HTML Executable, ebook compiler, website compiler - www.htmlexe.com
Change History
Current version reference: 3.3.2
Version 3.3.2: minor release
- you can now edit the right-click context menu (User Interface => Context Menu): disable default items (such as Home, Back, Add To Favorite...) and/or add your own items (like for the Menu bar).
- new option "only one instance of the publication can be run at a time" to avoid multiple instances of a publication (Security => Global Protection, available for all publication types).
- fixed: some FLV players were not working in HTML Viewer publications (see the "Dependencies" feature in the documentation or Main Demonstration).
- improved support for Flash objects in HTML Viewer publications.
- the "Query" field in the search panel is now focused by default so users can immediately type their query. Note: you need to update the system HTML page named "Search panel" manually for older existing projects.
- new faster HTML parser for the search engine.
- HTML Executable now tells the number of pages and unique words that were found while indexing pages.
- added a workaround for some users who get an "out of memory" error when compressing search engine data.
- map IDs: you can now add your own page IDs (like HTML anchors, HEScript commands) if you want to work with map IDs or the HTML Executable API SDK (available upon request) for users who want to integrate publications with their applications (as help files for instance).
- common error messages when loading publications can now be localized.
- new resource strings related to error messages; they are automatically added to older existing projects.
- change: URLs are no longer displayed in popup titles (unless you set the HEURLShowInPopupTitle global variable to 1).
- new option to disable popup windows in IE publications: NoAutomaticPopup (User interface => IE browser). It mimics the behavior of version 3.2.
- popup windows, HTML dialogs and the Main Window now share the same icon (if "Show publication icon...." is turned on).
- new optional meta tag WindowNoResize for System HTML pages. Set its content to 1 to disable resize of the about box and other dialog boxes by the end user.
- new HEScript function (see NavigateCommand) to display the "Tools > Internet Options" dialog box in IE publications.
- new HEScript function: MessageDlg to display skinnable message boxes.
- change: all default message boxes were converted to skinnable ones (when it was possible).
- fixed: Clicking a +/- button in the TOC causes the topic pane to refresh under certain circumstances. When this behavior occurs it causes the topics pane to flicker, which could be somewhat annoying to viewers.
- change: persistent global variables are now saved even if the publication has to exit immediately (Result := True in the "OnPubLoaded" script).
- fixed: default Internet Explorer security settings are now correctly applied for online pages in IE publications.
- change: text files are no longer considered as HTML pages by publications (compatibility with Flash objects that require external text files).
- updated skin engine, HEScript runtime engine, HTML editor, software protections.
- fixed remaining problems with Windows 2000.
- updated skins + new skin: Magnificient.
- updated documentation (new topic about Flash objects and external files) & Main Demonstration.
- small changes.
Compatibility issues:
- when you load an old project, the search panel (System HTML page) is not updated with the new code.
Version 3.3.1: minor release
- now you can change all images of the toolbar buttons in one click (feature available in the Toolbar editor).
- new toolbar image sets available.
- new browse sequence option: you can configure the Back & Forward buttons to display HTML pages in a specific order (browse sequence) instead of the standard History mode.
- added a global compatibility option for some Flash object problems (for instance if you have a main Flash movie that loads another SWF).
- fixed some problems with Windows 2000.
- popup windows can now open new popup windows too.
- small changes.
Version 3.3.0: major release
- enhanced support for Windows Vista (and incoming Vista SP1) and Internet Explorer 7.
- improved compression algorithm.
- new default icons for publications (with standard icon images for Vista); you can still choose your own icons of course.
- added support for Vista icons (new Vista icon format with 256x256 PNG compressed images); you can create these icons with GConvert and then use them with HTML Executable (see the help for further information).
- added support for Flash video files (FLV) in IE publications.
- improved support for Windows Media Player compatible files (MP3, WMA, WMV, etc...).
- new HEScript event (OnFlashFSCom) to respond to Flash FSCommands browser calls in HTML viewer publications.
- better support for Articulate products (by request).
- new window and skin options: always center the window, stay on top, no skinnable window (perfect for Windows Vista), "save user defined window position" without having to choose "Allow end users to resize the window" as well...
- the skin preview window now also shows progress & status bars.
- About 150 skins are now available in our skin collection; new skins include Vista and Office 2007 styles, iTMode, GameStyle, etc... Some skins also now feature visual effects.
- It is now possible to set the Product Version value for Version Information resources.
