Tools
Applications used by technical writers or translators for creating or editing online help belong to the so called help authoring tools (HAT).
Help authoring tools are also used to convert translated manuals into online help or vice versa. This is today a common practice, since software publishers try to use the "single-source-multiple-output" method; this means, for example, that the translated source files are used to create online help formats, online documentation in PDF format and printed manuals.
Usually, help authoring tools allow users to:
- Obtain the source text by importing the files produced by a different program or by allowing users to create the text in the tool’s text editor. Some of the files that can be imported are: ASCII, HTML, Microsoft Word, as well as compiled help formats like Microsoft WinHelp, Microsoft Compressed HTML Help, etc.
- Generate target help files such as WinHelp (HLP), Microsoft Compressed HTML Help (CHM) or document files such as Adobe PDF and HTML.
- Automatically generate indexes, table of contents
- Use the spell checker
- Edit images, etc.
Among the most commonly used help authoring tools are:
- Robohelp: This tool owned by Adobe Systems allows users to create online help. It is possible to use a single help project to generate any standard Help format (e.g. JavaHelp, Microsoft WinHelp, Microsoft HTML Help and printed documentation). This tool is used not for the translation phase (since translation is done on the source files), but for compilation and page layout purposes. For more information on Robohelp, go to: http://www.adobe.com/products/robohelp/.
- Doc-To-Help: This authoring tool allows to create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert it to several Help file formats (browser-based or platform independent Help) or printed documentation. To download a 30-day, full-featured trial version of Doc-To-Help, go to: https://www.doctohelp.com/free-trials/. For more information, visit: http://www.doctohelp.com/.
- HelpMaker: This is a freeware help authoring tool. It allows users to create online Help in formats such as: WinHelp, HTML Help, PDF and other formats. HelpMaker can be freely downloaded from: https://en.freedownloadmanager.org/Windows-PC/HelpMaker-FREE.html. For more information on other freeware help authoring tools, have a look at: http://www.thefreecountry.com/programming/helpauthoring.shtml
- Microsoft Help Workshop: Developed by Microsoft, this tool is available as:
- Microsoft Help Workshop: generates online help files in Windows Help 4. format (see its website for free download)
- Microsoft HTML Help Workshop: creates HTML help files (compiled HTML files) and HTML help files for the Internet (Java Applet or ActiveX–Control) (see its website for free download).
(Adapted from Wikipedia, 2007; and Esselink, 2000)