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Annoucing npmbox

So, I have problem with npm in my current work. Basically it’s this: the systems I work on are disconnected from the internet but I still need certain node modules. So in order to get a module over to these systems I have to install it locally, zip it up and move that file. But technically, that file is an INSTALLED version, not the raw version of the install. So what I need is the raw installed files of the npm install, and then I need a way to install from those files.

I recently filed a feature request for npm describing this very request. Yet, I don’t think everyone understood the request, plus I thought it wouldn’t be that hard to actually build it. So I did.

Announcing npmbox. A command line utility add on for npm that when given an npm package

npmbox <package>

downloads the package and it dependencies and creates a .npmbox file which is a .tar.gz file of all the raw files necessary to install the package which includes the package, its dependencies, and its optional dependencies.

Taking this .npmbox file, you can then move it to your offline system and issue an npmunbox commmand against it.

npmunbox <npmbox-file>

This will take the box file, unzip it, and install its contents into the current folder.

Thus this achieves the process I am looking for, bundling a package for offline use and then installing from that bundled package.

My sincere hope is that the npm people take a look at the functionality and actually add it directly to npm. I’m not expecting they use the code, just the basic idea. I’m sure there are far better ways to achieve this from inside npm than what I am doing. So have at it.

permalink: http://www.arei.net/archives/274
JSConf 2013 Beach Ultimate Frisbee Game

Want to getaway from the conference and get some exercise? Do you know or want to learn what a huck is? Do you want to physically do a layout instead of building one in CSS?

Come play some Beach Ultimate Frisbee!

Join like-minded individuals on Thursday, May 30th from 5:00pm until dark as we toss the disc about and hopefully, if we get enough interest, have a sweet game of Beach Ultimate. I’ll bring the cones and discs, you just need to bring a White and a Dark shirt (Grey does not count as either).

We’ll be playing out on the beach at roughly the location marked on this map, but I really have no idea what the beach conditions or obstacles might be. Even the layout of the resort is a bit of a mystery, so just head out past the pools to the beach and look for the floaty white disc being thrown.

This will be entirely friendly and uncompetitive, just trying to have some fun. If you do not know how to play Ultimate Frisbee, feel free to join in and I will teach you the basics about an amazing sport I love to play. Just let me know if you want some pointers.

If you have any questions, please send an email to jsconfulti /at/ arei /dot/ net or hit me up on twitter (@areinet).

permalink: http://www.arei.net/archives/272