#21707
An overview of documentation development for online help.
Unni, Tharun Kumar. STC India (2003). Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
#29992
Microsoft HTML Help is actually a suite of technologies. CHM is one part; the HH viewer (a cut-down Internet Explorer with CHM processing abilities) is another. To provide a Table of Contents (TOC) and index for Web-based Help (over HTTP), to support Web applications for example, there are two other Microsoft HTML Help components. One is an ActiveX TOC control, and the other is a Java TOC applet. While these components provide Web-based Help with a TOC, they do not allow context-sensitivity AND a TOC at the same time, because the TOC displays in a frameset.
HyperWrite (2004). Articles>Documentation>Help>Online
#20007
Toil and Trouble: HTML Help and NetHelp
Toil and trouble. That’s what this year’s online help crystal ball predicts. It shows two flavors of HTML-based help and to make matters worse, their names are confusing: HTML help (which is not the same as HTML-based help) and NetHelp. Oh, me nerves. Well, let’s try to calm ourselves and explore these new concepts.
Grissino, Ann-Marie. Carolina Communique (1997). Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
#24290
Top Ten Blunders in Online Documents and Help Facilities 
As a consultant I get called in after the wreck to figure out what went wrong. Across a wide range of industries and products, the same problems recur again and again. In this presentation, I’ll show you what these common problems are and simple ways to avoid them.
Horton, William K. III. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
#29903
Transitioning Print-Based Training into WBT Delivery: Lessons Learned
This panel discussion will explore a specific project conducted by the Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC) in which existing MERC-designed United States Air Force print-based training was rapidly converted to web-based training. Specific issues discussed are differences in design strategies for print and web instruction, development and authoring approaches, rapid prototyping, usability testing, project management concerns, and lessons learned.
Codone, Susan K. and Lance Stuckey. STC Proceedings (2004). Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
#27650
Trends and Opportunities in Software User Assistance: Part 1
This article provides an overview of the latest trends in software user assistance based on surveys, interviews, and observations by the author and other experienced user assistance professionals. The article defines the key terminology, highlights the most important issues and elements, and offers both short and long-term predictions for the field. The article will appear in four installments. The next installment will be in February.
Welinske, Joe. WritersUA (2005). Articles>Documentation>Help>Online
#28665
User Assistance in the Role of Domain Expert
This article explores the role of user assistance in providing domain-centric online Help--rather than Help that simply explains obvious user interactions with well-designed user interfaces--and provides a pattern for and examples of expert guidance.
Hughes, Michael A. UXmatters (2007). Articles>User Centered Design>Help>Online
#20886
User Assistance Resource Directory: Web Resources 
The following general resources are Web sites of interest to Help authors, technical communicators, and programmers.
#23727
User Guides and Online Help Systems
Resources relating to user guides and online help systems.
Technical Communicators Resource Site. Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
#24274
Using Hardcopy Documentation in the Transition to Online Documentation
In the transition to online documentation, one of the communicator’s most effective tools can be a hardcopy document. Providing your users with a printed manual that introduces them to your product and your online documentation might be just the thing they need to get started using both. To create an effective hardcopy document, you must begin by gathering feedback, analyzing your audience, and setting your goals. You can then use that information to determine what to include, what to exclude, and what to call your hardcopy document.
Collier, Karen E. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
#20729
Using HTML to Deliver Context-Sensitive Online Help
Computerized Medical Systems needed to develop content-sensitive online help for a UNIX-based application. We found that this could be done using standard HTML, with each help topic in its own file and displayed in a web browser. With careful planning, we were able to create a map of the applications coded pages to our help files, giving us context sensitivity. We were able to add both keyword and full-text search capabilities. Site management is done using a source control system and a set of link check and HTML validators.
Rupel, Roberta A. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
#21795
Why would anybody want to use JavaHelp? The answer is not necessarily obvious, especially to help authors.
