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HTML help files

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snootyjim
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HTML help files

Hi

I'm trying to convert a set of documents containing research for a physics coursework from word documents over to HTML so that they'll easily link over to other websites, and will open files from the CD which I'll eventually hand in via references.

However, I've never really done any HTML coding and I need some sort of a template to base this on, since I don't honestly know how to make one myself, and don't have the time right now to figure it out - simply put, I like the format of the help files that come with the portable apps software and would like to use the same formatting for the files that will accompany my work. It'll only be handed in to a teacher, not made public or anything, and obviously I wouldn't be using any logos or the like, just things like the 'style' tags.

Obviously though I want to check that it would be okay to do so, since some of it will just be a direct cut and paste.

Thanks

jeffm
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If that's the style

you would like to use, download KompoZer portable (https://portableapps.com/apps/development/nvu_portable) and open the html help file with it. Remove the logo's and such, and start adding in your data.

sergentsiler
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...

Here is a cheat sheat website with a lot of basic tags n' stuff.

Zoop

solanus
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Which help files are you talking about?

Each of the individual apps (Firefox, GIMP, WinMerge, Kompozer) each have different approaches to help files. When you say you like the format of the help files that come with portable apps, there isn't one particular format:
Firefox links to its own web page.
GIMP has it's own help system.
WinMerge uses windows Compiled Help files (chm)

Unless you are talking about the simple help.html files that John throws into the "xxxxPortable" folders?

I'd suggest you would be better off using OpenOffice. You can directly open your word documents with OpenOffice, style them however you like, and save them as HTML files. No coding necessary.
While you could actually do this with MS Word, too, it makes some pretty crappy html code in the background. OpenOffice makes much cleaner html.

When you find that you do have time, you really should learn how to make web pages - it ain't rocket science! Wink

I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.

ZachHudock
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As Solanus said,

I'd suggest you would be better off using OpenOffice. You can directly open your word documents with OpenOffice, style them however you like, and save them as HTML files. No coding necessary.
While you could actually do this with MS Word, too, it makes some pretty crappy html code in the background. OpenOffice makes much cleaner html.

That is probably the easiest method to use, and will work fairly well.

The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705

LOGAN-Portable
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I suggest Wiki On A Stick,

I suggest Wiki On A Stick, it features local editing of a html file.

snootyjim
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Yeah I do need to learn it

Yeah I do need to learn it at some point, it's just that I need this done in a number of days and when it's for physics rather than IT, it's the content that demands the time, not the layout.

I'm just using Notepad++, it's more than fine for me. Yeah I mean the simple help files thrown into each package with the portable apps styling - I've got no problems doing it, I just wouldn't want to be accused of stealing code, even if it is just a bit of HTML, it's still someone's work.

rab040ma
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An editor like KompoZer can

An editor like KompoZer can make the task much easier, unless you do want to learn to do HTML.

Wikionastick might be just the ticket, though it might not have exactly the same formatting.

As for stealing -- it's how most things get done on the web. Wink I think you will be fine if you make an acknowledgement and link at the bottom of the page (unless school has some other policy). As you say, it is the content that is important.

MC

LOGAN-Portable
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Wiki On A Stick: you just

Wiki On A Stick: you just copy your content into the edit box and surround links by [[ and ]] and save the page. Voila, its ready for use.

Well if you rather create HTML manually then go ahead. Im just saying Wiki On A Stick is easy and quick to use and maintain without anything else than a browser. Its for offline use so not for online editing.

http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=155218

horrormaster34
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W3Schools

The first place I looked when I started to learn HTML, XHTML, CSS, and XML was W3Schools. I find their website to be extremely helpful and even has a little practice section after each article.

http://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp

Joble
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Save As

Have you tried Save As html in word or OpenOffice? In my experience you will still have to tweak the code because the formatting doesn't always come out right, but it would save you a lot of work getting the content in.

Have an Awesome Day!

JKEngineer
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application to write chm files

I am aware of a commercial product, helpsmith at www.helpsmith.com that is designed to write chm files directly. I think there may also be other products that do this, possibly even for free.

Edit:
from the portablefreewareapps site, here's another chm generator:
HelpNDoc at: http://www.ibe-software.com/products/software/helpndoc/

Wink

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