Presentation By: Lindsay McCollum Jenna Larsen Joe Soukup

What is the W3C? The W3C is an international consortium run by a full time staff of 67 people, W3C members, and the public. The W3C is an international consortium run by a full time staff of 67 people, W3C members, and the public. The people of the W3C work together to develop protocols, guidelines and standards for the World Wide Web. The people of the W3C work together to develop protocols, guidelines and standards for the World Wide Web. W3C also is involved in education outreach, software development and is an open forum for discussion about the World Wide Web. W3C also is involved in education outreach, software development and is an open forum for discussion about the World Wide Web.

Mission Statement "To lead the World Wide Web to its full potential by developing protocols and guidelines that ensure long-term growth for the Web". "To lead the World Wide Web to its full potential by developing protocols and guidelines that ensure long-term growth for the Web".

An International Consortium IRCIM (France) IRCIM (France) European Research Consortium for Informatics and MathematicsEuropean Research Consortium for Informatics and Mathematics MIT/CSAIL (USA) MIT/CSAIL (USA) Keio University (Japan) Keio University (Japan) is the Asian host for the W3C. is the Asian host for the W3C.

In the beginning… There was no such thing as the web There was no such thing as the web Computers were not globally connected Computers were not globally connected There were no set standards for how the internet would connect or work There were no set standards for how the internet would connect or work

Tim Berners-Lee (founder) Tim invented the World Wide Web while working at CERN, in Geneva, Switzerland. Tim invented the World Wide Web while working at CERN, in Geneva, Switzerland. He wrote the first WWW client, and the first WWW server. He wrote the first WWW client, and the first WWW server. He also wrote most of the communications software defining URLs, HTTP, and HTML He also wrote most of the communications software defining URLs, HTTP, and HTML

Why Tim Created W3C Wanted the internet to be Open Wanted the internet to be Open To deter companies from licensing standardsTo deter companies from licensing standards To share informationTo share information Created shared Protocols and Standards Created shared Protocols and Standards Language– HTMLLanguage– HTML Protocol– HTTPProtocol– HTTP Software– Web ServerSoftware– Web Server Tim wanted the internet to work like Apple’s HyperCard files where all the cards were linked together Tim wanted the internet to work like Apple’s HyperCard files where all the cards were linked together By linking all internet pages together, Tim created what we today call the Web.By linking all internet pages together, Tim created what we today call the Web.

However… Fears surfaced that companies would start licensing their own standards and protocols creating a monopoly Fears surfaced that companies would start licensing their own standards and protocols creating a monopoly

Why we need W3C Creates open standard for us so we don’t have to pay or sign a license to use the internet Creates open standard for us so we don’t have to pay or sign a license to use the internet We gain knowledge and value by sharing information for free We gain knowledge and value by sharing information for free The internet is a community where everyone is using the same standards and protocols making it easy to use The internet is a community where everyone is using the same standards and protocols making it easy to use

How Many Members are in the W3C? Over 405 members Over 405 members Members include: Adobe systems, Members include: Adobe systems, Cisco Systems, Google, IBM, Microsoft, Cisco Systems, Google, IBM, Microsoft, Yahoo, Xerox, etc., Yahoo, Xerox, etc.,

Why should companies become a member? 3 Main Reasons

1. Leadership - Technical influence over standards - Provide strategic direction of web - Extend your international outreach - Extend your international outreach

2. Promote Innovation - Introduce new ideas - Recognition of your organization’s contributions to the web contributions to the web - Ensures web standards can be implemented royalty-free implemented royalty-free

3. Early insight - Implement standards ahead of the market - Help to coordinate technology development - Allows access to information on emerging technologies, markets, and priorities

Who Can Join the W3C? *Anyone can join* Recommended for companies who: Invest significant resources into Web technologies Invest significant resources into Web technologies Use Web technologies as an enabling medium for your company Use Web technologies as an enabling medium for your company Develop products based on W3C specifications Develop products based on W3C specifications

How can you become a member? Three basic steps 1. Complete the application 2. W3C then reviews your application 3. If accepted, you then sign a contract agreement contract agreement

How much does it cost to become a member? Costs varies by Country, and organizational type For the US: Organization Type in United States (country category HIC)country categoryAnnual Fee for Memberships Starting For-profit organization that has annual gross revenue, as measured by the most recent audited statement, of greater than or equal to 200,000,000 USD. 63,500 USD For-profit organization that has annual gross revenue, as measured by the most recent audited statement, of greater than or equal to 50,000,000 USD and less than 200,000,000 USD. 25,400 USD All other organizations, including not-profit organizations and government agencies. 6,350 USD

Open Standards Called open standards because they can be customized, edited and used by anyone for free (similar to Linux). Called open standards because they can be customized, edited and used by anyone for free (similar to Linux). Standards are implemented to enhance the interoperability of the web and its components. Standards are implemented to enhance the interoperability of the web and its components. They ensure that all web technologies are compatible with one another. They ensure that all web technologies are compatible with one another. Since 1994, W3C has published more than 90 open standards (e.g. HTML and HTTP). Since 1994, W3C has published more than 90 open standards (e.g. HTML and HTTP).

How does a company submit its idea to become a standard? Idea from company or individual is submitted to W3C members and director for recommendation. Idea from company or individual is submitted to W3C members and director for recommendation. After idea is recommended, it gets tested for technical soundness and implement ability. After idea is recommended, it gets tested for technical soundness and implement ability. If it passes, goes to Advisory Committee for final approval and gets implemented as a working draft. If it passes, goes to Advisory Committee for final approval and gets implemented as a working draft.

How does a company submit its idea to become a standard? Working Drafts get submitted as Request for Comments (RFCs) as well as a version number. Working Drafts get submitted as Request for Comments (RFCs) as well as a version number. People can comment on itPeople can comment on it Working drafts may be updated, replaced or obsolete at any time. Working drafts may be updated, replaced or obsolete at any time.

Regulating the process W3C Advisory board- governs W3C’s operations and describes the process that they follow. Also provides guidance on issues of strategy, management, legal matters, process and conflict resolution. W3C Advisory board- governs W3C’s operations and describes the process that they follow. Also provides guidance on issues of strategy, management, legal matters, process and conflict resolution. W3C- Patent Policy- Is designed to: W3C- Patent Policy- Is designed to: Facilitate recommendations.Facilitate recommendations. Promote implementation on a royalty-free basis.Promote implementation on a royalty-free basis. Address issues related to patents (e.g. outdated technology).Address issues related to patents (e.g. outdated technology).

3 Points to Remember W3C is here to protect us from monopolies W3C is here to protect us from monopolies Enables web users to have set web standards and protocols to follow Enables web users to have set web standards and protocols to follow W3C enables the world to act as a community and share information freely W3C enables the world to act as a community and share information freely

QUESTIONS?