[R] OS X specific question: help.start() won't launch

[Brunsdon C (Comp)]

I've got the same problem with help.start().  It seems to be a problem with
the 'open'
command when executed through R's 'system' function -

ie system('open something.html')

gives an error message,  whilst opening a new xterm (or console)
and entering 

open something.html

works fine (here 'something.html' is the same in both cases.)

My current work-around is to enter
debug(browseURL)

- this function is called by help.start -
and then to 'catch' the name of the url that is meant to be opened
by stepping through the function until the final 'system' command and
looking at
the variable 'quotedURL'.  I then open a new xterm and enter the open
command
with the value of quotedURL. Once this is done,  I make sure I don't 
close the help window for the rest of my R session!

I'm sure there must be a better way than this - perhaps somebody out there
can help.
Some other bits of info may be useful -

1) This only started happening when I upgraded to OS X 10.3.5
2) The error message I get when I try to execute 'open' from the system
function
   is as follows 
   dyld: /usr/bin/open version mismatch for library.
/usr/local/lib/libxml2.2.dylib
   (compatibility version of user: 9.0.0 greater than library's version
8.0.0)
3) I'm using R 1.9.1


Chris


> -----Original Message-----
> From: r-help-bounces at stat.math.ethz.ch 
> [mailto:r-help-bounces at stat.math.ethz.ch] On Behalf Of David 
> L. Van Brunt, Ph.D.
> Sent: 19 August 2004 03:35
> To: R-help
> Subject: [R] OS X specific question: help.start() won't launch
> 
> 
> It's been a while since I used R, and have certainly applied a few 
> system patches. Since I installed the latest R.bin, when I type 
> "help.start()" nothing happens anymore. It used to launch a browser 
> with the R help system.
> 
> Anyone know of any issues here, or ways to re-enable this?
> 
> Didn't see anything searching the FAQ, just stuff on the java-based 
> search. I don't need that, just need to open the help!
> 
> Thanks,
> 	
> 	Dave VB
> 
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