SPIS Webview is an offline web page browser. That means you can use it any time you like, on any computer you like without having a connection to the Internet!
Here are four excellent reasons to use Webview:
It's small -- if you need to visit someone to show them some web pages, you could fit Webview and the pages on a single floppy disk!
No fiddly connection problems. While it is possible to use most regular web browsers without an Internet connection, it can sometimes be a tricky and time-consuming job persuading them to do so.
It's capable. Currently, Webview supports HTML 3.2 and most popular HTML 3.0 features, as well as having some useful extensions for Windows, such as being able to play sound files directly, or run external programs (for example, use Notepad to edit this page).
It's adaptable. In addition to using Webview's standard features, you can have SPIS Ltd make you personalised, custom versions of Webview for purposes such as:
Sample disks for web sites or for other software
Scripted (automated) demonstrations
Offline publishing using HTML
Surveying or remote data entry (with the web forms used to collect and save the information)
We encourage you to try SPIS Webview out by looking through the rest of these sample pages (including our Special Features) and, of course, at your own favourite web pages.
Note: The only essential files for using SPIS Webview are WEBVIEW.EXE, ILIB31HT.DLL and WEBVIEW.INI. Keep them all together in one directory and you'll be fine.
Basically, you can expect Webview to display anything another web browser could do when offline, plus a few useful additions of its own. Here's a quick smorgasbord:
Tables (you're looking at one) -- including tables within tables like the form at right.
Forms -- like this one:
Font variations like colors, sizes,effects and typefaces, including fancy fonts:ρΈ(6
Display of JPG, PNG and GIF images and backgrounds (see the many examples in our Special Features). Also supports client side image maps. Try clicking on New Zealand in the
World Map at the top of this page.
Special extensions such as display of Windows BMP images, playing of WAV files (click the clock)and executing programs.
SPIS Ltd are very happy to assist you with custom versions of Webview. Customisation might include:
"Branding" of your version (e.g. Xanaduck Corporation WebLJJk)
An online-capable version
Automated script-driven operation for demonstration purposes using Webview's scripting option.
Creating archives of compressed, protected pages using Webview's optional page compression utility
Create a single self extracting EXE, that contains all your web pages as well as the Webview program
Support for additional file or image types
Special extensions, such as form-based data gathering using Webview's Local CGI option
You can show or hide the File Menu, the Status Bar, the location Box, as well as optionally show a few more buttons, including Exit and Help buttons. You can even place a bitmap of your own design behind the buttons on the tool bar
With any customisation options, we're happy to negotiate terms which allow you to redistribute your special version of Webview (see the registration information).
Scripts now handle frames. You can specify which frame will scroll, and which frame will load the next page
The Search Pages can be called into a frame specified in the INI File, along with the results. If there are no frames open when the Search page is opened, then it will use the full screen
Additions in earlier versions:
The latest version of the optional Page compression utility uses a more efficient compression algorithm. It is compatible with archives produced using the old version, but any new files you add to your archive will be more efficiently compressed.
Webview now supports being distributed as a self extracting EXE, with all the executable files, web pages and graphics compressed into one bundle. This new feature is available as part of the Page compression option.
Improved user interface
Full text search of all the HTML files in Webview's root directory and below. This can also be used for searching archives as well. It requires a specially prepared page to display the results
You can distribute a compressed INI file which is more difficult for others to pry into
You can place a copy of Webview's INI file in your windows directory, this will only be used if Webview can't find a copy in it's own directory, and can't find a compressed INI file either
You may run more than one copy of webview at once by using the switch -s, e.g. webview.exe -s
Allows setting of Root Directory to somewhere other than the location of the executables. This is via the INI setting Root Directory e.g. Root Directory=c:\docs\html ; It's a good idea to specify the Drive as well!
Allow optional override of Archive files with non-archive files using Override Archive=True ;Default is False
Tidied up scrolling behaviour so that it's smooth for scripts and non-scripts both.
Call the Windows Media Player to play .avi and .mid files automatically.
Webview can now save the HTML page as Text, automatically stripping the HTML Tags
Client Side image maps (try clicking on New Zealand in the map at the top of the page).
Webview displays html documents larger than 32K
Image sizing (using width and height.)
Horizontal rule width Size and Width attributes supported
Table widths can be specified in Pixel dimensions.
The <TABLE> tags recognise bgcolor, bordercolor attributes.
PLAIN attribute added to the <UL> tag to remove bullet points.
Scripts now support setting a background .wav file that will play while the rest of your demonstration is being displayed.
Better control over your script via "SingleStepOn" "SingleStepOff" and "Stop" commands
We've increased the size of the history list to 15
Faster handling of files on floppy disks.
