Beginning Webservice with Joomla - Joomla! Forum - community, help and support

i new joomla 2.5. need design application used stb(set top box) or tv application. possible use below features joomla 2.5 ?

1. authenticate users credentials passed stb or tv via post method.
2. calling webservices after authentication, custom string format needs return instead of json or xml.
3. possible host file encryption developed administrator component ?
any ideas? beginners book joomla 2.5 ?

thanks

[mod note: moved general forum 2.5 code forum;]