HelpMesh

Sometimes you may need to learn a new language, like C++ or CSS, in order to complete a project or you may just need to look up a certain expression. The Internet provides all the information you need, but it may take some time to find it. For technical documentation, of any kind, you can use HelpMesh. It comes with a huge library of well structured, open source ebooks about numerous languages and protocols. You will find everything you need, including definitions, instructions or examples.

You will not encounter any difficulties while going through the application's setup process. The supported operating systems are Windows XP, Vista and Win 7, as well as the 2003 and 2008 Server editions. The system requirements are very low, but you will need MS Internet Explorer 6 or higher.

An ebook's topics are organized in a tree menu, on the left side of the interface. They are placed in many categories and sub-categories and you can double click a topic to view its contents in the larger area of the interface. When you access a topic, its contents will be displayed under a new tab, so you can switch between them immediately. Additional tabs are placed beneath the tree structure and they will reveal an index and a search function.

The main area of the interface works as a web browser as well. You can find an address bar and a search bar in the upper right corner of the window and you can visit any web site you want. Before using your keywords to search for something, you can select a search engine, like Google, Bing, Yahoo or Wikipedia, from a drop menu, next to the search bar. Another option, in the same drop menu, makes it possible to use the search bar to find contents within a displayed page.

The books themselves are downloaded from the Internet. HelpMesh gives you access to a vast library of technical documentation. To make it more comfortable, the software displays a single ebook on the left side of its interface. You can add new books with a single mouse click and select them from a drop menu, located above the tree structure. To add a new book, you need to click a small plus icon, next to the drop menu. A new window will show up on the screen, where you will find a large list of ebooks about various programming languages and protocols. If you select an ebook, a brief description, about its subject, will be displayed beneath the title. Clicking the Install button, next to a book, will start the downloading process immediately.