Can we package Kiwix-desktop as a single .exe and/or with a preloaded zim that opens upon launch?

[Popolechien]

Let's assume someone wants to distribute Kiwix on flash drives in North Korea (not an imaginary scenario). Because users aren't that familiar with Kiwix -nor do they know what they'll be looking at- it would be good UX if Kiwix

1. were an executable file (ie a single .exe rather than the current zip with a bunch of folders and one executable;
2. would come preloaded with a selected zim file so that opening Kiwix would directly open said file (what currently happens with android custom apps, for instance).

Does that sound technically feasible or technically complicated?

[kelson42]

To some extend this ticket seems to be related to https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-desktop/issues/46

[mgautierfr]

were an executable file (ie a single .exe rather than the current zip with a bunch of folders and one executable;

It is technically complicated.

would come preloaded with a selected zim file so that opening Kiwix would directly open said file (what currently happens with android custom apps, for instance).

It would be feasible, and it will be tracked in #46

[Popolechien]

Complicated does not mean impossible, does it? In any case thanks for the replies, will keep this in mind.

[kelson42]

@Popolechien I reopen and assign the ticket to myself. We have on-the-shelf solution we should give a try. I'll at least.

[stale[bot]]

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity. It will be now be reviewed manually. Thank you for your contributions.

[kelson42]

We should try this https://wiki.qt.io/Build_Standalone_Qt_Application_for_Windows

[mgautierfr]

This require to have all dependencies build statically. However, QtWebEngine cannot be build statically. (https://forum.qt.io/topic/61448/static-builds-of-qtwebengine-aren-t-supported, among other info I've found when I've setup the compilation process).

[stale[bot]]

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity. It will be now be reviewed manually. Thank you for your contributions.

[kelson42]

https://www.boxedapp.com/

[kelson42]

https://www.adontec.com/index.htm?GO=/runtimepacker_e.htm

[kelson42]

https://github.com/SerGreen/Appacker

[stale[bot]]

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity. It will be now be reviewed manually. Thank you for your contributions.

[ShaopengLin]

~Just a thought, could an installer solve the issue? https://doc.qt.io/qtinstallerframework/ifw-overview.html.~

Nvm its a commercial license feature...