🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <SRA.92Aug18184717@nansen.ecs.soton.ac.uk> sra@ecs.soton.ac.uk (Stephen Adams) writes:
>I have just tried to use the help compiler (HC) that comes
>with BC++ 3.0.  I tried to use it on the example (HELPEX).
>I edited HELPEX.RTF using MS WORD 2.0, and I did very little
>editing on the screen that has the bitmaps by reference.
>Then HC gave me the error
>
>Error R2055: File HELPEX.RTF is not a usable RTF topic file
>
>This error will not go away....

This reminds me of the troubles I had interfacing the WP4W RTF output with the
help compiler. Lots of errors, and no positive results.

My solution has been to create and edit the actual RTF files themselves. I have
had no problems since.

My Method:

1. Create a template of an empty help page, but containing any RTF stuff needed
   for the page. Also include any font, and font size controls for headings.

2. Copy this template to a new file for each new help page required.

3. Fill in the blanks. You may need a reference card for the more common RTF
   commands. You would be surprised how few you actually need.

4. Use make to concatenate all of the individual RTF files and compile the 
   merged RTF file. I also include a program which generates various cross-
   reference and consistancy reports to help make sure that all hypertext
   links reference real help pages, browse sequences are in a logical order,etc.

Benefits:

1. The help compiler no longer complains.

2. You have initimate control over what is placed into the RTF files. You can
   eliminate lots of RTF stuff inserted by WP4W but apparently not required.

3. It's easy to create additional utilities to generate cross reference reports.

4. You can use any editor to create or modify your RTF files. You are not
   restricted to a particular editor running under Windows. I can continue to
   work on the help files on a PC which is not running Windows.

5. You can easily re-use help pages for other applications.

Disadvantages:

1. You have to learn the basics of the RTF format and some commands.

2. Ummmm? You tell me.


Regards,
    Steve

----_--_-_-_--_-__-_------_-__---_-___-_----_-____-_-_--__-_--_--___-_-_-_--__-_
Steve Balogh  VK3YMY   (Maths G.14)   | steve@monu6.cc.monash.edu.au
Monash University, Clayton Campus     |      37 54'38.8"S  145 07'47.1"E ...ICBM
Wellington Road, Clayton.  	      |      +61 3 565 4747 Voice (Office)
Melbourne, AUSTRALIA. 3168	      |      +61 3 565 4746 Fax