SEATTLE, Sept. 24, 1996 — At the HTML Help Jumpstart Conference here, Microsoft Corp. today announced technology that brings the richness of Microsoft® Windows® operating system-based Help to the Internet. Microsoft demonstrated context-sensitive help and showed table of contents and rich indexing, delivered as HTML and displayed using Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0. Independent software vendors Blue Sky Software Corp., ForeFront Inc., HyperAct Inc., WexTech Systems Inc. and others demonstrated new versions of their products that already support HtmlHelp.
Because HtmlHelp is viewed from the browser, online documentation can take advantage of the full multimedia capabilities of Microsoft Internet Explorer. For example, an HtmlHelp file could display a video clip showing how to use a product feature, delivered through an ActiveX
™
technologies-based streaming video control.
Microsoft will provide an ActiveX control to display the information in HtmlHelp files, helping make it easy for software developers to include HtmlHelp features in their own applications. The HtmlHelp technology is based on the SiteMap specification being reviewed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Preliminary documentation for Microsoft HtmlHelp is available now at no charge from the World Wide Web at http://msdn.microsoft.com/workshop/author/htmlhelp/ . The beta release is scheduled to be available on the Internet by the end of the year.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft, Windows and ActiveX are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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