Accessibility

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Obtain feedback, search non-HTML docs, and merge projects
  3. Optimize your help system with user feedback reports
  4. Tweak and fine-tune the search process
  5. Publish content from your hard drive to the server
  6. Important tips for upgraders

Adobe RoboHelp Server 6 improves the feedback loop

Important tips for upgraders

The Natural Language Search facility of older versions has been replaced. The new full text search facility is an important change for those upgrading from an older version of the RoboEngine. The natural language search concept seemed like a good idea years ago, but never caught on because users were more familiar with keyword searches. Since the natural language search technique often confused users, it has been replaced.

Upgrade Tip #1: Upgraders will want to "archive" their older feedback reports before the change takes place, because the RoboHelp Server 6 database will replace the older RoboEngine database.

Upgrade Tip #2: Those upgrading to RoboHelp Server 6 will want to let users know that rather than entering questions, they should use keywords for their search terms.

Upgrade Tip #3: A best practice would be to set up a test server and publish your existing content. In this way, you can anticipate any rollout changes you want to make.

What if authors are using mixed versions?

While it is ideal to upgrade both client and server applications to the new version 6, it is possible to work in a mixed environment, if you are careful. For example, both the older RoboHelp X5 and the new RoboHelp 6 authoring client apps can publish to both the old or new RoboEngines. However, there are at least two major differences for which you will need to plan.

  1. You would want to select WebHelp Pro as the single source layout (and not FlashHelp) because the older RoboEngine did not support FlashHelp (RoboHelp Server 6 supports FlashHelp Pro from the client app.)
  2. Be mindful of the differences resulting from the removal of natural language search, as discussed earlier.

Where to go from here

Check out other articles here in the Adobe RoboHelp Developer Center as well as the Adobe RoboHelp Forums. Also be sure to review the Adobe RoboHelp Server 6: Getting Started Guide in the RoboHelp 6 documentation area.

Websites focusing on RoboHelp:

  1. www.hypertexas.com (my site)
  2. www.grainge.org by Peter Grainge
  3. www.robowizard.com by Rick Stone
  4. http://blogs.adobe.com/techcomm/ web log by Vivek Jain, Group Product Manager for RoboHelp and FrameMaker.

Adobe continues to develop and support RoboHelp and wants to hear from you. Add your ideas for the next version of Adobe RoboHelp Server at this address: www.adobe.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=wishform

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