Online help

[lukas.hasik]

Hi beta testers,

it would be great to hear some feedback about the Online Help content. We are still working on the functionality and UI however the content(text) is almost final. I'd appreciate any comments.

How to open the Online Hep?
- click the "?" question mark icon in avast GUI
- or press F1

If there is a blank page let me know - it's a bug. If there is a blank page let me know as well.
I'd appreciate htmlremotecontent.log or "how to get to that page" in these bug cases

Motivators for the help online:
- update the content. And make it easy for newcomers to understand. Detailed information are (will be) in "detailed" pages linked from an "overview" page that appears when you click "?" at a GUI screen
- it's easier to update it then the distributed chm files. Updates should appear with every major release. And even with minor releases when a change is necessary
- it's easier to deliver new translations of the help
- it can provide some better functionality as it can integrate directly with avast. E.g. a UI screen can be open directly form the Help. Or we can warn user about "inconsistent" program state together with either "click to fix" or at least a link to troubleshooting.
- help content can live as a web site
- integration with Troubleshooting pages and Support

thank you
Lukas

[Charyb-0]

What I dislike most after selecting "?"... The pages are too small. Not everyone has 20/20 vision.

[RejZoR]

Maybe adding "+" and "-" and "Reset zoom" buttons within the help popups in order to give users ability to zoom info. Just like you can in PDF files or webpages.

[Para-Noid]

+1  The online help pages need to be so that a user can re-size them.
      Over all it's a good idea except for those not connected to the web.

      Is there a way to have a help file which can be downloaded separately?
      LibreOffice has this option. I know it's like comparing apples to oranges.
      But a help file is just that...a help file.

[lukas.hasik]

it's possible to resize the window manually. But yes, we should make the default size bigger. However if you talk about changing font size that might be add later. Together with Back button.

@offline - there will be a few pages distributed with avast as offline content. And the help content will be at a separate web site as well to allow you to browse it without avast.

What about "search box" - would it help you to find the right content?

[Charyb-0]

When you resize the window the text remains the exact same. Would allowing the text to wrap help?

[lukas.hasik]

there is new CSS, it shoudl resize in Beta2...

[Secondmineboy]

Can confirm, its resizing now.

Didnt do that a few days ago .

[Charyb-0]

there is new CSS, it shoudl resize in Beta2...

Not all pages are wrapping text. The main page is but the 'How avast works' page isn't. Also, a back arrow is needed in order to navigate smoothly. There is no way to go back. see attached

What's wrong with using a table of contents? An index?

[Staticguy]

@lukas.hasik : It would be very appreciated if the online help be updated with new information on a regular basis. Such as when new help information comes in with new troubleshooting process. It would help old and new users with steps to follow .

[lukas.hasik]

@lukas.hasik : It would be very appreciated if the online help be updated with new information on a regular basis. Such as when new help information comes in with new troubleshooting process. It would help old and new users with steps to follow .

Yes! We plan to update regularly. + add translations when they are available.

[Staticguy]

Thanks lukas.hasik

[Lisandro]

Online help is a very good movement. Links like "click to fix" are welcome. Although they should really work: we used to click the fix button and get nothing but an inconsistent state.

Hope we can use a lot of already translated content. Anyway, send the content to translators would be nice.
Search button and resize ability are must have too.

[REDACTED]

Online help is useful if you're on the internet.
But an off-line help is vital at all other times: configuring with internet cable pulled, configuring a firewall which isn't working for a user (in case of the suite product), people with sloooow dial up connections, etc.
Every product should have a built in, accurate, up to date, HELP file.

[Para-Noid]

What about "search box" - would it help you to find the right content?

A search box would be a plus.