Version: (using KDE KDE 3.2.1) Installed from: Compiled From Sources Compiler: GCC 3.3.3 OS: Linux Normally, when I select one of the applications under "Application Manuals", the help pages are shown, the "+" before the application name changes to a "-" and the help content is shown on a lower level on the sidebar. But if I click on the "+" before an application that I haven't opened before, the "+" changes into a "-", but no help content is shown on the sidebar. I think hhis could also be solved by removing the "+" before the application name.
I don't think the "+" before the application name should be removed. From my user point of view, it seems that KHelpCenter originally hasn't got any application doc nodes in the documentation tree. They are inserted when the application name is clicked. If this has not happened yet, the node is empty and therefore doesn't expand. I consider this a major usability issue which could trouble a lot of newbies (the ones who need a proper functioning help center most), so it would be fine if this could be done.
I have khelpcenter 3.5.8-10.fc8 Fedora 8, i386, from the Fedora RPMs. I also see no contents when clicking the + sign of an Application Manual, in the Contents pane. Opening a manual and clicking on things in the manual's table of contents did *not* cause the contents information to display in the Contents pane, as I understand Jakob Petsovits reported with KDE 3.2.1. I think the preferred fix is to get each manual's contents to display under the manual, in the Contents pane, when the user clicks on the + sign next to the Application name. If that is not possible, then I think the + signs should be removed, because they are misleading.
The issue can be reproduced back in 3.5.x, but it was already solved in 4.x times (confirmed by direct testing) and definitely not reproduced in current master (Qt5). It was indirectly solved by the porting to Qt4/kdelibs4.