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So you want me to buy Version 7 ...

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    So you want me to buy Version 7 ...

    Then ...

    1. Have the styles work in the Help Editor. That is, be able to set the styles to a font and save that setting from session to session.

    2. Be able to turn "Bubble Help" on and off -- in the runtime version.

    3. Be able to set the "delay" of "Bubble Help" before it displays -- in the runtime version.

    4. Be able to attach Bubble Help to ANY VISIBLE object on the form.

    5. Be able to attach a "F1" link to ANY VISIBLE object on the form that can receive focus.


    Before I got the response "Use Robohelp", but Robohelp costs FIVE times the price of A5 (promotional pricing). I got users to support. The above would let me do just that.

    I know tapping into world finance with credit card billing and integrating with the World Wide Web is really exciting. However, I got on board with A5 because I could use it with a two user environment and get my job done with product that utilizes the ancient standard of *.DBF and therefore access most of digital history. We are talking about being able to access almost any data that someone typed into a computer. What product can claim THAT!

    DON'T FORGET YOUR ROOTS! THE DESKTOP IS NOT DEAD!
    Mark Campidonica

    #2
    Hi Mark,

    This seems more like a post for the wish list forum, however, unless I am misunderstanding your requests, some of them do exist in V7.

    4. Be able to attach Bubble Help to ANY VISIBLE object on the form.

    5. Be able to attach a "F1" link to ANY VISIBLE object on the form that can receive focus.

    For both of the above, right click on your form object and go to the Help Entry tab. They have text bubble help which addresses 4. and Custom Help (F1 key) which addresses 5. I am using both of these without any issues.

    I am using the built in Alpha Five Help File. To add to your wish list (since you started it here), I have three:

    1. Insert images
    2. Have sub-chapters under the main chapter allowing for topics under those.
    3. Flexibility to sort the chapters in any desired order. Currently it is alphabetical by the chapter name so I have had to be creative with the names in order to get something close to an ordering that I would prefer.

    BTW, I love V7.

    Good luck
    Cheryl
    Cheryl
    #1 Designs By Pagecrazy
    http://pagecrazy.com/

    Comment


      #3
      Mark,

      Not that it matters, but...
      • The web/was is the wave of the future (the present, for some folks)
      • The web/was is as slow as a turtle* (unless you hand code it)
      • Though, once they enable AJAX it should be red hot!
      • But even then, you will have to contend with HTML - which is really sick (or should I say archaic?)
      My 2-cents,

      *Before I get blasted, "slow" as compared to the desktop - esp. if you have to search for something, but you don't know what you are searching for.
      Peter
      AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

      [email protected]
      https://www.alphabasesolutions.com


      Comment


        #4
        Mark;

        In the runtime, did you want those option "by user" or system wide?
        Steve Wood
        See my profile on IADN

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by Steve Wood
          Mark;

          In the runtime, did you want those option "by user" or system wide?
          Peter, Thanks,

          I would think a system variable would do. The developer could decide how to let the user access it. I don't deal with many users, so I would probably just set it when I setup the program and then change the value if the user wanted something different.
          Last edited by Mark Campidonica; 03-17-2006, 02:00 AM.
          Mark Campidonica

          Comment


            #6
            Cheryl,

            So you can attach bubble help to a browse table? Or better yet, a browse table column. I now have to set up a ? button next to the browse table title (a suggestion I got here) and explain the columns in a long description that is somewhat disconnected from the actual object I am describing.

            I like your suggestions!

            Anyways, I think the help system is somewhat neglected relative to the other features (developers are notorious for not liking to do documentation). If V7 had our suggestions, I would buy it. V6 works great for me. I just want this part to get "fixed". Alpha actually develops its products fairly heavily as updates before issuing a new version ... I was just hoping to influence the development of V7 more in a direction I could use.

            Selwyn is very talented ... what are we talking here? Two days, two weeks of time.

            BTW, I don't use the F1 help, but have used a numbering system to keep the topics organized when I did. 10. Overview, 11 Introduction, 12 Commerical Time Travel Basics
            etc.
            Last edited by Mark Campidonica; 03-17-2006, 02:01 AM.
            Mark Campidonica

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Peter.Greulich
              Mark,

              Not that it matters, but...
              • The web/was is the wave of the future (the present, for some folks)
              • The web/was is as slow as a turtle* (unless you hand code it)
              • Though, once they enable AJAX it should be red hot!
              • But even then, you will have to contend with HTML - which is really sick (or should I say archaic?)
              My 2-cents,

              *Before I get blasted, "slow" as compared to the desktop - esp. if you have to search for something, but you don't know what you are searching for.
              Peter,

              I'm not dissing the Web. I just don't have to go there. A5 was/is a great desktop development tool ... not if they would get the help system up to speed.

