Hi,
Reads more like they are phasing out legacy application help file support
because the application file is no longer suitable in today's software
environment. They aren't saying "to hell with support of the older systems"
as they will all still have the .hlp file executable - I don't see where it
is said that they are removing it from those older systems. But I did see
this:
"Users who want to view 32-bit .hlp files must download the program from the
Microsoft Download Center, and then install it on their computers. The
download for Windows Help is still in development. It will be available in
time for the consumer release of Windows Vista scheduled for early 2007."
Which reads that users can still get the executable to support the older
help format if it is needed for running legacy software. In fact, as far as
Vista goes, I've never seen as much backwards compatibility as is included
in it compared to any other Win variety.
--
Best of Luck,
Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
Windows help -
www.rickrogers.org