- added support for multiple windows & pop-ups in IE publications, window targets...
- IE publications now handle the window.open JavaScript function (width & height parameters are supported).
- fixed: window.external.ShowPopup displays the new window in front.
- menu editor: new option to configure the position of custom child menus.
- you can now call HEScript procedures and Boolean functions from custom buttons & menus.
- thus pre-defined HTML Executable macros can be invoked from custom buttons & menus.
- new macro: MacroExecuteProgram that lets you run external program files easily. A script example is also now available in the help file.
Example of a JavaScript command: window.external.runHEScriptCom('Macros.MacroExecuteProgram|sa_dict2005.exe');
This will run sa_dict2005.exe from the same folder as the publication .exe file.
- HE can now better detect if the source folder is missing. It is highly recommended to always save the project in the parent folder of the source folder.
- Improved file manager with new options related to virtual paths: create virtual folders, see virtual paths for all files, drag/drop enabled so you can easily move a file from a virtual folder to another...
- Fixed: having set virtual folder, it could not be deleted from the project even having deleted all files inside it.
- New Publication Wizard: you can now choose the source folder and then an index page. This allows you to choose an index page in a sub-folder instead of the root one.
- Trial publications were renamed "restricted publications" because some users create restricted publications without actually selling them or offering trial versions to their customers.
- Now you can create restricted publications that do not offer any trial period: customers must enter their key in order to run them. A specific nag screen is now used (new system HTML page called "Unlock screen").
- Fixed: "when I make my publication, I set it so it's hardware registered. No trial access at all... So when a user clicks the exit button, the program closes as it should but when the user clicks on the close button at the top right it doesn't close just allows the user access, as a trial".
- New condition for Security Profiles: if the following certificate(s) is/are active. Therefore you can "assign different certificate levels" to publications like "Single user", "2 - 5 users", "6 - 10 users", "10 and over". For instance, "2 - 5 users" will be able to access to 30 pages while "10 and over" users to more pages.
- New TOC editor options: replace image list, context menu to customize the drag/drop functionality,
- Improved search engine:
=> new search operators allowed: + - OR and quotes. RED APPLE will look for RED or APPLE and retrieve pages that contain red and apple terms, even if they do not follow - while "RED APPLE" will only retrieve pages that contain "red apple" strings.
=> result highlighting was improved in IE publications.
=> now it takes account of excluded words in search requests and word delimiters.
=> display of results can be changed the way you want (HML code of the table) thanks to some new resource strings (SSearchResHTML* ones).
- new Strings for System HTML Pages (like Resource Strings except that their ID begin with Y instead of S). Unlike Resource Strings, these strings are only used to localize system HTML pages when compiling publications, and not available at runtime.
- new System HTML pages tab (they are no more stored in language files).
- new Dependencies option for HTML pages (useful only for HTML Viewer publications): you can tell HE which external files may be required by a given HTML page (like Flash FLV video files).
- improved Bitmap editor that now checks for bitmap content and that integrates a Paste command (useful with GConvert).
- you can now remove all settings saved by your publication directly from the "Output Filename" tab (before that, you had to go to Security->Trial Pub. Tools->Advanced and click 'Reset' to remove any information stored).
- for code signing, SignTool is now used (SignCode is deprecated). You need to get it from the Windows SDK freely available for download at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=c2b1e300-f358-4523-b479-f53d234cdccf&displaylang=en
- SignTool requires PFX files and no more SPC and PVK ones. You can convert these two files to PFX files using pvk2pfx from Microsoft Windows SDK.
- PFX files should be password-protected; you can now enter the associated password in HTML Executable and you will not be prompted for it when signing the .exe files.
- settings of HTML Executable are now stored in XML files and no more in registry (thus you will not lose them when removing/installing/upgrading HTML Executable).
- support for Paquet Builder 2.9.6 to create installation packages for your publications.
- new option: variable paths are supported in some fields like JPEG file path (for splash screen), icon path, etc... For instance, you can enter: [PROJECTPATH]\myicon.ico in the Icon Path field; HE automatically replaces [PROJECTPATH] with the path to the folder that contains your project file.
- IE publications now use the http://heserver protocol in addition to ghe://heserver
- new and improved HEScript functions: SetUIProp("popup_XX", "....", ""), ShowPopup, ClosePopup... related to pop-up windows
- Fixed: cpp header generation; HE now outputs #define whatever 12345 instead of #define whatever=12345
- added new logos and icons (with Vista icon format).
