The end of the (Tiddly)world is nigh.

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Ed Burgess

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Nov 28, 2016, 4:24:39 AM11/28/16
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Hi,
For the last 18 months I have been building a TiddlySpace (in v.1.2.26) in support of my architecture business, including pages with project data for every job and office management pages such as policies and software protocols. Most of the pages are 'private' but its a beautiful thing built quickly and easily in one of the standard templates with very simple style additions from the brilliant Tiddly Toddler and similar sites. However I have no coding experience and no understanding of the infrastructure of the web and why or how these wonderful pages are 'working'.

I've been watching the red banner at the top of the site warning of the impending closure of the TiddlySpace server which is now a couple of weeks away and my diary tells me now is the time to act. I've been searching on google and the Tiddly forums expecting a flurry of latest advice on transposing TiddlySpaces into another platform like Wordpress, or frantic discussion on the crowd-funded attempts to save the server. But what I see is everyone behaving quite normally and going about their daily lives as if the sky is not about to fall down. (Mind you there are quite afew posts which although they apppear to be in English, I do not understand at all, so could be in there!)

I'm thinking I've missed something?  Of course there is the potential to export out a simple HTML file from the menu items in the header.  Will my TiddlySpace continue to operate normally after the server shutdown date, as long as I have moved a copy of it to a local storage volume (I think thats what you say when you mean 'off my computer')?
 
I have seen some helpful info from @cdent on exporting as JSON files (?) which I have duely done, but I'm afraid I dont really know what to do with them next - if indeed there is a 'next'.

If anyone can tell me why the rest of the TiddlyWorld is so calm, or point me to the escape capsule, that would be great.
Thanks for your help and apologies for the gaping holes in my understanding!
Ed

Jed Carty

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Nov 28, 2016, 4:35:58 AM11/28/16
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I think the main reason that people seem calm is that most people aren't using tiddlyspace.

As for something more helpful, both Jeremy and Mario have made some export tools but I don't know if the tools will let you run a server. The good news there is that Jeremy is starting a paid service that will be able to do a lot of what tiddlyspace does. He spoke about it during the hangout on Saturday. The video is available here http://hangout-101.tiddlyspot.com

PMario

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Nov 28, 2016, 9:15:45 AM11/28/16
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On Monday, November 28, 2016 at 10:24:39 AM UTC+1, Ed Burgess wrote:
Hi,

Hi Ed,

However I have no coding experience and no understanding of the infrastructure of the web and why or how these wonderful pages are 'working'.

... I've been searching on google and the Tiddly forums expecting a flurry of latest advice on transposing TiddlySpaces into another platform like Wordpress, or frantic discussion on the crowd-funded attempts to save the server.

I did publish 2 different scripts that let's you create backups. One for windows, one for linux / mac.
The documentation also contains links to howto videos, to give users an overview, what's going on.

see: [BETA] - TiddlySpace Backup Scripts

The scripts will let you download xxx_private.html and xxx_public.html files, that should be functional.

xxx_private.html contains private and public tiddlers
xxx_public.html conains public tiddlers only!

The easiest way to test a local version is:

 - download your TWs
 - unplug from the internet, to disconnect from external links (eg: external images)
 - edit a tiddler and
 - save
 - reload and see if it worked.

If it worked. ... fine. If not ... this forum may help.

But what I see is everyone behaving quite normally and going about their daily lives as if the sky is not about to fall down. (Mind you there are quite afew posts which although they apppear to be in English, I do not understand at all, so could be in there!)

IMO those users, that still need their content, did already download their stuff. Since TiddlyWiki is designed to be used offline, you should be fine, as soon as you have a backup html file or a json file.

My scripts are intended, to download a working copy. ... html-files
and some "pure content" ... .json-files, .recipe-files

With these files, it should be possible to completely recreate the whole server-side structure in the future. ... or
You can strip out the server-side stuff and just keep the offline content. ...
 
I'm thinking I've missed something?  Of course there is the potential to export out a simple HTML file from the menu items in the header.

see the above

Will my TiddlySpace continue to operate normally after the server shutdown date, as long as I have moved a copy of it to a local storage volume (I think thats what you say when you mean 'off my computer')?

Your local backups should work. See info above!

tiddlyspace will be shut down and the content will be deleted. see: http://osmo-service.tiddlyspace.com/ServiceUpdate20160826  second paragraph: (I did mark the important stuff with: yello background)

The Tiddlyspace service is to cease on or before 15th December 2016. When the service is shutdown, access to your spaces will no longer be available and any information (tiddlers etc) contained within the system will be deleted. Disks will be securely wiped passing zeros across the disk, for spinning disks. Solid state disks will be erased using a secure erase command provided by the manufacturer of the SSD.

