VyperHelp: OS/2 IPF help outliner, editor and converter

Introduction

VyperHelp is a visual outliner and editor for creating online help for
OS/2-based systems.  It generates IPF files, which can be compiled into
OS/2-based HLP and INF files.  It also generates WinHelp project source,
including HPJ, CNT, RTF and HH files.  VyperHelp has the following features:

   WYSIWYG text editing with codes revealed
   Powerful outline tree controls
   Keyword/index support
   Full symbol support
   IPF import and export
   WinHelp (HPJ,RTF,CNT) import and export
   RTF document-style export
   ASCII text import and export
   Command-line conversion program

See Usage Notes for tips, limitations, and a list of known bugs.  Help can be
viewed from the command line (in Warp 4) with:

  view vyper.hlp

Conversion Program (VYX)

VyperHelp includes a conversion program (VYX.EXE), which can be run from the
command line to convert formats in a batch mode.  VYX is faster and supports
more features than the editor.  The syntax for the program is as follows:

  VYX infile outfile

where infile is the input file, and outfile is the output file.  The file type
is determined by the filename extension.  Supported input file types are: TXT,
IPF, HPJ, and VYD.  Supported output file types are: TXT, IPF, HPJ, RTF, H, VYD,
and VYT.  VYD is a VyperHelp document.  VYT is VyperHelp diagnostic trace
output.  outfile may also include '=' to specify the same root filename as the
input file (for example, "=.ipf").  H is a C language header file.

When the output is an IPF or HPJ file, BMP files will automatically be generated
as necessary to support inline art.  They will be named VInnnnn.BMP or
VWnnnnn.BMP, where nnnn is a sequential number.

Requirements

VyperHelp has the following requirements:

   OS/2 Warp version 3 or greater
   Pentium or faster
   4M hard drive space
   32M memory recommended
   IPF compiler (to create HLP or INF files)

Terms

VyperHelp is provided for free distribution.  Thirty days after its first use,
it will no longer work.  During that trial period, promotional text will be
inserted at the end of each section during export or conversion.

A registration key is required for un-limited and un-hindered use.  Registration
keys can be purchased from MekTek for $49 US, which includes minor upgrades and
support.

Please read the complete license for details.

Installation

To install VyperHelp, run the INSTALL.EXE program which was included as part of
the ZIP package.  The installation program will unpack the files into a
directory you specify (default is C:\VYPER), and create a VyperHelp folder.

If you opt to update your CONFIG.SYS file, then the directory will be added to
the PATH and LIBPATH, and a TABPATH setting will be added.  TABPATH gives the
location of the parsing tables (*.LLR and *.DFA).  These changes allow VyperHelp
and VYX to be run in directories other then the one they were installed to.

The installation program also sets up an association between VyperHelp and the
*.VYD file extension, so you can double-click a VYD file to edit it.

Removal (Uninstall)

VyperHelp and all of its associated files and folders can be removed from your
system using INSTALL.EXE program which was included as part of the original ZIP
package.

To remove VyperHelp, run the program from the command line, using the following
parameters:

  install /a:d

Contact MekTek

Please contact us with any comments, suggestions or bug reports for VyperHelp,
or if you would like to join our mailing list.

Contact MekTek by one of the following means:

   Web: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/mek/vyper.htm
   Email: mek@compuserve.com
   Fax: 1-651-649-0237
   Voice: 1-651-649-0245

Thank you for trying VyperHelp!