When the global internet fails, having your own "OfflineWeb" becomes a survival necessity. This guide provides a full, step-by-step setup to host the two most critical services: Wikipedia (via Kiwix) for knowledge and YouTube-style video (via MediaCMS) for instructional and training media.
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## SERVICE 1: Kiwix (Offline Wikipedia & Manuals)
Kiwix allows you to browse entire websites (Wikipedia, WikiHow, Project Gutenberg) as compressed .ZIM files.
### 1. Hardware & Sizing
- Storage: Text-only Wikipedia (~40GB), Wikipedia with images (~100-200GB), medical/repair wikis (1-10GB).
- Hardware: Raspberry Pi 4/5, any old laptop, or a NAS.
- OS: Ubuntu Server or Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit).
### 2. Installation (Docker Method)
1. Create a folder for your data: mkdir ~/kiwix-data
2. Download a ZIM file (e.g., wikipedia_en_all_maxi.zim) into that folder.
3. Run the container:
docker run -d -p 8080:80 -v ~/kiwix-data:/data kiwix/kiwix-serve wikipedia_en_all_maxi.zim
4. Access via any browser at: http://[your-ip]:8080
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## SERVICE 2: MediaCMS (Your Local YouTube)
MediaCMS is an open-source video management system. It's the best way to organize training videos, survival tutorials, and archived historical footage for a local network.
### 1. Hardware Requirements
- CPU: 4+ Cores (for video processing).
- RAM: 8GB+ (16GB recommended).
- Storage: Dependent on your video library (2TB+ recommended).
### 2. Installation (Docker Compose)
MediaCMS is best installed via a multi-container setup:
1. Clone the repo: git clone https://github.com/mediacms-io/mediacms && cd mediacms
2. Copy the example config: cp deploy/docker/.env.example .env
3. Start the system: docker-compose -f deploy/docker/docker-compose.yml up -d
4. Access at: http://[your-ip]:80
### 3. Populating Your Library
- Download: Use yt-dlp while internet is active to archive important survival playlists.
- Upload: Use the MediaCMS web interface to upload and categorize your .mp4 or .mkv files.
- Transcoding: MediaCMS will automatically create multiple resolutions (360p, 720p, 1080p) to ensure smooth playback on old tablets or phones.
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## LOCAL NETWORK ACCESS GUIDE
To make these services accessible to everyone in your bunker or community:
1. Fixed IP: Ensure your server has a static IP address in your router settings (e.g., 192.168.1.100).
2. Local DNS (Optional): If you have a local DNS server (like Pi-hole), you can map wiki.local to the Kiwix port and video.local to the MediaCMS port.
3. Wired vs Wireless: For MediaCMS streaming, use Ethernet for the server. Clients can connect via any local Wi-Fi access point without needing an external gateway.
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## PREP CHECKLIST: MISSION CRITICAL DATA
- Medical: Wikipedia Medical Encyclopedia (ZIM).
- Engineering: WikiHow "Survival" and "Repair" categories.
- Video: First aid drills, engine repair, farming techniques, and morale-boosting entertainment.
MAINTENANCE: Once a month, run an update script to pull new ZIM files and sync any new YouTube archives while the grid is still stable.