xTask-adaptable working environment

Abstract

Traditional web-based learning environments are all good solutions to reach the time and place independent studying, but studying is still dependent on place with access to network. With new mobile technologies we can create the training environment, which can be accessed by mobile terminals (PDAs such as Compaq iPaq or WAP phones) and PCs. This paper describes a study for which the aim was to implement a mobile environment, xTask, for teaching and training. The xTask can be accessed by PCs or PDAs and it is built over free software platforms (such as Apache web-server, ActivePerl programming interface and MySql database). Free software platforms are utilized to make it possible for anyone to use xTask after the main parts of the software are published at the end of 2002 under GPL license.