Offline uses for HTML (+ CSS)?

[u/GarryGrandi]

Last night, right before drifting into sleep, I got some crazy idea for some offline use case for HTML/CSS... But I can't remember exactly the idea that I had in mind.

It had something to do with photos or maps? I guess it was some "interactive" html/css based interface or mindmap kind of thing, about all the variety of stuff I have on my computer. For example, if I'm writing something, this file is its own separate entity. A file in "my documents", with no relation to any other file.

How about combining all of these files into this freeform "interface" by making an offline website that links into physical locations on my PC? I could organize my thoughts, my screenshots, my writings, my photos, my videos, my source materials, everything into a one personal use "platform" designed from the ground up to suit my workflow, that I could always expand.

Files would not be separate instances hidden in the files, but rather a part of a bigger system. Their links could be highlighted, they could have visual cues to direct my attention, they could have thumbnails or explanatory notes, they could be inbedded videos.

Has anyone ever attempted at making something like this?

[u/tonypconway]

You're just talking about a personal Wiki that runs on your computer, right? Like Notion/Obsidian.

[u/GarryGrandi → u/tonypconway]

Well, basically, yeah. But on HTML/CSS, because it's familiar, and basically a sandbox built from scratch, however I want.

[u/tonypconway → u/GarryGrandi]

I mean, those sites are built in HTML/CSS/JS, with whatever backend is required. Obsidian can be run in a self hosted instance, and there are various OSS alternatives to Notion/Obsidian you could try hacking. But crucially, building the thing you're describing will involve some amount of server-side code and JS. HTML and CSS give you views and design, but they can handle CRUD operations on their own.

[u/alphex]

It’s just a website. It being “on the net” doesn’t matter.

You open the index.html from Your hard drive. And. It’s in the browser. That’s it. Nothing special.

[u/Big_File_5978]

Yes, it's possible and pretty straightforward to implement. I did so about 20 years ago for a work project ))

Go for it.

[u/GarryGrandi → u/Big_File_5978]

What kind of a system did you have and what was the work project like? Do you know whether these kind of HTML implementations have any name associated with the concept, so I could research more?

[u/-svde- → u/GarryGrandi]

this can be done with basically any OS, any computer type, any device with local file access that isn’t restricted in some way. if html and css is fully inline (embedded in the file instead of linked out) then you can open any html file locally without internet

[u/Big_File_5978 → u/GarryGrandi]

I'd be happy to answer if your questions are more specific. My setup was a P4 machine with 512MB RAM and no Internet, if that's what you are asking. I don't know what you mean by "these kind of HTML implementations" having any name associated with the concept. Without a clear understanding of what you ask, nobody can give you a clear answer that you want.

[u/rupertavery64]

Back in the day I would create a locally served website with links to my favorite sites, with RSS feeds, a search bar that went to google, (and ahem, torrent updates). It would be my browser home page.

I also played around with active desktop, where you basically set your desktop to an HTML page.

[u/-svde-]

this is an extremely old method for making local sites and such. depending on your OS you can create .lnk files, symlinks, or use file:/// links (like when you open an html file in a browser) for local drives or use UNC for network. also absolute paths by copying in the file app or finder.

but to do more advanced things with local files without getting blocked by local file restrictions you might need to set up scripts or use app containers.

you can also run things like local dev servers for python, php, nose etc

tbh i’m not entirely sure what you are actually trying to do if it’s not what’s been described by me or others, but yes whatever you’re talking about has likely been done for decades and uses very tried and true methodologies

[u/Doffu0000]

Ive done a bit of this... for example offline websites that can be accessed if you're in range of an ESP32 microcontroller holding the file (maybe good for what you have in mind). Also commonly used for hotel rooms to give you a landing page prior to connect through.

Also I sometimes build offline webapps for musical instruments I have because it gives me an offline interface I can open up to control my synths and sequencers via MIDI connection and allows me to built out advanced controls and features for my instruments that they dont otherwise have built in.

Also for work I sometimes build HTA which can essentially be just HTML and CSS with some extra features. Since an HTA is offline you can use it to control programs, folders, files on your network (stuff a website doesnt typically have permission to do). Sometimes useful... it can also launch console and powershell scripts so can get pretty technical if you want it to and automate stuff from an interface you build. If youre on windows you could consider this but there are many ways to go about something like you mentioned.

Definitely plenty of uses for this. I'm curious what others will share.