WML for Not Yet Techies

WML stands for Wireless Markup Language and WML is just what you can guess - the markup language for web sites created for wireless devices such as mobile phones and PDAs.

Wireless is a big part of the future of the Internet because it's the next step up from where we are now is accessing the Net from wherever we want to, instead of being tied down to our home or work desktop computers. This is an emerging area with a big future, so if you are interested in a computer career, you'll find a number of possibilities with WML.

At present WML is not in nearly as big a demand as HTML and XML. That will change as more people access the Internet while they are on the go, whether commuting to and from work, waiting for an airplane flight or just relaxing with the kids watching TV in the family room.

WML will not and is not intended to replace HTML and actually uses XML, which HTML is basically evolving into a merger with. It adds its own measure, because standard HTTP protocol is not efficient with wireless devices now. 

It is used for WAP content and makes optimum use of small screens. It also takes into consideration that users are navigating with one hand, and so makes that easy for them. It also includes a built-in scalability from two-line text displays to the full graphic screens on smart phones and communicators.

WML will grow in demand as more web owners realize that people are using handheld wireless devices to shop on the net, and will not want to miss out on that market.

I haven't learned or used WML myself yet, and right now I'm skeptical that enough people are using wireless devices to browse the Net for computer careers information to make learning WML and creating a wireless version of this site worth the extra work. Right now.

Wireless Markup Language is another skill and technology that Internet workers must adapt to. Although I doubt it's worth it to me now, I'm sure it will be in the future. Perhaps soon we will see a huge rush to these sites as companies hope to be among the first to capture the wireless market.

I'm sure that wireless phones will be the only Internet access available to many people in the developing world. Wireless phones are tremendously popular in Asia and parts of Europe, so I'm sure it'll be soon that they also start to use their phones to get on the Internet. Even though they won't be able to take advantage of flashy web sites and graphics, they'll send and receive email and do what shopping they can.

WML will grow as an in demand skill as more companies do jump in to serve this market, which may be bigger in potential than the wired Internet, at least for 5-10 more years.

I've been skeptical that a lot of people would use wireless sites to obtain the information available. I can see getting stock quotes and sports scores. I can see sending and receiving short email. I can't see using it to find restaurants. I mean, if you're in the middle of a certain block in a city, do you really need to get on the Internet to discover there's a McDonald's close to you? There's a McDonald's close to you nobody where you are in any city or town in America! And much of the world! OK, if you want Taco Bell you'll have to search a little.