F1. A very nice Help Center opens -- full of offline content.
It used to have an INDEX!! (Hooray!)
Do you realise how much better a man-made index is than search results will ever be!
If I had an index, I would look up "Measurement tool" and that would be the end of it.
I do not need online content by default.
AARGH!
I know why this is happening, too: I beta-tested a number of CS6 products for the MENA program. The HELP is NEVER ready during beta. So at least the MENA help system has not been beta-tested. Fact.
This sucks very badly.
Thanks for reading.
Ariel

bio-shock wrote:
@michael
I don't think I said I time my device and turn it off. I said it usually takes no longer than an hour.
And as for leaving items charging over night I suggest you search not even google! but this forum to find cases of fires caused by iphone charging ... Taking the risk of leaving it plugged in just because 99.9 % of the time it'll be ok or because you have been doing it for years is not a risk ill be taking with mine and my family's life. Dramatic .. Maybe... A reality yes. Lets face it I can't claim off an insurance underwriter if I'm dead can I
I can only assume then that you unplug every single electronic device in your home then and cut power to all internal wiring as well, as many appliances, lights and so forth, not to mention many building's internal wiring, have a far greater risk of electrical fire than most modern solid state electronic devices.
There are now, hundreds of millions of iPhones used around the world by now, and they are not spontaineously combusting at anything even remotely approaching a frequency to cause concern.

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http://helpx.adobe.com/dreamweaver/kb/error-help-system-cannot-launched.html
I followed the steps as best I could, but it hasn't fixed the problem.
am I overlooking something?

I've received that error before, and although the error message is completely wrong, the cause was that I was not connected to the Internet.
When you press F1 (or go to Help > Dreamweaver Help), Dreamweaver tries to connect to the product documentation online; if it can connect to it, it opens your browser to the main topics page. If it can't connect, then it tries to open the local PDF file of the documentation instead.
I got this error because I did not yet have the local PDF file, which may be the cause for you as well.
This forum thread, along with its associated KB article, explain how to correct this:
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1007704
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Why does reindex documents at Server in the Configuration Manager break the help system?

Background:
So, I have a nice hosted help system on Server 9. I'm using the Access database since it's a light load project. It works OK. All admin features work OK (except groups and users bug, unrelated), including reports on search and usage. So, I have been having a devil of a time making a particular search term work in my project: UTS. It's an acronym for a system at my work, and it's important that users be able to search on it. UTS is in several Heading 1s. It's not in the stop list as a typo. Just to be sure, I deleted the whole stop list. I added "UTS" as a topic keyword. It still refuses to find any results. Also, I've noticed some other peculiarities with search: the "context" displayed below the search result is supposed to show the word you searched for in its context, but it never does in my search results. It just shows the first words of the document it's listed as a hit in search. The search is not bad, but these two bugs were odd enough to me to start rooting around for solutions.
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I noticed in all the Server documentation that Adobe crows about the wonderful full text search powered by Lucene, and how it's checked "on" by default in all contexts. It's not in mine. When I check "reindex documents at server," it breaks the project. Literally--Server can't find the project anymore, web calls come back with no answer. Uncheck the box, A-OK. So, why is this wonderful search technology not available to me? Is it because it's not available when using default Access? Or is something else going on here?
many thanks in advance.
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Identify the Source System in CRM BADI

Hi,
I need to write the code in ORDER_SAVE BADI in CRM based on the source system. For example, When i create the quotation in PCUI i need to validate few fields. Suppose i have created quotaton in R/3 and it gets transfer to CRM and i need validate few more fields.
How do i findout in BADI whether the source system is PCUI or R/3? I have checked the SYST table but no difference in both the case. Anyother way to findout this.
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Bala.c

Hello Bala,
In the ORDERADM_H structure of the CRM_ORDER_READ or in the CRMD_ORDERADM_H table you find a field called LOGICAL_SYSTEM. In that field the RFC destination of the source system (source system = where the order/transaction was created) will be stored.
For PCUI this field will have the RFC destination of the CRM server itself.
For R/3 it will have the RFC destination of the R/3 system.
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Reward points if useful!
Regards,
Joost

The "Help" system

I'm having a "***" moment here.
I'm struggling with the "snap mode" setting (it won't stay 'on'/remember my current selection). So I do a search for "snap" via the "Help" menu. Why doesn't it display Logic-specific items? The Help Menu action is highlighting menu actions that match the search criteria and then general Mac help, but isn't showing my any Logic-specific information. I've verified this by searching on a large number of terms (i.e. Tempo, MIDI, etc.).
Is this standard behavior? Any ideas?

Do the same search in the Logic PDF manual within Logic and you will get a lot of answers.

Can anyone get the help system to work?

I am trialling PSE 8 using a Windows 7 64bit machine.
Whenever I select help - either from the main menu or anywhere else in the product it just crashes.
As far as I can see this software does not work and I wondered if anyone had an luck with it. The Adobe support system doesnt seem to want to take questions from trial customers as PSE8 is not listed when trying to contact support - I guess that means they know it doesnt work and dont want to have lots of questions.
Very frustrated with this product at the moment
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Perform the steps as per below doc based on if you have issue with Global Scheduled Services or Project Publications
P6 Global Scheduled Services Are Stuck In A "Running" State [ID 1400104.1]
P6 Project Data Is Not Being Published Via The Publication Services [ID 1333858.1]
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Where is help system for the current version of Dreamweaver?

