Adobe Captivate 3 Question: Are Buttons 508 Compliant?
I am adding accessibility text to each slide in my Captivate presentation to make it 508 compliant. Your Captivate 3 student manual does not say if button text is accessible, although I can find no "Accessibility" option in button properties, so I am assuming it is. Will a screen reader read buttons like Start and Continue?
Answer
If it's a text button, screen readers are supposed to read the text out load. If an image button, you can "trick" the reader into reading it. You can refer to my article about this subject here.
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Adobe RoboHelp Question: How Do I Merge RoboHelp 6 Projects?
I am still using Adobe RoboHelp 6 (with no immediate plans to upgrade to either version 7 or 8). I know my software is out of date, but I'd love to know if there is any documentation on how to merge projects?
Answer
Actually, yes. I created a simulation a while back that showed this very concept. While RoboHelp 7 and 8 have been redesigned, even users of those newer versions can learn the concept of merging project by interacting with the lesson. If interested, you will find that lesson here.
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Adobe RoboHelp Question: Can I Link to Topics in Other Projects?
If I have several online help systems created with Adobe RoboHelp. Can I link from a topic in one system to a topic within a different online system?
Answer:
Yes. This link covers both linking to external projects and merging projects.
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Adobe TechCom Suite Question: Why Doesn't an Expected Dialog Box Appear?
I'm hoping that you can answer a question about using RoboHelp with FrameMaker source files (Tech Comm Suite — RoboHelp 7 HTML and Frame 8, the current versions — running on Windows XP).
I'm following the procedure you have outlined in your workbook, the same procedure you talked about at last summer's STC conference. I open RoboHelp and create a native file. I apply fmstyles.css to it. And then I go to the Project Manager pod and right-click on "HTML files Topics." Then I select "Add FrameMaker file" and then "… by reference."
When I tested this process on my colleague's PC, the expected window appeared, and I was able to follow the rest of the set-up steps.
On my laptop, to my dismay, no window appears. RoboHelp seems to freeze (as if the correct window has popped up but is not visible). At that point, everything in my RoboHelp window ignores me, no matter what I click. It seems frozen, but it's not in a "non responding" mode. If I Ctrl-Alt-Del, RoboHelp is listed as "running." Back in RoboHelp, if I press the Esc key, I get RoboHelp back — but I still can't get any farther in the process of adding a FrameMaker file.
I'm hoping that this is something you've run into and can say, "Aha. Here's all you have to do…." I hope you can tell me that I don't have to uninstall and reinstall Tech Comm Suite — any time I have to mess with installing Adobe products, it takes days to get things working. I dread having to do this !!!!!
Any insight you can offer?
Answer:
As I was scratching my head trying to figure out what might be causing the problem for this Help Author, she took the bull by the horns and found the solution on her own… the problem wasn't obvious at all and very interesting…
I'm happy to report that my phantom window (actually dialog box) was there all the time, but hiding off-screen. It wasn't on a second monitor, but somehow it was opening way far off beyond the right edge. On a whim, I poked around on the Web and learned that it's possible to use the keyboard to move windows (ALT spacebar M, then use arrow keys). I did this with fingers crossed, and lo and behold the dialog box came scootching over into view!
YIPPEE!
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Adobe Captivate 3 Question: Why Are There White Screens in My FMRs?
There are times when frames of Full Motion Recordings (FMRs) do NOT show up in the final product. The frame is pure white yet the slide is in the presentation (not hidden) and the properties of the slide show the motion. This happens randomly and is very frustrating. The only solution I have found is to re-do the entire slide. Why does this happen and how can it be fixed?
Answer:
The Flash Player version on your computer is the likely culprit. Here is an article with more information.
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