Setup for custom LinkGroup xml file   

The FAR Dynamic Help tutorial
(http://helpware.net/mshelp2/demo/DynamicHelp.htm) is great but I have
one question. I created a LinkGroup definition per step 7. If I
MANUALLY put it in %programfiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
2003\Common7\IDE\HTML\XMLLinks\1033 as directed, I see my linkgroup in
VS .NET.

However, my help will be part of a setup with an application and
sample, using Windows Installer. To avoid msi-edit hell, I am using the
MS Help Integration Wizard to create a Setup project in my solution.
Lacking any clue to correct location, I have the .xml file in my help
project. This is a new endeavor at my company and therefore no help
except from the Groups. Should it be added to the collection-level .HxC
file and if so, using what syntax? I have not been able to find
documentation for this in the VSHIK or MSDN.

1. Where in my help project do I put my .xml file in order to satisfy
step 9: "If you add a custom LinkGroup, your setup program must install
the .xml file in which you specified the ID and Title into...." (.NET
path above).  How does it do this?
2. Where in the .msi do I add this file and what should this entry
include?

Thank you, anyone, for some insight.
Regards,
Carwen

date: 6 Jul 2005 08:51:32 -0700   author:   Carwen

Re: Setup for custom LinkGroup xml file   

A good question. I'll ask my MS contacts.
I agree the Integration Wizard should help out here.
Rob
-- 

Rob Chandler
MS Help MVP
http://helpware.net/FAR/
http://mshelpwiki.com/

"Carwen"  wrote in message 
news:1120665092.740617.107830@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> The FAR Dynamic Help tutorial
> (http://helpware.net/mshelp2/demo/DynamicHelp.htm) is great but I have
> one question. I created a LinkGroup definition per step 7. If I
> MANUALLY put it in %programfiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
> 2003\Common7\IDE\HTML\XMLLinks\1033 as directed, I see my linkgroup in
> VS .NET.
>
> However, my help will be part of a setup with an application and
> sample, using Windows Installer. To avoid msi-edit hell, I am using the
> MS Help Integration Wizard to create a Setup project in my solution.
> Lacking any clue to correct location, I have the .xml file in my help
> project. This is a new endeavor at my company and therefore no help
> except from the Groups. Should it be added to the collection-level .HxC
> file and if so, using what syntax? I have not been able to find
> documentation for this in the VSHIK or MSDN.
>
> 1. Where in my help project do I put my .xml file in order to satisfy
> step 9: "If you add a custom LinkGroup, your setup program must install
> the .xml file in which you specified the ID and Title into...." (.NET
> path above).  How does it do this?
> 2. Where in the .msi do I add this file and what should this entry
> include?
>
> Thank you, anyone, for some insight.
> Regards,
> Carwen
>

date: Sun, 10 Jul 2005 20:58:47 +1000   author:   Rob Chandler [MVP]

Re: Setup for custom LinkGroup xml file   

Carwen
I'm reminded that Help Integration Wizard is for
the task of registration only. MS do not help in copying the
XML file to correct location.
You need a programmer or installation expert to
be able to detect the location of the
%programfiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 
2003\Common7\IDE\HTML\XMLLinks\%LCID%
and copy it there during the installation.
Since not all installations are Eng (LCID=1033) you do have to sniff
around to find the destination folder.

Rob Chandler

"Carwen"  wrote in message 
news:1120665092.740617.107830@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> The FAR Dynamic Help tutorial
> (http://helpware.net/mshelp2/demo/DynamicHelp.htm) is great but I have
> one question. I created a LinkGroup definition per step 7. If I
> MANUALLY put it in %programfiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
> 2003\Common7\IDE\HTML\XMLLinks\1033 as directed, I see my linkgroup in
> VS .NET.
>
> However, my help will be part of a setup with an application and
> sample, using Windows Installer. To avoid msi-edit hell, I am using the
> MS Help Integration Wizard to create a Setup project in my solution.
> Lacking any clue to correct location, I have the .xml file in my help
> project. This is a new endeavor at my company and therefore no help
> except from the Groups. Should it be added to the collection-level .HxC
> file and if so, using what syntax? I have not been able to find
> documentation for this in the VSHIK or MSDN.
>
> 1. Where in my help project do I put my .xml file in order to satisfy
> step 9: "If you add a custom LinkGroup, your setup program must install
> the .xml file in which you specified the ID and Title into...." (.NET
> path above).  How does it do this?
> 2. Where in the .msi do I add this file and what should this entry
> include?
>
> Thank you, anyone, for some insight.
> Regards,
> Carwen
>

date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 10:22:22 +1000   author:   Rob Chandler

