With Fall term prep underway for many folks here, a quick roundup of what’s new across my open-source Markdown publishing projects, plus some thoughts on which one might fit your situation.
Docsify-This is a free, open-source web app that turns a folder of Markdown files into a styled, responsive website – no accounts, no hosting setup, no build step. Version 2.0.0 was just released, rebuilt on the newly-released Docsify v5, with a new theme system, a refreshed Web Page Builder, and a seamless upgrade path from v1 (existing sites keep their look by default).
My two Grav CMS projects made possible with the Grav Premium Helios Theme (not included) – Course Hub and Open Reader – are also now both built on Grav 2, with the Admin panel included this time around. Course Hub is a course companion site for educators looking for alternatives to proprietary LMS platforms; Open Reader is a web-first platform for open textbooks, course readers, and OER, with all content stored as plain Markdown files.
The Grav Helios Converters – which I introduced here last month – also got a refresh: clearer instructions and a new Preview/Markdown toggle. They turn a Common Cartridge (.imscc) export from Canvas, Moodle, Brightspace, or Blackboard, or a Pressbooks XHTML export, into ready-to-use Markdown files for Course Hub or Open Reader – no Grav or Helios installation needed to try it.
Apps & Demos:
Which one fits your situation?
- Want to publish right now, no setup? Docsify-This is free to use as-is – paste in a Markdown file or folder and you have a site.
- Comfortable with GitHub and want your own repo? A Docsify Starter Kit gives you a self-hosted, version-controlled course site on GitHub Pages, still no build step.
- Want a full CMS with an editing interface? Helios Course Hub or Open Reader (or the free Grav Open Source skeletons if you are not interested in the Helios theme specifically) give you browser-based editing via the Grav Admin panel.
- Already have content in an LMS or Pressbooks? The Grav Helios Converters give you a fast on-ramp into Helios Course Hub or Helios Open Reader without rebuilding by hand. Worth noting: Docsify-This and the Grav Open Source skeletons are entirely free. The only up-front cost anywhere in this lineup is the Grav Premium Helios theme license (needed for Course Hub/Open Reader), which funds continued development of the open-source Grav CMS.
Comments or questions welcome, especially if you’re weighing options for the fall – happy to help you think through which fits best including other known open-source efforts.
More at: https://www.hibbittsdesign.org/