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User problem: ----------------------------------- Searching for help on particular task is non-trivial and time consuming. User need: ----------------------------------- The user needs to quickly find help on how to perform some task related to the current context in the IDE (e.g. Just created a Java source, how do I compile it, execute it, etc.) Product requirement: ----------------------------------- Provide dynamic help window that, based on the context in the IDE suggests help on what the user might want to perform next. Similar to the functionality provided in Microsoft Visual Studio or BEA Weblogic Workshop (Cajun).
There is prototype of dynamic help/help assistant already in cvs in contrib/assistant module. It is based on code assistants proposal. Using this will involve significant effort of DOC group - because lot of new docs will be needed. From implementaiton point of view there could be some registry for HelpManagers. Every HelpManager should be responsible for one or few events in IDE and determing dynamic help content. There will be one HelpManager defined for core IDE and another managers will be registered by modules.
Reassigning to the new "core/help system" owner obarbashov.
Moving JH issues to Victor.