On 23 Oct 98 at 16:42, William Marsee wrote:

> I would like to ask why HTML help files are suggested over
> compiled .HLP files.

  The tools to create a compiled help file are arcane, and not freely
available.  Creating HTML files is far easier and cheaper, including
many WYSIWYG tools and many free ones.

> Whenever I attempt to open an .HTM file my system insists on
> opening the browser.

  That's to be expected.

> My browser is a slow loading multi-megabyte program.

  Hmmm...  You might save that one for on-line usage (I assume
there's something you like about it) and grab some small/fast browser
to associate .HTM files with.  I think Cello may still be available,
and I know folks who keep Netscape v0.9 around for this sort of use.

> When I open a compiled .HLP file it opens emmediatly.  Have I
> missed something in the conversation?

  The .EXE that runs help files is smaller than some modern browsers,
which often support mail and news and ftp and so on.  The only area I
can think of where .HLP has a notable edge over .HTM is in embedding
animation -- and when did you last see that *used* in a help file?

David G

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