Wireless Academic Library

Nancy R. John

University of Illinois at Chicago

nrj@uic.edu

Wireless Technology is all around us

• In our homes– TV, VCR, camera, entry systems, credit cards,

toys

• In our cars– Keyless entry, gasoline purchases, phones

• In the work place– Pc, LANs, wireless mice

Kinds of wireless technology

• Radio

• Light/laser/infrared

• Cellular

• Analog/Digital

Standards

• Licenses

• Frequencies

• 802.11

So what does this mean for the library?

• Untethered devices

• New opportunities

• Lower costs

Some applications:

• Networking the unwireable

• Portable classroom

• Un-wired patrons

• Personalized services

Classroom on a

cart

Computers in resting mode

Computers wired

Computers untethered

Laptop service

• 25 laptops

• Loaned in the building

• 2 hour loan period

• Full Internet Services

Storage

Issues

• Support

• Control

• Procedures

• Features

Wireless Access Protocol

• What is it? The protocol for wireless communication

• How does it work?

• What is it used for?

• Issues– Multiple platforms– Speed

Handheld Device Markup Language

• What is it?

• How does it work

• What is it used for?

• Issues– Complex– Accessible to a WAP device only

Wireless Markup Language

• What is it?

• How does it work

• What is it used for?

• Issues– Strict language– Can be embedded in HTML pages

Web clippings or shrunken webs

• PDAs vs phones vs handheldsVGA 640x480

Psion/Jornada 640x320

Pocket PC 240x320

Palm

Mobile phone

160x160

96x64

Some examples

Issues with the technology

• Standards

• Support

• Interoperability

• Physical issues

• New way of thinking