                                    RTFGEN

                                 Version  2.03

RTFGEN is for you people who are trying to avoid getting involved with
a Rich Text Format (RTF) word processor ($$ and nuisance) just because the
help compiler requires an RTF input file.  You can now use your favorite
ASCII editor to produce a file which RTFGEN will then convert to the
proper help compiler format.

Version 2.0 is now a Windows program.  In addition to converting your ASCII
topic file(s) to RTF, it builds the help project file (.HPJ), runs the
Microsoft help compiler, and displays the resulting help file all with one
keystroke.

Files supplied:

  RTFGEN.EXE    The main program.
  HEADING       Required by RTFGEN.EXE to produce RTF files.
  HC31.PIF      A sample PIF file to insure the help compiler runs in a window.
                You'll probably have to edit this using Window's PIF editor.

  RTFGEN.HLP    Help files and documentation for RTFGEN.
  SIMPLE.HLP

  RTFGEN.TPC    ASCII topic files used to build RTFGEN.HLP.
  MISC.TPC
  RTFGEN.MAC    Macro include file for above.
  *.BMP	        Bitmap files used in RTFGEN.HLP.
  *.SHG         Hotspot bitmap files used in RTFGEN.HLP.

  SIMPLE.TPC    Simple topic file used to build SIMPLE.HLP.

  README        This one.


Installation:

I recommend you copy these files to a directory of their own.  RTFGEN will not
pollute your Window's directory or your WIN.INI file.

The Window's help compiler(s) should be somewhere on your path.  When run from
within RTFGEN, the help compiler may run full screen or in a window depending
on the _DEFAULT.PIF settings.  Since running in a window is somewhat more
aesthetic, you may want to set up a .PIF file for the help compiler with the
"Run in window" option checked.


Documentation:

RTFGEN.HLP and SIMPLE.HLP provide the documentation.  If you've never written
a help file before or you want to get an easy start on the doc's, start with
SIMPLE.HLP.  You'll find all you need to know to write a simple (but often
adequate) help file.

You can use the topic files supplied to practice with.  If you do, make sure
you name your project file something other than RTFGEN.HPS or SIMPLE.HPS to
avoid overwriting the supplied help files.


The use of RTFGEN is free.  However, if you find it useful, have suggestions,
or find bugs, I'd like to hear from you.  Future support, changes will
probably depend on how useful it turns out to be.

Source code (Borland Pascal 7.0) is available for $10.


BUG FIXES AND CHANGES

Vers. 2.03

Made changes to allow cross referencing (jumps) to a secondary window.
Added additional documentation for:
  Use of secondary windows
  Use of Help Context files
    RTFGEN generated help context files
    Using help context files generated elsewhere


Vers. 2.02

Maximum input line length was increased to 2000 characters (was 255
characters).  This was done to avoid paragraph truncation when word wrap
mode was used in the ASCII file.  Note: I still don't recommend the use
of word wrap mode.

Some input files weren't closed under some error conditions when compiling
to RTF.  This has been fixed.

The time-date stamp of the .HPS file is now checked before compiling.  If it
has changed, you're given the choice of reading in the updated file.  This
makes it easier to externally edit the .HPS file.


Vers. 2.01

'New' now properly resets the map file options.

Allow '\:' to be used if a colon is required in Jump/Popup text.

Looking at a help file in another directory changed the default directory so
that later help files were output to the wrong directory.  This has been fixed.

If you wish to supply your own context sensitive help identifier file, you can
now do it by editing the [MAP] section of the .HPS file.  Any entry you make here
will get transfered to the .HPJ file.



Dave Baldwin
   Compuserve ID 76327,53

22 Fox Den Rd.,
Hollis, NH 03049        (May 15 to Oct 15)
(603) 465-7857

144 13th St. East,
Tierra Verde, FL 33715  (Oct 15 to May 15)
(813) 867-3030
