kiwix.md

Kiwix

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Kiwix brings internet content to people without internet access. Based on the openZIM file format, a website -any website- will be converted to a .zim file that can be then stored locally and accessed without the need for a further internet connexion: users can then access Wikipedia, the Wiktionary, TED talks, the Gutenberg library on their device, wherever they are and whenever they please. Kiwix runs on most platforms (Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and Linux) and is, of course, free to use.

The software passed the million direct downloads mark at the end of 2016, 80% of these users being in the Global South. Kiwix is also used by a host of organizations around the world, be it in rural schools of Western and Southern Africa or education and rehabilitation programs in US and European prisons. There are also uses we hadn't planned for: Kiwix is for instance distributed by the Cuban government to help people save on data costs, or by NGOs in North Korea trying to smuggle uncensored information into the hermit kingdom.

We have recently started releasing "custom apps"; that is, Android apps that are based on the Kiwix engine but offer only a specific piece of content. A good example is WikiMed, an application that offers medical content from Wikipedia in 10 languages: again, it is particularly popular in the Global South (India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Iraq and Egypt, but to name a few of our larger user bases).

Application Instructions

• Twitter: ### Kiwix GSoC Application Instructions Get in contact with us via email or IRC, so we can help you fill out the following application question template.

GENERAL APPLICATION QUESTIONS

Have you participated in Google Summer of Code in the past?

Have you participated in Google Code-in in the past?

Do you have any prior open source experience?

Do you currently have any other summer commitments?

How many hours are you able to devote to your chosen project each week?

Do you have any experience using source control e.g. Git?

Have you ever used IRC?

Do you plan on contributing to our project after GSoC is over?

PROJECT QUESTIONS

What project idea do you wish to complete and why do you think you are in a good position to complete it?

Give a brief description of the aims of the project.

Give a summary of how you would intend to complete this project.

Give a timeline of the milestones which you expect to accomplish along the path to completion.

Give a list of any potential challenges you can see at this point and how you would go about overcoming them.

Is there any further work that could be done after GSoC to improve work done during?

How will you managed your time during the program to ensure goals are met?

How have you decided to communicate with your mentors and how often?

Any other information that you think would be beneficial to your application?