[APBeta] Help system

[Kevin der Kinderen]

Don't know about others, but I would consider it worth the wait to have this
feature added.

One problem I've had with help systems in the past (as a user, not a
developer)... for some reason, Windows Vista and XP (not sure about Windows
7 yet) would block access to help files if they had external links in them.
It was some sort of security feature. I could try to find some information
on this if you think it might avoid a problem. I'm racking my brain now to
remember the details.

Kev


On Tue, Jan 26, 2010 at 12:39 PM, Paul Rodman <paul at ilanga.com> wrote:

> Just when you thought it was safe to assume V2 was feature complete...
>
> After a lot of soul-searching I have decided to create a Help system for AP
> V2. This will work in a similar fashion to a typical Help system (i.e.
> Help->AstroPlanner Help produces a table of contents, index and pages of
> help info). I'm using a commercial product to do this, so it didn't take
> long to add it to the app. Other advantages of this over just a PDF manual:
>
> a. It will also allow context sensitive help. e.g. if you have a dialog
> open and select help, then the help system will open to the correct page.
> This might take a bit of time to get right, but isn't rocket science.
> b. I can produce a PDF manual directly from the help file, so those who
> like dead trees will remain at peace.
> c. I can add active links into the help that will perform functions within
> the app. i.e. Rather than describing how to open a dialog, or add a new
> object, a click on a help link will do it for you. This might, or might not
> get implemented for V2.0. We'll see.
> d. I really hate writing manuals, and updating them when features change.
> This should make my life easier.
> e. The help is integrated into the app, so I won't have the common support
> request from users who didn't download the manual in the first place.
>
> That being said, I will have to have a Getting Started manual as a PDF,
> since the Help system is only accessible from within the app.
>
> As usual, feel free to tell me I'm an
> idiot/saviour/procrastinator/hero/moron.
>
> Paul R.
>
>
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