W3C

The W3C Mobile Web 2: Programming Applications online course is back! Now open for registration and to start on 13 January 2014, this course covers all techniques for programming successful mobile Web applications that can ship both online and in application stores. You will have access to high quality content material, be trained by a first-class expert, and learn step by step. Register before 25 December 2013 to benefit from the early bird rate. Learn more about W3DevCampus, the W3C online training for Web developers.

The Web Applications (WebApps) Working Group has published today a Proposed Recommendation of Progress Events. The specification defines an event interface that can be used for measuring progress; e.g. HTTP entity body transfers. This specification is primarily meant to be used by other specifications. The deadline for review and comments is 17 January 2014. Learn more about the Rich Web Clients Activity.

The XSLT Working Group has published today a Last Call Working Draft of XSL Transformations (XSLT) Version 3.0. This specification defines the syntax and semantics of XSLT 3.0, a language for transforming XML documents into other XML documents. A transformation in the XSLT language is expressed in the form of a stylesheet, whose syntax is well-formed XML. Comments are welcome by 10 February 2014. Learn more about the Extensible Markup Language (XML) Activity.

Today W3C launched a new Data Activity to lead the Web to a new level of data interoperability. The Activity includes two new groups:

• CSV on the Web Working Group, whose mission is to provide technologies whereby data dependent applications on the Web can provide higher interoperability when working with datasets using the CSV (Comma-Separated Values) or similar formats.
• Data on the Web Best Practices Working Group, whose mission is (1) to develop the open data ecosystem, facilitating better communication between developers and publishers; (2) to provide guidance to publishers that will improve consistency in the way data is managed, thus promoting the re-use of data; (3) to foster trust in the data among developers, whatever technology they choose to use, increasing the potential for genuine innovation.

The Data Activity subsumes and expands upon the work done in the Semantic Web and eGovernment Activities. W3C will continue to complete and enhance the Semantic Web in the light of growing real-world experience and demands.

Learn more about the Data Activity.

W3C is pleased to announce new leadership for the following activities:

• Wendy Seltzer will be the Technology and Society Domain Lead, focused on Privacy, Security, and potential work around Social Web and Digital Marketing. Wendy will also continue her legal and policy work.
• Ralph Swick will be the Information and Knowledge Domain Lead, focused on data, semantic web technologies, digital publishing, and XML. Ralph will also continue as W3C’s Chief Operating Officer.

Read about W3C’s Activities, and Management Team.

W3C announced a Fourth W3C Web and TV Workshop: Web and TV Convergence, 12-13 March 2014, in Munich, Germany. The Workshop is hosted by IRT.

The TV ecosystem is seeing large changes in terms of consumer behavior, creator demographics and technical capabilities. The effect on companies and organizations is profound leading to individual and collaborative efforts to turn challenges into opportunities. Since 2010, three W3C workshops have been held accompanied by active work in the Web and TV Interest Group as well as other related groups. As the next generation of challenges arise, this workshop aims to assist market players in two main areas:

1. Identifying the priorities for Web and television convergence and advising W3C on where to focus its efforts;
2. Strengthening cooperation between those involved in the development of standards to avoid confusion and duplication of work.

Based on the success of previous similar workshops, we anticipate participation from broadcast and media companies, browser and software vendors (including embedded browsers), cable operators, content developers and providers, IPTV providers, multiple-system operators (MSOs), network providers and telecommunications companies, service vendors of cloud computing, standardization organizations related to Web and TV, television operators (broadcast, cable, satellite) and VOD operators. We intend the workshop to benefit the global media audience by resulting in such developments as new standardization work, best practices and renewed commitments.

W3C membership is not required to participate. The event is open to all, but all participants are required to submit a position paper or statement of interest by 3 February 2014.