PHAROS DATA ARK · 2026-10-29-01024f5b59
Access your content
Read the public library on the Ark, copy it to another device, or use the SSD directly. The content available depends on what is installed. Reading and copying require no caretaker password.
Read in your browser
Kiwix serves installed ZIM archives over the local network. Choose a collection on the landing page or open the library below.
Open Kiwix libraryLocal map collection · Offline help
| Content | How to view it |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia, WikiMed, technical Q&A, iFixit and installed Gutenberg ZIMs | Kiwix in your browser; a compatible Kiwix application for a copied archive. |
| PDF maps and documents | A PDF-capable browser or separate PDF reader. |
| Flood and parcel GIS ZIPs | Download, extract, and use compatible GIS software. The Ark does not currently provide an interactive browser viewer for these datasets. |
| Portable utilities | Use an application compatible with your operating system. Copy the entire Windows kiwix-viewer folder, not just its executable. |
| Household backup snapshots | Download and restore with the relevant archive/decryption tools and permissions. They are not automatically rendered by Kiwix. |
A reachable collection link does not prove every article or image has been tested. A queued archive is not available until verification and activation complete.
Download original files over HTTP
Content catalog and reader instructions · Browse SSD files
Use the browser's download command or a download client. Large archives need sufficient destination space. A client that supports HTTP resume can resume transfers when the file and server permit it. Online source links require internet; local file links use this Ark.
Copy with a file manager — SMB
Windows File Explorer: \\dataark\Offline-Archives
macOS Finder → Go → Connect to Server: smb://dataark/Offline-Archives
The library share is read-only. Guest access depends on your device's policy; use an authorized Samba account if required. The separate Bugout-Staging share is an upload area, not the anonymous library. Samba credentials are separate from the caretaker password.
Anonymous read-only FTP
Use an FTP client with host dataark, port 21, username anonymous, no password, and passive mode. Open the /library folder.
FTP supports public file downloads and resumable transfers. Upload, rename and deletion are disabled; private and staging directories are excluded. No account is needed. Most current web browsers do not include an FTP client; use a dedicated client or HTTP downloads instead.
Administrator transfers — SFTP and rsync over SSH
SFTP is available through the existing SSH service at dataark, port 22. Sign in with an authorized Pi account and use /mnt/storage. Its account permissions apply; this is not anonymous access.
Administrators can also pull files using rsync over SSH for resumable or scripted copying. There is no anonymous rsync daemon. SSH authentication is separate from the library's shared caretaker password. Ordinary readers should use HTTP, SMB, or anonymous FTP.
Use the SSD without the Pi
Have a caretaker shut the Pi down cleanly, wait for shutdown, then disconnect the SSD. Attach it to another computer and open the OfflineRepo volume. Start with START-HERE.html or README-DATA-ARK.txt.
The SSD uses exFAT. Do not reformat it. ZIMs, PDFs, GIS files and program packages still need suitable software on the receiving computer. Keep reader dependencies together.
The Ark's own source code
The working Git checkout is /opt/dataark on the Pi. The existing local development share is \\dataark\dataark (SMB, subject to its account permissions). It is separate from the anonymous public-library FTP view.
Data Ark / Pharos on GitHub (internet required) · Local source and handover guide
Add or remove a collection
Use Settings → System → Manage Library on the landing page. Caretaker authentication protects changes to the shared collection; copying public content does not require it. Removal retains supported source information for later reinstatement.