Step 5: Compiling, testing and distributing a Package

In the Package Editor, click on the Compile tab.

Click Compile Package to compile the package into a .kmp file. Compiling takes all the files listed for the package, compresses them (using a .ZIP-compatible format) and adds the package information, all into a single file. If any files are not available, an error will be listed in the Messages window.

After compiling, you can test the package installation in the mobile Keyman apps. You should test that all the model installs successfully, that the Welcome file is displayed during the install, and that the documentation is accessible to the end user.

Distributing a package on the Keyman Cloud Lexical Model Repository

Once you have tested the package to your satisfaction, it is time to distribute it. We recommend submitting your lexical model package to the Keyman Lexical Models Repository

Distributing a package on your own website

If you distribute a package on your own site, we have the following recommendations:

1. Ensure the MIME type on the web server or folder for .KMP files is set up to application/octet-stream. Without this, .KMP files may be recognised as .ZIP files -- this is not helpful to the end user as it will be opened in the wrong application.
2. Avoid putting the .KMP file in an archive (e.g. .ZIP) or self-expanding archive (.EXE) - this makes it harder for end users to install. A .KMP file is already compressed (it is actually just a ZIP archive file!) and you won't save much space by recompressing it.
3. Include a link to the Keyman download page: http://keyman.com/downloads/

Distributing a package by email

Installing the lexical model package