Developer asking for a Merge Module
Developer asking for a Merge Module
I'm delivering a small WebHelp system, (probably one or two pages of content). The Developer asked me if I can create a merge module so that he can include the help in the installation for the UI.
I'm not familiar with merge modules, though from what I can see in the forums, it looks like you use it to install the Flare Help Viewer.
Can anyone help?
Thanks,
Bob
I'm not familiar with merge modules, though from what I can see in the forums, it looks like you use it to install the Flare Help Viewer.
Can anyone help?
Thanks,
Bob
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Re: Developer asking for a Merge Module
I don't know what a merge module is either, but the help files are to be deployed like any other file. The installer package only needs to write them to the correct location so that the application can find them.
A description about merge modules is available from here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library ... S.85).aspx . Appears to me that this is a task the developer / build engineer is supposed to do, not the tech writer. Just watch out, tomorrow he will ask you to provide the application code for the software that your help file covers.
A description about merge modules is available from here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library ... S.85).aspx . Appears to me that this is a task the developer / build engineer is supposed to do, not the tech writer. Just watch out, tomorrow he will ask you to provide the application code for the software that your help file covers.
New Book: Creating user-friendly Online Help
Paperback http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449952038/ or https://www.createspace.com/3416509
eBook http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005XB9E3U
Paperback http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449952038/ or https://www.createspace.com/3416509
eBook http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005XB9E3U
Re: Developer asking for a Merge Module
We use merge modules to package our web help. The developers in charge of packaging/deployment generate the merge modules, we just provide them our web help output. Merge modules compress our web help down to one file which is then included in the program install package. The merge module is then re-extracted to the full web help when the program install package is run.
Re: Developer asking for a Merge Module
Thanks, that helps. I had already replied to the developer that he should just compress the help into a zip file and then extract that zip file into the file system. I think that's just a low-tech version of what you're describing.Merge modules compress our web help down to one file which is then included in the program install package. The merge module is then re-extracted to the full web help when the program install package is run.
Do you know what they use to generate the merge module? I'd expect that's something included in Visual Studio or an equivalent tool.
Thanks,
Bob
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- Senior Propellus Maximus
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Re: Developer asking for a Merge Module
The article I posted the link for comments on that. There are apparently various tools available.
New Book: Creating user-friendly Online Help
Paperback http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449952038/ or https://www.createspace.com/3416509
eBook http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005XB9E3U
Paperback http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449952038/ or https://www.createspace.com/3416509
eBook http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005XB9E3U
Re: Developer asking for a Merge Module
Our developer uses a tool in InstallShield to create the merge module.
Re: Developer asking for a Merge Module
Ramon, the link you posted doesn't work for me. I get a "Content Not Found" page.The article I posted the link for comments on that.
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Re: Developer asking for a Merge Module
Ooops, phpBB didn't pick up the entire URL. I fixed it in the post above.
New Book: Creating user-friendly Online Help
Paperback http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449952038/ or https://www.createspace.com/3416509
eBook http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005XB9E3U
Paperback http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449952038/ or https://www.createspace.com/3416509
eBook http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005XB9E3U
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- Propellus Maximus
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- Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2006 6:21 am
- Location: Off in the dark....
Re: Developer asking for a Merge Module
So how did this work out?
Trent.
Certifiable.
umm...
I meant MAD Certified.
Official Propeller Beanie Owner
Are you on Flare's Slack channels? PM me for an invitation!
Certifiable.
umm...
I meant MAD Certified.
Official Propeller Beanie Owner
Are you on Flare's Slack channels? PM me for an invitation!
Re: Developer asking for a Merge Module
I think the developer is going to use my suggestion of including a zip file of my content in his installation. I'm not sure what benefits there are to using a merge module, but, he's developing a one-screen application, and I only have one html page of help, so it's not a big risk.
Bob
Bob
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Re: Developer asking for a Merge Module
When I had help to deliver I never got involved with it much beyond making it available to the release team. I'm not sure how they packaged it, so I was curious.
We're going to begin providing a help system for a massive java-based system. Details, details. I hope the release guys here already know what to do
We're going to begin providing a help system for a massive java-based system. Details, details. I hope the release guys here already know what to do
Trent.
Certifiable.
umm...
I meant MAD Certified.
Official Propeller Beanie Owner
Are you on Flare's Slack channels? PM me for an invitation!
Certifiable.
umm...
I meant MAD Certified.
Official Propeller Beanie Owner
Are you on Flare's Slack channels? PM me for an invitation!