How to get Safari to view local html files?

[twerppoet]

HTML Presenter does not need a jailbreak.

Ignore me if I'm just telling you what you know. The juxtaposition of my last few posts and yours made me wonder, and I'd rather not leave it to chance.

 

[healer]

HTML Presenter does not need a jailbreak.

As I explained on the other thread http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-hacking/87018-what-absinthe-win-2-0-4-supposed-do.html and I remember I also mentioned this before on this thread. I want to be able to transfer files to the iPad for the apps in order to avoid Internet connection.

I have just bought and downloaded the HTML Presenter. The user guide says I need to transfer the files over through the DropBox. However I want to avoid the Internet connection because I have limited data download/upload quota.

I had supposed the jailbreaking could allow me to transfer the files between Windows Explorer and iFunBox, otherwise I might not be able to. Anyway, the iFunBox doesn't seem to need jailbreaking for file transfer between desktop and tablets.

I failed to get the HTML Presenter to work after transferring the files anyway. I have written to the developer and see if I could bypass the Internet connection. Failing this I would have no need of jailbreaking.

 

[twerppoet]

Sorry. Missed that. You can ignore most of my response in your other thread about transferring files to iBooks, which I'm guessing you also need to avoid using the internet. You can still use iTunes by dragging the PDF to iTunes on the computer and setting up book syncing. That's my preferred method for adding lots of books to the iPad anyway.

I hope the developer can help you with the problem.

If not, I suggest you import a very small file to HTML Presenter by the recommended DropBox method, and note where the file went and if any other new files were created. That should give you an idea of where to put the larger file using your other software. If additional files are created try copying them to the computer and viewing them in a text editor. Chances are it will be some kind of XML database file that you might be able to edit/create.

I don't know your situation, but it might be worth while to visit a public hotspot (if available) and do your uploading/downloading from there.

Good luck.

 

[healer]

It occurred to me the same idea, before I read this post of yours, of having a small file in the DropBox for import and export in order to accurately locate the file on iPad. We are on the same wavelength mate. What you said has reinforced my thinking.

I used to be able to read the file system of the iPad before from the iTunes on my Windows 7 system, if my memory severs me right. Now I can see nothing but options of backup and restore and sync only. I don't know if the installation of iFunBox has since rendered iTunes unusable in this respect. So where to drag PDF files to in the iTunes and which area to sync? I do not want to haphazardly sync anything. Please tell me.

I got the reply from the developer of the HTML Presenter and they would not be able to help. So I would have to try the idea we just discussed. Also your suggestion of public hotspot is a good idea too. Here in Sydney, the public libraries advertise to provide hot spots but their speeds are so slow which are tantamount to be unusable. I have tried some McDonald's restaurants here they seem to be better. So I might try them too.

At the moment I am held up by the problems I reported on http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-general-discussions/87206-how-track-backwards-apps.html#post633700.

 

[healer]

I've got the HTML Presenter going with my website. I had to transfer the whole ZIP files through the DropBox as the app creates some extra files when the download takes place. The HTML Presenter does not handle live sites well though. I found out when I clicked on the PayPal button for payment. It doesn't not matter in this case as I am only using the web site as a catalogue.

 

[nicknick923]

I want to store some HTML files in the iPad and use Safari to view them. Is it possible? I don't seem to be able to see any option with Safari to allow me to access local HTML files.

Ok, I Have my own setup at my house (ALL OF THIS IS A FREE BUT REAL SETUP)
It involves One Free Program, DropBox, and One Optional Free App
I will tell you how to setup DropBox in a little bit.
App to download: Nebulous Notes Lite (I Have this for Editing Said files ;-D)
Program: Abyss Web Server
Download and install Abyss Web Server
*Run the setup WITH ALL DEFAULT SETTINGS
Once setup is complete, do the next part, we will get back to adding files later.
DropBox: Create an account and install the DropBox program onto the computer you installed the Server on.
In your DropBox folder, create a folder called htdocs
Back to the Server: on the Server Computer, in your browser choice, go to IP 127.0.0.1:9999
Login to the page
Click "Configure" on your selected host
Click "General"
Click "HTTP Port", and select "Default HTTP Port (80)"
Under "Documents Path," click "Browse"
Select "C:/Users/Account DropBox Was Installed On/DropBox/"
Click "[Select]" By htdocs
Click "OK"
Restart your server
NOW, here comes the tricky part, you need to find a way to make that computers IP port opened so you can access your website anywhere(Abyss Web Server is a very secure server, so don't worry about hackers getting into your computer, but, this remains true AS LONG AS YOU FOLLOW THE STEP WITH THE ASTRIK(*))
To open your devices IP, you should search "DMZ" with your routers model number. Follow the steps, and then the IP for your device is the IP for your website.
If you want a normal URL, or close to normal for free, I recommend NoIP.com
Once logged in to your possibly new NoIP.com account, click here for a fast way of creating the right item for a URL
In the "Host name" Box, this is where you add the name you want (EX: Host name.domain.com)
In the "Domain" box, zapto.org by default, I prefer to use No-IP.org, but you can pick any one you want.
In the "IP Address" box, enter the IP of the server hosting computer (a.k.a. DMZ'd computer)
Then click "Create Host"
NOW, THE FUN PART, CREATING THE SITE
When writing HTML, One line i NEVER EVER EVER forget to add is:

