Support for “math” added
It was a rainy day today but luckily Norbert Jaspers got in touch with me last Friday.
Norbert added support for mathematical and chemical symbols to Wiki2Touch. Wiki2Touch is an offline Wikipedia reader for the Apple iPhone/iPod Touch.
Background: If you’re editing articles in Wikipedia and like some symbols you add TeX commands into a <math>-tag. This is then rendered by the Wikipedia software using TeX. The result is finally displayed as an image. TeX is great in producing nice formulas or other special symbols.
Norbert did the add-on without any changes to the current version. He exchanged every <math>-section inside an article with a link to a picture. He let TeX created the proper image from the original tag contents. This picture is added with a certain id to the image database. This works quite well. But you had to use a modified “articles.bin” database.
Norbert told me that he used some code from Erik Zachte. So Erik should be credited, too.
Wiki2Touch is now modified and the ids of the math sections are now calculated on the fly, the sections are removed and the proper images are inserted (if installed of course). Works like a charm:
Wiki2Touch featuring TeX rendered symbols
Because the background of the images currently isn’t transparent you can easily spot what is a image and what is text.
A couple of things still have to get changed. But math support is now added to Wiki2Touch. While on that subject: I think there’s finally enough stuff together for a new version now. So stay tuned.
Thanks for all the support!
Tom
Juni 10th, 2008 at 12:38
Hi Mr, Haukap
I’m no idiot i guess but the whole process isn’t explained very well.
On your google page you explain how to use the “Installation on Windows / The wiki2touch transfer tool”.
But the mac executables just don’t do anything. I guess because i don’t have a wikipedia file yet. But i don’t know where to get them without that windows app.
You see, it’s kinda complicated
could you give a step-by-step instruction for mac os X users AND add a textfile to the mac download that explains what the execuatables do? I just clicked them but they dont explain themselves
Juni 10th, 2008 at 12:45
i was speaking about the process of isntalling a working version of your whole application, not just the image getter..
Juni 10th, 2008 at 14:09
Norman-
there is no GUI application to build the necessary “articles.bin” files. And if you click on a command line application it looks like that nothing happens.
As there is no handy GUI application you have to have a bit experience using the command line (the Terminal) of your Mac.
There is already a “step-by-step” list inside the help file of Wiki2Touch. It’s reachable from the home screen by selecting the “Need help?” link below the globe. Here is the part of the list which deals with Mac OS X.
Exchange “xx” with “en” for the English oder “de” for the German edition.
Installation step by step:
# Download the file “Wiki2TouchUtils_OSX.zip” from [http://www.wiki2touch.com http://www.wiki2touch.com]
# Unzip it if this is not automatically done. On 10.5 you will find the result in your “Downloads” folder. Older OS X Versions save the file to the desktop.
# Download the appropriate database from Wikipedia. The link is http://download.wikimedia.org/xxwiki/latest. The file you need is named “xxwiki-latest-pages-articles.xml.bz2″. Both in the folder name and the filename replace the “xx” with the desired language code you want to use.
# Put the downloaded file into the same folder as the contents of the tool package
# Start a Terminal session (from Application/Utilities), navigate to the folder with the files and enter
./indexer xxwiki-latest-pages-articles.xml.bz2If you only enter
./indexeryou see some help about the available options.
# After the indexer has finished you find a file called “articles.bin” in the folder. Copy this file to “/private/var/mobile/media/Wikipedia/xx” (firmware since 1.1.3) or “/private/var/root/media/Wikipedia/xx” (firmware 1.1.2 and below).
# Stop and restart the Wiki2Touch server on your device
-Tom
Juni 13th, 2008 at 07:58
Hi Tom,
it’s been quite a while since this posting and I’m wondering if we can hope for a new version soon or if you are preparing for 2.0 and the Appstore?
Thomas
Juni 23rd, 2008 at 08:54
Hey Tom,
thanks again for the wonderful app, as my predecessor I would also like to know if there will be a new release anytime soon?
Thanks,
Jonas
Juni 23rd, 2008 at 18:29
Thomas + Jonas,
thanks for the kind words. It’s become a little bit calm around the project. Maybe because it’s working and helpfull.
I awfully busy with my job today, but there is a good chance that I’m able to release a new version in this week. I myself want to have it out at least on the next weekend.
Norbert already prepared a lot of math packages. With transparent images in the right size. They are looking great.
The one I’m using is stable and there is no reason not to release it. But I have to compile all the support files, the installer script, the documentation and must check it. That will take a while.
For 2.0: I have a version for 2.0 running on the emulator. The problem is to get the articles to the file system. The solutions I have will make Apple not very happy and I suppose they will not put it onto their store.
So let’s see what happens with 2.0 anyway. Maybe a jailbreak, maybe not.
Regards-
Tom
Juli 4th, 2008 at 18:24
Tom,
sounds cool, thanks for your answer & the great work!
