I apologize in advance for my lack of etiquette, but whomever came up with the idea to change the designer help to what it is now is an idiot.
They took a simple to use index and turned it into a knowledge base. I am actually trying to retrieve my R7 designer help, just so I can get the index back and find what I need quickly.
Subject: hmm…
i’m not sure what you’re missing as there’s still a “traditional” Domino Designer Help Database, that get’s installed with the product:
And it also contains an index, just like in the “good old days”:
Subject: He’s probably missing the integration…
While the Help Database is in fact present, it’s no longer integrated with DDE, such that pressing F1 or selecting Help from the menu does not load the Help Database, ever, but some Bizzaro Land contraption that gives the developer zero control over indexing, organization, or anything that Domino Developers have come to appreciate over the decades.- I know that’s what I miss.
I also miss the consistency. It used to simply load the Help Database in a new window and that was that. Simple. Effective. CONSISTENT. Even if the context-sensativity didn’t work part of the time, one could simply FT Search to find what they wanted in seconds, every single time.
Now help is a nightmare of multiple, overlapping, inconsistent panes, tooltips, and windows. A NIGHTMARE.
I know that’s what I miss.
Your mileage may vary…
Subject: It is using the eclipse help.
The indexing does take sometime. 
You can still find the old school help files in the help directory.
Also there is an online infocenter.
Subject: Thank you!!!
Thank you guys for your help - obviously I was frustrated.
I did find the other version of designer help, which is much better. When I use the Help menu at the top of the designer, the help system is much different (like a knowledgebase). I noticed several other users experienced similar frustrations.
I appreciate everyone’s assistance…