Dynamic Markup Language Conversion for Improved WAP Network Architecture and Performance

The wireless web introduces new flexibility for World Wide Web users and service providers. Users can browse the web with a WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) enabled device such as a cellular phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)., while service providers can make their services available anytime and anywhere by exploiting the wireless features of the protocol. Moreover, service providers can also make their services available at all times with the proliferation of the internet enabled handheld devices. However, although WAP promises to provide anytime, anywhere flexibility, there are fundamental problems with the new technology facing service providers and users. One significant issue is the transition to the wireless web. For the user, WAP is too slow and browsing is not efficient. Moreover, for the service provider and internet businesses, transitioning their websites to the wireless domain is not very efficient either, for WAP introduces a new markup language, and has various limitations. In this thesis, develop various applications for improving the wireless experience for service providers and users. I introduce a solution for dynamic, on-the-fly conversion of a website for improved network performance, a tool for converting and managing a complete website to the wireless domain, and finally, a method to exploit caching of developed wireless sites also for improved network performance. Thesis Supervisor: Kai-Yeung Siu Title: Associate Professor 2