<base href="http://your websites main directory/" />

Add that line to the HEAD section of your website. By adding that, instead of having to say:

<a href="http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-general-discussions/86332-how-get-safari-view-local-html-files.html">link</a>
<a  href="http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-general-discussions/87206-how-track-backwards-apps.html">link2</a>

You could say:

<HEAD>
<base href="http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-general-discussions/" />
</HEAD>
<a  href="86332-how-get-safari-view-local-html-files.html">link</a>
<a href="87206-how-track-backwards-apps.html">link2</a>

Now, about this nebulous notes app i mentioned, you can use it to edit DropBox files.

That's about all the input i have, if something isn't working, please do say so.

 

[nicknick923]

I want to store some html files in the iPad and use Safari to view them. Is it possible? I don't seem to be able to see any option with Safari to allow me to access local html files.

It involves One Free Program, DropBox, and One Optional Free App
I will tell you how to setup DropBox in a little bit.
App to download: Nebulous Notes Lite (I Have this for Editing Said files ;-D)
Program: Abyss Web Server
Download and install Abyss Web Server
*Run the setup WITH ALL DEFAULT SETTINGS
Once setup is complete, do the next part, we will get back to adding files later.
DropBox: Create an account and install the DropBox program onto the computer you installed the Server on.
In your DropBox folder, create a folder called htdocs
Back to the Server: on the Server Computer, in your browser choice, go to IP 127.0.0.1:9999
Login to the page
Click "Configure" on your selected host
Click "General"
Click "HTTP Port", and select "Default HTTP Port (80)"
Under "Documents Path," click "Browse"
Select "C:/Users/Account DropBox Was Installed On/DropBox/"
Click "[Select]" By htdocs
Click "OK"
Restart your server
NOW, here comes the tricky part, you need to find a way to make that computers IP port opened so you can access your website anywhere(Abyss Web Server is a very secure server, so don't worry about hackers getting into your computer, but, this remains true AS LONG AS YOU FOLLOW THE STEP WITH THE ASTRIK(*))
To open your devices IP, you should search "DMZ" with your routers model number. Follow the steps, and then the IP for your device is the IP for your website.
If you want a normal URL, or close to normal for free, I recommend NoIP.com
Once logged in to your possibly new NoIP.com account, click here for a fast way of creating the right item for a URL
In the "Host name" Box, this is where you add the name you want (EX: Host name.domain.com)
In the "Domain" box, zapto.org by default, I prefer to use No-IP.org, but you can pick any one you want.
In the "IP Address" box, enter the IP of the server hosting computer (a.k.a. DMZ'd computer)
Then click "Create Host"
NOW, THE FUN PART, CREATING THE SITE
All files you want to serve must be placed in htdocs under your DropBox folder
When writing HTML, One line i NEVER EVER EVER forget to add is:

<base href="http://your websites main directory/" />

Add that line to the HEAD section of your website. By adding that, instead of having to say:

<a  href="http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-general-discussions/86332-how-get-safari-view-local-html-files.html">link</a>
<a  href="http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-general-discussions/87206-how-track-backwards-apps.html">link2</a>

You could say:

<HEAD>
<base href="http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-general-discussions/" />
</HEAD>
<a  href="86332-how-get-safari-view-local-html-files.html">link</a>
<a href="87206-how-track-backwards-apps.html">link2</a>

Now, about this nebulous notes app i mentioned, you can use it to edit DropBox files.

That's about all the input i have, if something isn't working, please do say so.

 

[dhewson777]

ITh HTML Presenter does not handle live sites well though. I found out when I clicked on the PayPal button for payment.

the Paypal button would not work if offline in any case. It needs to connect to the Paypal site to process payments.

 

[healer]

the Paypal button would not work if offline in any case. It needs to connect to the Paypal site to process payments.

No, the iPad was online wirelessly when I tested it. The payment page did come up. However, some of the functions on the page did not work. Perhaps the code used is neither HTML nor JavaScript which are the only codes the app is supposed to support.

By the same token some of my web pages of my web site or catalogue written in PHP do not work but they are not in the product area so they are okay.

 

[healer]

I thank you for your advice, nicknick923.

