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Images in Help System

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    Images in Help System

    Hello

    I need to create a in built Help system that will assist users navigating an application.

    I can see at field and properties level, you can create a custom F1 Help system.

    Alas I can see no way where you can display images under the various topics

    Is this possible?
    If not what are the alternatives

    Thanks

    Alex
    Database Software Solutions Limited
    www.dbasesolution.co.uk
    http://www.precise360.co.uk
    PRECISE360 -
    LYNCHPIN -

    #2
    Re: Images in Help System

    Hi Alex,
    I have no idea whether your in-built must point in the right direction or that you want to show a page of a manual.
    In short my thoughts as a first step of an idea

    Light:
    Maybe you can use bubble help. Then you have displayed a special text with instructions but no images.

    Expanded:
    Another possibility is to use the onflyover event to open a form with text and/or pictures.
    The user can close that form themselves if they have read the instruction(s).
    Offer the user a botton with a variable to toggle and show the help system is 'on' or 'off'.

    Medium:
    Add little buttons with a questionmark or [I] close to each (important) field. Use the onflyover event for the display in a form or dialog with text and/or an image.
    You can use a timer to close the form or dialog.
    If you like it, you can hide the buttons but then put them always at a logical location such as at the right side of each field.


    Ton
    Most things are simple but unfortunately only after the first time

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Images in Help System

      Download my free app and see what it does Alex. It runs on V9/V10.5 and V11 so you only need the small version not the full install.
      It has a logical view of what can be done, which could easily be modified to highlight where a user is in the app.
      I went this route after being woken at 3.00 am by a milk marketing customer in V4 DOS days.
      See our Hybrid Option here;
      https://hybridapps.example-software.com/


      Apologies to anyone I haven't managed to upset yet.
      You are held in a queue and I will get to you soon.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Images in Help System

        Dear Ton

        First of all thanks for your input.

        I use the bubble help on fields and it is useful, but not having pictures, it is limited.
        Sometimes you need to explain a procedure so that the user understands the logic of data input.

        Expanded is an option. I could include a button and the user can decide. The only problem with this is you have to launch the screen of help
        which hides the input screen. I have tried this as a user and its unwieldy. Nearly all users I train want to get their job done asap and on automatic pilot!

        The little buttons to the left of the field is a good idea. I have used the hotspot function before to do this and it works well.

        Ideally want I would like to do is vary the size of the window that is launch with the text and image.
        Any ideas on how you can do this.

        Thanks for your help. It is very much appreciated.

        Kind regards

        Alex
        Database Software Solutions Limited
        www.dbasesolution.co.uk
        http://www.precise360.co.uk
        PRECISE360 -
        LYNCHPIN -

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Images in Help System

          I have used Jing sessions to show difficult processes Alex.
          See our Hybrid Option here;
          https://hybridapps.example-software.com/


          Apologies to anyone I haven't managed to upset yet.
          You are held in a queue and I will get to you soon.

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Images in Help System

            Giles

            Yes I have used Jing in the past, but I found it unreliable.
            Whilst it easy to point and capture, you need something that allows you to edit and compliment
            the captured screen.

            After looking a number of systems, the one I chose is ScreenSteps Desktop Pro

            www.bluemangolearning.com/screensteps/

            Thanks for your input.

            Kind Regards

            Alex
            Database Software Solutions Limited
            www.dbasesolution.co.uk
            http://www.precise360.co.uk
            PRECISE360 -
            LYNCHPIN -

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Images in Help System

              My help files are all html files. I don't try to contrill them from alpha, just open them, but bet they can be controlled to do what you want. I do try to make the workflow moves within the app conform to the most logical for the user.
              Dave Mason
              [email protected]
              Skype is dave.mason46

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Images in Help System

                Hi Alex,

                Originally posted by alexmuir View Post
                Ideally want I would like to do is vary the size of the window that is launch with the text and image.
                Any ideas on how you can do this.
                If you can make an xdialog then the size is just what you want?

