mobilAP 2.0 is almost ready! Given the change in code base, it was important to start with a new major version series. mobilAP is based on the new Dashcode 3.0 framework released with Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. Although some of the visual aspects are the same, the underlying code base has been completely rewritten to take advantage of several new Dashcode features including:

- Data sources: an automated way to handle data retrieval. This significantly reduces the complexity of gathering data so more time can be spent adding application features. All of mobilAP's data gathering has been updated to use datasources.

- Bindings: you can map content from datasources to interface elements creating zero-code data elements. Many elements in mobilAP use bindings to reduce code

- Product types: Dashcode now has the ability to create mobile as well as desktop versions of web applications. The desktop version of mobilAP is now a dashcode web application

mobilAP Features

Aside from rewriting the code to take advantage of new dashcode features, there are some additional features that should make deploying mobilAP easier in more scenarios.

- Browser based setup: To ease with installation, users will not have to manually edit configuration files (presuming proper server permissions are set)

- SQLite support: In addition to supporting MySQL, mobilAP now supports saving the data in a SQLite database which eliminates the need to setup and administer a separate database.

- Self-registering users: Optionally allow users to register themselves. This is appropriate for events where you do not want to pre-register users.

- Schedule-less events: Optionally eliminate the schedule. The schedule is flattened to a single session. Great for ad-hoc uses that isn't tied to a date or time.

- JavaScript based charts: Question result charts are now drawn using JavaScript eliminating the need to have an internet connection to use google charts

Download the beta today at http://daaap.uc.edu/mobilAP

Follow updates and converse about development twitter.com/mobilAP

Please download it at http://daap.uc.edu/mobilap

Some highlights include:
- Security updates to protect against many XSS attacks
- Ability to make site content private (require login)
- Ability to turn on passwords for only administrative users or presenters
- Option to subdivide directory by first letter of last name (useful for large directories)
- Ability to customize link titles for top level items
- Many other minor improvements and fixes

A public SVN server has been created to follow development and facilitate collaboration. For more information, please visit the project website.

As always, email mobilap@daap.uc.edu for suggestions, feedback and other information.

Some of you have asked about upcoming features and releases of mobilAP. Since this is not a sponsored project, most of the work occurs when I have time and get inspiration to work. This doesn't always lend itself to a predictable schedule, but I've mostly maintained a release about once a month that incorporates the various features and fixes that have been building up. In order to assist those with planning, I have prepared a roadmap of planned features. As with any open source project, this does not constitute any guarantee, but it's better than being in the dark.

Near term (next release, before May 7)
- Security updates to protect against many XSS attacks
- Ability to make site content private (require login)
- Ability to turn on passwords for only administrative users or presenters
- Option to subdivide directory by first letter of last name (useful for large directories)
- Ability to customize link titles for top level items

Medium Term
- Clean up iPhone CSS to make it easier to customize
- Allow (limited) administration using mobile interface
- Customizable conference links (not tied to a session)
- Better schedule grouping
- AJAX for desktop site

Long Term
- modular user database (integrate with LDAP, etc)
- Possible integration with open source course management systems (please email for systems we should look at)
- Attendee communication (email etc)
- Attendee customization, profiles
- Target other mobile platforms

What we AREN'T planning on doing (at this time)
- Integration with systems that don't have web service APIs (i.e. BlackBoard)

Although there will generally be releases monthly, you can follow the development through the subversion repository

We look forward to hearing how you have used mobilAP at your event.

Please download it at http://daap.uc.edu/mobilap

Some highlights include:
- A simple, yet effective default CSS style for the non-MobileSafari site
- The ability to require and manage passwords for attendees
- A framework for managing conference settings, current settings include password requirement and attendee directory display. Other settings will be forthcoming
- The ability to turn on or off links, evaluations and discussions per session
- Support for APC cache for performance
- Support for GD image manipulation for non OS X servers
- Many bug fixes and minor UI improvements

A public SVN server has been created to follow development and facilitate collaboration. For more information, please visit the project website.

As always, email mobilap@daap.uc.edu for suggestions, feedback and other information.