Re: Setup for custom LinkGroup xml file   

Rob Chandler wrote:
> Carwen
> I'm reminded that Help Integration Wizard is for
> the task of registration only. MS do not help in copying the
> XML file to correct location.
> You need a programmer or installation expert to
> be able to detect the location of the
> %programfiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
> 2003\Common7\IDE\HTML\XMLLinks\%LCID%
> and copy it there during the installation.
> Since not all installations are Eng (LCID=1033) you do have to sniff
> around to find the destination folder.
>
> Rob Chandler
>
> "Carwen"  wrote in message
> news:1120665092.740617.107830@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> > The FAR Dynamic Help tutorial
> > (http://helpware.net/mshelp2/demo/DynamicHelp.htm) is great but I have
> > one question. I created a LinkGroup definition per step 7. If I
> > MANUALLY put it in %programfiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
> > 2003\Common7\IDE\HTML\XMLLinks\1033 as directed, I see my linkgroup in
> > VS .NET.
> >
> > However, my help will be part of a setup with an application and
> > sample, using Windows Installer. To avoid msi-edit hell, I am using the
> > MS Help Integration Wizard to create a Setup project in my solution.
> > Lacking any clue to correct location, I have the .xml file in my help
> > project. This is a new endeavor at my company and therefore no help
> > except from the Groups. Should it be added to the collection-level .HxC
> > file and if so, using what syntax? I have not been able to find
> > documentation for this in the VSHIK or MSDN.
> >
> > 1. Where in my help project do I put my .xml file in order to satisfy
> > step 9: "If you add a custom LinkGroup, your setup program must install
> > the .xml file in which you specified the ID and Title into...." (.NET
> > path above).  How does it do this?
> > 2. Where in the .msi do I add this file and what should this entry
> > include?
> >
> > Thank you, anyone, for some insight.
> > Regards,
> > Carwen
> >

date: 13 Jul 2005 07:17:42 -0700   author:   Carwen

Re: Setup for custom LinkGroup xml file   

Rob,
I had figured this would be an Installer issue but since we have no
install expert here, I am hunting for articles to determine how to
specify the destination folder for the .xml custom linkgroup file - I
know where it needs to go. I found an article with instructions for
specifying a component's (single file) install path on the target
machine, but it says only to copy the file to a folder in Project
Explorer, without explaining how to actually specify the destination
path. MS assumes the developer/reader already knows this and I am not a
developer. I realize this is a separate issue to resolve.

Reminder that I am using VS .NET 2003. I can successfully install my
help into the VSCC if I use the MS Help Integration Wizard to create
the msi. But if I use a VS Setup project to create my msi, no joy. I
see my content filter but no TOC. (In between each install attempt I
uninstall my help project and restart my machine.)

I compared the two msi's and found a few significant differences:

1. The Wizard msi's File table does not show the collection-level .HxA
file, which should been added with the other Collection files. (I do
not have a project-level .HxA.) Plus, the content filter does not
appear in the HelpFilter and HelpFilterToNamespace tables.
Nevertheless, the content filter DOES appear after installation.
   The VSHIK explicitly says to include the .HxA and filter in the VS
Setup msm. I have found no way to open or edit the Wizard's .msm - you
can't open it in VS and it is not in the Windows Explorer folder. It is
in the Wizard's own programs folder, but that's just the shell. Another
post I found said that even using the Wizard, you have to edit the
MSHelp2....msm to include registration information, but does not say
how to access it. Wizard instructions do not require this step at all.
If you have to edit the .msm file, then using the Wizard is no
different than editing the .msm to build the .msi using a VS Setup
project. Yes I am using orca. Wouldn't you think that MS would have a
"dumb" user test the Wizard to identify the holes. I know, never mind.
   I'm fantasizing that I need to create a VS Setup project in my help
solution AND THEN use the Wizard to create the final .msi. But my
manager wants us to rely on the VS Setup project using Windows
Installer, since the Wizard may not be compatible when/if we go to .NET
2005 (and MS doesn't say how/if 2005 supports help integration).

