I've attempted to list all the tools that I've come across, but undoubtedly there are some that I've left out. If you'd like me to add a tool to the list (or update the version/vendor information), just send me a note. The tools are listed here as a service, and none of the tools are rated. Listing here is not in any way an endorsement of a tool. Most tools offer trial versions and/or money-back guarantees that you can take advantage of when making your own evaluation.
Weisner and Associates keeps a good list of tools on their web site. You can find it at www.weisner.com/universe/tools.html . The list includes links to web sites and email for vendors when available.
Note that my definition of shareware is a fully functional product that requires payment only for continued use. If a downloaded product is limited in any way (number of topics, features, etc.) or inserts comments visible in the final output (e.g., displays "made with unregistered copy of XXX" on each page of a help file), then I consider it an evaluation version, and list the product as commercial.
The following tools are available as freeware or shareware, meaning you can download a fully functional version and pay only if you continue to use the product (shareware), or it's free (freeware).
A tool for creating Windows Help in Microsoft Word 6.x/7.x. No longer supported, it's available as freeware including the source code. Available from www10.pair.com/vsap/AstroHelp.html
CHC Software
27 West Park
London SE94RZ
England
Roger Hadgraft
Civil Engineering
Monash University
Clayton Vic 3168 Australia
Phone: 61 3 9905 4983
Fax: 61 3 9905 4944
DR Help is a set of Word for Windows macros for creating WinHelp files from Word documents. It uses Word's standard heading styles to automatically create links between sections using the section titles and optionally also generating keyword links from the titles.
DR Help makes it easy to keep a single source document, maintained with a familiar and powerful word processor, and then generate printed documentation, WinHelp and potentially also ASCII and/or PostScript (using Word's and Windows' built-in capabilities). The Windows FAQ and Windows Programmer FAQ are created using DR Help.
Availability unknown.
DWHAT is a version of WHAT.ZIP for Word for Windows 6.0. It includes a handy Toolbar with the most used Help-Creation functions. It also can link to the on-line help in HAG.ZIP (see previous section). The package is Freeware. Availability unknown.
A Word add-on that supports many of the foreign language versions of Word.
Eon Solutions Ltd.
Eon House
12 Juniper Rise
Upton Priory
Macclesfield SK10 4XT
United Kingdom
Phone: +44(0)973 209667
Web: www.easyhelp.com or www.eon-solutions.com
Guy Software
1752 Duchess Av
West Vancouver, BC
Canada V7V 1P9
Phone: 604.926.1370
Web: mindlink.net/Ed_Guy/helllp.html
HELLLP! v2.2 <ASP> - Multi-File build and HelpContextID property [MAP] generation. User friendly. Automatically sets up top level table of contents with Hypertext jumps to your topics. You add additional jumps and popups by highlighting the place you want to jump from and pointing to the place you want to jump to. Can add SOUND EFFECTS, SECONDARY windows with buttons, launch other programs for MULTIMEDIA.
Changes: Now works with both US & non-English versions of Word 6 & 2. (Ed. Note: I believe the current version supports Word 95/97.)
HyperAct, Inc.
P.O. Box 5517
Coralville, IA 52241
Phone: 319.351.8413
CompuServe: 76350,333
Web: www.hyperact.com
HLPDK is a Hypertext and Hypermedia generation system, that supports multiple targets from one source. With HLPDK's Help Compiler, one help source can be translated to Windows WinHelp and Multimedia Viewer, DOS (THELP, QuickHelp, Turbo-Vision Help, POPHelp, Native Engines), DESQview/X, OS/2 IPF, World Wide Web HTML, Ascii and Word Processor documents. HLPDK allows you to *Write Once, Help Many*.
Features : Topics, PopUps, Links, Keywords, Text Formats, Navigational and Structural facilities, Target Code insertion, Multiple module files, Automatic Pascal/C/C++ reference generation, Exception handling, Multiple file target databases, Graphics, Sound, Groups, Application Launch, Automatic exports creation, user defined link templates and more.
HLPDK Contains 4 Native Help Readers (Engines) for the Dos and DPMI target, and 4 Help Compilers hosted on Dos, DPMI, Windows and OS/2.
Windows Help Authoring Tool, available from Microsoft and some other archives. For use with MS Word 6.0
VB AHA!!! is an inexpensive and easy to use utility for writing Windows help files. You won't need any expensive word processors or have to use any cryptic commands. With simple mouse clicks and Drag n Drop ease you will be able to construct your help files quickly.
If you use Visual Basic then VB AHA!!! will handle all of the HelpContextID values for you and even recompile your programs with the new values. No more hassles of having to insert the values by hand! If you program in C/C++ or Pascal then VB AHA!!! will create a header file containing all of the definitions that you will need for context sensitive help in your programs.
