2.1 How can I serve custom content for different devices?

We send up several HTTP headers that include information such as screen size, device OS, and bit depth. The information in these headers is Base64-encoded, so you need to grab our HTTP headers, decode their values, and then use that information to serve up custom content.

Uh... I have no idea what you just said.

Not to worry. Check out Using AvantGo Client HTTP request headers to customize content.

2.2 How do I minimize the load on my server?

Perhaps the best way to minimize your channel's impact on your server is to set it up for caching. The longer your pages and page elements are set to cache, the less often our server will hit yours with requests for fresh content. If you have not already, please see CHAPTER 5. Caching to improve channel performance.

Another way to minimize load on your server is to check your channel pages for links to pages that are not handheld friendly (for example, your main website). These leaks cause our server to crawl pages that are not optimized for display on mobile devices and to download large images, flash animations, java applets, and other elements that can result in greater load on your server and longer sync times for your subscribers. Such leaks may also cause your channel to exceed your maximum channel size.

2.3 What is PODS?

PODS is a custom server. It allows you to create some logic on the device so you can create more of an interactive session on the mobile device without waiting for the user to sync.

2.4 Can I write my own PODS for my site?

PODS are only for Enterprise applications. Your employees might not mind if you replace their AvantGo PODS with your own custom ones, but we cannot have 10 different channels all trying to put 10 different PODS on the general public's mobile devices.

We are looking at solutions for allowing you to add your own PODS extensions, although more likely we will create our own PODS to provide on-device logic that many channels can take advantage of. An example of this would be the ability to enable a user to add to his or her calendar an event you are promoting. Or we will just provide enough JavaScript functionality that you will not need PODS anymore.

2.5 Can I write plug-ins for the AvantGo Client browser?

Not at this time. We do not currently have a plug-in system for the AvantGo Client browser beyond the PODS infrastructure.