Optional Print, Home, and Contents buttons. These can be set via entries in the Setups section of the Webview.ini file: [Setups]
HomeButton=1 PrintButton=1 ContentsButton=0
IMG and Header (Hn) tags now support the Align attribute
Extra tag support such as SMALL and BIG, SUP and SUB
Table cells can now have background colours (e.g. <TD BGColor="Red">)
Defining "Helper Applications" for files with particular extensions, e.g. append these lines to your Webview.ini file:
[Helper Applications]
DOC=winword.exe ; a URL with a .DOC extension will run WinWord to show the document.
Webview includes several optional features which are great for those using Webview for training, demonstrations, CDROM distribution and offline applications. You won't find them all in any other browser!
Built-in text editor. How better to learn (or teach) HTML and tweak and improve your pages than with a simple text editor built right into your browser? The F9 key is the magic wand. (Warning: use it once, and you'll be hooked!)
Scripted demonstrations. You can now tell Webview to automatically display a set of pages (even sections within pages) in sequence. You can control the rates at which pages scroll and load, whether or not the user can pause the demonstration -- there's even a single step mode!
Page compression and self-extracting EXEs. Another great bonus for distributing demonstration sites. Use this to benefit from the 3 "S's" -- Speed, Security and Size. Our optional page compression utility will let you compress your entire web site into a single archive, reducing the disk space required by 20-50%. Not only that, but page display from the archive will be significantly faster than from ordinary pages on CDROM or floppy disk, and the user will not be able to directly edit or view them.
Local CGI. Who needs a server to run web applications? When your users push a form button, Webview can now call any external program, pass it the information from the form and optionally wait for a response page to be generated. Test-drive our Order form for a simple example!
All the above options are enabled in this evaluation version so you can try them out. In addition, we've made the following universal improvements (some were introduced in earlier versions):
Add CDROM=Yes to the [Setups] section of Webview.ini, and Webview will happily run from a CDROM or write-protected disk.
Webview can now be set up as the default browser by great HTML editors such as Webber. This is because only one copy of Webview will be loaded into memory at any one time, which means you can easily flip back and forth between the HTML editor and Webview.
Images are cached, so they load faster second time around
All Options menu information is preserved between sessions (unless CDROM=Yes is active, see above)
PNG images are now supported
Transparent GIFs are now supported (e.g. the one at top left of the Webpacks page)
BMP files can be displayed transparently by adding the non-standard TRANSP attribute to your <IMG SRC> statements. The colour of the bottom-left pixel of the image determines the transparent colour.
New Zealand residents: please add 12.5% GST to all prices given here
Registration entitles you to:
A personal code to remove the registration reminder
Any options you select when you place your order (you can add them separately at a later date if you wish)
If you order multiple copies, a license to make and distribute that number of copies
Free updates (by downloading from our web site) as far as version 4.9
Single-user registration of SPIS Webview is only $NZ20 (about $US12). However, we have generous quantity discounts for multiple licenses -- very useful for those considering Webview to support their demonstrations...
To place an order, fill out the form below and click the Order button. This will create a file called "ORDER.TXT" on your disk. If placing a credit card order, you can print and fax that file to +64-3-384-5138 or email it to software@spis.co.nz. If paying by cheque, print and mail the file, with payment enclosed, to:
SPIS Ltd, PO Box 19-760, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Runtime Version
Note: the inexpensive "Runtime" version allows you to distribute unlimited copies and provides all standard features. However, the File|Open option is disabled, meaning the user can only view the files you distribute with Webview. If you want to use one or more of the "per copy" Options with the Runtime or Unlimited Copies licenses, contact us for pricing.
SPIS Ltd is a New Zealand software development and publishing company which specialises in Web development. Our products include:
Web sites like www.NetTravel.co.nz, which has a searchable listing of nearly 4,000 places to stay in New Zealand
Other Web-related products such as SPIS WebWatch, an automated site monitor which regularly checks site performance and notifies you or your ISP if it finds a problem
Extensive database systems like MediaMonitor, which large corporates in Japan use to track their media profiles
Developer's tools such as TCompress, a file and database compression package for Borland Delphi
To all our products and services we bring a high level of specialisation, quality and commitment. You can find our more about SPIS, our people and our activities on our web site at:
http://www.spis.co.nz
Or contact us via email, fax or mail:
South Pacific Information Services Ltd
PO Box 19-760
Christchurch
NEW ZEALAND (and proud of it!)
Fax: +64-3-384-5138
Email: software@spis.co.nz (Steve Rennell)