Available from www.winsite.com/info/pc/ win3/util/vbaha152.zip/
WexTech Systems
310 Madison Ave., Ste. 905
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 800.939.8324
Web: www.wextech.com
Part of the Documentation Studio, Doc-To-Help allows you to create Help files from Word for Windows documents. Doc-To-Help's features make it easy to produce print and online documents from the same Word documents, and to control the process so that the content is appropriate for each medium. WexTech maintains a forum on CompuServe (GO WexTech; this may be discontinued at some point), as well as an internet discussion list where you can get product information and support.
ForeFront, Inc.
4710 Table Mesa Drive, Suite B
Boulder, CO 80303
Phone: 303.499.9181
Web: www.ff.com
A standalone HAT with WYSIWYG editor and instant test mode (doesn't required any compiling). The current version can also produce HTML Help in MS or Netscape flavors. Demo available (limits number of topics). ForeFront maintains a forum on CompuServe (GO FOREFRONT).
DEK Software International
1843 The Woods II
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Sales: 800-DEK-5595
Tech Support: 800-HELP-955
Web: www.vmtech.com
Word-based HAT with many useful and interesting features. Strong and loyal following, including a User's Group based in Australia.
Solutionsoft
370 Altair Way, Suite 200
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Phone: 408.736.1431
Web: www.solutionsoft.com
Word-based HAT with many useful and interesting features.
Graham Plowman Software
PO Box 1124
Manly 2095
NSW AUSTRALIA
Email: gplowman@ozemail.com.au
CompuServe: 100105,536
Web: www.ozemail.com.au/~gplo
wman/helpbldr.htm
HelpBuilder is a Microsoft Windows 3.1 application for creating and maintaining Windows Help files and is designed for developers wishing to create Windows Help files to distribute with their products and for anyone wishing to create stand-alone Windows Help files.
Email: 71303.20@compuserve.com
Web: web.superb.net/helphikes/
Software Interphase Inc.
82 Cucumber Hill Rd.
Foster, RI 02825
Sales: 800.542.2742
Tech: 401.397.2340
Fax: 401.397.6814
Web: www.sinterphase.com
Windows Help Magician is one of the few products to allow you to easily create WinHelp .HLP files without Word for Windows. It provides its own editor and WYSIWYG environment. Imports documents from Word.
Cris Williams
3112 Moriah Trails, #207
Memphis, TN 38115
Email: 74451.1245@compuserve.com
Availability:
ftp://ftp.coast.net/SimTel/win3/winhelp/hm423.zip
Ippovision Inc.
8602 Huron Court
Suite #53
Tampa, FL 33614
Web: members.aol.com/ILuvPasta7/helpmaker/
Availability: ftp://ftp.the.net/mirrors/ftp.winsite.com/pc/win95/programr/hmp49b.zip
Anyone who can use Microsoft Word can now make their own Help files with Help Maker Plus(tm)! In seconds you'll be creating help topics, hypertext jumps, and special effects like pop-up windows, secondary windows and fixed regions--with the ease of pointing and clicking! Create multi-media extravaganzas with sounds, movies, and links to other programs--in moments! Help Maker Plus (tm) handles all of the hard stuff for you--you can even compile without ever leaving Word! Also, Help Maker Plus (tm) includes the latest and greatest version of the Microsoft Help Compiler and comes with an extensive documentation that will explain exactly what a help file is, as well as provide you with a list of Microsoft compiler error codes.
| USA European Software 1617 St. Andrews Drive Lawrence, KS 66049 Phone: 800.936.6578 913.832.2070 |
Worldwide Niceware Oosterstraat 333581 ML UTRECHT FAX: ++31 30 517 555 Phone: ++31 30 520 018 CIS: 100041,2760 e-mail: niceware@let.ruu.nl |
Help Perfect converts WordPerfect documents to WinHelp/ Multimedia Viewer. Does not rely on WordPerfect for RTF conversion. Use any WordPerfect style, attribute or mark for setting topics and hotspots. Automatic conversion of foot/endnotes, header/footers, index words, lists and autorefs. Extension DLL provides graphics, multimedia, advanced searching, window color manipulation, menu links, etc.
Olson Software
4 Anaru Place
Palmerston North
New Zealand
Phone: +64 6 359 1408
Fax: +64 6 355 2775
Email: stefan@olsonsoft.com.nz
Compuserve: 100352,1315
HWA (Help Writer's Assistant) is a visual help authoring package with features normally only seen in expensive products - at a price you can afford! A version is under development that will allow multiple authors to work from a common database. Changes made by one author will be immediately available to all others. The new version will also handle HTML Help.
