https://github.com/technusm1/kiwings

A better alternative to Kiwix for macOS
https://github.com/technusm1/kiwings

kiwix kiwix-server macos swift swiftui

Last synced: 2 months ago
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A better alternative to Kiwix for macOS

• Host: GitHub
• URL: https://github.com/technusm1/kiwings
• Owner: technusm1
• License: mit
• Created: 2021-06-19T17:46:57.000Z (over 3 years ago)
• Default Branch: main
• Last Pushed: 2022-11-30T12:22:59.000Z (about 2 years ago)
• Last Synced: 2024-08-02T16:10:10.564Z (5 months ago)
• Topics: kiwix, kiwix-server, macos, swift, swiftui
• Language: Swift
• Homepage:
• Size: 9.69 MB
• Stars: 14
• Watchers: 1
• Forks: 0
• Open Issues: 4
• Metadata Files:
  • Readme: README.md
  • License: LICENSE

Awesome Lists containing this project

README

        
#  KiWings

| Field                                                                  | Info                                   |

|------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|

| Project Homepage | [github.com/technusm1/kiwings](https://github.com/technusm1/kiwings) |

| Description | Lightweight Kiwix alternative for macOS |

| Build status | ![Build status](https://github.com/mkathuri/kiwings/actions/workflows/main.yml/badge.svg) |

| Download latest version | [1.0-beta4](https://github.com/technusm1/kiwings/releases/download/1.0-beta4/Kiwings.1.0-beta4.dmg) |

## Introduction

KiWings is a lightweight Kiwix alternative for macOS. Kiwix is an open-source tool that allows you to read offline copies of fantastic content like Wikipedia (its a 80GB download), TED Talks etc. Originally, I started working on this tool to learn UI development on macOS, an endeavor that continues to this day. But this tool has now become a full-fledged project itself.

Under the hood, this tool is a front-end for `kiwix-serve` designed for macOS 11.3 and later. `kiwix-serve` is a tool designed by Kiwix team, which can work as a standalone content server, but as of writing this, is not directly released as macOS binary, though compilation is supported.

**🔥WARNING: Bugs and shortcomings are unfortunately commonplace in software. On my part, I'm releasing the tool as a sandboxed app (meaning macOS will restrict its capabilities to do any damage), but this tool is RELEASED AS IS, WITH NO WARRANTY - IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE.**

## Features

- Sandboxed. Less chances of damaging your computer. More peace of mind.

- Menu bar app that's available when you need it.

- Automatically detects different installed browsers on your machine, and allows you to conveniently access your content library from any of them (see screenshots).

- Open-source

## Screenshots

| Stopped                                                                  | Running                                   |

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|

| ![KiWings Stopped](https://github.com/technusm1/kiwings/raw/main/screenshots/Screenshot-Stopped.png) | ![KiWings Running](https://github.com/technusm1/kiwings/raw/main/screenshots/Screenshot-Running.png) |

## Installation & Requirements

- Please make sure you have macOS 11.3 or later installed on your machine.

- Download the latest release from [here](https://github.com/technusm1/kiwings/releases/download/1.0-beta4/Kiwings.1.0-beta4.dmg) (currently in beta, but should be usable).

- Open the DMG file in Finder.

- Drag and Drop the KiWings app into your Applications folder.

## Build Instructions

There are 3 simple steps:

- Checkout the project via git or download the source archive.

- Open the project in Xcode (tested on 12 and 13).

- Build it. It needs internet to fetch the underlying dependencies, so make sure you are connected to the internet.

Easy, right?

## Giving feedback

Before you raise an issue, please make sure to search the **Issues** section properly to see if there isn't any issue already filed for the problem you're facing. Being a bit busy these days, it may not be possible for me to attend to your concerns in a timely manner. That said, your feedback is extremely valuable and appreciated. I may not be able to reply, but I do read in a timely manner.

## Credits

- Kiwix team's `kiwix-tools`. Source code is available here: https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-tools

- Sindre Sorhus's `LaunchAtLogin` package: https://github.com/sindresorhus/LaunchAtLogin

- CheckboxHeaderCell gist here: https://gist.github.com/Lessica/176c2314336fc861398de1e1045aa368

- Detecting button press in SwiftUI: https://stackoverflow.com/a/70191752/4385319

- Enumerating installed browsers on OSX: https://stackoverflow.com/a/931277/4385319