Mobile Web Server - resources and links

I've been getting quite a bit of traffic on my mobile website the past couple of days! It's interesting when I see the traffic statistics... I know when someone is loading my gallery page when it jumps up by a bunch. And the idle time gets reset to zero quite frequently. And then there's the occasional picture request (yeah I switched from running the MWS on the E62 to N95). Btw if you don't get a response, please try at least one more time. I could have the camera lens shutter closed or something. And since I'm kinda camera shy, you'll probably get a pic of my surroundings: my desk, my dashboard. my room... depending on where I am. But so far nobody has specifically asked for a pic of me anyway!

If only I can log where the hits and requests are coming from, which shouldn't be too difficult given the development tools available. Check out Forum Nokia's Mobile Web Server page. You can find a bunch of documents and guides to get you started; the MWS S60 SDK Plug-in (based on apache and python) you can use to create your own content and services for the MWS; as well as links to wikis, discussion boards and other resources.

All these things you can do with the current install of the application (access to calendar and gallery, send SMS, take a picture, host a blog etc.) - while interesting and fun - is not what the Mobile Web Server is ultimately about. The true potential lies in the fact that now, our mobile devices are no longer passive consumers of content and information from other servers and sites. Instead, they can now play the roles of service and content providers.

It's not even about serving stuff to the whole internet (especially given present limitations of bandwidth, cpu and battery life). I imagine most use cases to be between a select group of people - family and close friends. Checking each others calendar to schedule a get-together. Snapping a picture of the surroundings to see where I've (mis)placed my phone. Taking a peek at my co-worker's playlist to see what he's tapping his foot to without disturbing him. And finally not feeling too lost without my phone if I leave it at home (or at a friend's place after a long night of partying... not that I do that a lot) -- as I can check for missed calls and messages, set up automatic sms reply for callers to reach me at an alternate number, and still have access to my contacts and calendar so I won't miss my appointments.

I could go on... but there are also many great write-ups on the MWS technology in the blogosphere that deserves a read. Enjoy them while I go fiddle with my mobile site...

• Harri: MWS and mobile applications for families
• Tommi: Is that a Web Server in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?
• Rafe: Previewing Nokia's Mobile Web Server
• Darla: A Look Into Nokia's Mobile Webserver
• Darla: Customizing Your Mobile Web Server Template
• Stefan: Put on a sombrero because the bright minds at Nokia are shining
• Stefan: Nokia launches Mobile Web Server for S60
• Ricky: Nokia Mobile Web Server - Useful?