Wireless
What's the deal with wireless?
You can access much of the capabilities of the Internet from web-enabled
cell phones, PDAs, Palm and Handspring devices, in fact any item
with a WAP browser can utilize information published on the Internet.
Can you view any web site or information on the Internet via your
cell phone?
No. Data placed on the web needs to be written in HDML (Handheld
Device Markup Language), or WML (Wireless Markup Language). WML
is the new standard for Mobile Markup Languages, as it is a sub-application
of XML (eXtensible Markup Language).
Can you view wireless sites in your typical browser?
Yes, but not always with the accuracy or proper layout as was intended
for the other market. The Opera browser however has the ability
to emulate the WAP browser and will display properly written WML.
Why do you need to code your web site in a special format for
a WAP browser?
Two simple reasons: One reason is because you are using a smaller
display. On a cell phone you are generally talking about 24 to 32
characters wide, and eight lines tall. For this reason most graphics
and content are too large to display properly.
The second reason is because a cell phone of handheld device do
not have the same memory and RAM capabilities as a desktop or laptop
computer. A WAP browser supports WML which is a sub-application
of XML. XML is only valid when all the syntax on the page is written
correctly. Your typical web browser on your home or office computer
allows for mistakes in code and tries to fix it for you. Typical
browsers like Microsoft Internet Explorer are very forgiving. Due
to the lack of memory and resources, your WAP browser can not allow
to make corrections for bad code, therefore it must be written and
validated in order to function properly.
Why is all of this important?
The Internet was invented and was expanded by the World Wide Web
for one purpose: to share information. Making data available to
your clients, customers, and site viewers in multiple venues is
always a good idea. Many companies offer nothing but information
to their viewers. In fact some of these companies are in existence
to do nothing but sell information to a subscriber base. This is
a typical scenario you may find with stock quote companies and entertainment
services (checking movie listings, the weather, and sports scores.)
What are the possibilities for my company?
Well what would you like them to be? Coupled with a Custom Intranet
you could check messages, clock in and out of projects, make appointments,
check your site statistics, activate a program remotely from the
highway, you name it. This broad spectrum of possibilities is what
we mean when we say: Internetbias. When only the Internet will do.
If you are going to be conducting business on the go:
Shouldn't your application service provider or Internet Strategy
Company be able to keep up with the speed of your business?
We think so.
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