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> The w3c seems to be run by people who make money on the web, not people who use the web. Not really. Anyone can join the W3C, and anyone can participate in a
by objclxt 9y ago
> The w3c seems to be run by people who make money on the web, not people who use the web.
Not really. Anyone can join the W3C, and anyone can participate in a working group / contribute to a standard.
However, most people would agree that the balance of power effectively lies with the browser vendors. You can propose a standard all you like, but if you can't get a browser to adopt it then it's not going to get any traction. And although it's true that some browser vendors make their money off the web (Google) others very much don't (Apple).
- gsnedders 9y ago> However, most people would agree that the balance of power effectively lies with the browser vendors It lies with two groups: the implementers (as nothing can become a standard without implementations, though there's plenty of precedent for using obscure ones!) and the W3C Members (i.e., the paying organisations who pay to get a seat; not those who contribute on mailing lists/GitHub/whatever, not those who are officially on the working groups as "invited experts") who ultimately vote on the proposed standard (and there Google has as much say as the BBC and Boeing and the University of Edinburgh.
- dmitriid 9y ago> Anyone can join the W3C, and anyone can participate in a working group / contribute to a standard. Starting at ~10 000 USD per year, sure
- gsnedders 9y agoIt's worth noting that while it costs money to join the W3C, W3C membership isn't a requirement to participate in most (maybe even all now?) WGs where you can simply join the mailing list or subscribe to the GitHub repo and contribute.
- dmitriid 9y agoHowever, if you want anything done (especially your way), you'd better be paying A LOT. See recent EME snafu