Unlike Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) which was designed to display data, Extensible Markup Language (XML) was created to store, swap, and transmit information. XML greatly reduces the inadequacies of exchanging data freely between mismatched systems. XML information can be read by many different types of applications. When using XML, users are able to define their own tags and a Document Type Definition (DTD) to describe the data. XML files are text files so they can easily be used to share and store data. XML is not dependent on software or hardware, so it can be made easily readable by applications other than HTML browsers. The wireless markup language (WML) is based on XML and is used on most portable phones and personal digital assistants. The beauty of XML is that applications need no conversion utilities to read XML, which makes it much easier to share and request information. XML is quickly becoming the tool of choice for information communication and management.
Filemaker, which is a subsidiary of Apple Computer, is a software program that is using XML for some neat next generation applications. You can read more about this at:
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/business/technology/personal_technology/4155044.htm.
Netomat Markup Language (NML), designed as a simple markup language, is based upon XML and Java, but targeted towards multimedia use. The language is meant to provide an alternative to HTML and Flash. According to the creator, Maciej Wisniewski, this software will allow users to create “compelling, interactive and instantly updateable rich media experiences.” Users can then communicate and distribute the results via e-mail, instant messaging, or the Internet. Maciej has created this program to be user friendly so that artists will have an easier time sharing their works digitally with others without having to learn several different languages. Since most communication is in text, Netomat helps users easily send pictures and multimedia to others across the globe. Users, who communicate using low bandwidth, plus the fact that Netomat is proprietary software, could hurt Netomat from succeeding financially.
Unfortunately, one more problem with the 802.11b protocol is that there are
many wireless networks that can be hacked easily by enterprising students or
others, because technology officers within schools and businesses have failed
to add any security to the wireless infrastructure. Without security, the wireless
transmissions can be intercepted by anyone with a little tech savvy. One security
measure that is currently built into most Wi-Fi routers and access points is
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). WEP is a method of encrypting data over a wireless
network usually called 40 or 64 bit encryption. A new standard is emerging that
will provide greater security to wireless users called Wi-Fi Protected Access
(WPA). WPA adds temporal key integrity protocol (TKIP) which not only encrypts
data, but scrambles the transmission using advanced algorithms and also provides
integrity checking to ensure the data has not been tampered with.
"VoiceXML is a variation of Extensible Markup Language, which serves as something of a universal translator, tagging data so that different computers know how to process or present it. In the case of VoiceXML, it's a matter of translating dialogue between humans and computers." Brian Robinson, Federal Computer Week, March 18, 2002