- new software protection and smaller runtime modules.
- fixed possible problems with the Vista DEP (Data Execution Prevention) feature.
- several other changes and improvements.
- updated documentation with new samples.
HTML Viewer Changes:
- Add support for alpha transparency in PNG images.
- Permit Page-Break properties in tag.
- Add char entity, "'" as #8217.
- Fix clipping problem in
text which showed up for wide left margins.
- Fix some table colspan problems when rowspan is used.
- Fix problem where Floating blocks were not correct when text-align is center or right.
- Permit Floating objects when positioning is Relative.
- Modify Word-wrap: break-word; so that it works like in IExplorer.
- Fix problem where text file would not scroll horizontally.
- Fix
which didn't work if the block had a restricted width set.
- Fix problem with selecting text when the Text-Indent property was negative.
- Some fixes for Absolute and Relative blocks.
- Limit extremely large font size entries.
- Allow some null characters in document without aborting. Substitute "?" for some control characters.
- A table cell may now be hotlinked using syntax like:
...
- The Title attribute can now also be used for the whole table cell.
- Added Thai language support.
Compatibility issues:
- New runtime modules (version reference: 1.3.0) are not compatible with publications made with previous versions. Older runtime modules (versions 1.x.x) are always available at any time in the Runtime repository at http://runtime.htmlexe.com.
- Runtime modules can no longer be installed by publications: it is highly recommended to merge them or you will need to distribute the corresponding setup program separately (or have your users download it from our Runtime repository).
We also offer merge modules (MSM) and Windows Installer packages (MSI) for users who want to use Windows Installer for distributing publications.
- Old system HTML pages are not compatible: they are no longer stored in language files and their code has been enhanced. When you load a HE 3.2.x project, you will be prompted whether you want to upgrade system HTML pages (yes is strongly recommended).
- SignTool is now used and requires PFX (personal information exchange) files instead of SPC and PVK ones. You can convert these two files to a single PFX file using pvk2pfx from Microsoft Windows SDK.
Version 3.2.2 Build 2
- New expiration mode: you can create X-run trial periods now, i.e. you can set the number of uses for your trial ebooks before they expire.
- Users of the Professional edition can now create basic Trial publications too: BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD A NEW LICENSE PACKAGE (see your registration notice for further instructions) if you want to benefit from that feature.
- Please note that a registration key script (in php, C#, Pascal...) can be requested (see documentation) by users of the Professional/Commercial editions. This script contains functions that allow you to make registration keys for your trial publications directly from your web server, custom registration system, etc...
- Fixed: all PRINT SCREEN keystroke combinations are now disabled in HTML Viewer/IE publications.
- The File Manager now removes empty folders from the Folder Treeview when loading projects or during a Live Folder update.
- Updated help documentation.
- Update online runtime module repository (if the runtime module is not merged and not installed, end users are now immediately redirected to the correct runtime module when they click OK in the "Missing runtime module" dialog box).
- Updated language resources: new resource string (SRemainingTrialRuns), "Publication" replaced by "Program" in all resource strings/dialog boxes, fixed localization errors in Print Preview.
- Some minor improvements.
- Updated runtime modules to handle these changes (version reference: 1.2.2.3).
Version 3.2.2 Build 1
- New free add-on for HTML Executable: "CHM To EXE" allows you to decompile HTML Help (.CHM) files and turn them into executable programs using HTML Executable (CHM -> HEP -> EXE). Several HTML Help settings are also used to generate the corresponding HTML Executable project (HEP). This add-on is available as a separate download: please go to http://www.htmlexe.com/chm2exe
- New HEScript function for IE publications: ExecuteHTMLScript that allows you to call JavaScript functions from HEScript. For example, you can make menu items and buttons that call JavaScript functions of your current HTML document.
- Fixed expiration date bug in trial publications.
- New: optionally display a progress indicator on the initialization dialog box when the publication is being loaded.
- Improved "skin not found" problem: when you load a project and the selected skin is not found, now HTML Executable reverts to the default skin.
- "Could not call script proc" bug fixed in Professional/Commercial editions (if you still had an old license package; be sure to get a newer license package).
- Minor improvements for popups - popups are still not officially supported. More information about displaying simple popups in HE at http://www.htmlexe.com/wiki/PopUp
- Updated memory manager.
- Memory usage optimized in all applications and runtime modules.
- New code that converts logo bitmaps to transparent GIF files.
- Updated skin engine.