                Originally posted by alexmuir View Post
                I have tried this as a user and its unwieldy
                Less important, but what's unwiledy using the buttons of because of the display of a big form?

                My idea of a button for help is that if a user wants help (s)he must press the button to get it and if they want to exit the helpinfo they must press <OK> on the dialog or press the exit-button to close the form with info.

                Originally posted by alexmuir View Post
                After looking a number of systems, the one I chose is ScreenSteps Desktop Pro
                Do you want to use it or did you try screensteps?

                Ton
                Last edited by Ton Spies; 03-26-2013, 08:26 AM.
                Most things are simple but unfortunately only after the first time

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Images in Help System

                  Dave M
                  Curious how you organised it. Can you add a few more lines and show a screenshot? That would be nice.

                  Ton
                  Most things are simple but unfortunately only after the first time

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Images in Help System

                    Ton,

                    Mine are real simple. I just have a help button on a form that opens a .htm file in the browser. The words and pics in the htm file are made for whatever form the user is on with navigation to other htm files desired. Most of the files have a picture of the form with detailed information of what can be done by the user for the user.

                    I believe it is possible to programmatically capture those htm files in a smaller window, but I don't find a need for it in my apps and haven't tried it.

                    By the way, you can include a version of IE with your app and use that one however you wish. I have not tried other than IE so far. I think I have IE-5 with most of my apps which does all I need so far.
                    Dave Mason
                    [email protected]
                    Skype is dave.mason46

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Images in Help System

                      Hi Dave

                      Thanks for your explanation.
                      Nice to read everyone working on an approach to realize this option. A word document saved as htm file is the secret.

                      Hmm.. Maybe Alpha Software should offer an Alpha-Userhelp solution as a standard?

                      Ton
                      Most things are simple but unfortunately only after the first time

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Images in Help System

                        I use an off the shelf web page maker(Page Maker 6 - no longer availeable). The old one only cost 39.95 about 18 years ago, but win 7 finally killed it. There are a bunch out there that are free and real good to do this. Kompozer comes to mind. I don't particularly like doing it in word. I actually use serif webplus6 for my web pages out there as some others here do. Would change that if I found just the right one that was easy, quick and didn't cost a bunch of money. I think I played with most of them.
                        Dave Mason
                        [email protected]
                        Skype is dave.mason46

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Images in Help System

                          Hello

                          Quite illuminating everyone's contributions.

                          In the end I found Screen Steps a little bit limiting so I bit the bullet and purchased a copy of Dr Explain.

                          Apart from having to copy and save screens rather than paste them into the Help document, it works great.

                          A big advantage is that having spent the time creating the Help system, a couple of mouse clicks turns it into a Word document with its own index.

                          In terms of giving users quick access I just added a hot spot over the menu bar name on all the screens of the application.

                          Thanks everyone for adding your input. It has been useful and helpful.

                          Kind Regards

                          Alex
                          Database Software Solutions Limited
                          www.dbasesolution.co.uk
                          http://www.precise360.co.uk
                          PRECISE360 -
                          LYNCHPIN -

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Images in Help System

                            That's a big bite starting at $190 vs ScreenSteps at $40!
                            Robin

                            Discernment is not needed in things that differ, but in those things that appear to be the same. - Miles Sanford

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Images in Help System

                              Robin

                              You can use the app many times over, and more importantly you can charge for the results it delivers many times over. So even at $190 it is a good investment.
                              However, I bought my company through a site where manufacturers tout their wares significantly discounted. I got my copy at list less 70%.

                              The web site is www.bitsdujour.com

                              You might have to wait until they offer it again.

                              Kind Regards

                              Alex
                              Database Software Solutions Limited
                              www.dbasesolution.co.uk
                              http://www.precise360.co.uk
                              PRECISE360 -
                              LYNCHPIN -

                              Comment

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