Quote from: miturbide on 2011.10.10, 20:20:24
thank for the replies.
It seems that more of a mix between the browser, XML and HTML can be better competitor for the Information Presentation Facility under OS2-eCS.
The Eclipse help platform looks nice, it loads the browser and seems to run an http service to show the help (see picture - Lotus Notes Help).
Example: http://help.eclipse.org/indigo/index.jsp
But for F1 help eclipse puts a window inside the application (eclipse application) to show an specific related HTML page or related topics links.
..just throwing thoughts to the air.
The Eclipse help system looks like it is based on the help system which first appeared for DB2 and VAC++ V 4.0. In some ways this is a very good help system, but it also has some major disadvantages
Advantages
-----------------
1. You are using a browser, so you can cut/paste and print easily
2. Simple HTML is an easy language (tagging system) so that it is easy to write documentation
3. Cross platform
Disadvantages
---------------------
1. It uses a browser to display the help. Browsers change frequently and a very slow to load
2. When using the system the TOC on the left can become out of sync with the help topic shown in the right. This happens when clicking on a link in the right panel that goes to another HTML file. The left/right arrow in the icon bar at the top is the manual way to resync the two side.
3. The IBM system does have a facility for searching across help files (html files) but it is cumbersome.
4. Likewise cross references can be a pain to write
5. For developers - The help "system" includes a number of components that must be configured correctly. That has created problems for the users.
My feeling is the best combination for on-line help is INF / Newview. The best printed documentation is in PDF format.
If you are writing documentation correctly, the on-line help will be different from the printed manual. But very few independent developers or companies have the resources to make both.