- Updated runtime modules to handle these changes (version reference: 1.2.2.2).
- Minor improvements.
Compatibility issues:
none
Version 3.2.2.0: minor release
- New online wiki that will be filled with samples, articles and FAQ from users: http://www.htmlexe.com/wiki
Please also see this article: http://www.htmlexe.com/wiki/StandAloneEbook about how to create stand-alone ebooks
- Users of the Personal edition can now enable the "merge runtime module into publication" option (to create real stand-alone .exe ebook files without having to worry about distributing/installing the associated runtime module), configure the actions of the Default security profile (disable copy, print...), create TOC and modify skins.
BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD A NEW LICENSE PACKAGE.
- Improved search engine: it highlights all words, supports escaped characters optionally, scrolls the view to make the first instance visible... The keyword index is now loaded into memory when the user makes his/her first search. A progress bar is displayed when HTML Executable is parsing HTML pages to make the keyword index. Finally support for AND/OR operators was improved.
- Loading time for large publications was decreased.
- Improved display of the loader's initialization dialog box.
- New HEScript functions for encoding/decoding data, zooming in and out in IE publications, displaying text search dialog box...
- You can now set the width for toolbar buttons (User Interface | Toolbar).
- New "View all files" option in the File Manager that lists all files including their paths.
- Possibility to have "external files", that is files that you deploy with the publication .exe and that can be displayed into the publication. For example: large media files can be kept external and played inside the publication. See the associated help topic for samples.
- Added support for Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 Beta 2/3 and Windows Internet Explorer 7.0+ (in Vista). Note that this future version brings a lot of security changes that may cause some features in compiled ebooks not to work anymore. See compatibility below.
- Improved compatibility with the incoming Microsoft Windows Vista (currently available as Beta 2)
- Better support for media files and Microsoft Office documents in IE browser publications like MP3, WAV, AVI, WMV, WMA, DOC, PPT, PPS files. Compatibility with Window Media Player 10 was also improved. Please remember that you can open these files in external applications using the _heopenit target parameter in HTML links.
- Change: "HTML Executable" no more appears in the taskbar when you enable the Windows feature that causes the taskbar to group similar task buttons (and with several instances of the same publication file).
- You can now display the search, favorites and TOC panels on the right side of the window (User Interface -> Contents Bar -> ShowOnRightSide property).
- Added the Paste menu command in IE browser publications
- Fixed: when the "prevent end users from selecting text" option was enabled in Security profiles, the Back button might not properly work in IE browser publications.
- Fixed: some shortcuts like CTRL+A were still active even if "prevent end users from selecting text" was turned on.
- Fixed: in "Start New Project", the text of the panels was not easy to read on some computers.
- Fixed: "Access violation error" when an IE browser publication was run for the first time by an user without administrative or power user rights on XP/2000/2003/NT.
- Fixed: "OnDisplayWindow" in IE browser publications was not working (it was OnDisplayingWindow).
- Fixed: "Use the image of the splash screen". The status of this option was not saved into the project.
- Fixed: you could not edit the CSS used by the system HTML pages properly (in Language files).
- Fixed: links to HEScript functions in HTML Viewer publications now appear as "visited" when they are clicked on.
- New HEScript timer functions: StartTimer, StopTimer and OnTimer HEScript event.
- Some runtime options like "Do not install the viewer" were added to the Directive files.
- Tested compatibility with the latest Macromedia Flash player (v10) and Adobe Reader (v7) ActiveX controls.
- New: you can import your own custom 16x16 icon images for your items in the Table of Contents.
- New: navigation panels have now a minimal width constraint.
- New: some skin-related options like "Disable skin effects" and "Hide caption buttons".
- The Special Extension manager was improved.
- The Asynchronous Pluggable Protocol used by IE browser publications was improved, especially for large files.
- Updated skins and some new skins. Be sure to get the entire skin collection: http://www.htmlexe.com/skins.htm
- Updated skin, HTML viewer, XML and HEScript runtime engines.
- Runtime modules are a little smaller: this will decrease the size of compiled publications and runtime viewer distribution files.
- Setup for runtime modules are no more available in the "Redist" folder, but you can download them from http://runtime.htmlexe.com or through the Web Update utility if you want to distribute them with your publications. Before version 3.2.2, they were compiled during the Setup but in this case it was not possible to digitally sign them. With the incoming of Windows Vista, Setup package files for runtime modules will be digitally signed.
- HTML display engine improvements:
- Add Readonly attribute support for and