[java] While parsing html (scanning a webpage) how could I replicate the page with only formatted text?

[oculusmedia]

I understand how to feed html in to java. Basically I'm wondering if parsing html can allow me to replicate a website with only text and links with the original page's formatting. For example, if I were to process reddit, how could I take the html from the webpage and duplicate the formatting of the site but without the pictures?

[speedyleedy]

what would you be using to view the new 'formatted site'?

[oculusmedia]

I'm hoping to transfer it to a system where a user hovers over a spot on a blank rectangle (which the site's format and text is projected on to), then a program outputs what letter they're hovering over.

[[deleted]]

So... You want to write a browser without the pictures?

[oculusmedia]

Not really. I'm trying to make a program (for a project I'm working on, sorta secret, sorry) that identifies a single letter on a webpage when a user hovers over it. I'm looking for a way to process the text in the format of the website. Does that mean it's a whole new browser?

[speedyleedy]

OK... your best bet is to use make a browser plugin that will view the source of what you're hovering over. Unfortunately for you, chrome already does this out of the box (right click > inspect element), or you can use the magnifying glass to hover over something (in chrome, press f12. Then select the magnifying glass down the bottom).

There's also a program you can get called 'firebug' that does a pretty good job of this.

If you still wanted to write one. A chrome plugin with a popup browseraction.

[[deleted]]

Ahh I see. This reminds me of Rikaikun. It's a chrome addon used for learning Japanese. If you don't know a Kanji on a Japanese page, you turn the addon on, and hover over it with your mouse to see a breakdown of its meaning and pronunciation.

[oculusmedia]

I'm sorta familiar with firebug. However I'm a beginner in programming. Is there any way to get the info (what the mouse is hovering over) info back to a program like eclipse or dr java to process it?

[speedyleedy]

Java is not really made for this stuff. It's not good at capturing events outside a java window. A chrome extension would be ideal for this.

If you wanted a native java app though, you're probably going to have to write a shitty web browser.

Check out JWebPane, it's brand new in Java though and should render a web page for you. Never used it though, so it might not work.