Easier Help

[Simon Robbins]

Not really a GEDitCOM thing more to do with the way OSX works and
apologies if you know this already but I didn't and thought I'd share
it.

When using GEDitCOM I frequently refer to the Help file but get
frustrated with the way it always floats in the foreground and it's
not easy to switch back and forth from the Help to the application.

If you open the file com.apple.helpviewer.plist which should be in ~/
Library/Preferences/ using something like "PlistEdit Pro" and change
the DevMode key to "Yes" instead of "No" then Help will behave as I
think it ought to. ie. just a regular window that can be in front of
or behind any other window, not just for GEDitCOM where I use it most,
but for every other application as well.

[John Nairn]

I always hated that help window and lots of developers complained too,
but it has remaining floating since Leopard came out. I will try that
key.

Because of the problem, there is preference in GEDitCOM II to open
help in Safari (or other default browser) instead of in help viewer. A
browser window does not float and it works better with the frames used
in the help window. Only drawback is loss of search option. See
"General" preferences for that option.

---------------
John Nairn
GEDitCOM - Genealogy Software for the Macintosh
http://www.geditcom.com

[Simon Robbins]

I tried using the Safari option as well but missed the search
facility. Doing the way described above gets rid of the floating
window but still retains the search capability. Best of both worlds.
Also it works for all other applications.

[David Scott]

In the terminal:

defaults write com.apple.helpviewer NormalWindow -bool true

It sets the window behaviour of the help app to normal.

to return to irritating mode:

defaults write com.apple.helpviewer NormalWindow -bool false

-----
David

David Scott. Mac & PC Computer Support.
30 Alfred Road, Acton, W3 6LH.
020-8150-9716 / 07956-589433
http://www.davidscott.org.uk/

[Doug Hardie]

10.6.8 - that doesn't change anything for me. Help windows remain in irritating mode.

[David Scott]

On 14 Jul 2011, at 22:50, Doug Hardie wrote:

> 10.6.8 - that doesn't change anything for me. Help windows remain in irritating mode.

10.6.8 as well, I wonder what is different.

[Simon Robbins]

I've got 10.6.8 as well. My com.apple.helpviewer file doesn't have any
value for "NormalWindow" however it does have "DevMode" and as
mentioned in the original post setting it to "Yes" worked for me.

[Doug Hardie]

The following works for me now:

defaults write com.apple.helpviewer DevMode Yes

Thanks Simon.