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PRODUCT REVIEW
Using the AvantGo Server 2.11
By Jason Perlow
The original promise of the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) was of a ubiquitous miniature computer that would fulfill all of our personal information and organizational needs. But while PDA technology has greatly improved over the years, and units like the Palm organizer and Windows CE devices are now affordable by just about everyone, PDAs in general have fallen short of their original promise. That's because, although they can do much more, they're often used as no more than glorified electronic Rolodexes.
Much of the reason why PDAs haven't unleashed their true potential is because, back in the early 90's, nobody really could predict the rise of client/server technology and the Internet. Yes, PDAs are great for storing our email, personal notes, and contacts, but do they actually deliver desirable information to us? The answer unfortunately, is a resounding no. That's where AvantGo Server 2.11 comes in.
Mobile devices for the enterprise
AvantGo has been one of the true pioneers in bringing Web technology to the PDA. In the January 1999 issue of PalmPower, our sister publication, we awarded AvantGo Web to Go Client 1.1 Software Product of the Year honors. What did we think was so cool about it? In short, the AvantGo client allows you to store and browse Web pages on both the Palm organizer and Windows CE devices (some of which, like the small-screened Palm device, arguably aren't ideal platforms for viewing Web pages). The way you do this is to subscribe to AvantGo Channels. Content providers (i.e., Web site operators) create these channels. These, then, you can view optimized within the AvantGo browser, shown in Figure A.
FIGURE A
 
Using AvantGo, you can browse popular Web sites, like TV Guide. Now get back to work. Roll over picture for a larger image.
AvantGo channels work somewhat like how Mobile Channels work on Windows CE palm-sized devices, with the exception that the desktop software that works with the AvantGo browser can sync any HTML 3.2 compliant Web page with the handheld unit. Mobile Channels require special files written in Microsoft's CDF format.
AvantGo 2.11 represents quite an improvement in enabling Web and client/server technology for PDAs. For starters, the software now supports Windows CE palm-sized PC's and H/PC's. Where the Web to Go desktop (AvantGo 1.1) has been marketed towards the personal and end-user, AvantGo 2.11 is positioned toward the corporate and enterprise environment. At $15,000 for the server software and $15,000 for 100 client licenses, it's not something your average home user will consider implementing themselves -- but you can expect some interesting announcements from third parties providing low-cost Internet-based services using the AvantGo server technology in the near future.
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