THL - The Hint Library
                 (On SynTax Disks 1235a/b)

                 Reviewed by William McCole

Downloaded from Interactive Action Archive on 12th March 1998
Internet Address - ftp://ftp.gmd.de/if-archive

The Hint Library is the latest in the "Load and Look At"
adventure help utilities for the P.C. This type of help utility
gives the choice of the amount detail revealed at one time. It
can include maps / pictures and music if it is so desired (See
Sample11.thl and Willtest.thl when installed). The utility
contains various converted 'Infocom invisiclues' for use and as
examples.

Installation is very simple. Unzip the file thl11_gb.zip into
your chosen folder. Once unzipped, open the installation folder
and click on 'install.exe'. Follow the set up as for any Windows
95 installation (i.e. select destination and away we go). Once
the installation is complete, unzip the English language file
(lsp_gb11.zip) and move the files to the installed 'destination'
folder.

It is a good idea to note the destination directory as you will
find it is easier to use the data files if they are located in
the same folder.

Once it is installed, it is very easy to use. Initial loading
is via the start menu then data files are accessed through the
file menus.

'OPEN' opens into an 'explorer type' window with large icons.
'VERBOSE OPEN' provides a small icon view. As well as reading
files, it is possible to make up your own hint files using the
built in editor.

The editor is fairly easy to use but care must be taken to
'compile' the files rather than just 'saving' them (else they
will be saved as a data file - unsuitable to use as a .thl file)

An added bonus is that the editor can deal with not only text
hint files, information points and various image formats [bmp,
tga, gif, pcx and jpg] but also wav and midi (music) files and
avi and mov (video) files. This I found very interesting, as it
opens up wider horizons for this utility and full display
presentations with picture and sound are within its capability.

Concluding this short review, I would have to rate this utility
as "Good+". Having resorted to using the U.H.S. program some
time ago, I can truthfully say that I found this program, not
only more pleasant on the eye but also having more 'readily
available' features. The additional feature of an easy to use
editor is a positive boon.

NOTE 1 :-

The above installation can be installed to give the choice of
either English or German language in the set up layout. This is
done by unzipping the file lsp_d11 and putting the three files
(deutsch.lsi, thl11_d.dll, and thl11_d.HLP) into the
'destination' folder with the English files

NOTE 2 :-

Please remember that all additions to your files (pics, wavs,
movs, etc.) are stored INSIDE the COMPILED help file, not as
references to their locations.

NOTE 3 :-

There are two demonstration files.

Demo 1 - sample.thl is supplied to show most of the capabilities
of the program - Text, Sound, Picture, etc. as supplied with the
program.

Demo 2 - Willtest.thl is a very limited (15 min.) test of the
utility by myself using nonsense inputs and testing, only, the

picture display using a digital camera .jpg of girlfriend Cassie
and myself.

W. McCole

2nd. April 1998













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