Difference between revisions of "FAQ"

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{{translations}}
{{translations}}
<translate><!--T:15-->
<translate><!--T:15-->
This is the Kiwix '''Frequently Asked Questions''' (or '''FAQ''') page. If you don't find an answer to your question, please consider to read the [[Special:MyLanguage/Help|Help page]] or visit our [http://forum.kiwix.org Forum].</translate><br />
This is the Kiwix '''Frequently Asked Questions''' (or '''FAQ''') page. If you don't find an answer to your question, please consider reading the [[Special:MyLanguage/Help|Help page]] or visit our [http://forum.kiwix.org Forum].</translate>


{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:3-->
Where can I find new content?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:4-->
Kiwix uses the [http://openzim.org ZIM format]. We release [[{{ll|Wikipedia in all languages}}|our own ZIM files]] which are available for download in the Kiwix library (in the software). You can also use the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Book Book creator] on Wikipedia to generate your own ZIM files.</translate>}}
{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:25-->
My ZIM file is too big, what should I do?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:26-->
USB flash drives and memory cards are often formatted using the FAT32 filesystem which can't store files bigger than 4GB. Kiwix is able to deal with 2GB splitted ZIM files. The split ZIM files must be named xxx.zimaa, xxx.zimab, xxx.zimac, etc. To split a ZIM file you may use:</translate>
<translate>
<!--T:27-->
* On Microsoft Windows: </translate>[http://www.fastfilejoiner.com/ FFSJ] or [http://www.hjsplit.org/ HJ-Split] (slower option); on Windows 10, if you have [https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/p/ubuntu/9nblggh4msv6 Bash on Ubuntu] installed, you can use the GNU/Linux commands below. (in BASH you can access your drives with /mnt/c for drive C: and /mnt/d fort drive D: and so forth...)
<translate>
<!--T:28-->
* On Apple Mac OS X: </translate>[http://loekjehe.home.xs4all.nl/Split&Concat/ Split&Concat]
<translate>
<!--T:29-->
* On GNU/Linux in the console:</translate><source lang="bash">split --bytes=2000M my_big_file.zim my_big_file.zim</source>
<translate><!--T:41-->
You can also download a pre-split version of the ZIM file by downloading a pre-indexed/portable ZIP file and copy the chunks from the directory "data/content".</translate>
<translate><!--T:30-->
To be readable by Kiwix, all chunks must be located in the same folder. Open then the xxx.zimaa file with Kiwix.</translate>
}}


{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:1-->
{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:1-->
Why is Kiwix not available for PPC Macs?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:2-->
Why is Kiwix not available for PPC Macs?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:2-->
We do not have a PPC architectured Mac and this architecture is outdated.</translate>}}
We do not have a PPC architectured Mac and this architecture is outdated.</translate>}}
{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:3-->
Where can I find new content?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:4-->
Kiwix uses the [http://openzim.org ZIM format]. We release our own ZIM files which are available for download in the Kiwix library (in the software). You can also use the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Book Book creator] on Wikipedia to generate your own ZIM files.</translate>}}


{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:5-->
{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:5-->
Is it possible to update a ZIM file?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:6-->
Is it possible to update a ZIM file?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:6-->
It is not possible to update a ZIM file itself, but you may download a new ZIM file with updated versions of the contents.</translate>}}
It is not possible to update a ZIM file itself, but you may download a new ZIM file with updated versions of the contents.</translate>}}


{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:7-->
{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:7-->
How can I build a ZIM file by myself?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:8-->
How can I build a ZIM file by myself?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:8-->
To export articles from Wikipedia, please go to [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Book this page]. For any other use case, this is unfortunately still too complicated. Please read [http://openzim.org/Build_your_ZIM_file this page] if you want to have some information.</translate>}}
To export articles from Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, please go to their [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Book Special:Book]. For any other use case, this is unfortunately still too complicated (in short: Parsoid needs to be [<tvar|1>https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Parsoid/Setup</> installed], then [https://sourceforge.net/p/kiwix/other/ci/master/tree/mwoffliner/mwoffliner.js mwoffliner] + zimwriterfs). Please read [http://openzim.org/Build_your_ZIM_file this page] if you want to have some information.</translate>}}
 


{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:9-->
{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:9-->
How may I optimize the search engine index?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:10-->
How may I optimize the search engine index?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:10-->
Launch the script "./kiwix-compact" (only available on GNU/Linux) and this should reduce disk use by almost 50%</translate>}}
Launch the script "./kiwix-compact" (only available on GNU/Linux) and this should reduce disk use by almost 50%</translate>}}


