Development Tools - Online Help: tools for developing Java and Windows online help systems
AnswerWorks
With AnswerWorks from WexTech, you can add a natural language search function to your help file. Several usability studies have show that users prefer to use the online help keyword search feature to find a help topic. AnswerWorks expands the capability of the keyword and full text search, by allowing users to enter a more natural search string, like "How to add an invoice". (Jul-26-98)BOS-EXPERT/WIN
According the the product description "BOS-EXPERT/WIN is an extremely unique context-sensitive online help and documentation system that can be used with any network system running Windows on its front-end terminals. BOS-EXPERT/WIN can even be used to create user-friendly online help texts for mainframe applications using 3270™, Telnet™, and AS/400™ emulation packages for Windows." (2000-04-25)foCoach
foCoach is an ActiveX component for Visual Basic that allows you to setup a two way communications link between a VB application and a Windows 95 help topic. With this component you can fill in a field in a VB application by clicking a button or hyperlink in a Windows help topic. You can download a trial version of the ActiveX component form the Fundamental Objects Inc. website. (Dec-29-96)ICE Browser
The ICE Browser is a component for embedding a HTML browser into Java applications. It supports for the HTML language (HTML 3.2). It can be uses as a HTML help systems embedded in JAVA applications or as a WEB browser in a Java application. (Jul-28-97)JavaHelp
JavaHelp is an online help system that will enable Java programmers to add online help to their Java applications. JavaHelp will display HTML documents stored locally or on a network. The JavaHelp window can include navigational buttons and an expandable table of contents. It will also enable servers side topic searches. You can find more information about JavaHelp in in this WinWriter article. (Updated Nov-10-97)jHelp
You can use the jHelp applet to add pop-up secondary windows to a web page. You can also embed the jHelp window in a webpage. jHelp can display HTML2 encoded files, that include images and hypertext links. The jHelp windows has a search feature and buttons for quickly closing the jHelp window. (Mar-01-97)KeyHelp
KeyHelp is a free ActiveX control that online help authors and programmers can use to enhance the capabilities of compiled Microsoft HTML Help systems and to control the behavior of HTML Help systems in a Windows application. It provides native HTML pop-ups, embedded windows, an auto-sizing secondary window, content-level Information Types, and and various script extensions. (2001-07-01)Oracle Help for Java
Oracle Help for Java is a set of Java components and an API for developing and displaying HTML-based content in a Java environment. It provides both the tools and technology for developing context-sensitive help for Java applets and applications. (Jan-17-99)PHD HelpIndex
With PHD HelpIndex you can add a WinHelp like subject index to a website. You can either embed the applet in a HTML page or display it in a floating window. As you type characters in the search field will quickly scroll to the first word that contains all the character you entered. You can easily run the applet in a HTML frame along the left hand edge of your browser window and display the found pages in a content frame. (Mar-01-97)ProHelp
ProHelp is a Delphi control that allows you to quickly add What's This help to a wide variety of windows elements. With ProHelp, you can switch an application to a novice user mode where a person can click the right mouse button on an element to immediately display the element's What's This help topic. (Sep-02-98)TODSHelp Component
TODSHelp Component is a 16 bit Borland Delphi VCL component that you can use to quickly create Window 95 like help pop-up windows for any object on a Delphi form. You can display these pop-ups by pressing F1 on a selected object, pressing the right button and selecting the "What's this?" menu option or clicking a help button and then an object. You can even launch Windows Help from a help pop-up. (Feb-22-97)