I do have and use a DropBox account for some years. All the fuss was because I want to minimize the Internet usage. It cost me a lot of money last month when I inadvertently
downloaded to excess. I use XAMPP for development on my Windows system. I do have a fee-free DNS account to my home router. I don't usually like to a computer powered up all the time at home. I do have business web sites hosted outside. It is one of the real business web sites I have loaded into the iPad as a product catalogue. And as you might have known I have got it working now.

I appreciate your recommendation of the Abyss Web Server. I will remember it if one day I need a permanent server at home. One curious phenomenon I found yesterday was while testing the iPad connecting to my web server set up with XAMPP on my Windows 7 system, the Safari could not go past the first page. It took so long that it gave up. I tried a few of my web sites on my own computer and they all failed. Nevertheless when I connect the iPad to the hosting web server outside the Safari always works fine. Well the iPad was only sitting next to the Windows system where the web server was. The Safari on the iPad does display the home page of XAMPP promptly and had no problem.

By the way, the base href is meant to refer to the URL of the web site, isn't it? Could you please tell me what could be the problem if this line is not included. I have found it more versatile for me to move the site around without the statement.

 

[nicknick923]

By the way, the base href is meant to refer to the URL of the web site, isn't it? Could you please tell me what could be the problem if this line is not included. I have found it more versatile for me to move the site around without the statement.

Well simply, the base href is simply shortening what you need to type. It is strictly a developer tool, nothing visual or performance related.

For example
Your website has multiple folder divisions, for subcategories

Main folder
Food
Meats
Breads
Vegetables
Drinks
Alcohols
Carbonateds
Water

Let's say that's your file directory

Also, for example, lets say it's on "http://www.food.com/"

Let's say we are working in the meats section.

Main folder
Foods
Meats
Chicken.html
Pork.html
Style.css
Images
Pork.jpg
Chicken.jpg

Let's say thats the meats section

You could say:

<HTML>
<head>
<title>Food.com - Chicken</title>
script type="text/CSS" src="http://www.food.com/foods/meats/style.css" />
</head>
<body>
<img src="http://wew.food.com/foods/meats/images/chicken.jpg" />
<p>
Directions go here
</p>
</body>
</HTML>
&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;
OR
&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;
<HTML>
<head>
<title>Food.com - Chicken</title>
<base href="http://www.food.com/foods/meats/" />
******** type="text/CSS" src="style.css" />
</head>
<body>
<img src="images/chicken.jpg" />
<p>
Directions go here
</p>
</body>
</HTML>

As you can see, the difference is almost like a shorthand way. It also reduces the chance of typos as you are typing less data.

That I why I always use base href

 

[nicknick923]

For example
Your website has multiple folder divisions, for subcategories

Main folder
Food
Meats
Breads
Vegetables
Drinks
Alcohols
Carbonateds
Water

Let's say that's your file directory

Also, for example, lets say it's on "http://www.food.com/"

Let's say we are working in the meats section.

Main folder
Foods
Meats
Chicken.html
Pork.html
Style.css
Images
Pork.jpg
Chicken.jpg

this did not format right


For example
Your website has multiple folder divisions, for subcategories

Main folder
+Food
++Meats
++Breads
++Vegetables
+Drinks
++Alcohols
++Carbonateds
++Water

Let's say that's your file directory

Also, for example, lets say it's on "http://www.food.com/"

Let's say we are working in the meats section.

Main folder
+Foods
++Meats
+++Chicken.html
+++Pork.html
+++Style.css
+++Images
++++Pork.jpg
++++Chicken.jpg

 

[healer]

Well simply, the base href is simply shortening what you need to type. It is strictly a developer tool, nothing visual or performance related.
<base href="http://www.food.com/foods/meats/" />

So it is referring to where the source page is located, isn't it?

By the way, are you repeating your posts twice every time? They are almost identical but not quite. I wonder???

 

[nicknick923]

So it is referring to where the source page is located, isn't it?

By the way, are you repeating your posts twice every time? They are almost identical but not quite. I wonder???

Sorry, I'm
Not trying to repeat, but, here, I'm going to give you a link so you understand what I mean about my understanding of base href.

Uaw578.no-ip.org/index.html

If you view the source (in most cases, Ctrl U) of the page above, and you look at the menu section(lines 42-108 ), you can see how I only need to write the page name.html, not the entire link to the page.

 

[healer]

Uaw578.no-ip.org/index.html

I understand your point now. To me this is redundant. I never did it having designed and implemented quite a few web sites for myself and for my clients'. The paths are relative. Certainly one can specify a full absolute path. Without the <base href> specified prior, I believe the HTML translation engine would just take the files being in the same directory.

With the <base href> specified in the <head> section, every time I restore the web site from the hosting web server to my home office web server for testing or further development I have to remember to change the <base href>.