Improve Dark Help for TC

[white]

that's why his screenshot is weird

Which screenshot are you referring to?

The screenshot that AntonyD posted that came from the thread BlackHelp - A dark version of AutoHotKey.chm (the help file) on the archived AutoHotkey forum. (click the spoiler)

BTW, isn't it better to remove the +/- squares in your darkhelp2 ?

[petermad]

BTW, isn't it better to remove the +/- squares in your darkhelp2 ?

Maybe - but I don't know how to do that - they don't seem to be generated with html or css, so there Isn't any non binary file I can just edit , as I do to make the changes I have made.

[white]

Maybe - but I don't know how to do that

Name: hsc6C4.hhc

Code: Select all

	<param name="Window Styles" value="0x800025">

The 5 means enable +/- squares (1= enable +/- squares, 4= start at root level displaying them)
So change the value to 0x800020.

[petermad]

BTW, isn't it better to remove the +/- squares in your darkhelp2 ?

Have ave made a version ( based on https://www.totalcommander.ch/help/totalcmd_chm.zip )where I have removed the +/- symbols and replaced the book icons with folder icons. It is more intuitive to double-click on a folder to open it.

See it here: https://tcmd.madsenworld.dk/totalcmdDark3.2.chm

[white]

Have ave made a version ( based on https://www.totalcommander.ch/help/totalcmd_chm.zip )where I have removed the +/- symbols and replaced the book icons with folder icons. It is more intuitive to double-click on a folder to open it.

Well normally, if you don't click the +/- buttons, you must use double-click to open a book. It's not new behavior. I don't like the folder icons. I suggest to replace the icons anyway for dark help, especially the icon for a help page.

Personally, I don't like the double-click behavior of chm files in general. Do you know you can enable single-click to open a book? Do you know you can also enable mouse-tracking so underlining appears when you hover over a book or help page link?

[AntonyD]

2petermad
I agree with white's suggestions))

But what about the dark theme - isn't it literally too black?
Maybe a little lighter can set the tone?

[petermad]

But what about the dark theme - isn't it literally too black?
Maybe a little lighter can set the tone?

I use the same colors: DCDCDC / 202020 for foreground / background as TC uses by default for dark mode (with a fresh ini).

Do you know you can enable single-click to open a book? Do you know you can also enable mouse-tracking so underlining appears when you hover over a book or help page link?

I know it is possible, but since I don't use a compiler, I need to know the code for these things.

Try: https://tcmd.madsenworld.dk/totalcmdDark4.2.chm

[AntonyD]

2petermad
didn't you try to use something like that:

Code: Select all

  <style>
    /* Change the font and background color of the TOC items */
    .treeItem {
      color: #0000ff; /* Blue text color */
      background-color: #ffffcc; /* Light yellow background color */
    }

    /* Change the font and background color of the selected TOC item */
    .treeItemSelected {
      color: #ffffff; /* White text color */
      background-color: #007bff; /* Blue background color */
    }
  </style>

inside the file hsc6C4.hhc? As we know - this is the pure HTML-based file with all appropriate tags. And exactly this file is presented the content at the tab "Content" on the left panel of the opened chm file.

Also we may try to change its content this way:

Code: Select all

<LI> <OBJECT type="text/sitemap">
  <param name="Name" value="<span style='color: #0000ff; background-color: #ffffcc;'>Topic Name</span>">
  <param name="Local" value="TopicFileName.html">
</OBJECT>

[petermad]

2petermad
didn't you try to use something like that:

Code: Select all

  <style>
    /* Change the font and background color of the TOC items */
    .treeItem {
      color: #0000ff; /* Blue text color */
      background-color: #ffffcc; /* Light yellow background color */
    }

    /* Change the font and background color of the selected TOC item */
    .treeItemSelected {
      color: #ffffff; /* White text color */
      background-color: #007bff; /* Blue background color */
    }
  </style>

inside the file hsc6C4.hhc? As we know - this is the pure HTML-based file with all appropriate tags. And exactly this file is presented the content at the tab "Content" on the left panel of the opened chm file.

I have now tried that - no effect.

Also we may try to change its content this way:

Code: Select all

<LI> <OBJECT type="text/sitemap">
  <param name="Name" value="<span style='color: #0000ff; background-color: #ffffcc;'>Topic Name</span>">
  <param name="Local" value="TopicFileName.html">
</OBJECT>

That just shows <span style='color: #0000ff; background-color: #ffffcc;'>Topic Name</span> insted of the topic Name.


I have also tried seting the style for LI, OBJECT, and PARAM - like this:

Code: Select all

<LI STYLE="color: #DCDCDC; background-color: #202020">
<OBJECT TYPE="text/sitemap" STYLE="color: #DCDCDC; background-color: #202020">
<PARAM NAME="Name" VALUE="What is Total Commander?" STYLE="color: #DCDCDC; background-color: #202020">
<PARAM NAME="Local" VALUE="whatistotalcmd.htm" STYLE="color: #DCDCDC; background-color: #202020">
</OBJECT>
</LI>

with no effect.

There was an MS report http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=267973 that said that it is not possible to chnage the background color of the TOC items - but MS has removed all these bulletins in 2020. See also https://microsoft.public.helpauthoring.narkive.com/38rTNi82/background-color-in-toc-chm-of-html-help

[white]

Do you know you can enable single-click to open a book? Do you know you can also enable mouse-tracking so underlining appears when you hover over a book or help page link?

I know it is possible, but since I don't use a compiler, I need to know the code for these things.

The codes are:

• add "0x000400" for single-click mode
• add "0x000200" for mouse-tracking

Try: https://tcmd.madsenworld.dk/totalcmdDark4.2.chm

Yes, that is what I meant.

[AntonyD]

2petermad

There was an MS report http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=267973 that said that it is not possible to change the background color ot thr TOC items

Unbelievable - but https://i.imgur.com/o9hO2u4.png - is a real CHM file - not a current, "modern-styled" help, but exactly old-fashion CHM file - which does have the "dark" theme... So somehow it was possible to do that even in those ancient times...
We just lost some of our knowledge about this trick.

[white]

There was an MS report http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=267973 that said that it is not possible to chnage the background color ot thr TOC items - but MS has removed all these bulletins in 2020.

The page is archived here on the Wayback Machine.

[petermad]

The codes are:

• add "0x000400" for single-click mode
• add "0x000200" for mouse-tracking

Thanks - https://tcmd.madsenworld.dk/totalcmdDark5.2.chm with single-click (I don't like the mouse-tracking)

[white]

Thanks - https://tcmd.madsenworld.dk/totalcmdDark5.2.chm with single-click (I don't like the mouse-tracking)

That version is with mouse-tracking.

[petermad]

That version is with mouse-tracking.

Sorry - try: https://tcmd.madsenworld.dk/totalcmdDark6.2.chm

Thanks for splitting this thread.