Re: DAVENPORT: Docbook-to-HTML Help help

[Norman Walsh <ndw@nwalsh.com>]

/ "Tim Black" <tblack@iKnowledgeinc.com> was heard to say:
| I have a sudden (and urgent) requirement to produce Microsoft-style HTML
| help from Docbook 2.2.1 source instances. Will this be a "walk in the park",
| "dancing with Mr. D", or some other cliche?
| 
| I can map Docbook element types to HTML through Framemaker. Does it get ugly
| thereafter?
| Will I have to manually break up the docs into Help Topics? Can I reuse my
| IndexTerms? As you can tell from the numerous question marks, any tips,
| warnings, or offers of alternative employment are welcome. Thanks.

FWIW, I managed to make HTML Help as a customization of my DSSSL
scripts.  (Unfortunately, the customization is part of a
commercial product so I can't post the sources.)

I can, however, say that it wasn't too difficult. The DSSSL code
already does the chunking, all you need to do is build a few
little auxilliary files for the HTML Help Workshop. You can even
get an index if you generate the right <object>-nonsense and
then tell the compiler to search all the HTML files for the
index terms.

Good luck!
                                        Cheers,
                                          norm
-- 
Norman Walsh <ndw@nwalsh.com>      | We think in generalities, but we
http://www.oasis-open.org/docbook/ | live in detail--Alfred North
Member, DocBook Editorial Board    | Whitehead