The console browser Offpunk 3.0 has been introduced with support for work via HTTP/HTTPS protocols, Gemini, Gopher, and Spartan, as well as the ability to read news feeds in RSS and Atom formats. This program, written in Python, is distributed under the AGPLv3 license. Offpunk is designed for offline content viewing, allowing users to subscribe to pages or mark them for later viewing. Page data is automatically cached and updated as needed, enabling users to store periodically synchronized copies of sites and pages for local viewing. Users can configure synchronization parameters, such as the frequency of content updates.
Offpunk features a command and key combination system for control, multi-level bookmarks, subscriptions, and archived content. Users can add their own handlers for different MIME types and convert images to ASCII graphics using the chafa library. HTML pages are parsed and displayed using the BeautifulSoup4 and Readability libraries. An RC file is used to automate actions at startup, allowing users to define the sequence of commands, such as opening the home page or downloading site contents for offline viewing. Downloaded content is saved in the ~/.cache/offpunk/ directory in .gmi and .html formats.
The project is a continuation of the Gemini and Gopher clients AV-98 and VF-1, created by the author of the Gemini protocol. The Gemini protocol, simpler than web protocols but more functional than Gopher, resembles a simplified HTTP over TLS in terms of network interaction and uses a Markdown-like page markup. The Spartan protocol is designed for transmitting documents in the Gemini format, offering expanded capabilities for exchanging binary files and sending data to the server.
These advancements aim to simplify hypertext site creation and improve network interaction. With these features, Offpunk 3.0 is a versatile tool for viewing and managing offline content efficiently.