Microsoft .chm free software
I am looking to produce a .chm file - I found WinCHM which seems quite good but its 100 dollars - am i right in thinking that microsoft has a free .chm maker software - if so can someone give me the hyperlink to it and some links to how to use it -
I found WinCHM very easy to use with lots of useful features - how good is the one from microsoft !
I found WinCHM very easy to use with lots of useful features - how good is the one from microsoft !
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nathan1038,
The one from MS is often included in other programs. It is the compiler since the chm format is proprietary. It is free and it looks like the second comment above has a link to its download page. It is easy to use for compliling but it definitely doesn't make it easy to create the HTML pages, keywords, contents, etc that are part of and a key to a good CHM file.
It can be very worthwhile to buy a good program. My personal favorite from those I tested is Help&Manual (www.helpandmanual.com). I also liked HelpScribble (http://www.helpscribble.com/). They simplify the process and provide tools, especially Help&Manual, to make some of the really nice extras.
The answer really is in the second comment though. That is the free MS program and a very useful one, even if just to compile the project and make the chm. I do hope this helps though. The cost can be very worthwhile. Let me know if you have any questions or need more information.
b0lsc0tt
The one from MS is often included in other programs. It is the compiler since the chm format is proprietary. It is free and it looks like the second comment above has a link to its download page. It is easy to use for compliling but it definitely doesn't make it easy to create the HTML pages, keywords, contents, etc that are part of and a key to a good CHM file.
It can be very worthwhile to buy a good program. My personal favorite from those I tested is Help&Manual (www.helpandmanual.com). I also liked HelpScribble (http://www.helpscribble.com/). They simplify the process and provide tools, especially Help&Manual, to make some of the really nice extras.
The answer really is in the second comment though. That is the free MS program and a very useful one, even if just to compile the project and make the chm. I do hope this helps though. The cost can be very worthwhile. Let me know if you have any questions or need more information.
b0lsc0tt
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Hmm b0lsc0t that's a real nice product but it has a 600 dollar price tag - that's a litlte pricy for me. Anything around the 50 mark that you recomend ! I liked WinCHM - it had a good interface and was relativly easy to use - although i gather that with helpandmanual you may be able to create a more professional finish
(but then maybe not, depending on your html skills )
(but then maybe not, depending on your html skills )
Well, if the Microsoft one works well to compile the CHM's you could use that along with another HTML editor. Do you have FrontPage? That would offer a free solution for you.
WinCHM looks pretty nice. I don't remember if I have evaluated it before but it does have the important features and looks like it would be easy to use. The WYSIWYG feature is real important unless you just love writing HTML and know how to style and format for the Help page. The design for html help pages is definitely different from normal web pages.
Are you going to be integrating the CHM file in a program (i.e. having your program bring up a specific page in the CHM file)? What about a Contents? Index?
Those can be more complicated. The contents is usually not too hard but to get a program be able to access a specific page or have keywords and an index can take a lot more work. A specialized program can be a real time saver in this (and save a lot of frustration too :)).
Just some thoughts and info. Let me know if you have a question or how this helps.
bol
Are you going to be integrating the CHM file in a program (i.e. having your program bring up a specific page in the CHM file)? What about a Contents? Index?
Those can be more complicated. The contents is usually not too hard but to get a program be able to access a specific page or have keywords and an index can take a lot more work. A specialized program can be a real time saver in this (and save a lot of frustration too :)).
Just some thoughts and info. Let me know if you have a question or how this helps.
bol
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http://rbytes.net/software/visual-chm-review/
$25
http://www.topshareware.com/Abee-CHM-Maker-Pro-download-35696.htm
I cannot find anything from Microsoft, and everything I HAVE found is trial-ware.