WebHelp vs Flashhelp

[MEP45]

What are the pros and cons of using Webhelp vs Flashhelp or Flashhelp vs Webhelp. I have built my help system with WebHelp but have been running some testing with Flash, I like the look and feel of it, although it seems you can't really edit the format of it.

We use Webhelp generated files linked to our UI using the mapping IDs.

[Guest]

FlashHelp is a variant of WebHelp, just using Flash movies for the skin instead of static images. You can edit the Flash movies to change the look if you have Adobe Flash.

Your map IDs will still work with FlashHelp if you use that layout.

Hope this helps,

Ben

[Guest]

Forgot to mention that FlashHelp was designed to keep the same look and functionality across browsers and platforms.

However, sometimes there can be security issues with the Flash, depending on the environment or server where your FlashHelp files are deployed or published.

[Linux Rules]

Who is your intended audience?

I'll never be able to use your Flash Help as Flash (being a security risk) is not permitted on workstations with Internet access. This also goes for AIR.

However, it's

Regards,
GEWB

[MEP45]

Our audience are network administrators who can setup services across a network.

What kinds of security issues are there?

[Linux Rules]

Do a search on Flash, especially on security sites (Internet Storm Center, National Vulnerability Database from Dept. of Homeland Security, etc.). Set your time frame to span a few years. You'll find numerous problems cropping up several times a year. If problems came up only once every few years we wouldn't be concerned but sadly this isn't the case.

Yet another Flash security hole posted on Adobe just yesterday:

Release date: October 7, 2008
Vulnerability identifier: APSA08-08
Platform: All Platforms
Affected Software: Adobe Flash Player 9.0.124.0 and earlier

Summary
Adobe is aware of recently published reports of a ‘Clickjacking’ issue in multiple web browsers that could allow an attacker to lure a web browser user into unknowingly clicking on a link or dialog. It has been determined that this potential "Clickjacking" issue affects Adobe Flash Player. Adobe is working to address this issue in an upcoming update to Flash Player.

Severity Rating
Adobe categorizes this as a critical issue.

http://www.adobe.com/support/security/advisories/apsa08-08.html

[Linux Rules]

Current vulnerability has been patched. Update from the download site:

http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash

Regards,
GEWB