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About WebHelp AIR Output

WebHelp AIR is a Web-based Help format that is identical to the regular WebHelp output in most ways. However, WebHelp AIR uses direct integration with Adobe AIR, which is designed to bring Web-related content to a desktop environment by taking Web files and incorporating them into a single file to be opened locally, rather than from a server.

The WebHelp AIR output that you generate consists of a single file with an .air extension, which you distribute to users. When users access this file, they are taken through an installation process, and as a result an executable file with an .exe extension is created on their local drive and saved in their C:\Program Files directory. In other words, the output becomes its own application. The output will be displayed in the application window that is part of the AIR installation.

WebHelp AIR is a good choice if:

You want all of the features and benefits available with WebHelp.
You want to be able to distribute a single file, as opposed to multiple output files.
You want users to store and open the output locally, rather than from a server, such as a website.
You want to create output that has just one file.

In order for you and your end users to take advantage of this output, both you and they must perform additional installations.

Java Runtime Environment installation (you) As the individual compiling the output, you need to install the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) before generating output. You can download the JRE from http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp.
Adobe AIR installation (you and end users) Anyone who wants to view the generated WebHelp AIR output needs to install Adobe AIR first. This means that both you and your end users must run this installation. You can download Adobe AIR from http://get.adobe.com/air/.

Output Type Comparison Table—Online Output Types

Following are the various online output types available, with the distinguishing features of each.

	DotNet Help	HTML Help	WebHelp	WebHelp AIR	WebHelp Plus
.NET integration	X
Embedded context-sensitive Help	X
Feedback statistics and reporting features	X	X	X	X	X
Language support for Help interface	X		X	X	X
Platform—Desktop-based	X	X		X
Platform—Web-based			X		X
Server—advanced features					X
Single output file		X		X
Main entry file extension	.mchelp	.chm	.htm	.air	.htm
Output window	MadCap Help Viewer	Microsoft HTML Help Viewer	Browser window	Application window	Browser window
Other requirements	MadCap DotNet Help Viewer	Internet Explorer		Java Runtime Environment (JRE) Adobe AIR