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The PC Plus Help File Challenge

The Help File Challenge is a competition for users of HDK - the Hypertext Development Kit, included on the June 1994 PC Plus SuperCD. Create a Help file, send it to PC Plus by 30 July, and you could win a full copy of  HDK 2.3, worth £275 plus VAT!

Competition Entry Rules

The Glittering Prizes

Hints and Tips - how to win!

About the PC Plus SuperCD

© Future Publishing 1994


Help Challenge Rules

The rules are as follows:

The help files entered must be your own original work, and must not include copyright material (text or graphics) from other sources.

You may enter as many help files as you wish. There is no limit on the size of a file, or on the subject matter, although subjects of wider interest to PC Plus readers will stand more chance of winning. See Help Challenge Hints for more ideas.

All entries must be created using HDK.

Entries can be submitted by post, to:

Help File Challenge

PC Plus

Future Publishing

30 Monmouth Street

Bath BA1 2BW

Or e-mailed to:

pcplus@cix.compulink.co.uk or CompuServe 71333,1462

In either case, all entries must arrive by 30 July 1994. Proof of despatch will not be accepted as proof of delivery. Only entries accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope will be returned.

Don't forget to include your name and address, and preferably a daytime phone number, as a .TXT file with the same name as your help file, as well as on the disc label for postal entries.

Copyright with all entries remains with the author, but PC Plus retains the right to include entries on a future SuperCD, so your work will be appreciated by thousands of PC Plus readers. Please indicate with your entry if you do NOT agree to this condition.


Help Challenge Hints

Here are some hints and tips...

Make your help file of wide interest to PC Plus readers; 100 hot tips for Windows stands much more chance of winning than Three interesting things to do with string.

Make sure that your help file can be read easily at standard VGA resolution; if pictures are too big, users with 640*480 displays won't be able to see them all without scrolling. Often, a section of a picture can be clearer than the whole thing:

Don't forget to create definitions for any words or phrases that may be unclear or unfamiliar.

Offer the user multiple paths through the data, using browse sequences as well as jumps.

Get your entry in on time!


About the PC Plus SuperCD

The PC Plus SuperCD

From the June 1994 issue, PC Plus is available in a special edition with cover-mounted CD-ROM, called the PC Plus SuperCD. This is packed with the very best commercial software, shareware, images, upgrades, drivers, help files and much, much more!

The CD-ROM edition of PC Plus is available from larger UK newsagents, and by subscription. Call the PC Plus subscriptions hotline on (0225) 822511 for full details.


The Glittering Prizes

The winner of the PC Plus Help File Challenge will receive a full, unlimited version of HDK 2.3 - the Hypertext Development Kit, complete with manuals, normally selling for £275 plus VAT. We reviewed HDK in the April 1994 issue of PC Plus, along with two competitors, and awarded it the maximum value verdict of 5/5. We concluded, "HDK wins the prize for having the most features, and it is also reasonably priced. If it can be done, you can probably do it with HDK."

The judges' decision is final, and there is no cash or other alternative to the prize offered.

HDK works with Microsoft Word for Windows, and produces stand-alone Windows help files which may be freely distributed. For more details, contact the UK distributor, SoftKlone Ltd, on (0628) 819200.