OT: html help

[Ruatha]

I like the title of this topic!, I'll hijack this thread when your problem is solved, as I need help creating HTML help files

[dogscoff]

Narf: You need to use the TARGET attribute in your A tags. To take an example from your own code, you created a frame with the name "nav". You can use this name to direct links to that frame, for instance:

code:

---

<A HREF="new_nav_menu.htm" TARGET="nav">click here to see the other navigation menu</A>

---

You can also use the special target called "_top" to replace the entire frameset, like this:

code:

---

<A HREF="full_page.htm" TARGET="_top">click here to see a full page document with no frames.</A>

---

Of course, you could include FRAMESET tags in full_page.htm if you wanted, and create a brand new frameset.

You should always use target= when you're dealing with frames, otherwise all sorts of unexpected things can happen.

Oh, and I've just looked again at your source and it seems you are only creating one frame, the one called "nav". That is probably part of the problem- less than two kind of defeats the object. (Probably best to start with just two until you get used to it.)

Ruatha, what's the trouble?

[ May 25, 2004, 09:48: Message edited by: dogscoff ]

[minipol]

And if you *really* want to do the right thing, you should drop frames alltogether and use divs.
A lot of people use tables but it's not the recommended way of handling layout.
Anyway, divs can be tricky and it takes time to learn how to work with them so in case you don't have time to learn it just stick with what you already know and use frames.
Other tips regarding style/html correctness:
* limit the number of fonts
* limit the number of colors used
* use a tool to check your html code
http://validator.w3.org/
* use htmltidy to tidy up your code
* use a second browser besides IE to see how HTML compliant your code is. For instance firefox:
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
* if you want to use a free html editor, check out 1st page 2000:
http://www.evrsoft.com/

Keeping this in mind, you'll design pages that won't make people barf on sight. Maybe they'll barf if they read the content bu that's entirely up to you

Oh and your main page, you forgot to close the html and body tag

[Ruatha]

Dogscoff>
I was about to write the help files for the SE4 companion, when I see that most help files today are made of HTML? files instead of .HLP files.
Seems to be something about CHM and Rich Text Format???

Looked at some freeware help writing programs but I don't have a clue as to what to do...Honestly though, I've only looked at it for about 2-3 minutes so I guess I shouldn't be shouting for help already...
It's just that I thought it'd be easy, sigh, nothing ever is....

[dogscoff]

Ruatha: I woudn't know, but html is a sensible choice for help files since it has all the features you're likely to need (image support, basic layout, hyperlinking) and is universal- ie can be used on pretty much any machine anywhere with the need for any special software.

Easy to edit too.

[Gandalf Parker]

Definetly html help files are a good idea. But dont look for a fancy writer then try to insert the help. Write the help files then insert the html. I think the effect is better. My personal preference for writing web pages is using Paint and Notepad

[Fyron]

I suggest a real text editor, such as Metapad or Editplus, over Notepad. Syntax highlighting works wonders.