On 08/02/2012 08:49, Robert Covington wrote:
>
> On Feb 7, 2012, at 2:42 AM, Deep wrote:
>>> Ok, found out how to index, sorry. Not sure about converting...I think
>>> Text-Edit can do it though.
>>>
>>> rc
>>
>> In the Developer folder, inside Applications, inside Utilities, you
>> will find "Help Indexer.app" which builds the Help Book index files.
>>
>> This is a file that ends in ".helpindex" and is located at the root of
>> the Help Book.
>>
>> There is a command line equivalent to the application too, get more
>> info in Terminal with:
>>
>> man hiutil
>
> Thanks, found the indexer.
>
> Anybody know if Apple -requires- you use their Help books, or can one
> use their own?
>
> Problem with rolling your own, as I have, is that it's not searchable.
>
> rc

If it is not a "HelpBook", then it is not a HelpBook! You can put any 
data in your application bundle, and if it is HTML pages, you can have 
them open in a web browser, or whatever is your intention. A PDF can 
open in the default PDF viewer set by the user, etc.

Just like the FB5 editor opens the HelpBook or the PDF Manual from the 
Help menu.

The "HelpBook" is specifically an Apple technology that just happens to 
use HTML as its raw underpinnings.

It is not technically essential to have a Help Book in your application, 
but obviously your users may find it useful to have a searchable help 
facility?