{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:11-->
{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:11-->
How to install a pre-indexed ZIM file on Mac OSX?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:12-->
How to install a pre-indexed ZIM file on Mac OS X?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:12-->
Move or copy the "data" directory in "/Applications/Kiwix.app/Contents/". You will probably need to go to the Kiwix "library" to load the ZIM content.</translate>}}
Move or copy the "data" directory in "/Applications/Kiwix.app/Contents/". You will probably need to go to the Kiwix "library" to load the ZIM content.</translate>}}


{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:13-->
{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:13-->
Is there a user forum where kiwix users can exchange experiences and help each other?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:14-->
Is there a user forum where Kiwix users can exchange experiences and help each other?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:14-->
Yes, it is located at [http://forum.kiwix.org https://forum.kiwix.org]</translate>}}
Yes, it is located at [http://forum.kiwix.org https://forum.kiwix.org]</translate>}}


{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:16-->
{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:16-->
I have downloaded a ZIP file (pre-indexed ZIM file) but I can't unpack it, the file seems to be corrupted. What should I do?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:17-->
I have downloaded a ZIP file (pre-indexed ZIM file) but I can't unzip it, the file seems to be corrupted. What should I do?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:17-->
Use an unpacking software which supports the ZIP64 format (ZIP format for big files), like for example [http://www.7-zip.org/ 7-zip]. If this still fails, then your file was corrupted during the transfer, please restart the download using Bittorrent, then it will work.</translate>}}
Use an unpacking software which supports the ZIP64 format (ZIP format for big files), like for example [http://www.7-zip.org/ 7-zip]. If this still fails, then your file was corrupted during the transfer, please restart the download using BitTorrent, then it will work.</translate>}}


{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:42-->
How do I check the integrity of my ZIM file?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:43-->
You can retrieve the checksums for each file we serve online using this pattern: <source>kiwix-filename.zim.mirrorlist</source>Example: <source>https://download.kiwix.org/zim/wikipedia/wikipedia_en_all_novid_2018-06.zim.mirrorlist</source></translate>}}


{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:21-->
{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:21-->
I can't copy Kiwix on my USB flash drive because the index files (*.idx directory) are too big.</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:22-->
I can't copy Kiwix on my USB flash drive because the index files (*.idx directory) are too big.</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:22-->
USB flash drives are often formated using the FAT32 filesystem which can't store files bigger than 4GB. We recommend to use NTFS which can deal with big files and is broadly supported.</translate>}}
USB flash drives are often formatted using the FAT32 filesystem which can't store files bigger than 4GB. We recommend to use [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ExFAT exFAT] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTFS NTFS] which can deal with big files and are broadly supported.</translate>}}
 


{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:23-->
{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:23-->
Line 53: Line 67:
You need to launch Kiwix from the command line using the -articleByUrl option. For example:</translate><source lang="bash">kiwix.exe -articleByUrl "zim://A/foo.html" bar.zim</source>}}
You need to launch Kiwix from the command line using the -articleByUrl option. For example:</translate><source lang="bash">kiwix.exe -articleByUrl "zim://A/foo.html" bar.zim</source>}}


{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:31-->
I have a downloaded a .torrent file, but the download does not progress in my BitTorrent client.</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:32-->
There are a few reasons why the download with BitTorrent might failed, most of them are related to the usage of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitTorrent#Web_seeding web seeds]:</translate>
* <translate><!--T:33-->
Your computer is behind a proxy, you need to configure your BitTorrent correctly to use it</translate>.
* <translate><!--T:34-->
Your computer is part of a local network with custom network rules forbidding the BitTorrent usage, you should complain to your network system administrator.</translate>
* <translate><!--T:35-->
Your BitTorrent client does not support web seeds (correctly), please try with a better one (for example, [http://deluge-torrent.org/ Deluge]).</translate>}}


{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate>
{{FAQ_entry|question=<translate><!--T:36-->
<!--T:25-->
Where are located, on my computer, the content files I have downloaded?</translate>|answer=<translate>
My ZIM file is too big, what should I do?</translate>|answer=<translate><!--T:26-->
<!--T:37-->
Kiwix is able to deal with 2GB splitted ZIM files. The splitted ZIM files must be named xxx.zimaa, xxx.zimab, xxx.zimac, etc. To split a ZIM file you may use:
If you have used the Kiwix library, the content are stored:</translate>
* On Microsoft Windows: [http://www.jaist.ac.jp/~hoangle/filesj/ FSJ-Lite],
<translate><!--T:38-->
* On Apple Mac OSX: [http://loekjehe.home.xs4all.nl/Split&Concat/ Split&Concat]
* On OS X:</translate> <source lang="bash">/Users/<LOGIN>/Library/Application Support/Kiwix/Profiles/<PROFILE>/data/</source>
* On GNU/Linux and with the console: split --bytes=2000M my_big_file.zim
<translate><!--T:39-->
</translate>}}
* On GNU/Linux:</translate> <source lang="bash">/home/<LOGIN>/.www.kiwix.org/kiwix/<PROFILE>/data/</source>
 
<translate><!--T:40-->
* On Windows:</translate> <source lang="bash">C:Documents and Settings<LOGIN>Application Datawww.kiwix.orgKiwixProfiles<PROFILE>data</source>}}


== <translate><!--T:18-->
== <translate><!--T:18-->

Revision as of 18:02, 7 September 2018

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This is the Kiwix Frequently Asked Questions (or FAQ) page. If you don't find an answer to your question, please consider reading the Help page or visit our Forum.