2. The Wizard replaces periods in the NamespaceName with underscores in
the NamespaceKey column (HelpNamespace table), and HelpNamespace column
(HelpPlugin and HelpFileToNamespace tables) for both MS.VSCC.2003 and
my own namespace: COMPANYNAME.PROJECTNAME.1033. Why does this happen
and what is the significance of this syntax?

In any case, even if I edit the Setup msi to match the Wizard msi
(except for file IDs of course), the Setup msi still does not install
(content filter but no content). So frustrating, because I hoped that
by working backward from a known-good msi I could resolve errors in the
Setup msi.

Please see if this rings any bells for you or your MS contacts. Thanks
for your response.

Rob Chandler wrote:
> Carwen
> I'm reminded that Help Integration Wizard is for
> the task of registration only. MS do not help in copying the
> XML file to correct location.
> You need a programmer or installation expert to
> be able to detect the location of the
> %programfiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
> 2003\Common7\IDE\HTML\XMLLinks\%LCID%
> and copy it there during the installation.
> Since not all installations are Eng (LCID=1033) you do have to sniff
> around to find the destination folder.
>
> Rob Chandler
>
> "Carwen"  wrote in message
> news:1120665092.740617.107830@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> > The FAR Dynamic Help tutorial
> > (http://helpware.net/mshelp2/demo/DynamicHelp.htm) is great but I have
> > one question. I created a LinkGroup definition per step 7. If I
> > MANUALLY put it in %programfiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
> > 2003\Common7\IDE\HTML\XMLLinks\1033 as directed, I see my linkgroup in
> > VS .NET.
> >
> > However, my help will be part of a setup with an application and
> > sample, using Windows Installer. To avoid msi-edit hell, I am using the
> > MS Help Integration Wizard to create a Setup project in my solution.
> > Lacking any clue to correct location, I have the .xml file in my help
> > project. This is a new endeavor at my company and therefore no help
> > except from the Groups. Should it be added to the collection-level .HxC
> > file and if so, using what syntax? I have not been able to find
> > documentation for this in the VSHIK or MSDN.
> >
> > 1. Where in my help project do I put my .xml file in order to satisfy
> > step 9: "If you add a custom LinkGroup, your setup program must install
> > the .xml file in which you specified the ID and Title into...." (.NET
> > path above).  How does it do this?
> > 2. Where in the .msi do I add this file and what should this entry
> > include?
> >
> > Thank you, anyone, for some insight.
> > Regards,
> > Carwen
> >

date: 13 Jul 2005 08:15:11 -0700   author:   Carwen

Re: Setup for custom LinkGroup xml file   

I'm useless when it comes to MSI and Help Integration Wizard
but have some knowledge of MS H2 collection (as you see on
my site helpware.net). I'll email you some ideas.

You could also ask questions at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MSHelp2/

Meanwhile maybe someone else can jump in and help.

