eLib Technical Issues Concertation Day: Mobile Code and VRML

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eLib Technical Issues Concertation DayMobile
Code and VRML

• Brian Kelly
• UK Web Focus
• UKOLN, University of Bath, Bath
• B.Kelly_at_ukoln.ac.uk
• http//www.ukoln.ac.uk/

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Contents

• Mobile Code
• CGI
• Java
• ActiveX
• VRML
• Issues

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Mobile Code

• CGI Model
• Common Gateway Interface
• Run software on server
• Output (virtual or dynamic document) delivered to
  client
• Mobile Code
• Download code from server and run on client
  computer
• Examples include Java and SafeTCL
• Security is a big issue

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Java
http//java.sun.com81/nav/used/metamedia.html?

• Java is Suns implementation of mobile code
• Security built-in (runs on virtual machine)
• Support from major manufacturers (Sun, Netscape,
  Microsoft, IBM, )
• Not for the novice programmer

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ActiveX

• ActiveX is Microsofts implementation of mobile
  code

• A framework for integration, not a programming
  language
• Developed from Microsofts OLE desktop model
• Security based on digital signatures

http//www.microsoft.com/activex/gallery/
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ActiveX Example

• ActiveX contols can be written in Java.
• Here the Future-Tense Texture ActiveX control
  gives contol over the layout, as well as
  restricting access to the document source

http//www.futuretense.com/texture/gallery/Gazette
/Gazette.html
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VRML

• VRML
• Virtual Reality Model(l)ing Language
• Brings 3D worlds to WWW
• VRML specifications
• VRML 1.0 - Simple spec, produced quickly. Based
  on SG Inventor
• VRML 2.0 - Provides interaction
• Voting on VRML 2.0 proposals, followed by
  agreement

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VRML Example

• VRML browsers are now bundled in with Netscape
  and Microsoft Explorer browsers

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Further Information
See also resources athttp//www.yahoo.com/

• Java
• http//java.sun.com/
• http//www.jars.com/
• http//www.gamelan.com/
• ActiveX
• http//www.microsoft.com/activex/
• http//www.activex.com/
• VRML
• http//vrml.wired.com/
• http//www.sdsc.edu/vrml/

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Issues

• Issues which WWW developers will have to address
  include
• Is VRML relevant to my project?
• Which architecture of mobile code to use?
• Deployment of new features (e.g. Java support,
  VRML support)