What Is W3C?
W3C is an abbreviation for the World Wide Web Consortium which, according to its website, is a standards organization focused on "developing protocols and guidelines that ensure the long-term growth of the Web." In other words, they present standardized practices and protocols on an international level which organizations can adopt for their own uses.
With organizations all over the world using the Internet, different standards can develop based on the preferences of a company, a country, or a culture. While not mandated by law to be adopted, W3C creates sets of standards which organizations can accept and implement into their own practices.
As the organization works to ensure new standards are adopted among various industries, its 322 members give input on details that may need to be considered. For instance, years ago there was no standard version for HTML; different groups would use different versions. However, W3C was able to bring these different organizations together to agree on pertinent details that could be adopted by anyone.
The principle behind this is important. The Internet has been one of the greatest tools in the history of man to bring people together. It can connect people instantly and allow them to share information and experiences even if they're a world apart. However, without a way to standardize aspects of the World Wide Web, it could potentially drive groups of people apart - as differing ideas and practices emerged - having the opposite effect that it has now.
As mentioned, there's no mandate to adopt these standards, but W3C 322 members (including businesses, nonprofits, governments, universities, and individuals) have pledged their loyalty and more continue to do so. As these practices are standardized across the world, more and more people will be able to connect and interact without having to worry about slight discrepancies in practice or protocol. Groups from more than 20 countries are involved with W3C, ensuring varied input and opinion.
Unlike other standards bodies, there is no certification program associated with W3C. Manufacturers can choose to follow the recommendations and the extent to which they want to implement them. However, in order to be labeled as W3C-compliant they must meet all the pertinent criteria.
Hopefully W3C can continue to develop standard practices that various worldwide organizations are willing to adopt and implement. With the Internet becoming more and more ubiquitous, the potential for divergent ideas and practices becomes greater. While there's nothing wrong with innovation and new ideas, if technologies drift too far apart it can inhibit the Internet's ability to perform its function. But with organizations like W3C - and, perhaps more importantly, a diverse group of members each representing different ideas and innovations - the Internet can continue bringing people together.
Scott Spjut is a writer and editor who has been featured in various magazines, newspapers and websites, including Newsweek, the Washington Post, CBS News and the Las Vegas Review-Journal. With a B.A. in Communications, he continues to write on a wealth of topics - politics, health and fitness, business, marketing and more. Scott currently works with Professional Marketing International helping people change their lives.
With organizations all over the world using the Internet, different standards can develop based on the preferences of a company, a country, or a culture. While not mandated by law to be adopted, W3C creates sets of standards which organizations can accept and implement into their own practices.
As the organization works to ensure new standards are adopted among various industries, its 322 members give input on details that may need to be considered. For instance, years ago there was no standard version for HTML; different groups would use different versions. However, W3C was able to bring these different organizations together to agree on pertinent details that could be adopted by anyone.
The principle behind this is important. The Internet has been one of the greatest tools in the history of man to bring people together. It can connect people instantly and allow them to share information and experiences even if they're a world apart. However, without a way to standardize aspects of the World Wide Web, it could potentially drive groups of people apart - as differing ideas and practices emerged - having the opposite effect that it has now.
As mentioned, there's no mandate to adopt these standards, but W3C 322 members (including businesses, nonprofits, governments, universities, and individuals) have pledged their loyalty and more continue to do so. As these practices are standardized across the world, more and more people will be able to connect and interact without having to worry about slight discrepancies in practice or protocol. Groups from more than 20 countries are involved with W3C, ensuring varied input and opinion.
Unlike other standards bodies, there is no certification program associated with W3C. Manufacturers can choose to follow the recommendations and the extent to which they want to implement them. However, in order to be labeled as W3C-compliant they must meet all the pertinent criteria.
Hopefully W3C can continue to develop standard practices that various worldwide organizations are willing to adopt and implement. With the Internet becoming more and more ubiquitous, the potential for divergent ideas and practices becomes greater. While there's nothing wrong with innovation and new ideas, if technologies drift too far apart it can inhibit the Internet's ability to perform its function. But with organizations like W3C - and, perhaps more importantly, a diverse group of members each representing different ideas and innovations - the Internet can continue bringing people together.
Scott Spjut is a writer and editor who has been featured in various magazines, newspapers and websites, including Newsweek, the Washington Post, CBS News and the Las Vegas Review-Journal. With a B.A. in Communications, he continues to write on a wealth of topics - politics, health and fitness, business, marketing and more. Scott currently works with Professional Marketing International helping people change their lives.
0 Response to "What Is W3C?"
Post a Comment