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List:       kde-usability
Subject:    Program-specific Help files
From:       Michael Peligro <mikepeligro () philwebinc ! com>
Date:       2002-06-19 4:31:05
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I miss the "lightweight" "program-specific" help files in Windows 98 (Is 
this the right term?). 

For example, if I am using Imaging and I need help, I click Help->
Contents. A compiled HTML help window 
appears. The left pane has an outline of topics while the right displays 
the contents. No problem here. KDE's 
help presents information in the same way.

Problem is, whenever I click help from any KDE program, it fires up the 
ENTIRE help files FOR ALL KDE apps. 
I get to see the ENTIRE Unix man pages plus the help files for 500+ or 
more apps in /usr/bin (or 
usr/local/,etc..). 

It's a good thing that KDE defaults to the help section of the program 
from which I launched help. But loading 
the other unecessary help files along with it takes more system 
resources and wastes time.

Can we restrict help to display only the program-specific topics? In 
Windows, you only get the help file you 
need for that specific program only. This is nice. I don't need the other 
help files at the moment that I am in a 
particular program. 

An integrated, all-encompassing integrated help and manual system is 
okay for power users and inquisitive 
people. It's like a help encyclopedia that we can explore in our free time. 
I hope it stays in the menu for 
power users, much like the general "Help" in Windows 98 at the start 
menu.

I heard that Gnome is developing "lightweight" "program-specific" help 
files similar to Windows CHTM. Is 
anybody in KDE doing the same thing? Or does KDE have something 
more novel in the works, such as 
blurring the distinction between tooltips and balloon help, and/or by 
making it interactive and may launch 
wizards when necessary?


Greetings,

Michael Peligro







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