The following is a possible solution for those who really, really want to have a local copy of the HTML help on their iPad (or iOS device. I guess Android devices might work too, but I don't have one to test...)
Before starting, you will need:
- 1 iPad.
- A copy of GoodReader loaded on the iPad (again, GoodReader is just a suggestion. Maybe other apps will work. Feel free to add your tested substitution!)
- A copy of the HTML Help (Linux distribution)
- Time
- Patience
And some caveats:
- The Search does not work
- The Index does not work
- The Favorites does not work
- Use 2 fingers to scroll. A limitation of GoodReader?
But the table of contents does work, and most important, the help displays correctly.
Getting the Help
- Download the HTML Help you need to you Linux workstation. For this example, let's use Flame.
- Untar and unzip.
- Run the included script, in this case INSTALL_FLAME_HELP
- Once the script is done, copy the help folder to the Mac or PC that you use to sync with your iPad. The help folder is located in /usr/discreet/<your_product>_2012/documentation
- On the Mac or PC, zip the whole help folder. For this example, we'll name it flame.zip.
Loading the Help to the iPad
Loading the help to the iPad is easy:
- Start iTunes.
- Connect your iPad.
- Click you device in the left column.
- Click the Apps tab in the main window.
- Locate the File Sharing panel, and select the GoodReader app.
- In the GoodReader Documents panel, drag and drop the flame.zip file.
- Disconnect the iPad.
Opening the Help
On the iPad:
- Start GoodReader.
- Open the My Documents folder.
- Select the flame.zip file. When asked, confirm that you want to unzip the file.
- Wait. There are thousands of files in the HTML help, so it will take a while to uncompress.
- Once done, find and open the help folder.
- Select index.html.
- Voilà! online help, but offline.