Using and Searching Help

This help system contains information for Windows and Linux users. When feature and functionality differences occur, Windows information is flagged with a (W) icon, and Linux information is flagged with an (L) icon.

Windows Help

Help topics in Windows are published as Microsoft HTML Help, which is a self-contained help system. Microsoft HTML Help has a row of buttons at the top allowing you to quickly do things such as navigate Back to the last topic viewed, or Print the current topic.

Help also has standard tabs for:

  • Contents - Topics appear organized into books, which expand to show related topics underneath.
  • Index - Look for help topics using predefined search keywords.
  • Search - Search the help file for the information you need. Remember the following when searching Microsoft HTML Help files on the Search tab:

    • Type your search query in the Type in the word(s) you want to search for: field, then press Enter on your keyboard or click the List Topics button.

    • Double click a search result (or select it and click Display) to show that topic.
    • Searches are case-insensitive. A search on run will find run and RUN.
    • Variant endings are matched. A search on install will find install and installing.
    • To search for a phrase, enter the phrase in quotes. Example: A search on command expert would return a topic containing Command Expert, but would not return a topic with the phrase command entered by a product expert.
    • To use Boolean Operators (AND, OR, NEAR, NOT), type those operators between your search terms or use the small arrow to the right of the search field to populate a search operator. Example: Command and expert finds topics containing both the words command and expert. Front or panel finds topics containing either the word "front" or the word "panel." System not requirements finds topics containing the word system, but not the word requirements. Install near hardware finds topics containing the word install within eight words of the word hardware.
    • Wildcard searching - You can use wildcard characters to define your search. Meas* finds results including meas, measure, and measurement. *93 finds 93, 293, and A93. *936* finds 936, 45936 and M9360A. 89?00 finds 89500 and 89600.
    • The Search previous results check box lets you search again ,but only within the topics that were results in your last search.
    • Match similar words will include words with similar spellings in your results.
    • Search titles only limits your search to topic titles only, and not body paragraphs.
  • Favorites - Add the currently displayed help topic to this list by clicking Add, if you want to easily find and refer to it again.

Linux Help

In Linux, the help topics are published as HTML 5 help, which displays in a customized browser tab offering familiar help features.

  • Contents are displayed in the left pane, organized into books, which expand to show related topics underneath.
  • The Search field on the upper right of the tab lets you search the help system. Type your query into the Search field and press Enter on your keyboard.
    • Searches are case-insensitive. A search on run will find run and RUN.
    • Variant endings are matched. A search on install will find install and installing.
    • To use Boolean Operators (AND, OR, NEAR, NOT), type those operators between your search terms. Example: Command and expert finds topics containing both the words command and expert. Front or panel finds topics containing either the word "front" or the word "panel." System not requirements finds topics containing the word system, but not the word requirements. Install near hardware finds topics containing the word install within eight words of the word hardware.
    • Wildcards such as * are not supported in HTML 5 help and will return 0 results.
  • The toolbar in the main pane allows you to browse topics sequentially, print the current topic, return to the default / home topic, or close the help tab.