# Rails app -\> CHM file? **URL:** \ **Category:** Rails\ **Created:** [July 15, 2010, 5:54pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/rails-app-chm-file/191638 "2010-07-15T17:54:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rpardee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/e47c2d/32.png) [@rpardee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/rpardee)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 5:54pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/rails-app-chm-file/191638/1 "2010-07-15T17:54:45Z")
Hey All, I’ve got an app that stores infrequently-changing-but-not-entirely- static data. I’d like to be able to generate a snapshot of the app (or a portion thereof) in a CHM file so users can snag a copy for offline use, that still has the hyperlink structure intact, can be searched, printed, etc. Optimal would be something I could feed a route to & it would spider every link from there, using my existing views. My googling has not turned up any existing gems/plugins that just magically do what I want, alas, but I wondered if anybody here can point me at a likely place to start on such a feature? I know there’s an rdoc plugin or branch that generates CHM from rdoc–that’ll be where I start unless someone has a better suggestion. Many thanks! -Roy ---
**Author:** ![rpardee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/e47c2d/32.png) [@rpardee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/rpardee)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 6:44pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/rails-app-chm-file/191638/2 "2010-07-15T18:44:31Z")
On 15 Jul 2010, at 17:53, Roy P. wrote: > point me at a likely place to start on such a feature? I know there’s > an rdoc plugin or branch that generates CHM from rdoc–that’ll be > where I start unless someone has a better suggestion. If you are on OS X, you can use the rdoc\_osx\_dictionary (more info here: [GitHub - seattlerb/rdoc\_osx\_dictionary](http://github.com/seattlerb/rdoc_osx_dictionary)). I believe there’s a dependency on hoe that isn’t installed with the gem (although it should be, but it isn’t), so if you are having problems, make sure you have hoe installed too. A google search for “rails chm” brought up these: > **[Ruby Core & Ruby on Rails CHM Documentation](https://moiristo.wordpress.com/2008/08/28/ruby-core-ruby-on-rails-chm-documentation/)** > > Today, my company’s internet provider managed to cut off the internet connection for the whole day! This made me wonder why I always use the online available Ruby & RoR APIs, while having… [http://dirk.net/2007/12/30/generate-ruby-on-rails-chm-documentation/](http://dirk.net/2007/12/30/generate-ruby-on-rails-chm-documentation/) etc. Maybe you’ll have luck with those links. Best regards Peter De Berdt ---
**Author:** ![rpardee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/e47c2d/32.png) [@rpardee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/rpardee)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/rails-app-chm-file/191638/3 "2010-07-15T20:07:40Z")
On 15 Jul 2010, at 19:25, Roy P. wrote: > Thanks Peter. I’m looking for cross-platform output, so I don’t think > the apple dictionary format will serve. I think those links tap into > the rdoc stuff, but I’ll give them a read & see. Misread your original post a bit. You’ll probably have to look into CHM generation from rdoc and then roll your own as you already suggested. Best regards Peter De Berdt ---
**Author:** ![rpardee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/e47c2d/32.png) [@rpardee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/rpardee)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/rails-app-chm-file/191638/4 "2010-07-15T19:30:11Z")
On Jul 15, 9:42 am, Peter De Berdt [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote: > > My googling has not turned up any existing gems/plugins that just > > A google search for “rails chm” brought up these: > > [http://moiristo.wordpress.com/2008/08/28/ruby-core-ruby-on-rails-chm-...http://dirk.net/2007/12/30/generate-ruby-on-rails-chm-documentation/](http://moiristo.wordpress.com/2008/08/28/ruby-core-ruby-on-rails-chm-...http://dirk.net/2007/12/30/generate-ruby-on-rails-chm-documentation/) > etc. > > Maybe you’ll have luck with those links. > > Best regards > > Peter De Berdt Thanks Peter. I’m looking for cross-platform output, so I don’t think the apple dictionary format will serve. I think those links tap into the rdoc stuff, but I’ll give them a read & see. Thanks! -Roy