Convert .hlp file to .chm using Terminal commands

Question

Convert .hlp file to .chm using Terminal commands

Hi everyone, newbie here:

I've visited http://www.herdsoft.com/linux/themen/hlptochm.html

in order to find out how to convert an .hlp file from a Win2K PC into .chm format, so I can view it on my Powerbook using Chimp or Chmox or something similar. Trouble is, I am not familiar enough with Unix, so I've failed in implementing the instructions found on the site.

The file I want to convert is called DOMIK.hlp

Here's what I've done, with my (obviously wrong) understanding of the above site's instructions:

D/l winhelpcgi.cgi
Copied the winhelpcgi.cgi file into /Library/WebServer/CGI-Executables dir
Opened Terminal, navigated to the /Library/WebServer/CGI-Executables dir
Typed:

/Library/WebServer/CGI-Executables/winhelpcgi.cgi --tar domik.hlp

Got a mouthful of text back, and no visible progress was made. Wasn't expecting much, though, since to me it was just a shot in the dark.

Please, be patient and kind. I am an architect, but willing to learn.

Thanks, people.

Posted on Oct 31, 2005 6:53 AM

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Answer 1

reese_

Level 4

1,735 points

Oct 31, 2005 6:03 PM in response to Alex Zachopoulos

Alex,
The mouthfull of text you got back was because you missed part of the directions:

# Convert file
./winhelpcgi.cgi --tar myfile.hlp | tar -C /tmp --extract --verbose

Try this:
/Library/WebServer/CGI-Executables/winhelpcgi.cgi --tar domik.hlp | tar -C /tmp --extract

This will create /tmp/myfile.hlp/ directory with a lot of subdirectories.

I will let you figure out what to do the the subdirectories in /tmp/domik.hlp folder 🙂

Reese

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Answer 2

Nov 1, 2005 12:47 AM in response to Alex Zachopoulos

Thanks Reese.

This time I got no feedback after the terminal command; guess that's OK in Unix.

I've looked for my /tmp/myfile dir but haven't found it. Am I looking at the wrong place or has nothing come out of the command? I am not exactly sure where I should put the original .hlp file for the cgi to do its job properly. Should I place it in the same dir as the cgi?

Many thanks.

PS I thought the end product would be a single .chm file, not a directory. I have no clue as to what to do with a whole lot of files. Thought winhelpcgi.cgi took care of all that.

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Answer 3

reese_

Level 4

1,735 points

Nov 1, 2005 9:57 AM in response to Alex Zachopoulos

Alex,

This time I got no feedback after the terminal command; guess that's OK in Unix.

Generally sepaking, no news is good news. When something fails you ususally get an error message.

Should I place it in the same dir as the cgi?

Yes, the domik.hlp file should be in the /Library/WebServer/CGI-Executables/ folder. How else would the cgi script know how to find it?

You can also change the output path from /tmp to /Users/Shared/ That would make it easier to get to in the finder.

I have no clue as to what to do with a whole lot of files.

You are one up on me! I have now idea what to do with even one .chm file 🙂

Reese

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Answer 4

Nov 1, 2005 10:42 AM in response to reese_

Well, then, it's my moment of glory, when I let a true genius in on some of my knowledge 😉

A .chm file is Compiled Html; many Help files are in this format nowadays. There are many chm viewers for the MacOS X, not for .hlp files, though (these are the older kind of Help files for many software packages on the Win side); hence the need to convert an .hlp file to .chm.

There, I've said it. Now let's see if I can actually produce something legible with the cgi I've downloaded.

Many thanks for your tips, Reese.
Alex.

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