Where can I find new content?
Kiwix uses the ZIM format. We release our own ZIM files which are available for download in the Kiwix library (in the software). You can also use the Book creator on Wikipedia to generate your own ZIM files.
My ZIM file is too big, what should I do?
USB flash drives and memory cards are often formatted using the FAT32 filesystem which can't store files bigger than 4GB. Kiwix is able to deal with 2GB splitted ZIM files. The split ZIM files must be named xxx.zimaa, xxx.zimab, xxx.zimac, etc. To split a ZIM file you may use:
  • On Microsoft Windows: FFSJ or HJ-Split (slower option); on Windows 10, if you have Bash on Ubuntu installed, you can use the GNU/Linux commands below. (in BASH you can access your drives with /mnt/c for drive C: and /mnt/d fort drive D: and so forth...)
  • On Apple Mac OS X: Split&Concat
  • On GNU/Linux in the console:
    split --bytes=2000M my_big_file.zim my_big_file.zim
    

You can also download a pre-split version of the ZIM file by downloading a pre-indexed/portable ZIP file and copy the chunks from the directory "data/content".

To be readable by Kiwix, all chunks must be located in the same folder. Open then the xxx.zimaa file with Kiwix.

Why is Kiwix not available for PPC Macs?
We do not have a PPC architectured Mac and this architecture is outdated.
Is it possible to update a ZIM file?
It is not possible to update a ZIM file itself, but you may download a new ZIM file with updated versions of the contents.
How can I build a ZIM file by myself?
To export articles from Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, please go to their Special:Book. For any other use case, this is unfortunately still too complicated (in short: Parsoid needs to be installed, then mwoffliner + zimwriterfs). Please read this page if you want to have some information.
How may I optimize the search engine index?
Launch the script "./kiwix-compact" (only available on GNU/Linux) and this should reduce disk use by almost 50%
How to install a pre-indexed ZIM file on Mac OS X?
Move or copy the "data" directory in "/Applications/Kiwix.app/Contents/". You will probably need to go to the Kiwix "library" to load the ZIM content.
Is there a user forum where Kiwix users can exchange experiences and help each other?
Yes, it is located at https://forum.kiwix.org
I have downloaded a ZIP file (pre-indexed ZIM file) but I can't unzip it, the file seems to be corrupted. What should I do?
Use an unpacking software which supports the ZIP64 format (ZIP format for big files), like for example 7-zip. If this still fails, then your file was corrupted during the transfer, please restart the download using BitTorrent, then it will work.
How do I check the integrity of my ZIM file?
You can retrieve the checksums for each file we serve online using this pattern:
kiwix-filename.zim.mirrorlist
Example:
https://download.kiwix.org/zim/wikipedia/wikipedia_en_all_novid_2018-06.zim.mirrorlist
I can't copy Kiwix on my USB flash drive because the index files (*.idx directory) are too big.
USB flash drives are often formatted using the FAT32 filesystem which can't store files bigger than 4GB. We recommend to use exFAT or NTFS which can deal with big files and are broadly supported.
How can I launch Kiwix with a specific article?
You need to launch Kiwix from the command line using the -articleByUrl option. For example:
kiwix.exe -articleByUrl "zim://A/foo.html" bar.zim
I have a downloaded a .torrent file, but the download does not progress in my BitTorrent client.
There are a few reasons why the download with BitTorrent might failed, most of them are related to the usage of web seeds:
  • Your computer is behind a proxy, you need to configure your BitTorrent correctly to use it.
  • Your computer is part of a local network with custom network rules forbidding the BitTorrent usage, you should complain to your network system administrator.
  • Your BitTorrent client does not support web seeds (correctly), please try with a better one (for example, Deluge).
Where are located, on my computer, the content files I have downloaded?
If you have used the Kiwix library, the content are stored:
  • On OS X:
    /Users/<LOGIN>/Library/Application Support/Kiwix/Profiles/<PROFILE>/data/
    
  • On GNU/Linux:
    /home/<LOGIN>/.www.kiwix.org/kiwix/<PROFILE>/data/
    
  • On Windows:
    C:Documents and Settings<LOGIN>Application Datawww.kiwix.orgKiwixProfiles<PROFILE>data
    

See also