Angela, I'm assuming your FrameMaker XML output is from Structured Frame. Also, you don't say whether the app is a desktop app or a Web app.
If you are using the Docbook or DITA flavors of XML, there are free tools that you can download to create help from the XML. If you are using your own schema, you have a couple of options. As Jeremy said, you can check out Web Works Publisher Pro or Mif2Go. Both will turn a FrameMaker document/book into online help (.chm, web-based, JavaHelp, etc.). I don't think you can easily customize the output so that it is like MS Word's help, but I'm not positive. Another option is to use XSLT. If you are creating Web-based help, you'll have to figure out how you want to handle search. Of course, you'll also need to know XSLT or have access to someone who does. (It's not as easy as HTML, but it's probably easier than C++.) Provided you have the right skills available, this option opens up a lot of possibilities. Mike -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] om] On Behalf Of Angela Akridge Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2006 7:47 PM To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Tool for XML -> Online Help Hi, I've never worked with setting up an Online Help system. I know how to write in raw html/sgml, but that's about the extent of my experience with Online Help. I'm familiar with single-source authoring (using Epic) to create customized documentation, but have NO experience designing a help system I currently edit existing context-sensitive online help. I don't use an Online Help application (JavaHelp or RoboHelp). I simply have some hooks in the code that call some html files (nothing sophisticated). I'd like to use the content that I produce in manuals to produce online help topics. If this means that the Online Help can no longer be context sensitive without a lot of infrastrucuture, then so be it (although a hybird would be ideal). My company is okay with dumping the manual into a clean collection of individual procedures (modules) if the design provides a search box. What tool will take my Frame xml output and generate a pretty look-and-feel for online help? I like MS Word's Online Help. Thank yoiu, -- Angela Akridge [EMAIL PROTECTED] 408/393-9249 (cell) _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/mike.feimster%40acstechn ologies.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
