1.6.9 is installed...where are the help files?

[sreilly]

Maybe I'm more confused than I usually am but after installing 1.6.9 I was expecting to find help files under Help on the top menu but that isn't there so I would try Resources next. Isn't there either. What am I missing? This should be similar to other help systems in other software isn't it? Indexed and searchable?

Steve

[Enzo De Bernardini]

Hi Steve,

Check inside the Process Explorer panel (see attach). You need to expand this panel with the double-blue-arrows at bottom.

Regards,

Enzo.

[sreilly]

Well that's different but as far as I can see the only search capability is within the active document. I don't think I've ever seen help accessed in this manner.

Thanks,

[Nocturnal]

Well Juan likes to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes that works out well, other times not so much. I'm happy there are help files now but the implementation isn't great IMO. New users won't be able to find it. Let's hope Juan is open to suggestions after the fact and makes some changes for the next version.

[zvrastil]

Yeah, it would be great to access the help for example by pressing '?' button on the titlebar of the process interface. Or by pressing F1. It is really shame to hide such great documentation so only people who know PixInsight inside-out can find it  .

Zbynek

[Juan Conejero]

I don't think I am reinventing the wheel here; I am just trying to provide the beast with better wheels. Everything you ask for is already planned, and perhaps more

The current documentation integration with Process Explorer is just the first stage of the integrated documentation functionality of PixInsight. The next stages are:

- The PixInsight Assistant application (note: the actual name might change in the final implementation). This is just a custom adaptation of the Qt Assistant application. The assitant wil run as an independent application. You'll be able to launch it from the Resources menu, and also from the Start > PixInsight Platform on Windows.

- A Browse Documentation button on the control bars of all process interface windows (to the left of the Reset button). By the way, this is just one of a series of new control bar buttons that will extend the standard functionality of process interfaces. The Browse Documentation button will open a floating window with a WebKit browser (similar to the current integration in Process Explorer) loaded with the documentation for the tool in question (if it exists).

I'm happy there are help files now but the implementation isn't great IMO. New users won't be able to find it.

The current integration with Process Explorer still needs some work, but I definitely like the concept. For example, as has been noted in other posts, I have to improve the way documents are automatically resized to the explorer when it is resized, floated, etc. Documents are also being printed poorly due to deficiencies in the CSS sheets associated with pidoc documents (this is unrelated to the integration with Process Explorer, actually).

IMO, the difficulties for new users are unrelated to the integration of the documentation with Process Explorer. The problem here is that new users tend to look for processes under the main menu; they seem to be reluctant to use Process Explorer. This requires just good video tutorials showing all the features of PI's user interface and how to use them.

[mmirot]

It is fine as is but we need more content as soon as you can.

Max

[Harry page]

The problem here is that new users tend to look for processes under the main menu; they seem to be reluctant to use Process Explorer. This requires just good video tutorials showing all the features of PI's user interface and how to use them.

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Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo    Harry 

[Nocturnal]

The problem here is that new users tend to look for processes under the main menu; they seem to be reluctant to use Process Explorer. This requires just good video tutorials showing all the features of PI's user interface and how to use them.

Don't try to solve this 'problem' with more videos. Past videos have not truly helped to make PI more accessible. Past videos have not reduced the call for proper documentation. Past videos have not compensated for non-standard GUI design.

All that's required is a 'help' menu item just like -every other- well designed application has. Under that help menu you could either list all available help items or even better, a master help browser with search facility. In addition the help files should be accessible from the process when it's loaded. A long time ago I suggested you add a 'help' icon (say a '?') to every process window standard dressings. I still think that's much better than hiding it in the process explorer. Please add that or something similar.

Please don't make help too complicated and different from what we see around us. You gain nothing if new users need yet another video or tutorial to access help. I mean it's absurd, frankly. Sorry for the harsh words but they're needed here.

[jtheios]

I have to jump in here in defense of the video tutorials. Since this is my first post, I have to say how impressed I am with the entire software platform, the team that created it, and the community that supports it. It has most definitely improved the quality of my processed images. I have only been using it for several months, but I'm just so excited every time I use it. I am in the software business myself, and I can appreciate the effort that goes into something like this and the commitment it takes from those involved, especially from a small development team. Thanks so much.

I think like a lot of folks I struggled to use and understand the LE version of the software. Every so often I'd dig it out and try again to figure out how to use it. I was reluctant to download the 45-day trial license because I was concerned that I'd not "get it" before time ran out. Only when I found Harry's wonderful video tutorials, did I feel confident enough to jump in.

IMO the processing techniques (and options to use them) are different enough from Photoshop that video tutorial have a real place in helping new users with the concepts the platform offers. I do love the new documentation (and don't have a problem at all with the way Juan has implemented it), but for new users, I think seeing the software in action is more useful in the beginning in getting them up to speed.

Several months into my new adventure I can say that I'd never go back to Photoshop!

- John

[Harry page]

Every so often I'd dig it out and try again to figure out how to use it. I was reluctant to download the 45-day trial license because I was concerned that I'd not "get it" before time ran out. Only when I found Harry's wonderful video tutorials, did I feel confident enough to jump in.
Several months into my new adventure I can say that I'd never go back to Photoshop!- John

YYYYYYYYeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssssssss 


Harry

[Nocturnal]

Not sure why anyone felt they had to 'jump in' to defend the videos. They are terrific and without them PI would probably not have half the users. It's just that I strongly disagree with Juan's statement that a video tutorial should be added to show people how to access help. That's backwards. Help should be accessible by anyone, new or experienced, without having to first watch a video.

[Harry page]

Not sure why anyone felt they had to 'jump in' to defend the videos. They are terrific and without them PI would probably not have half the users. It's just that I strongly disagree with Juan's statement that a video tutorial should be added to show people how to access help. That's backwards. Help should be accessible by anyone, new or experienced, without having to first watch a video.

Yep got to agree with sander on this 

Harry

[Andres.Pozo]

IMO, the difficulties for new users are unrelated to the integration of the documentation with Process Explorer. The problem here is that new users tend to look for processes under the main menu; they seem to be reluctant to use Process Explorer. This requires just good video tutorials showing all the features of PI's user interface and how to use them.

Juan, I have been using PixInsight for the past two years and I still don't use the Process Explorer. I use the menu and I would like to use keyboard shortcuts but I don't know if there is any. I don't know what is the necessity for the Process Explorer and why I should use it. It is not faster than using the menu and I am used to look for the commands in other places (toolbars, menus or keyboard shortcuts).

[Harry page]

Hi

I guess its up to you what you use    but here are some keyboard shortcuts http://www.harrysastroshed.com/pixuser/shortcut.html


Regards Harry