Zim, create your own Wiki from the Ubuntu desktop

In the next article we are going to take a look at Zim. This is a graphical text editor used to maintain a collection of wiki pages. Each page can contain links to other pages, simple format and images. The pages we generate are stored in a folder structure. We can also work with attachments without any problem.

Zim will allow us create our little wikipedia so to speak, within a simple GTK interface, in which we can create multiple pages and subpages. We can create as many new pages as we want. All data is stored in wiki-formatted text files. The program also provides users with various add-ons that provide additional functionalities such as a task list manager, an equation editor, a tray icon, a calendar, and support for version control.

Zim is going to let us drive various types of marking, such as headings, bullet lists, and of course, bold, italic, and highlighted. This markup is going to be saved as wiki text so that we can easily edit it with other editors. Due to the automatic save function, we will be able to switch between pages and open links while editing without worrying about losing the changes.

Zim is a veteran software that allows us to create a wiki for our personal use from our computer desktop. It does this by means of a simple WYSIWYG type editor (what you see is what you get), which also helps us manage the list of pages that we create. This software will save our information in a structured way. It is hierarchical (arranged in a tree), being very versatile and allowing us to move between the pages.

General characteristics that define Zim

  • Gives us the possibility to attach files (as pictures).
  • We will be able publish the content we generate on the web (by exporting HTML files), using its server mode that also helps us to see the notes in the browser.
  • Zim offers us compatibility with version control systems: Bazaar, Git, Mercurial.
  • We will have at our disposal a way of diary notebook. This includes a calendar widget.
  • We will also have the possibility of synchronization with the cloud, with nextcloud or dropbox type services.
  • Print mode (using the browser, after exporting the Zim HTML page).
  • We will have multitude of additional plugins: math calculation, bookmarks bar, spell checker, distraction-free edit mode, diagram editors, equations (latex) and graphs (GNU R), tags, task list, sticky notes, link map, word count, etc.
  • Various formats available header, bold, italic, lists, checkbox, indexes, etc.
  • We will also have the always aided auto save function.

Practical Zim Utilities

page created with Zim

Although zim has been around for a few years now, there is no "1.0" version yet. This does not mean that the application is particularly unstable (although making backup copies is always a good idea) or that it is a useful program only for "weirdos" of computer science. This program has a multitude of practical applications for all types of users, as they could be:

  • Maintain a file of notes on a regular basis.
  • Make the documentation of our projects to be able to offer online help.
  • Take notes in an orderly manner during meetings or conferences.
  • Organize lists of to-do or completed tasks.
  • Have organized codes that can be useful to us.
  • Create templates or sketches for blog posts and emails.
  • Write down the ideas produced during a brainstorming.

These are just a few ideas, but everyone can find a different use for this practical program. All its characteristics can be consulted in more detail from the project website.

Installing Zim on Ubuntu and derivatives

Zim is FOSS, which provides users with a excellent documentation that makes it much easier for us to use it. It also offers versions for Gnu / Linux, Mac and Windows.

This app is created in python and it includes very few dependencies, being very easy to install on any GNU / Linux distro. In Debian, derivatives such as Ubuntu, Elementary OS or Linux Mint, installing this program is as simple as opening a terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and typing:

sudo apt install zim

Uninstall Zim

To remove this program from Ubuntu, we will only have to open a terminal and write in it:

sudo apt remove zim && sudo apt autoremove

To learn more about how to use this program, its creators have made the following available to users manual.


Be the first to comment

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*

  1. Responsible for the data: Miguel Ángel Gatón
  2. Purpose of the data: Control SPAM, comment management.
  3. Legitimation: Your consent
  4. Communication of the data: The data will not be communicated to third parties except by legal obligation.
  5. Data storage: Database hosted by Occentus Networks (EU)
  6. Rights: At any time you can limit, recover and delete your information.