Cheers, Jonas
Juli 8th, 2008 at 21:59
Hello!
How i can add a math support for my wiki2touch?
I have a articles.bin and images.bin.
Juli 16th, 2008 at 01:58
Hi Tom
Really nice job on this app. If you do want to put it on the iTunes App store, I will pay the $100 fee for you so everyone can enjoy it. Still need to figure out how to get the data files onto the iPhone though
Danke
Iain
Juli 17th, 2008 at 13:51
Hi Tom,
I just discovered “File Magnet” in the Appstore. It transfers files via WLAN from the Mac and then displays them on the iPhone. If they can do it, can you too?
I would be really glad if you could spare some time for Wiki2touch again…
Thomas
Juli 20th, 2008 at 16:20
I would really like a version for 2.0 because I miss my Wiki2touch.
Could you please make that version downloadable. I can always ssh to the phone.
Thanks for all the great work.
Juli 21st, 2008 at 18:16
why’s everbodys name here thomas or tom - very confusing
are there any news for wiki2touch for the app store? wiki2touch has become the most used app on my iphone. i don’t wanna upgrade to 2.0 until there is wiki for the new firmware.
please let us know about the future plan
thanx for doing such great job.
Tom1234
Juli 21st, 2008 at 20:32
Hi Guys!
Just another Tom, this time it me, the author of Wiki2Touch. I was not able to move to 2.0 in the last two days so I can’t tell if Wiki2Touch works on 2.0 or not.
Well, the AppStore runs quite well and jailbroken iPhone might become a lot more seldom than these days. So I’m going to convert Wiki2Touch to an AppStore application. It’s not that quick and easy but sure possible.
When? Hard to say. I already have the development suite from Apple for a long time. Money is also not the problem.
But for know I’m on vacation for the next couple of days.
-Tom
Juli 23rd, 2008 at 02:11
Tom
Thanks for the update. I stand by my pledge for the app store fee. I believe that file magnet etc use webdav over wifi which would apear to be the easiest way to copy the files from your computer to iphone - it would take forever though and would probably have to be plugged into the mains power
Anyway, enjoy your vacation!
Juli 23rd, 2008 at 15:47
I would assume that Wiki2Touch would breach Apple’s rules regards to the sandbox and filesize etc?
In anycase, the recent Pwnage app has rendered V2.0 well and truly jailbroken, so Wiki2Touch can now be reinstated as one of the best apps for the iPhone.
Juli 24th, 2008 at 21:05
Although everybody seems to rush to 2.0 now, it would be wonderful to have math support for 1.1.4 as well. If the package is already running, could you just make it available, Tom? Thanks.
Juli 25th, 2008 at 10:00
does wiki2touch work on iphone 2.0?
Juli 29th, 2008 at 11:25
Hi Tom!
Very useful app. you have, and i’m also one of those wiki addicts, use wiki almost everyday! and ofcourse i also would love to see this app running on FW 2.0. Good luck on that, and have a nice vacation!
Juli 31st, 2008 at 00:18
I really love your work Tom and now that the jailbreak is out and working I know that everyone wants this app on 2.0.
It would be great to here from you!
I would do everything to see this app running on my iPod Touch.
Please awnser and tell us what’s it all about, wether you will continue developping this app or not.
Take care,
Philip
Juli 31st, 2008 at 06:28
Tom, China miss you too.
Many Chinese enjoy Wiki2Touch.
We can’t visit Chineses Wikipedia without proxy, then Wiki2Touch become a wonderful solution to it on iPhone/iPod touch.
Your Google Code has been so quiet after 0.65, which scared me.
But finally I find your blog, LOL.
Please show a more visible link to your blog on Google Code, to calm down scared people like me.
Having seen the screenshot here[http://haukap.net/2008/04/15/wiki2touch-listed-as-a-community-source-ipod-touch-fans/], I’m glad to see you got “a little bit crazy” about it.
It looks nice to Chinese too.
Good luck, Tom.
Math support and “black menu” and language chooser are great!
We all are expecting the new version.
Juli 31st, 2008 at 07:10
Hi, everyone.
I manage to build wikisrvd, the backend, on my 2.0 iPod touch.
Please go to http://wiki2touch.ipodhelp.de/viewtopic.php?pid=668 and check out.
Juli 31st, 2008 at 10:06
I have already seen this but I think it means you’ll have to start the backend manually everytime.
Anyway I thank you for your hard work zm8! You are great.
But will you try to port the frontend too?
Juli 31st, 2008 at 15:37
Hi, Philip,
You can write a plist into LaunchDaemon directory.
And then another few lines for BossPrefs.
Details in the forum thread above.
August 3rd, 2008 at 22:15
I’m really, really longing for the math support you showed in the screenshot above. So, PLEASE, give us an updated version, Tom….