It appears the product links to a help system with deprecated information. I was looking for information inserting named anchor tags and there is information - but it is not relevant to CC. Is there some way to get to a help system that aligns with the current release? Is the help system itself a deprecated feature?

Named anchors are deprecated in HTML. DW removed them from DW CC quite a while back. Use IDs instead of named anchors.
<section id="one">Section 1</section>
<a href="#one">Link to section 1</a>
WHAT'S NEW & DEPRECATED?
The deprecated features list:
http://helpx.adobe.com/dreamweaver/using/the-new-modernized-dreamweaver-cc.html
New Features in CS6 12.2
http://helpx.adobe.com/dreamweaver/using/whats-new-dreamweaver-creative-cloud-release-feb- 2013.html
New Features in CC 13.0
http://helpx.adobe.com/dreamweaver/using/whats-new-dreamweaver-cc-2013.html
New Features in CC 13.1
http://helpx.adobe.com/dreamweaver/using/whats-new-dreamweaver-131.html
New Features in CC 13.2
http://helpx.adobe.com/dreamweaver/using/whats-new-dreamweaver-13-2.html
New Features in CC 2014 June Release
http://helpx.adobe.com/dreamweaver/using/whats-new-2014.html
New Features in CC 2014.1 October Release
http://helpx.adobe.com/dreamweaver/using/whats-new.html
That's the most up to date information I have.
Nancy O.

CS6 Help system problems

I have just downloaded and installed CS6 Master Collection and I have noticed that the help system in virtually all of the component programs does not operate either online or offline. Program by Program here are the results I received when attempting to launch "Help":
Adobe After Effects - no response at all
Adobe Audition - "Unable to display help for this topic - Error (10)"
Adobe Bridge - no response at all
Adobe Dreamweaver - "The help system cannot be launched because the help folder is missing. Reinstall Dreamweaver"
Adobe Encore - no response at all
Adobe Extension Manager - no response at all
Adobe Fireworks - no response at all
Adobe Flash Builder - Help Contents works however Flash Builder Help produces no response
Adobe Flash - no response at all
Adobe Illustrator - To access online help of to download help contents you need to be connected to the internet!
Adobe InDesign - Adobe Help Viewer is not installed and you are not connected to the internet. Re-Install!
Adobe Media Encoder - Adobe Help Client failed to launch
Adobe Photoshop - help could not be displayed because you are not connected to the internet
Adobe Prelude - no response at all
Adobe Premier Pro - no response at all
Adobe Speedgrade - No Help option is apparent
Needless to say - for all those warnings about not being connected to the internet - that I was connected!
Notes: I was running Comodo internet security so I uninstalled Comodo and CS6 and reinstalled the latter suite again without any security software in place whatsoever ... I got the same results as above both times.
I note several other posts on the internet about this same issue - all without resolution so far. Forgive me for being blunt but I would have thought that getting a help system in place and operating properly was critical for most users who will be unfamiliar with a new layout and interface or does Adobe just expect we are all going to rush out to purchase expensive instruction manuals?

Er ... surely there is a more appropriate answer than "the help client sucks" or doesn't anybody care that Adobe seem to be selling defective software at very high prices?
WRT PDF's - I would love to download these if only I could find out where to download them. Does anybody have a URL where these beasts may be found?

Bring back the Help pane!

I recently bought Flash CS4. Before this, I was used to working in Flash 8 Professional. One of the features of Flash 8 Professional I used the most was the Help pane, which displayed Flash's documentation (searchable) in a window inside Flash itself, without the need to go to a HTML file or an external web page.
Today, I started using Flash CS4, and was surprised to discover that the Help pane was (apparently) no longer a part of Flash!
So, my suggestion to the MacromediAdobe developers is: I (and, I'm sure, many others) would be grateful if you were to return in-program Help capabilities to Flash-- thanks in advance.
Everybody else: Do you feel the same way/do you have any idea why it was removed?

I don't think I've come across anyone who likes it without the help system built in. I haven't upgraded to CS4, and that is just one of the reasons for my avoiding it.
As to why they did it??? It's possiblte that like alot of the CS4 package it simply wasn't ready to be released, so they opted to leave it out... but that's just speculation on my part.
As far as letting Adobe know about your preference...
suggestions to Adobe - Wishlist
http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=wishform

Help system launches wrong browser when I search

When I search the help of Illustrator or Photoshop, it launches my Opera browser. I've only installed Opera for testing web designs. I don't like it. It's not my default browser. How can I make it launch my default browser, or how can I specify a browser for the help system?
I'm using CS4 on Windows 7. I've set the default browser in Windows. Additionally I've used 'Default Programs' to set the various browser file types to my default browser. The only place where Opera pops up is when I search the help system in the Adobe Creative Suite applications. Everywhere else, the correct browser is launched.

