![[47cac854462569b133f9799a3fb16f69.gif]] **Internet in a Box (IIAB)** is an open-source initiative that provides a portable, offline library of curated digital content, effectively bringing "the internet" to places without reliable internet access. It is a self-contained, low-cost server that hosts a wealth of educational and informational resources, enabling users to access knowledge, tools, and media from local devices (like smartphones, tablets, and laptops) without needing a live internet connection. #### Key Goals: 1. **Bridging the Digital Divide**: IIAB aims to provide offline access to crucial educational and reference material, particularly in underserved areas with limited or no internet access. 2. **Empowering Education**: By delivering content like **Wikipedia**, **Khan Academy videos**, **Project Gutenberg eBooks**, **medical resources**, and **offline websites**, it supports learning and development in schools, libraries, rural communities, refugee camps, and more. 3. **Low-Cost, Easy Deployment**: IIAB can be deployed on affordable hardware like the **Raspberry Pi** or other low-power devices, making it accessible to users worldwide. 4. **Customizable Content**: Users can choose and download curated content packs relevant to their needs, including educational, medical, agricultural, and technical resources. ### How Does It Work? Internet in a Box functions as a local server, creating a Wi-Fi hotspot that allows nearby devices to connect. Once connected, users can access a wide range of pre-installed digital resources through a browser (without needing to be connected to the wider internet). For example, it might include: - Offline versions of **Wikipedia** (with or without images) - Khan Academy educational videos - OpenStreetMap for offline navigation - E-books from **Project Gutenberg** - Medical resources like **OpenMRS**, **Medline**, and more. ### Current Status of the Project (As of 2024) - **Mature and Actively Maintained**: IIAB is a well-established project, with a global community of contributors and users. It continues to receive updates, with ongoing efforts to expand content libraries and improve functionality. - **Used Globally**: IIAB is being used in places like rural Africa, South Asia, and by organizations like schools, NGOs, and hospitals. It has been a tool for educational equity, disaster recovery, and humanitarian aid. - **Hardware Compatibility**: It runs on devices like the **Raspberry Pi 4**, older Raspberry Pi models, low-power computers, or more robust servers for larger-scale setups. - **Customizable Content**: Recent updates make it easier to choose and customize content packs based on local community needs (such as multilingual content or vocational training modules). ### Basic Setup Instructions #### Hardware Requirements: - **Raspberry Pi** (preferably Raspberry Pi 4 with 2GB or more RAM for optimal performance). - **MicroSD card** (16GB or larger, recommended 64GB or more if installing large content sets). - Power supply, case, and peripherals (mouse, keyboard, monitor) if needed. - Optional: USB drives or external storage for additional content. #### Step-by-Step Installation: 1. **Download the IIAB Image**: - Visit the official [Internet in a Box website](https://internet-in-a-box.org/) to download the pre-configured image for your hardware. The Raspberry Pi image is most popular. 2. **Flash the Image**: - Use a tool like **Raspberry Pi Imager**, **balenaEtcher**, or **dd** to flash the IIAB image onto your SD card. 3. **Boot the Raspberry Pi**: - Insert the SD card into the Raspberry Pi, connect peripherals if needed, and power it on. The Raspberry Pi will boot into IIAB, and the software will automatically configure itself. 4. **Connect Devices to IIAB**: - Once the Raspberry Pi is running, it will broadcast a local Wi-Fi network (e.g., “Internet-in-a-Box”). Nearby devices can connect to this network via Wi-Fi. - After connecting, users can access the offline content through a browser by typing in the local URL (often `http://box`). 5. **Add/Customize Content**: - IIAB allows for adding new content packs or customizing the existing library. You can download content like offline Wikipedia, TED Talks, or other resources directly through the IIAB admin interface. - To manage content, open the admin panel (accessed via a web browser), and select the content you'd like to install or update. 6. **Optional Advanced Configuration**: - IIAB also supports adding external storage, configuring additional services (like NextCloud for local file sharing), and integrating additional software tools for specific use cases like education or healthcare. ### Key Features: - **Pre-Packaged Content**: Large libraries of educational material come pre-installed and can be customized based on user needs. - **No Internet Needed**: All content is accessible without an internet connection, making it useful in remote areas or during emergencies. - **Portable**: Can be run on low-cost, energy-efficient devices like the Raspberry Pi, making it easy to deploy anywhere. - **Local Wi-Fi Access**: Devices in the local area can connect to IIAB via Wi-Fi, making the entire system portable and flexible. ### Conclusion Internet in a Box is an empowering tool for bridging the global digital divide, providing offline access to knowledge and resources in a portable, flexible, and low-cost way. Whether used in schools, rural communities, disaster relief, or anywhere connectivity is limited, IIAB democratizes information and opens opportunities for learning and development.