Local help file

Stefan · 2012-09-17 18:56

Hi Denis, maybe that would be an way to provide local help (which i would prefer most)?

Help (local) F1
Help (online)

Function Help_local
if not exists .\Help\User Manual.pdf
ShowMessage( ..go to wiki and create an PDF... bla bla ... save as User Manual.pdf into...)
else
ShellExecute .\Help\User Manual.pdf
end
end

BTW: this is an great feature, those "Download as PDF" and "Create a book" feature at http://www.den4b.com/wiki/Main_Page

den4b · 2012-09-17 21:20

It is easy to make it this way, but I am afraid that local help file will become outdated while Wiki will always contain the latest information.

If you ask me, I actually prefer the online help in applications because it is always up to date and often easier to navigate through (of course an optional local copy is a must).

narayan · 2012-10-11 07:26

Well, there is a catch-22 situation here:

We have new betas every few days with new features, and the pdf file would not be able to keep up with that.

On the other hand, many people would not prefer to use a beta; and they would get disoriented when they use the wiki, because it would not match the GUI of the stable version.

So the best middle path is to make a pdf for only the stable versions.
Let the beta-users rely on the wiki for the latest features.

den4b · 2012-10-14 18:54

I am not sure about what's the best path for this. It is probably better to have an outdated offline version then no offline version at all. People who decide to use the Beta version probably rarely need to consult the User Manual, but even for them the previous statement is still valid.

narayan · 2012-10-15 07:40

yes, that's what I meant.

By default, provide a pdf that matches with the stable version.
That will serve the cautious users who like to have guaranteed safety.

The more adventurous user can make his own pdf from the latest snapshot of the wiki and store it in the installation directory.

In the help menu, provide separate options+hotkeys for both versions (offline pdf+wiki).
For example, F1=offline pdf, SHFT+F1=wiki.

So the users get the best of both worlds.

SafetyCar · 2012-10-15 20:29

narayan wrote:

In the help menu, provide separate options+hotkeys for both versions (offline pdf+wiki).
For example, F1=offline pdf, SHFT+F1=wiki.

I think something like that would be the best solution.

Also something that has not been mentioned, some people don't like that programs open an internet windows without their consent. I can tell because I'm usually one of those, not in this case because let's say we know each other here. But for some might get more uncomfortable (specially on the issue of tracking the users).

den4b Forum

#1 2012-09-17 18:56

Local help file

#2 2012-09-17 21:20

Re: Local help file

#3 2012-10-11 07:26

Re: Local help file

#4 2012-10-14 18:54

Re: Local help file

#5 2012-10-15 07:40

Re: Local help file

#6 2012-10-15 20:29

Re: Local help file

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