Thanks for the help. I decided to give it another shot, and bought a new card. Popped the new one in and it worked the first time. Didn't even need to disable the HD Audio option in the BIOS.Guess I got a dud the first time. Now I have to return the old card.

Help system production software

Hi,
I'm about to make a start on producing a software help system
and I am
wondering what options are open to me in terms of what
software is available
to produce this?
The help system will (most likely) consist of html pages and
potentially
include flash movies (i.e. "show me" movies)
It might also be useful to produce PDF documents for people
to print out as
they see fit... not sure about that.
I'm aware of RoboHelp that seems to cover my needs - are
there any other
offerings out there?
Any advice/suggestions appreciated.
Is a HTML with Flash help system the best way to go?
Better/alternative suggestions?
Cheers,
Rob
http://robgt.com

Thanks Darrel, I'll keep an eye on that list.
Sadly, due to the exceptionally poor execution of Yahoos
password retrieval
system (waaaaaaay too complex and easy to forget a single
piece of required
information stuffing the whole process in a single bound) I
now have an
inactive account and am unable to subscribe to that list...
Gaaaaaaaah!
Thats half an hour of my life I ain't getting back... thank
you Yahoo.
Grrr!
[several deleted expletives]
</vent>
Cheers,
Rob
http://robgt.com

Help system error message

Using Mac Indesign 3.0 (first version of Creative Suite), the Help system has stopped working. All I get is: "There is a problem with the Help system. Please rerun the installer." Re-installing does no good. Need help!
No recent changes on the computer, and Photoshop's Help system still works. Using an Intel iMac with OS X 10.5.6, 2 gigs ram, ample harddrive space.

Sure someone can. Usually guy, who would know how to turn off your computer or network firewalls. If you do know how to do that yourself, do and see if that helps.

Help system bug??

Is it just me or does the new "online" help system in DW CS5 seem buggy? I'm not complaining by any means about DW as a whole. I love it. But Since the help system went online, for lack of a better description, it takes forever to load, everytime I do call it up it has to download an update which creates longer waittimes, and it seems to freeze(lockup) very often as well.
Again, is this just an isolated incident on my end? or is there an issue I should know about? report? Thanks for any input!

teedoffnewbie wrote:
Since the help system went online, for lack of a better description, it takes forever to load, everytime I do call it up it has to download an update which creates longer waittimes, and it seems to freeze(lockup) very often as well.
The Community Help program can be a bit annoying like that at times. I think that performance is affected by the speed of your internet connection.
Open the Community Help program, and select Edit > Preferences. In the General Settings section, set Accessibility Mode to "Open Help in Browser". That should load more quickly.

Help system doesn't work !

Hi there,
I am trying the Circuit Design Suite 13.0 and the help system doesn't work at all.
No help from
The main menu Help -> Multisim help F1
In all the dialogs with a Help button. Nothing happen if I click the Help button ?
I use Windows XP SP3 FRENCH and all the installtion went without any problems everything else is working perfectly.
I checked in the install program if I need to install the help system separately and didn't see anything.
Any ideas of what's goint on ?
Thank you, bye.

Hi Pierre,
Are you able to manually open the help file? Go to C:\Porgram files\National Instruments\Circuit Design Suite 13, the Multisim.chm file is the help file, double click on it and see if it will launch. If you the file opens and nothing is displayed, google 'unable to open .chm" file, there are lots of instructions how to fix it, here is an example:
http://www.thefinalguide.com/2009/07/unable-to-read-chm-files-on-xp-2003-vista/
Tien P.
National Instruments

Filtering Help system view by business questions

My client wants to use RoboHelp to create a help system that
covers ten web-based applications in one suite of products. The
products are used by different roles on a commodities trading
floor. The same person might use more than one of the applications
for different purposes. My client wants the usual Help TOC as one
avenue into the content. But in addition, my client wants to
provide a different path into the content. For this second path, he
wants entry into the Help system to be a series of business
questions (such as "What are you trying to do?" Possible answer:
"make a trade"). Then, on the basis of the answers, he wants to
display only a subset of the help topics. Just the ones that are
relevant, based on the answers to those questions. In other words,
a filtered view of the help system. Is this possible? Any advice
would be appreciated.

In our 2.5K-topic merged WebHelp project, we've implemented a
series of navigation pages similar to what Rick suggests.
Whereas the TOC is categorized by major features, the opening
page provides links to pages for User Roles, Functional Tasks,
Major Components, Menu Help (split between Client and System
Administration), and Reference. (I used a free
tooltip
utility from Walter Zorn to provide a hover "peek" before they
click to jump to a link.)
Each category within these pages has a list of the most
commonly used topics. Therefore an "Operations & Technology"
user would be provided lists of topics dealing with his normal
duties such as Batch Processing, Imports/Exports, XML Messaging,
etc.
Another method might be working with the developers to tie in
privileging to apply to the help as well as the application
features. You could "map" topics by using folders and/or topic
keys, such as leading "sa_" for system admin, "bp_" for batch
processing, etc.
Good luck,
Leon

The Help system sucks so badly it's unbelievable!

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