Cheers
Rob

"Carwen"  wrote in message 
news:1121267711.294425.293450@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Rob,
> I had figured this would be an Installer issue but since we have no
> install expert here, I am hunting for articles to determine how to
> specify the destination folder for the .xml custom linkgroup file - I
> know where it needs to go. I found an article with instructions for
> specifying a component's (single file) install path on the target
> machine, but it says only to copy the file to a folder in Project
> Explorer, without explaining how to actually specify the destination
> path. MS assumes the developer/reader already knows this and I am not a
> developer. I realize this is a separate issue to resolve.
>
> Reminder that I am using VS .NET 2003. I can successfully install my
> help into the VSCC if I use the MS Help Integration Wizard to create
> the msi. But if I use a VS Setup project to create my msi, no joy. I
> see my content filter but no TOC. (In between each install attempt I
> uninstall my help project and restart my machine.)
>
> I compared the two msi's and found a few significant differences:
>
> 1. The Wizard msi's File table does not show the collection-level .HxA
> file, which should been added with the other Collection files. (I do
> not have a project-level .HxA.) Plus, the content filter does not
> appear in the HelpFilter and HelpFilterToNamespace tables.
> Nevertheless, the content filter DOES appear after installation.
>   The VSHIK explicitly says to include the .HxA and filter in the VS
> Setup msm. I have found no way to open or edit the Wizard's .msm - you
> can't open it in VS and it is not in the Windows Explorer folder. It is
> in the Wizard's own programs folder, but that's just the shell. Another
> post I found said that even using the Wizard, you have to edit the
> MSHelp2....msm to include registration information, but does not say
> how to access it. Wizard instructions do not require this step at all.
> If you have to edit the .msm file, then using the Wizard is no
> different than editing the .msm to build the .msi using a VS Setup
> project. Yes I am using orca. Wouldn't you think that MS would have a
> "dumb" user test the Wizard to identify the holes. I know, never mind.
>   I'm fantasizing that I need to create a VS Setup project in my help
> solution AND THEN use the Wizard to create the final .msi. But my
> manager wants us to rely on the VS Setup project using Windows
> Installer, since the Wizard may not be compatible when/if we go to .NET
> 2005 (and MS doesn't say how/if 2005 supports help integration).
>
> 2. The Wizard replaces periods in the NamespaceName with underscores in
> the NamespaceKey column (HelpNamespace table), and HelpNamespace column
> (HelpPlugin and HelpFileToNamespace tables) for both MS.VSCC.2003 and
> my own namespace: COMPANYNAME.PROJECTNAME.1033. Why does this happen
> and what is the significance of this syntax?
>
> In any case, even if I edit the Setup msi to match the Wizard msi
> (except for file IDs of course), the Setup msi still does not install
> (content filter but no content). So frustrating, because I hoped that
> by working backward from a known-good msi I could resolve errors in the
> Setup msi.
>
> Please see if this rings any bells for you or your MS contacts. Thanks
> for your response.
>
> Rob Chandler wrote:
>> Carwen
>> I'm reminded that Help Integration Wizard is for
>> the task of registration only. MS do not help in copying the
>> XML file to correct location.
>> You need a programmer or installation expert to
>> be able to detect the location of the
>> %programfiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
>> 2003\Common7\IDE\HTML\XMLLinks\%LCID%
>> and copy it there during the installation.
>> Since not all installations are Eng (LCID=1033) you do have to sniff
>> around to find the destination folder.
>>
>> Rob Chandler
>>
>> "Carwen"  wrote in message
>> news:1120665092.740617.107830@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>> > The FAR Dynamic Help tutorial
>> > (http://helpware.net/mshelp2/demo/DynamicHelp.htm) is great but I have
>> > one question. I created a LinkGroup definition per step 7. If I
>> > MANUALLY put it in %programfiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
>> > 2003\Common7\IDE\HTML\XMLLinks\1033 as directed, I see my linkgroup in
>> > VS .NET.
>> >
>> > However, my help will be part of a setup with an application and
>> > sample, using Windows Installer. To avoid msi-edit hell, I am using the
>> > MS Help Integration Wizard to create a Setup project in my solution.
>> > Lacking any clue to correct location, I have the .xml file in my help
>> > project. This is a new endeavor at my company and therefore no help
>> > except from the Groups. Should it be added to the collection-level .HxC
>> > file and if so, using what syntax? I have not been able to find
>> > documentation for this in the VSHIK or MSDN.
>> >
>> > 1. Where in my help project do I put my .xml file in order to satisfy
>> > step 9: "If you add a custom LinkGroup, your setup program must install
>> > the .xml file in which you specified the ID and Title into...." (.NET
>> > path above).  How does it do this?
>> > 2. Where in the .msi do I add this file and what should this entry
>> > include?
>> >
>> > Thank you, anyone, for some insight.
>> > Regards,
>> > Carwen
>> >
>

date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 20:33:16 +1000   author:   Rob Chandler [MVP]