[Irl-dean] Accessibility of CHM Format Resources

[Joshue O Connor]

>  
>
Thanks for the info Barry/Henry,

>"The converted document can be readily re-purposed, for example
> into web pages, with a full navigation structure, to be read on
> line."
>
 I had a feeling that this may be the case.

On the MS site

> http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/htmlhelp/html/vsconoverweb.asp

They say

You can create uncompiled HTML topic, contents, and index files. Then 
you can post these files to a Web site. Or, you can create a Web page 
with a link to a compiled help (.chm) file

But there are browser issues as the whole process seems to heavily rely 
on IE and Active X which is a proprietary Microsoft technology and there 
is no native support for Gecko browsers such as Mozilla, Firefox etc. 
Having said that there is a plug in available from the "Mozilla Active X 
Project" - which is by the by an Irish URL.

 http://www.iol.ie/~locka/mozilla/mozilla.htm

>>    * Are companies being sold the .chm document conversion tools with
>>      the idea that they can put their "converted" .chm files or
>>     automatically generated output online, and that it will be accessible?
>>    
>>
>
>At least one enquiry which I received suggested that this was
>indeed the "promise".  In theory, it may actually be an "honest"
>offer - i.e., to convert a document to fully accessible
>HTML/XHTML + CSS and *also* provide a CHM package of this same
>content.
>

Thats interesting as it seems that the format may have a positive 
application in certain circumstances.

Its also interesting that Henry says

>I found the two-pane Windows Help
>(one pane for nav one for content) is much more challenging for novice
>users. 
>

This could be a problem as I think promoting the use of frames and frame 
based interfaces is in itself a bad thing.  Not so much with only one or 
two frames but it gets very messy Re: User Agents and disorientating the 
user - with any more than that. I'm not a fan of frames.

> it can be technically accessible but it's more difficult to
>use than a normal web page.
>

And this is exactly the kind of problem that we may find if this kind of 
thing (.chm) gets a foothold.  Though it may have its uses in certain 
contexts, if it is sold as an accessible "all in one" solution. Where 
something is "technically accessible" (validates etc) but is harder to 
use than a normal "validated page". Totally counterproductive IMO.

Also if a company like

>HP are starting publish all
>general help content and technical documentation in XHTML using XML as a
>basis for both print and web versions.
>
Then that is a positive step forward and could be used as example as an 
alternative to proprietary .chm files.

>With OS level screen reading software on the way Mac could become more of a viable option for users with visual impairments, especially as the software comes free with the OS.
>

It could be and it would be great. I still haven't upgraded to Tiger yet 
, am waiting until a few .1 versions come along as I have a phobia of OS 
"teething problems".

>Does
>anyone know whether .chm  work with Macs?
>

Maybe with IE 5 for the MAC or in other browsers with plug-in support as 
mentioned above. But IE is being discontinued for
the MAC.

All the best

Joshue O Connor

Web Accessibility Consultant

**Centre for Inclusive Technology (CFIT)* *
National Council for the Blind of Ireland

joshue.oconnor at ncbi.ie +353 1 8821915