IndexMaker – Makes index.html for html files collection downloaded from internet

I like to collect the html files that contain various kinds of information that I usually get from the internet.

There is a set of files that I received in the form of packets, for example, is a variety of files for the tutorial. For files that are like this I usually get index.html file either to access all other files with ease.

Another set of existing html files which I get taken from a particular site using a software like teleport, so all links contained on the site will be automatically retrieved and of course we also automatically get its index files.

The third type is a collection of files obtained from various sources and then I put in a specific directory that I name in accordance with the category of the contents of those files. However, because the files I get from collecting from various sources, then of course the directory does not have an index.html file that serves to facilitate the exploration of its contents. Consequently, to access the files in that directory I have to go back and forth from windows explorer to do a double click from there, then go to the browser like internet explorer, opera, etc.

Browsing files as above is not an enjoyable way. First, we must go back and forth to activate windows explorer, then returned to the browser, and after reading, it’s back to the windows explorer. Second, the number of the opened browser window continue to grow, or if we are using a browser that supports multiple tabs, then the number of opened tabs also increasing. This led us to have to add extra work for closing the window or tab. Third, we become less able to follow which file has been opened and which file has not. Fourth, this is a side effect of closing many opened windows which make us feel the desktop is cramped, or closing too many tabs on the browser so we got trouble to read the title of its tab. Well after we close, sometimes we have to open it again to read the file which has been closed. As a result we have to go back to windows explorer to re-double click the file that we want it open again. Huh, sucks 🙁

There are better solutions, ie creating your own index.html file that is useful for easy browsing. Unfortunately, if the collection of files in that directory quite a lot, then the job of making this index.html is very boring. Well, we already have to get bored before we had time to browse. If the category in the directory is exciting stories category, may be a tedious effort to make index.html will be immediately relieved after we read the story. However, if the category in the directory is a science category, which often makes the head dizzy, then we really get the ordeal. Bored, then dizziness, Huuuh 🙁

Well, rather than to have to get such torture, then finally I made a program to create the index.html file automatically. I give the name of the program IndexMaker.exe.

The use of IndexMaker.exe is very easy. We simply put the program in the directory where the collection of files txt, html, htm, or mht are gathered. After that, double click the IndexMaker.exe to run it. Well, IndexMaker.exe will add an index.html file that is an html file that serves to facilitate browsing the directory, the toc.html file which is a list of the contents of the html, htm, and mht files in the directory, and the last is cover.html file that will appear when you first open the file index.html. Well the last file should be modified to enhance the appearance.

You can also register IndexMaker into the registry so that we can easily create index.html for all folders with just a right click on the folder you want to create its index, then select Make Index.html. The trick is to run IndexMaker by adding the -r switch. As for IndexMaker remove from the registry, the -u switch is added. Or you can also run Reg.bat or Unreg.bat file included in the bundle.

Every time IndexMaker run, first IndexMaker will detect whether the directory has been has an index.html file or not. If so, then IndexMaker will ask whether to replace the file or not. If the choice is Y, then the index.html file will be replaced with new ones and ask for some required parameters. These parameters are then stored on IndexMaker.con file placed in the folder. With the IndexMaker.con file, then whenever there are changes to the file in the folder, you simply right-click on the folder and choose Make Index.html and the toc.html file will soon be updated without making changes to the file index.html and cover.html. Thus if you have made modifications to cover.html to enhance the appearance, then the file will not be changed. The only file updated is toc.html.

IndexMaker.con file itself is a text file that contains five lines that define the parameters of index-making. The first line of this file will determine the title to be displayed on the title bar of the browser. The second line is the content to be displayed on cover.html. The third line determines whether it will be cutting down on the list of file names in toc.html or not. Options for this line is Y or N. If this line contains Y, then the file name exceeds 23 characters in length will be taken only the first 20 characters plus three dots (…). The fourth line determines what files will be registered into toc.html. Writing extensions separated by a semicolon (;) and there should be no spaces. The fifth line, determine whether the registration to toc.html file also done to sub directories contained in the folder recursively or just record the files in that directory. Options for this line also Y or N. The last line, ie sixth line, specify the type of naming the address in the address bar. If we give the value of Y, then the address in the address bar will be styled like using cgi, which uses a question mark (?). Example is: …./index.html?1. Whereas if the value is N, then the address in the address bar will always remain as index.html.

It should be noted, that the choice of using the addressing using the question mark (?) Will not always run smoothly if the browser used is Internet Explorer. This may be more pronounced if the name of the files in those directories use a lot of strange characters, or the characters that is not normally used for the file name like a plus sign (+).

And regardless of whether we use a fixed address or address by a question mark, so if there is a file name in the directory that begins with a pound sign (#), then certainly that the link made in the toc.html will always fail. This is caused by the rule that the href that uses sign (#) will refer to the anchor on the same file. Thus, the browser will not switch to another file but will remain on the active file. Therefore, you should never save the html file name with the prefix (#).

Structures formed by IndexMaker.exe is splitting page into two parts uses frames, each of which is 20% for the left part, which will be filled with toc.html, and 80% for the right part that the first time will be filled with cover.html. If we click on the list of file names contained in the left frame, then the file will replace the contents of cover.html. Well, in this way, the browsing process becomes much more comfortable.

And now I do not have to feel bored before get dizzy to read the pages that contain programming instructions. At least though it should got dizzy, but I am free from boredom 🙂

Then I thought that maybe more people are experiencing similar problems with me. So, rather than enjoy the program myself, would be much better if it is used also by others who need it.

And if you also the kind of people who have or are experiencing the same problem with me, then you are very lucky because you do not need to create the index.html file manually. You simply download the IndexMaker.exe which relatively very small size. You do not need to think about how long the download will be completed since it would have very soon.

Ok, have fun.