HWA is a WYSIWYG help development environment. HWA provides topic management tools which make it possible to easily see the structure and links of your help file at a glance. The results of your work are displayed in a visual editor where all formatting is seen. The visual editor is designed specifically for the task of developing help files. HWA works the way you do, not forcing you to change the way you work.
Teletech Systems
750 Birch Ridge Dr.
Roswell, GA 30076
Web: www.teletech-systems.com
HelpWriter for Delphi will read any Delphi project and create a full help system in minutes. Just enter your help text and push a single button to compile. It even updates all your source code, adding context sensitive help to every form/control in the program!
IMCSI
425 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212.319.1903
Performance Software Inc.
575 Southlake Blvd.
Richmond, VA 23236
Phone: 804.794.1012
Omni Systems, Inc.
2229 McGee, Suite H
Berkeley, CA 94703
Email: info@omsys.com
Web: www.omsys.com
MIF2RTF is a FrameMaker to WinHelp converter. It allows single-source manual and online help from a FrameMaker document. I've only seen one comment about this program, but it was very positive.
Paul Arnote (www.sky.net/~parnote)
A unique authoring tool that doesn't require Microsoft Word or another word processor. Demo is available as a limited feature download.
Blue Sky Software
7777 Fay Avenue
Suite. 201
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 800.677.4946
619.459.6365
Fax: 619.459.6366
Web: www.blue-sky.com
RoboHELP, the award-winning Help Authoring Tool for Windows and Windows NT automates the task of creating on-line Help for Windows-based applications. Supports Word 2.0 through Word 8.0. Lets you easily create features such as jumps, popups, topics, secondary windows, multiple hotspot graphics and more. Current version also creates HTML Help and NetHelp.
Lamaura Development Limited
Rabley Park, Ridge
Potters Bar
Hertfordshire EN6 3LX
United Kingdom
Phone: +44(0)1707 643278
Fax/BBS: +44(0)1707 643499
Web: www.lamaura.com/shia.htm
WYSIWYG Help design system for Windows creates all files required by the help compiler. RTF editors, such as Word for Windows, are redundant.
Add jumps, popups and Windows Help macros quickly and easily using the Topic editor.
Full support for styles and stylesheets: design a house style for use in any Help project.
Application Programming Interface - create context sensitive help from within an application with one function call.
Softronics, Inc.
5085 List Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Phone: 800.225.8590
Web: www.softronics.com/lit_unv.html
UniversalHelp is the first product of its type for simultaneous authoring of Windows and OS/2 Help. Used in conjunction with Microsoft Word for Windows, UniversalHelp transforms the leading Windows word processor into a fully-functional Help authoring and conversion system.
UniversalHelp is available for US$645.00. To order, call Softronics at 800/225-8590 or fax 719/548-1878.
Teletech Systems
750 Birch Ridge Dr.
Roswell, GA 30076
Web: www.teletech-systems.com
VB HelpWriter creates a professional help file for any VB program in minutes. It scans your source code, creates a help framework, then adds help to each form and control in your project. Use our integrated word processor to add your help text, and press one button to compile. Nothing could be easier!
WinWare9
P.O. Box 2923
Mission Viejo, CA 92690
Phone: 800.507.HELP
Fax: 714.586.9792
Email: sales@winwareinc.com
Web: www.winwareinc.com/visualhelp.html
Visual Help is the completely integrated help development environment. Enables you to produce your help files and on-line documentation quickly and easily. You may have used some of the other help authoring tools that require you to type in special codes and use a separately purchased word processors.
55 Spadina Ave.
Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 2B8
Canada
Phone: 613.728.6635
Fax: 613.728.6420
Email: tshaver@vivatexte.com
Web: www.vivatexte.com/newvtx01.htm
$59.95 (plus $15.00 shipping and GST for Canada)
The VivaTexte Authoring System is a complete feature packed authoring tool for publishing BOTH WinHelp and HTML. The current version remains a 16 bit application optimized for both Windows 3.x and 95. It now includes some great developer features, such as the ability to write and combine 'live' HTML tags and on page scripting (VB or Java) with ordinary text which is automatically parsed into quality HTML. Recent changes allow developers to create both HTX files for use with the Internet Database Connector, and Active Server Pages.
Phone: 801.523.8221
Fax: 801.576.5663
Email: namela@devgr.com
Web: www.devgr.com/docs/whd.html
Availability:
www.devgr.com/downloads/whdstd.zi p
MERCSoftware
7931 Forest Ave.
Munster IN 46321
Phone: 219.836.6444
UDI Software
Four Commercial Blvd. Suite 6
Novato, CA 94949
Phone: 415.382.8840
Fax: 415.382.8868
Email: udi@udisoftware.com
Web: www.udisoftware.com