HelpEdit v1.09
for Windows

by Tony Curro

Almost every program we use for Windows has a help file, and in many
cases a tutorial. These programs are created using Visual Basic.
Everyone has the actual program needed to run these files. WINHELP.EXE
is part of the Windows software package. By double-clicking on a file
with the HLP extension will run WINHELP and in turn the file.

I have been writing CTM for almost 2 years. Recently, people have asked
why I have not moved to the Windows environment. I have thought about,
but was looking for a quality way to present myself in this format. I
was tinkering with using MS Write, but found limitations. I could use
Word or WordPerfect, but this would be dependent on the product the user
has to view this file. I started looking around and found several
programs that aid you in creating files in the HLP format. Not being a
programmer or having any knowledge of Visual Basic, these programs were
too difficult to grasp. Then I came across HelpEdit from Aciran Software
Systems. HelpEdit is not a difficult program to grasp. There is a
tutorial that walks you through the whole concept of creating HLP files.
There is also a help file that explains the functions, commands, etc.

The basic structure of creating a help file can be broken down into
several steps, of which I will explain  later: (1) Create a Topic. (2)
Add a Title. (3) Enter your text, and if desired, graphics. (4) Use
hypertext and/or definitions.

You can enter text into HelpEdit in several ways: direct typing, adding
a text file, copy from the clipboard. For most, I opted for paste from
clipboard. HelpEdit uses two extensions, prj and doc. It also accepts
BMP for graphic files. Below is the opening screen of HelpEdit. Some
icons are grayed, as you have nothing entered to work with. As you are
able to do functions, the icons will be available.

The icons from left  to right are: Help, Open, Save, Cut, Copy, Paste,
create Topic, create Definition, select Graphic, Make Help File, Spy
(see completed help file), and Spell Checker.

When you first start HelpEdit you have to  create a project. Click on
Open, or select Project, Open from the drop down menu. Give the project
any name you  wish. Now  you are ready to enter data. The next step is
to create definitions, if you are going to use them. Definitions are
little popup windows that will explain a selected word. For example, say
you use the acronym PCMICA.  By using definitions you can explain to the
reader what these letters stand for. You do this by putting all the
words you want to use, along with their definitions, in one file. Then
you use HelpEdit to give a number to the words. When you use them in
your document, HelpEdit will place the number, and other symbols, by the
word you select.

Now we have to give the program a Topic name. Lets say TEST. You type
the word on screen, place the cursor to the left of the first T, and
then select the Topic icon. Name you topic and say OK. You will see the
Make Help File icon light up. You can compile this file now.

You can also choose to have a Title, or even make a Topic and Title from
the same word. Create all the topics you plan to use, and save your
work. I found it easiest to put any BMP or text files that I plan to use
in the HelpEdit directory.

It did take me a little while to feel comfortable HelpEdit. But, once I
did, it was a breeze to create my magazine. Many of you may have seen
the first Windows issue that I put out. This was done exclusively by
using HelpEdit. I got the program a bit late, and as you will see from
it, I omitted a few things. Mainly, the BBS list, which was a separate
text file. This month I have incorporated it into the HLP file.

HelpEdit allows you to use Jump Links to move from place to place. The
buttons on the top allow you to print, place bookmarks, go back to
previous topic, move forward or backward through the pages. Jump Links
are simple to explain. The magazine looks like this:

1. Opening Format
2. News, Updates...
3. First Article...
4. Second Article...

The above text will have dashed lines (not here, but in the HLP file).
When you move the cursor over it, it becomes a hand. Double-clicking on
any item will take you to that subject. Clicking back from the toolbar,
will return you to the ablve menu. Doing the same with another item will
take you there. This is Jump Linking, whereby you create a link from
here to the topic. Of course  you have to create a Topic named Opening,
or select any topic you created to jump to that page. I am experimeting
with using icons next to titles. In this way, by clicking on the icon
you can go to that topic. You can use a graphic as such, for jump
linking or to run a program.

HelpEdit will accept any valid BMP, WMF, or SHG file. You place the 
cursor where you want the graphic, and from the Project menu select add
file, and then graphic file. You will see a list of BMP files. Click the
one you want, and click OK. Then use the Graphic icon from the toolbar.
This brings up a list of selected  BMP files. Click on the one you want,
select your other options, and press OK. You will see a reference to the
BMP file on that line.

Each project file can only be about 30K. If you exceed this limit you
get a warning. At this time you save your work, and create a NEW project
file. When you are done, all files will be merged into one file. I have
5 project files on the initial HLP release of CTM. The program does
allow you to change fonts, size, color and attributes. It also has
paragraph indenting.

One thing you will need before you start is the Help Compiler. This is
part of the Visual Basic package, but copies are available on many
boards. The file will have names like: HC, HC31, or HCP. I found HCP to
work the best. It handled large BMP files, that caused HC to balk. The
main thing is to plan your project before you start. Get your topics,
graphics, definitions, and other materials together. Figure out where
you want to go before you start. It makes getting there a lot easier. In
my first attempt, which as I mentioned I pushed, I did not have 'my
ducks in a row' so to speak. It caused me to do some things several
times and, like in the case of the BBS list, not at all. Now  with time,
I am better organized, and breeze through the work.

HelpEdit was the best shareware program that I saw, as far as ease of
use goes. With the others I felt as if I was wallowing. This program, as
the others, is geared toward programmers. But, HelpEdit makes a
professional out of a non-programmer. You should find the file
HELPED19.ZIP on many BBS, and on services like America OnLine. I got it
from Software Creations.

The two programs below, are add-ons for Help Edit.

SPELMATE.
.........
The spell checker DLL Spelmate is now at version 1.1. It now has sample
programs in C and Visual Basic as well as Pascal. Spelmate is included in 
the professional version of Help Edit. The Shareware file is now SPMATE11.ZIP.

Index-It.
.........
Index-It Version 1.0 can be used to create keyword lists that can be used by
Help Edit, as well as other programs, e.g., DTP. The Shareware file is
INDXIT11.ZIP. This program is included FREE with the professional version of
Help Edit.


Product Information

Help Edit v1.9

Basic Registration @ 25.00 ($38 + $7 = $45)                  __________
 
Pro Version (with spell checker) @ 35.00 ($53 + $7 = $60)    __________
          (and FREE copy of INDEX-IT) 

The surcharge is for US customers. It is to convert dollars in pounds
sterling.

James Herron
Aciran Software Systems
29 Duncryne Place,
Bishopbriggs,
Glasgow
Scotland G64 2DP
United Kingdom
