This section is devoted to tools that aren't really tools for authoring WinHelp files, but may be useful to WinHelp authors and/or users. As with the other product list, this is very incomplete, so send me descriptions of products you've used or authored. Check the WinHelp utilities list at www.helpmaster.com for a more complete listing of tools (courtesy of Josef Becker).
A powerful add-on that lets you extend WinHelp. Contains many funtions for macros that aren't available within WinHelp. From Paul Arnote (www.sky.net/~parnote/).
While several vendors offer decompilers integrated with their product or as a standalone utility, an excellent freeware Help Decompiler is available. HelpDeco decompiles all versions of WinHelp, as well as Multimedia Viewer files.
Available from www.helpmaster.com/ help/devaids/pophelpdeco.htm (also available from the Library section at Wextech (www.wextech.com).
HLP2DOC is a utility to convert WinHelp .HLP files and Multimedia Viewer .MVB files into Word for Windows 2.0 .DOC files. HLP2DOC is still in the early stages, but the author is continuing to work on it and improve it rapidly. HLP2DOC does not yet do a full translation. Bitmaps aren't converted as of the latest version (1.32). Despite the few drawbacks, it does a very good job and will make it possible for people to print entire help files by converting them to .DOC files. HLP2DOC is freeware.
Availability:
ftp://ftp.lrz- muenchen.de/pub/comp/platforms/pc/windows/hlpdc132.zip
A freeware utility that strips the resolution information used to display and print bitmapped graphics out of SHG files. This is necessary to prevent the distortion of bitmaps viewed on systems where the user has set the display to use "large fonts." Freeware from Stephen Jenkins.
Availability:
http://www.helpmaster.c om/help/devaids/popshgrez.htm
Easily create tabs for your help projects to give users a simulated tab interface for help topic access. If you've seen the help for PaintShop Pro, you've seen how tabs can be useful navigational aids. TabMaker automates the process of creating the bitmaps and .SHG files required for tabs in WinHelp. Reads your RTF files to supply titles and context strings for tabs. Shareware (US$20). Available from www.simdoc.com.
A set of WinHelp tools and add-ons from Cub Lea. Many useful utilities that get WinHelp working the way you want it to. Available from www.sinterphase.com.
WinHelp -> HLPDK Conversion Tool. With WH2HDK you can port your Windows Help Databases to other platforms such as OS/2, World Wide Web, DOS, DESQview/X and more. Use WH2HDK (with HLPDK) to save the additional investment required for multiple target development. Now you can create your Help Databases in your favorite WinHelp authoring tool, and still benefit from HLPDK cross-platform portability, and enhanced navigation and code generation tools.
HyperAct Inc.,
P.O.Box. 5517
Coralville IA 52241
U.S.A
Compuserve - 76350,333
Phone/Fax - (319) 351-8413
Web: www.hyperact.com
The Help Author's Resource Kit™ from Weisner Associates is a comprehensive, CD-ROM based collection of resources for Windows Help and HTML authors. Resources include software, samples, graphics collections, documentation and references, and discounts on products and services worth hundreds of dollars. It is distributed periodically (three times a year) to assist authors who want to keep pace with the rapid growth and changes in the fields of hypertext development and online documentation design.
Weisner Associates
2817 Zarthan Av. S.
Minneapolis MN 55416
Tel. 800.646.9989
Fax 612.928.3007
Email: info@weisner.com
Web: www.weisner.com/hark/index.html
or
Bristol Technology
(203) 438-6969
Email: info@bristol.com
Web: www.bristol.com
HyperHelp is a WinHelp compiler and viewer for Unix. You simply recompile your rtfs, bmps, and hpjs and you get a Unix versions of your help file. HyperHelp supports MIF and SGML and has a bridge that lets you use these on the Windows WinHelp too.
Altura Software
Web: www.altura.com
QuickHelp is a compiler and viewer that uses RTF source files to create help for the Apple Macintosh. QuickHelp supports many WinHelp features that would not be otherwise available on a Mac. While there are license fees for using QuickHelp, the savings in development costs on cross platform projects should more than offset these fees.
Steven Sweet
Email: sweetsteve@vom.com
Web: www.vom.com/sweetsteve/
This is a reasonably priced alternative compiler for those needing Macintosh support of their applications and help files. It uses the PC WinHelp compiler and then modifies the compiled help file to work on the Mac. Users must have the Microsoft help engine installed. And you'll still need MFILE for copying the file to the Mac. See the web site for details.
A tool for managing and editing the Keywords for your WinHelp projects. Graphically display and edit the index, and let Windexer update your RTF source files. Available from Sageline Publishing at www.sageline.com.