Abstract: A system for presentation of help files on a computer with an operating system and a display is provided. Presentation-independent information associated with an application is stored on the computer. A help application is adapted to access the presentation-independent information based on user interactions and automatically to select between available rendering applications at runtime for displaying the presentation-independent information on the display.

Abstract: A URI is received and includes an indication of an item of content. A determination is made as to whether there is access to a help server. If there is access, then a version of the item of content is retrieved from the help server. If there is no access, then a version of the item of content is retrieved from a local client content store.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing security in a help system includes receiving a call from a calling application to access active content. A determination is made, based on predetermined criteria, which execution mode to use to access the active content. The active content is then accessed in the determined execution mode.

Abstract: Flexible information appearance and behavior can be achieved with an extensible multi-phase transform engine. The transform engine can apply a series of transforms to markup language content. In a help service embodiment, application creators can specify a Uniform Resource Indicator (URI) for help content, and a collection of transforms and/or executable code for formatting and presenting the help content. The transforms may be custom transforms registered with the help service, or may be selected from a set of stock pre-registered transforms. The transforms can be applied by the engine to the help content. Custom transforms and transform selection may be used to control content appearance and engine output format. Transform operation may also trigger custom executable code to accomplish desired help behaviors.

Abstract: A system for presentation of help files on a computer with an operating system and a display is provided. Presentation-independent information associated with an application is stored on the computer. A help application is adapted to access the presentation-independent information based on user interactions and automatically to select between available rendering applications at runtime for displaying the presentation-independent information on the display.