Since chm files support linking to web pages, maybe the help file could link to the online manual. Three reasons:
1) CJ wouldn't have the burden of constantly having to update 2 manuals;
2) The online manual is bound to become more complete, with tidbits and little pieces of info, than the offline manual ever could.
3) Such linking would give easy acess to the online manual.
Of course, this needn't REPLACE the offline version of the manual totally, it could be a different section of the chm file... but if both existed at the same time, the 1st point I made is as good as zilch. :P
1. My computers are offline 99% of the time.
2. When I use AGS with my Windows 95 computer, as I can't view CHM already (since I ripped IE away from the system), I actually use a decompiled version (into html's) of it, if most of the main stuff is only available online, will that mean I now have to master TEH evil trick of Ripping a website into my harddisk?
3. I dislike online stuff (just personal opinion := )
So, my opinion is, if it involves putting most of the stuff online but the CHM manual contains mainly only web links, I'll disagree with it.
But if it's just that the online version can be updated frequently (which I think is the case already, I'd heard CJ said it's gone WIKI style now) and whenever there's a new final version out, the CHM file is updated on par with the online version (well it's okay to take away some space eaters like tutorials or example files, if any, though), I'll say it's a good idea.
Ok, what about just a link to the online manual from the existant chm file? :=
That's of course, a good idea. As there're web addresses for the AGS site and forum in the manual already, but they're not links just because
someone was "lazy". :=
Moreover, if you notice the tutorial section there's a message already:
Quote
For the latest version of the tutorials, always check with the AGS website.
It'll be handy if a link is provided as well, too.
The reason I don't like adding links from the manual to website is that the links open inside the CHM viewer, which is a pain in the ass trying to browse the web from within.