Windows® Help File Tools, Utilities & Compilers

1. Microsoft's® unsupported help authoring tools, WHAT 6 (for MS Word 6.x) and WHAT 31 (for MS Word 2.x) may be downloaded from http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q140875. 

The only thing of value in this WHAT 6 kit are the WHAT 6 template and the Shed editor. The template automates the insertion of jumps, popups, and hot spots, as well as providing a standard format for the *.rtf file. I use the WHAT 6 template (heavily modified with word basic macros) and MS Word 6.0 to write both 16 and 32 bit commercial help files. The 16 bit "compile macro" does not work from within WinWord on the NT platform, elsewise it is a good tool for beginning help authors.

It would seem that the What series of templates has run its course. Then again, maybe not …?

2. Microsoft Word macros can be useful tools in making the help author's lot easier. Case in point, a macro to retrieve and list context strings from your *.rtf file.

3. The Story Teller's Windows Help Project File Editor (WHPFE/WHPFE32).

WHPFE is a freeware substitute for WHPE, and automates the creation of the Window 3.1 help project file without WHPE's fickleness or limitations. WHPFE comes in both 16 and 32 bit flavors. WHPFE32 requires Visual Basic 4.0 or above be installed on your system, or you need the installation diskettes. Either can be downloaded as indicated below.

4. HCP.EXE is the Windows 3.1 help compiler of choice, and is available at no cost at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/Q84/9/31.asp&NoWebContent=1.

This compiler is compatible with all Windows platforms. It converts extended memory to expanded memory, which allows for the compilation of larger help files. It should be use from a DOS window within Windows. Like all help compilers it requires the "Set TMP=C:\TEMP" line in addition to the "SET TEMP=C:\TEMP" line in the Autoexec.bat file, or set as a Windows NT environmental variable.

5. Windows 95/NT Help Workshop (to include compiler) is now available at ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/Softlib/MSLFILES/hcwsetup.EXE.

NOTE: The Windows 3.1 HCP compiler can not  decipher Microsoft® Word 97 rtf script. For that matter, only version 2.2 and above of the Windows 95 HCW/RFTHC is able to compile MSWord 97(above) rft script. There is a third party fix in the form of a DOS utility from the folks at EasyHelp; and most major authoring tools have come up with a fix.

6. The newest version of HTMLHelp is now available for download from here.

The Official Microsoft HTML Help Authoring Kit; Wexler, Steve; Microsoft Press; CD-ROM; ISBN 1-57231-603-9.

Special Note: The referenced kit is a must for the Help file author who does not rely on a third party authoring tool, and for the programmer, especially Visual Basic programmer, who wants to support HTML Help in his application. Visual Basic does not directly support many of the functions of the HTML Help API. The kit CD-ROM provides code routines that get around this roadblock.

7. Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for articles on WinHelp.

Microsoft prepares and distributes bug reports and workarounds for all it software via knowledge base articles. WinHelp specific information is available at the above WEB site.

8. Josef Becker's Help Master Internet site may be the best resource for winhelp utilities: http://www.helpmaster.com/.
 

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