31 October 2002

XML Web Services 15 SECONDS -- Learn how the pros and cons of different non-standard HTTP tunneling techniques have shaped current XML Web services technology.

Online Exposes OPEN -- Months ago, the Open Mailing List discussed how far someone could go to publicly name and shame someone in Ireland. Now victimised users from eBay are starting to put up websites exposing those who defraud.

New Protection for 802.11 80211 PLANET -- The standards body behind WiFi advocates WiFi Protected Access (WPA) over WEP.

Open: Evolution in the Mobile Phone Market OPEN -- Several Open thinkers (specifically Brian rezoned, BHG, and Gaddo) mentioned some interesting points concerning the current evolution of the Irish mobile market. Distilling their ideas risks marginalising some of their emphasis, but here's what I took from the mailing list comments. Mobile phone manufacturers have spent years trying to refine their operating systems. Microsoft has just started this process. Microsoft has succeeded in achieving full spectrum dominance before. That feat will be more difficult today. Phones don't have to have Bluetooth, or IR, or a camera. They have to work and be affordable. GPRS is too expensive.

Landing in a World Where Computing is a Utility BALLYBLOG -- I am toying around with some "first mover" technology and sincerely believe we're able to bolt everything together because of three serendipitous evolutions in technology. Our back office staff can avail of a rendering grid which allows them to create things on their desktops and send them over the network for rendering. A few years ago, your desktop created, then rendered, while you sat idle. We have built in elements of autonomous computing so that the deployed computers monitor themselves and correct erratic behaviours. This makes the deployed computers more like utilities rather than mere computers. We sit on top of abundant bandwidth, a factor that makes continuous connectivity a reasonably-priced commodity. That's good for everybody. Uploaded by Radio TransNote on a train, using Nokia D211 and Vodafone HSD.

OPEN: Design Your API First OPEN -- We are building an extensible application by defining an API that the outside world must go through in order to access the data in a centrally controlled location. We think this is  the surest way to maintain data integrity. Uploaded on the train from TransNote with Nokia D211 using Vodafone HSD Services.

T-Mobile Expands Airport Hotspots NEWS com -- T-Mobile will be adding hot spots in Delta, United airport clubs, expanding service T-Mobile already has in some American Airlines Admiral's Clubs. Analysts' reports indicate 40 million business travelers are "mobile professionals," or people who work on the go with technology, and 20 million travelers use the three major airlines' club lounges each year. [80211b News and Alan Reiter]

Get Your Free Copy of Office Ben Hammersley -- When commenting on the (free) Open Office, Ben Hammersley remarked, "I'm as much a power user as anyone, and I've not been able to find any downside at all. Everyone can still read my documents, and I can read theirs." The newest version of Microsoft's Office Suite will only work on Windows 2000 with Service Pack 3 and Windows XP. This forced-upgrade strategy has tenebrous implications  for many businesses running on fixed IT budgets, who say they may turn to StarOffice or OpenOffice. Sent on a train by Noka 9210i as e-mail to blog.

Women in Radio and Televison BOOK -- Heart-warming inspirational stories in the book Making Waves: The 50 Greatest Women in Radio and Television. Sent from a cobblestone street by Nokia 9210i as e-mail to blog.

Mobile+WiFi Over CDMA CNET -- Monet Mobile Networks, a new wireless Internet service provider is offering speeds up to 20 times faster than typical dialup services using the CDMA20001xEV-DO standard in North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. EV-DO, as it's nicknamed, offers downloads at speeds up to 2.4Mbps, and leading wireless carriers Verizon Wireless and Sprint PCS may be considering building EV-DO networks by 2005. Both companies now use the CDMA standard, which is adaptable to the faster version. Verizon says it is already testing EV-DO networks in San Diego and Washington, DC. Meanwhile, Monet plans to focus its business strategy on bringing broadband Internet access to rural areas, which typically are underserved. For $40 a month, Monet subscribers get unlimited Web access, three e-mail addresses and 5MB of data storage. Sent by Noka 9210i as e-mail to blog from Shanowen Road WiFi hotspot.

PLANET PDF -- You can display shaded fields on-screen and then print the result with unshaded fields by using JavaScript.

PLANET PDF FORUM -- Members of the Planet PDF Forum are engaged in a lively discussion of a variety of issues, in particular the new concept of assigning additional usage rights to PDFs.