You can download SuperMemo help and portions of supermemo.com website in a single file (Compiled HTML). You can view this file without installing SuperMemo. The file smhelp.chm is provided with a full-text search index.
Important!
- Microsoft security updates may make your CHM file seem empty at first. Be sure you unblock active content for the downloaded file (e.g. click Unblock within Properties in Windows Explorer)
- First time you view this file, the index search tab may be sized narrow to the left. You may need to resize it by dragging it to the right (be sure you click the Show button if displayed)
Benefits:
- quick access to individual pages (e.g. much faster full-text index search)
- no need to be connected to the Internet
Disadvantages:
- you will not benefit from regular updates to help files that result from the analysis of user problems and inquiries
- you will not be able to edit the content, request further explanation, and/or ask questions in the context of the documentation
To determine where SuperMemo looks for help files, press Ctrl+Alt+O (for Options), choose SuperMemo tab, and select the option under Help system (e.g. choose Wiki (Internet) or similar to always use on-line help or CHM (PC) or similar to always use the CHM file installed locally on your hard disk)
Choose one:
- Help for SuperMemo 15+Website: smhelp.chm (34 MB) (last updated: Aug 1, 2011)
- Help for SuperMemo 2008+Website: smhelp.chm (33.2 MB) (last updated: Aug 25, 2009)
- Help for SuperMemo 2006+Website: smhelp.chm (9.8 MB) (last updated: Mar 5, 2007)
- Help for SuperMemo 2004+Website: smhelp.chm (6.9 MB) (last updated: Sep 11, 2004)
- Help for SuperMemo 2002+Website: smhelp.chm (5.5 MB) (last updated: Oct 17, 2002)
Important:
- To use the file without SuperMemo, simply double-click smhelp.chm.
- To install the help file for context help in SuperMemo, place the file smhelp.chm in the folder bin in your SuperMemo folder.
With smhelp.chm you can view the website off-line. You will need an Internet connection only to (1) explore external links (e.g. on the Links or References pages), or (2) download files (e.g. SuperMemo or learning material).
The website part of the chm file does not include the following:
- binary files available via FTP
- archive files related to earlier versions of SuperMemo (these obscure index searches generating too many hits)
If you are a computer novice, read Installing components of SuperMemo from the Internet
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
SuperMemo
help file may appear empty if active content is blocked
SuperMemo Help includes full text search option
SuperMemo Help can be used off-line
You can use F1 to access help
Compiled HTML is the new official Microsoft standard for delivering help
documentation
SuperMemo Help CHM file is compressed but not an executable
You can use SuperMemo help without Internet Explorer
WinHelp vs. CHM Help
SuperMemo Help includes full text search option
(Marjolein Hoekstra, The Netherlands, Nov 10, 1999)
Question:
I installed smhelp.chm file but I cannot access full-text search index.
Can you help?
Answer:
These could be caused by two reasons:
- The search tab is hidden. It is enough to click Show on the toolbar
- The search tab is minimized in width. Try to grab the sizer on the left side of the window and pull it right to expose the search tab
(Robert
Whitinger, USA, Mar 4, 1999)
Question:
I installed smhelp.chm file in the bin folder but SuperMemo still
attempts to connect me with the Internet help!
Answer:
Please make sure that you choose Tools
: Options : SuperMemo :
Help system : CHM (PC).
You can use F1 to access help
(Garry Gross, Sat, Sep 01, 2001 10:45 AM)
Question:
Why I should not be able to just hit
F1 to get help after installing SuperMemo?
Answer:
F1 will work. However,
this way you will access the on-line help. This is a recommended way of using
the documentation due to daily updates and corrections. Only if you want to use off-line help, you need to
download the help file (compiled HTML format). This file is not included with SuperMemo for
the following reasons:
- it would increase the size of the download six-fold
- it requires Internet Explorer installed (unlike earlier versions of SuperMemo)
- on-line help is more up-to-date
Compiled HTML is the new official Microsoft standard for delivering help
documentation
(Pim Grol, Netherlands, Tuesday, October 15, 2002 9:12 PM)
Question:
I will suggest that you use the Windows standards in the next versions for Help
instruction, instead of all kind of HTML documents
Answer:
Microsoft has officially sanctioned compiled HTML help as the new standard:
"Microsoft HTML Help is the standard help system for the Windows
platform": http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/htmlhelp/html/vsconhh1start.asp
WinHelp vs. CHM Help
(E.B.F., Tuesday, April 30, 2002 10:13 AM)
Question:
I'd happily pay $5 more for a normal Windows searchable help file instead of the Byzantine downloadable help
Answer:
The
new compiled HTML help file format is the invention of Microsoft. To
make the application compliant with the new standards, the developer is
encouraged to adopt the new format. SuperMemo tries to adopt standards
early if feasible and if it does not limit user's learning. Upon closer
inspection you will see that CHM format is superior. It is searchable.
It improves documentation by the fact that it makes it possible to keep
the same source file for the web and for the help. It is downloadable
via FTP to minimize download problems. This way the core
SuperMemo file is 1.3MB instead of 5MB, which reduces user complaints
manifold
You can use SuperMemo help without Internet
Explorer
(John Daniel, USA, Dec 22, 1999)
Question:
Is it necessary to install Internet Explorer to use your help files
off-line?
Answer:
No. You can also use plain HTML help files. Remember, however, that lack of
Internet Explorer can cripple some of other functionality in newer
SuperMemos.
To use help as HTML you need to do two things:
- copy the contents of www.supermemo.com/help/ folder to <SuperMemo folder>/help/help folder on your hard disk. For example, if your SuperMemo is located at d:\sm2008\sm2008.exe, you would copy www.supermemo.com/help/index.htm to d:\sm2004\help\help\index.htm, www.supermemo.com/help/addnew.htm to d:\sm2008\help\help\addnew.htm, etc.
- select Tools : Options : SuperMemo : Help system : HTML (PC)
You could also copy other folders from www.supermemo.com and place them in <SuperMemo folder>/help/ to retain access to some auxiliary articles such as Six steps to excellent memory, Devouring knowledge, etc.
Important! Do not copy the help folder file by file (e.g. using your browser). Use any FTP software, log in as anonymous (e.g. provide your e-mail address as password), and copy all files at once!
SuperMemo Help CHM file is compressed but not an executable
(Piotr
W., Poland, Wednesday, July 17, 2002 3:44 PM)
Question:
I have downloaded
smhelp.chm.exe but it fails to extract itself: the error message is:
"Program too big to fit in memory"
Answer:
You should not have
re named the file to provide it with the
EXE extension! You should have leaft the original CHM extension. You can view
this file in SuperMemo or in Windows (Internet Explorer libraries will automatically handle your
request). All you need to do now is to rename the extension from chm.exe back to
chm
SuperMemo
help file may appear empty if active content is blocked
(MH, Poland, 2006)
Question:
When I double-click on smhelp.chm file, it appears it is empty inside
Answer:
You need to unblock active content. E.g. in Windows Explorer, right-click smhelp.chm, select Properties
and then click Unblock