Mobile Converter
"The easy way to develop WAP applications"

Contents

   Appendix A. Mobile Converter  -  Supported HTML tags

1. Introduction

1.1. Release notes

Date	Version	Info
25-Apr-2001	1.0	Original version.
29-May-2002	1.0.1	1) "©" treated properly. 2) Improved performance
03-Oct-2002	1.0.2	1) Name property with select tag is no longer supressed. Example: <select name="aname"> 2) Html/Wml editor added that uses the very same conversion algorithm as the MobileConverter.
06-Nov-2002	1.0.1	1) ' is now allowed as string terminator. Example: <option value='1'> 2) Space between property name and "=" is now allowed. Example: <option value  ="1"> 3) Handle multiple tag parametes. Example: <select name="aname" name="anothername">

1.2. What is WAP ?

Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is an open, global specification that empowers mobile users with wireless devices to easily access and interact with information and services instantly. A large number of device manufacturers (Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola...) and software developers (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle) have agreed on one common standard for small devices to communicate.

Wireless Markup Language (WML) is a new markup language that must be used when creating WAP applications. WML is a XML based language that is designed to work with small, wireless devices. Instead of learning a new markup languge, Mobile Converter allows you to keep using HTML for your WAP application.

You can learn more about WAP at Wapforum, Phone, Cellular, Ericsson and Nokia

1.3. What is "Mobile Converter" ?
 

Mobile Converter is a plug-in for your Web-server that converts any HTML code to WML code and validates any WML code, making it accepted by your WAP application. Mobile Converter will let you keep using HTML code instead of writing WML code when building your WAP applications.

Using HTML instead of WML will bring you the following advantages:

• You don't need to learn a new markup language.
• You can keep using the HTML editor and environment you are used to.
• HTML is a forgiving language,  while a single error in your WML page will spoil the whole content.
• Future versions of WAP are considering to drop WML for a more HTML like language !
• You can make applications that are supported by both WML and HTML compliant clients.

• Performs an online convertion of  HTML code to WML code immediately before it is sent to the client. You can even "WAP" to your existing HTML site as long as the content fits into the WAP limitations.
• Performs an online validation of any WML output so it will be accepted by the Wap device even if you have a few errors in the WML code.
• The Mobile Converter will work with both static HTML pages as well as dynamic HTML applications, for example, ASP, Java Servlets, CGI.

1.4. Shareware/Trial version Limitations

The shareware/trial version of MobileConverter is fully functional for about 12 hours, but will then randomly send away a nagscreen to the wap client. Reloading the MobileConverter dll by restarting the webserver will make the nagscreens disappear for another 12 hours.

2. Installation

• Microsoft Internet Information Server 4 (IIS 4)
• Microsoft Internet Information Server 5 (IIS 5)

• Apache (Windows and Linux)
• Netscape (Windows and Linux)

Installing Mobile Converter:

1) Copy the file "MobileConverter_IIS.dll" to your server.
2) Open the Internet Service Manager
3) Select the Website where you want to install the MobileConverter_*.dll.
4) Press right mouse button and then select menu option "properties".
5) Select the "Isapi Filters" tab.
6) Press the "Add" button and then set "Mobile Converter" as filter name and the full path to "MobileConverter_*.dll" as the executable.
7) Press "OK" button and then "OK" again.
8) Best performance is achieved if "Buffering" is enabled on your IIS Website. This is default in IIS5 but not in IIS4. (You enable buffering in you Website by checking
"Enable buffering" check box in your Website. Checkbox is found in dialog "Properties - Home Directory - Configuration - App Options")
9) Restart the WebServer and you can now start wapping to your website !
 

NOTE! The shareware/trial version of MobileConverter is fully functional for about 12 hours, but will then randomly send away a nagscreen to the wap client. Reloading the MobileConverter dll by restarting the webserver will make the nagscreens disappear for another 12 hours.

3. How do I test my Wap application ?

To access your WAP enabled website you need:

1) A WAP-Emulator or WAP-Device (Ericsson 320, Nokia 7150 etc).
2) To setup an address to a proper WAP-Gateway in your-WAP Device.

A WAP-Gateway is the connection between the WAP-Device and the Internet (similar to the need of a SMTP-server when sending email).

Ericsson provides the following WAP Gateway for external test use:
IP-Address:195.58.110.201

3.3. Where do I find a WAP emulator ?

You will find Wap emulators at the following locations:

Ericsson: Developers' Zone (Download WapIde) or Online Ericsson R380 emulator!

Nokia:  WAP Toolkit

4. Limitations

1) Early WAP-clients will only accept 1400 BYTES !! This mean that:
    a) The byte coded WML page must not be larger than 1400 bytes (Rough estimation: Consider each tag name as 1 byte and each character as 1 byte)
    b) Images must not be larger than 1400 bytes.
2) WML is a more limited language than HTML, thus only a subset of HTML tags is supported by the Mobile Converter.
3) Nested table tags are not allowed, due to limitations in the WAP specifications !!!
4) Sometimes it seems like WAP-browsers will cache everything, so you have to do test all possible tricks to avoid the cache ;-)
5) Most WAP browsers does only support wbmp images and not gif or jpg images. 

5. Sales & Support

For sales or support questions refer to:

http://www.akermansoftware.com/mobileconverter/ or send email to support@akermansoftware.com.

6. Disclaimer

The Author makes no warranty, either implied or expressed, including with- out limitation any warranty with respect to this Software documented here, its quality,
performance, or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall the Author be liable to you for damages, whether direct or indirect, incidental, special, or consequential arising out the use of or any defect in the Software,  even if the Author has been advised of the possibility of such damages, or for any claim by any other party.

All other warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, are expressly excluded.
 

Appendix A. WAP HTML KIT - Supported Tags