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Having previously used CHM help with VS6, I thought I’d have a look at the Help Project provided with VS.Net.

Before I go any further, I think I may put you off.
After I had followed an example through to its conclusion and created a setup project for my HXS help file, added necessary merged modules I found my MSI was a 1mb. That’s not including an application, just the necessary files to run the help file.

The Help Project UI to create this type of help files is quite good, although just slightly better than the HTML Help workshop.

I decided to try and integrate it into an application. Added a help provider to a form and to my surprise there was no HXS fie type for selection, just CHM, HTML etc.

I selected it anyway, I tried running my app.
I pressed F1 and because I don’t have the Dexlpore program registered properly it brought up a message asking what program I would like to run it with.

The one advantage I can think of from using this type of help, is that you can create dynamic help, although I didn’t go that far into it.

I think it’s aimed at providing standalone help, e.g. not for use with application, primarily. Like SQL Books Online.

I think I’ll stick with CHM especially as I don’t need dynamic help and download size is important.

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by JM