Mediawiki offline content - EduTech Wiki (2024)

1 Introduction
2 The ZIM format
3 Creating an own ZIM file
4 Kiwix
- 4.1 Wikipedia and Gutenberg contents
- 4.2 Edutechwiki
5 Links

Introduction

Mediawiki contents can be organised for offline reading, but this takes some work. The most practical solution is probably exporting and packaging to *.ZIM files and then using the Kiwix reader.

The ZIM format

According to Wikipedia (12/2019), “The ZIM file format is an open file format that stores wiki content for offline usage.[1] Its primary focus is the contents of Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. The format allows for the compression of articles, features a full-text search index and native category and image handling similar to MediaWiki, and the entire file is easily indexable and readable using a program like Kiwix – unlike native Wikipedia XML database dumps. In addition to the open file format, the openZIM project provides support for an open-source ZIM reader called Kiwix. ZIM stands for "Zeno IMproved", as it replaces the earlier Zeno file format. Its file compression uses LZMA2, as implemented by the xz-utils library. The openZIM project is sponsored by Wikimedia CH, and supported by the Wikimedia Foundation.”

Creating an own ZIM file

This requires some installation and configuration work. (Investigating also the possibility to outsource this to the kiwi folks) Daniel K. Schneider (talk) 15:51, 11 December 2019 (CET)).

https://wiki.openzim.org/wiki/Build_your_ZIM_file

Kiwix

Kiwix is the name of an offline reader that allows reading mediawiki contents on various devices that are offline. It also provides a local server solution.

Quote: "The Kiwix Reader allows you to access content packages in the ZIM format that are stored on your phone or computer. It is available for all major operating systems. It comes as a standalone application or as a browser plug-in. Simply choose below what suits you best."

Wikipedia and Gutenberg contents

A number of pre-packaged contents is available

Content in all languages provides a list of various Wikipedia contents] (with or without images)

Edutechwiki

As of Spring 2020 we got a nice distribution of our two EduTechWikis

Read

EduTechWiki offline and look at Zim, its entry page
EduTechWiki hors ligne and look at Zim, its entry page (in french)

FAQs

Can you use MediaWiki offline? ›

According to Wikipedia (12/2019), “The ZIM file format is an open file format that stores wiki content for offline usage.

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What is MediaWiki used for? ›

MediaWiki is the free open-source wiki software used to power Wikipedia and thousands of other wikis.

Is Wikipedia a database or a website? ›

Wikipedia, which launched in 2001 is a free online encyclopedia run by the nonprofit Wikimedia Foundation and written collaboratively by its users. There are 10 rules and five pillars for contributing to the site.

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How do you open a Kiwix? ›

You can open Kiwix any time by opening the installation directory i.e. C:\Program Files\kiwi by opening the Start menu>My Computer> Local Drive C > Program Files > Kiwix. In this folder, right click to open the application file named Kiwix. You can then restore the Desktop shortcut as previous.

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How to read wiki offline? ›

Some of the many ways to read Wikipedia while offline:

Kiwix: (§ Kiwix) - index of images (2024)
XOWA: (§ XOWA) - index of images (2015)
WikiTaxi: § WikiTaxi (for Windows)
aarddict: § Aard Dictionary / Aard 2.
BzReader: § BzReader and MzReader (for Windows)
WikiFilter: § WikiFilter.

More items...

Know More ›

Is MediaWiki still being used? ›

MediaWiki is a particular wiki engine software developed for and used by Wikipedia and the other Wikimedia projects. MediaWiki is freely available for others to use (and improve), and it is in use by all sorts of projects and organizations around the world.

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Can MediaWiki be private? ›

MediaWiki by default has the wiki fully accessible to any user that is registered to the site. In the case that the Wiki needs to be made private, and restricted to System Operators (Sysop) only . Code can be added to the LocalSettings.

Learn More Now ›

What websites use MediaWiki? ›

Websites using MediaWiki

#	Website	Traffic
1	fandom.com	50%
2	wikimedia.org	6%
3	wiktionary.org	5%
4	wikihow.com	2%

6 more rows

What is the advantage of MediaWiki? ›

MediaWiki has the advantage of being an open source system and thus free. It also allows cooperation on a large scale. Yet this software is not suitable for use as an enterprise wiki. Its main drawback is the lack of rights management, which plays a crucial role in collaboration within an enterprise wiki.

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Is there an offline Wikipedia? ›

Download Wikipedia Using Kiwix. Kiwix is an open-source application that allows you to download all of Wikipedia, including images, with just a few clicks. It can also download almost any wiki-based website, and supports a tool to grab other websites you might want to save offline.

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Does Wikipedia use MediaWiki? ›

The MediaWiki software is used by tens of thousands of websites and thousands of companies and organisations. It powers Wikipedia and also this website.

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Is MediaWiki a database? ›

MediaWiki is written in the PHP programming language and stores all text content into a database.

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Is Kiwix free? ›

At Kiwix, we believe that access to knowledge is a fundamental right. That's why we're dedicated to providing free and open access to it for everyone, everywhere.

How much does it cost to download Wikipedia? ›

Wikipedia is available for free download, in its entirety, at www.kiwix.org. I was able to download it at a public access point and transfer it to the hard drive of my home computer. It comes compiled as a single compressed . zim file, along with open source browser software that allows you to view the content.

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How do I set up MediaWiki locally? ›

Installing MediaWiki

Upload the MediaWiki file that you downloaded to your web server via FTP.
Log into your server via SSH, then decompress the file on the server.
Confirm that the MediaWiki files are in your domain's web directory. ...
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. ...
Upload the LocalSettings.

Feb 20, 2024

What is offline MediaWiki code editor? ›

Offline MediaWiki Code Editor consists of a unique collection of tools and assistants merged in a single "execute only" file in . accde Microsoft ® Access compiled format. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) of the application is simple and user-friendly.

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What is the difference between MediaWiki and fandom? ›

In general, any site that uses MediaWiki as its core software engine is considered a wiki. While MediaWiki provides the core of our communities, Fandom's platform also has additional features, such as Discussions, Message Walls, and Comments, which are separate from the MediaWiki platform.