Count HTML Help calls

[RDieter]

Hello,

I'm searching for an fast an easy way to count HTML Help calls. There are no details needed, all I want is to see how often HTML Help is used and (maybe) how often a certain topic is opened.
MadCap Feedback is too much for this purpose so anything except this way, please. Maybe a simple JScript will do the job?!

Thanks,
Sergio.

[RamonS]

You could craft a script, but where would that script write to? A local file doesn't do much good. I'd add code to the application itself rather than trying to forcefeed that into the help. The developers can add usage tracking much easier, but it would not cover any topics viewed once the help is opened.

[RDieter]

my idea was to get a script which "pings" a certain file on a server once a topic is viewed... unfortunately, my js skills are low, I hoped someone could post a link with a similar script.

[RamonS]

That could work, I just wonder how many issues you'd get into having the help "phone home" for each visited topic.

[RDieter]

if you would add the script in the footer that would be no problem, I think (the content is always displayed before the script starts its work)... a problem might be a firewall...

[NorthEast]

Also, I'm not sure what the accepted guidelines are for this sort of thing, but I've seen a few help systems that do this and they give the user the option to switch it off/on.

In any case, I'd definitely speak to your developers for help on the coding.

[KevinDAmery]

Also, I'm not sure what the accepted guidelines are for this sort of thing, but I've seen a few help systems that do this and they give the user the option to switch it off/on.

In any case, I'd definitely speak to your developers for help on the coding.

And in addition to that, you would definitely need to tell users a) that you're doing it, and b) whether or not user-identifiable information is being sent. Otherwise you start getting into trouble with privacy concerns.