              BTW, I have very many fancy stainless steel pots and pans, but usually prefer my cast iron pots. ... I'm just that kinda of guy.
              Mark Campidonica

              Comment


                #8
                Mark, I know it can be frustrating at times - A5 will never be perfect. I purchased it anyway and don't regret it because there are a lot more really good features than bad. 8-)

                Comment


                  #9
                  Hi Mark,

                  I stand corrected. You cannot attach bubble help or F1 custom help to ANY VISIBLE OBJECT. I have never had the need to attach help to an embedded browse so I did not know that it was not possible until you mentioned it.

                  I love your idea on numbering the chapters, I will have to try that one.

                  Thanks
                  Cheryl
                  Cheryl
                  #1 Designs By Pagecrazy
                  http://pagecrazy.com/

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Brett,

                    I like the software and use it a lot. Now if Alpha would fix the help system ... then it would be (almost) perfect. Until that time happens (and I hope it will), Version 6 is fine ... hence the subject line.
                    Mark Campidonica

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Cheryl,

                      Remember it is an alphabetical sort, so the numbers may not sort "numerically" - especially if you want to use periods and dashes. Also some other users have recommended the use of hot spots and custom dialogs to develop a more complete "bubble help" system. The use of a set of forms attached to a "help table" and dialog boxes can also be used to develop an entire help system that can be organized more to your liking.

                      To me these methods, while the product of intelligent and innovative minds, are "work arounds" and add another layer of complexity to development (and I don't need that with my simple ways and limited time).
                      Mark Campidonica

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by Mark Campidonica
                        Brett,
                        I like the software and use it a lot. Now if Alpha would fix the help system ... then it would be (almost) perfect. Until that time happens (and I hope it will), Version 6 is fine ... hence the subject line.
                        Mark, yes I think we all agree that the A5 help needs some help. I have one such suggestion planted in the "Features wish list" forum. The other one that continually frustrates me is that it takes about 10 levels of menus and clicks to get to the place where I can update my application's help and then when I get there its modal - I can't switch back to my application to check the accuracy of the documentation I'm preparing on my application.

                        For this reason alone I'm looking for a good, affordable help authoring tool. I have tried a few but I'm still looking.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by brett s
                          The other one that continually frustrates me is that it takes about 10 levels of menus and clicks to get to the place where I can update my application's help
                          I'm not sure exactly what you are referring to, but I use xbasic attached to a button on my main menu to get to my Alpha Help File edit in one simple step:

                          Code:
                          HELP_FILE_EDIT(a5.get_path() +chr(92)+ vHelpFileName)
                          Peter
                          AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

                          [email protected]
                          https://www.alphabasesolutions.com


                          Comment


                            #14
                            Thanks, Peter. Yes, that's a big help. I now have a script named 'HelpEdit' in my application that runs this command for me.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Brett,

                              I used to use a tool called "Help Yourself", which I found reasonably useful and reasonably priced ($99). At least it's style buttons worked! It was one of those "out of the garage" businesses, but the guy did a good job! ... and I got a departmental commendation from the director for my efforts! That was about 8 years ago with A4.

                              Actually, I think that the most versatile solution is probably to use A5's forms and features to cook up your own system (as some developers have stated they have done). Though such an effort would automatically be "non-standard" to the Windows environment (but then again Access is considered a standard).

                              Anyways, I make my plea once a year to hopefully get this issue on Selwyn's radar screen. I think this time is "take 3". I'll respond to any remarks, but otherwise wait until 2007 for my next plea.

                              Just as a teaser, I'll promise one decent Alpha newsletter article (concepts of A5) if Selwyn fixes the help and buy at least one developer and runtime copy of version 7 (at promotional pricing) if he addresses this issue adequately.

                              Peter,

                              Thanks for the "shortcut". I think that many of us "helpless" people will find it useful. Sorry about the quotes, but italics are probably even more annoying.
                              Mark Campidonica

                              Comment

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