Adding my own content to an Internet in a Box

buildnbootstrap

buildnbootstrap

— 2 min read
Adding my own content to an Internet in a Box

Yesterday we built an Internet in a Box in case the grid or internet goes down and we need quick, lightweight, and thorough access to information. As a millennial I'm heavily reliant on the internet after all, and uh... you don't want to see how long I last with just my wits about me.

As I worked through setting up my own Raspberry pi and loading the preset content packs into it, I felt like something was missing. Its a GREAT START, but some topics are completely lacking. It would be nice for there to be dedicated pages about survival shelters, canning, off grid refrigeration, hunting/trapping/fishing, etc etc etc.

In order to add additional content, the content needs to be in .zim format, which is readable by a software called Kiwix. Kiwix allows you to access "internet content without internet access", essentially a webhost for private internet purposes. Kiwix is already included within the Internet in a Box build, so now we have the simple job of finding content to add - I've suggested a few options below.

Once we find a site to index into Kiwix, we need to download it. There's a nifty tool called Zimit - just enter your target website and email address and it will convert the entire website into a .zim file and email it to you when its ready.

When choosing a website to archive, its worth noting that it the .zim file only grabs the HTML, JS, and CSS, so any backend database or code will not function. This means that more interactive websites will not retain their interactivity.

So lets look at some interesting sites that might be helpful when/if the internet goes out.

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Before duplicating site content for private use, please make sure its allowed via their terms of service and your specific regions laws. I have not verified with any of the websites below, and any use is at your own risk.

Misc:

Foraging:

  • Edible Wild Food - Pictures and guides about edible weeds, shrubs, mushrooms, trees, and flowers.
  • Forager Chef - Foraging Guides and Recipes.

Gardening:

Home Repair:

  • This Old House - Really no better resource for a wide variety of home improvement articles.

What else is your Internet in a Box missing?

What would you like to see added here? Are there any topics you feel like you'd need that aren't currently available in the default install, or listed above?

Tell us in the comments and we'll keep this list updated!

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