1. Comparing Help Formats Paula R. Stern WritePoint © 2003 Paula R. Stern. All rights reserved.

2. Comparing Help Formats WinHelp (.hlp and.cnt) WinHelp2000 (.hlp and.cnt and.dll) HTML-help (.chm) WebHelp (uncompiled: html/gif files) FlashHelp(uncompiled + Flash) JavaHelp(uncompiled files or.jar) Printed Documentation

3. WinHelp (HLP/CNT…sort of) WinHelp (.hlp and.cnt) Windows, not Browser- based Cnt disappears when you click on a topic Old format, barely used Consider….WinHelp2000

4. WinHelp2000 WinHelp (.hlp and.cnt) Windows, not browser-based +.dll (Roboex32.dll) Looks like HTML- help Familiar HLP/CNT for programmers

5. HTML-help Compressed, compiled.chm file Browser-based, but not Web-based MS Internet Explorer only Not customizable

6. WebHelp Uncompiled Browser-based Can launch directly off the web Customizable (really) Skin Editor

7. FlashHelp Uncompiled Browser-based Can launch directly off the web Not so customizable (yet) Flash

8. JavaHelp Compiled or Not Java environment Using RH, difficult to produce FTS (known bug) Bullet and numbering formation (known bug) Think…WebHelp?