Info Action (2002). Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
#19978
Using Standards to Build Quality into Online Help
The panelists present two cases of development of standards for online Help: one for mainframe database applications developed in ISPF and the other for technical engineering applications developed in Windows. The panelists focus on common principles to follow to make online Help 'fit for use,' and they show examples from the Help systems and from the two standards manuals.
Bibus, Connie M. 'C.J.', Kristy J. Dale, Donna M. Marcotte, Joyce B. Davis and Monica Hoganson. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
#20346
Technical communicators today cope with incomplete and changing software, aggressive schedules, multiple deliverables, and a reduced staff in diverse locations. Using Info Slicing, these challenges can be met effectively. Info Slicing promotes communication within the project team, shortens the writing effort, and minimizes document maintenance.
Burkholder, Anne C. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
#14551
Using Word to Create Windows Help
One way to create Windows help is by using Word for Windows. To begin, you must become familiar with the help concepts of topics and hyperlinks. Then, you create these components: projectile, header file, and source files. Source files are created using Word for Windows. Next create the actual help file by compiling the elements you have created. Finally, view and debug the results.
Van Sant, Carol J. STC Proceedings (1995). Presentations>Documentation>Help>Online
#30247
Warp Speed: Creating Online Information for OS/2
Information Presentation Facility (IPF) is the tagging language you use to tag, compile, and debug online information in an OS/2 environment. This workshop This part of the workshop looks at using error log files to examines how to use IPF, provides code samples, and points participants to reference material.
Coe, Marlana A. and Leigh Waller. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
#28028
MAML is part of a new approach to help in Windows Vista. This approach is both more integrated with the software and more focused on user tasks. MAML provides a structre in which you can write user assistance information, which can then be presented to the user in a variety of locations.
Tech Write Tips (2006). Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
#30616
What Technical Communicators Need to Know About Artificial Inteligence and Expert Systems
Controversies characterize the study of artificial intelligence and expert systems. The varying opinions range from differences in defining these terms to arguments about their actual effectiveness when applied to practical problems. Technical communicators need to understand the different views on artificial intelligence, the types of expert systems currently available, and what the future impact of expert systems will be on technical communication in general, As a type of artificial intelligence, expert computer systems provide a technological solution to the problem of communicating specialized information and knowledge within business, technological, and scientific organizations. The computer can not only be a place to store large bodies of information, but it can also be programmed to interact with users as they attempt to apply this stored knowledge to specific problem-solving situations.
Shirk, Henrietta Nickels. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>TC>Online>Help
#31990
Windows Software Help Files Formats
Are you still wondering which help file format to use for your Windows software? The selection depends on your software and on the information that is in your help files. Each help file format has its own unique features that may be useful in certain situations.
Crane, Dennis. Dr. Explain (2007). Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
#21194
Here you will find a collection of WinHelp development aids and tutorials.
Becker, Josef. Helpmaster. Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
#21196
Miscellaneous software for converting WinHelp files into other formats.
#21195
Here you will find a selection of tools that enhance WinHelp, collected since 1995 and made publicly available on this pages.
Becker, Josef. Helpmaster. Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
#24258
Writing for Short Attention Span Theater
If everything on the desktop was proceeding as planned, nobody would ever press F1. But people do press F1--a lot-- and it’s our job to give them the information they need when they need it. This paper suggests design strategies, organizational strategies, and writing tips that can help make the information in your WinHelp files more accessible.
Gallagher, Susan W. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
#24510
Writing Microsoft Windows Help — Two Steps Past the Basics
With planning, an understanding of organizational devices such as expandable tables of contents, secondary help windows, and graphical navigational aids, you can make your help system easier to use, more attractive, and more useful.
Thomas, Morgan O. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
#31144
I would argue that 'Presentation Zen' contains ideas that are also relevant to technical communication.
Pratt, Ellis. Cherryleaf (2008). Articles>Documentation>Online>Help