 
I have seen some helpful info from @cdent on exporting as JSON files (?) which I have duely done, but I'm afraid I dont really know what to do with them next - if indeed there is a 'next'.

TiddlyWiki5 is able to import .json files. So it should be possible to migrate the content. BUT be aware that the content itself is not 100% compatible and depending on the TWclassic macros / plugins you use, there is quite some manual work involved!
 
If anyone can tell me why the rest of the TiddlyWorld is so calm, or point me to the escape capsule, that would be great.
Thanks for your help and apologies for the gaping holes in my understanding!

As I wrote: have a look at: [BETA] - TiddlySpace Backup Scripts

You can also send me a private mail. I'm available for hire too!

have fun!
mario

Ed Burgess

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Nov 28, 2016, 9:35:56 AM11/28/16
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Mario, Jed,
Thanks for the feedback, very helpful. And having watched the first half hour or so of the tiddlyspot hangout I do fee I understand the whole set up much better.

Mario, Seeing your videos has been a great help and you’ve also given me some confidence that, as long as I am happy to work locally, my tiddlyworld does not have to come to an end. Will come back to you if I get stuck trying to rebuild into TW5, but thanks for all your time building the tools and helping me out today.

Ed



TiddlyWiki5 is able to import .json files. So it should be possible to migrate the content. BUT be aware that the content itself is not 100% compatible and depending on the TWclassic macros / plugins you use. There is quite some manual work involved!
 
If anyone can tell me why the rest of the TiddlyWorld is so calm, or point me to the escape capsule, that would be great.
Thanks for your help and apologies for the gaping holes in my understanding!

As I wrote: have a look at: [BETA] - TiddlySpace Backup Scripts

You can also send me a private mail. I'm available for hire too!

have fun!
mario

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Shay Shaked

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Nov 28, 2016, 2:21:47 PM11/28/16
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Hi Ed, 

I read this post and some of the comments. Personally, I never considered using TiddlySpace. I don't think I even looked at seriously. However, I am now working on my own "public facing" TW to upload, as an HTML file, to my own site. I don't think I'm the only guy who's thinking of doing that. 

TW is highly an independent product, which is what I love about it. I've started using it almost a year ego, and it grew to become an extension of my brain, an autobiography, a project platform, a journal, a tech notebook, and so much more. My TW has additions of Macros and CSS that fit my needs - not a lot at all, but enough to give it somewhat of a personal look. It  is, hands down, my most successful tech project this year: the knowledge in my personal TW is unrivaled by nothing else I've used, besides (perhaps) Evernote, which I've used for four years. And Evernote to me is completely dead at this point. 

TW is sort of an underdog the way I see it. The community here is very dedicated, and the people very much alive. It is such a niche project with so many people taking the time to really learn to use it that a hosting site does not make sense, at least in my opinion: each TW out there is probably highly personal, and thus, not very useful as a community tool. 

I don't know that this little "I love TW" post helps you in anyway, but I felt like I'd add my 0.02. I love this thing. 

PMario

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Nov 28, 2016, 2:57:48 PM11/28/16
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On Monday, November 28, 2016 at 3:35:56 PM UTC+1, Ed Burgess wrote:
Mario, Jed,
Thanks for the feedback, very helpful. And having watched the first half hour or so of the tiddlyspot hangout I do fee I understand the whole set up much better.

Mario, Seeing your videos has been a great help and you’ve also given me some confidence that, as long as I am happy to work locally, my tiddlyworld does not have to come to an end. Will come back to you if I get stuck trying to rebuild into TW5, but thanks for all your time building the tools and helping me out today.

Ed

You are welcome :)
-m

Handoko Suwono

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Dec 2, 2016, 6:17:13 PM12/2/16
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hi Shay,

yes, I agree with you that TW is a highly independent product which you can treat it as a "pet" and you self can do anything at. However TW itself won't let people to intervene as it does with TiddlySpace. I think it would depend on yourself whether you want to be intervened or just want to stay 'undisturbed' and to think within your own world.

Just a simple thought on difference between TW and TS.

handoko -

Josiah

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Dec 2, 2016, 6:28:41 PM12/2/16
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Ciao Shay

I like your post. I agree and disagree.

I think TW could also be used for BULK projects like converting umpteen novels into ebooks. Though for that to get traction you'd need some kinda consistent hosting system.

At the moment the individualist end of TW gets much, much attention. All good.

The bulk publishing possibilities I don't think have yet been, as far as I know, touched. That too has merit.

Best wishes
Josiah

Arlen Beiler

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Dec 2, 2016, 10:26:44 PM12/2/16
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Yes, definitely use that menu item to export as HTML.

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burgess.ed

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Dec 4, 2016, 4:03:09 AM12/4/16
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Thanks everyone for the tips and enthusiasm. 
Ed
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