How to create an article in the ZWI file format

This short tutorial describes how to create an article in the ZWI file format developed for the Encyclosphere project. ZWI files with articles can be created either from existing articles in the HTML format or writing a completely new article and then exporting it to the ZWI file format. Further documentation can be found at this link.

Creating a ZWI article from known source

The best way to create an article from more than 30 public encyclopedias supported by EncycloReader is to visit the web site encycloreader.org and search for a word. If you see the result, this means the ZWI file is ready for download. Click on the title of the article. Scroll down and download the ZWI file.

If you do not see the article immediately, wait for 1-5 seconds. Then you will see the results after the title "From search of external encyclopedias:". If you find an article you are looking for, click on its title. After you look at the article, you can find the ZWI file on the webpage encycloreader.org/db/. You may need to wait for about 15 minutes before the article appears.

If you like to use command-line commands to make ZWI files from known sources, use the Python tool called ZWIBuilder.

Another way of obtaining a ZWI file is to use encyclosearch.org. It has similar functionality to EncycloReader, but some ZWI files may be slightly outdated since it relies on EncycloReader for ZWI files with full article content. However, encyclosearch.org has ZWI files from many publishers which are not in EncycloReader.

Creating a new ZWI article

Using the existing Wiki

If you use encyclopedias such as Handwiki or Citizendium, write an article as usual using the wiki syntax. Then click on the menu "ZWI Export" (typically, at the top-right). This will push the article in the Encyclosphere. You should see it in encycloreader.org/db/ after about 15 minutes. You can also search for it in encycloreader.org.

Using HTML editors

If you want to make an article using a WYSIWYG HTML editor, use the Encyclosphere test website EnHub. Look at the button "Add" from the top menu.

Making your own website with a HTML editor

If you want to create your own publishing platform to make ZWI files and host them, use the software called ks_found/ZWInode. You can find an instruction on this web page.

Making your own MediaWiki-style articles

If you want to create a ZWI file using the MediaWiki software, install MediaWiki and then add the extension called Extension:ZWIMaker. A test website enhub.org/mediawiki demonstrates how to make ZWI files using MediaWiki.

Making your own DokuWiki articles

If you want to create a ZWI file using the DokuWiki software, install the DokuWiki and then add the plugin called plugin:zwidoku. A test website enhub.org/doku demonstrates how to make ZWI files.

Using WordPress plugin

People who use the WordPress content management system can use EncycloShare plugin.

S.Chekanov (KSF)