First Public Working Draft: Web Locks API

 The Web Applications Working Group has published a First Public Working Draft of Web Locks API. This document defines a web platform API that allows script to asynchronously acquire a lock over a resource, hold it while work is performed, then release it. While held, no other script in the origin can acquire a lock over the same resource. This allows contexts (windows, workers) within a web application to coordinate the usage of resources.

W3C Invites Implementations of WAI-Adapt: Symbols Module

 The Accessible Platform Architectures (APA) WAI-Adapt Task Force (WAI-Adapt) invites implementation and welcomes comment on the Candidate Recommendation of the WAI-Adapt: Symbols Module. The purpose of this specification is to support Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) symbols in web content. Millions of users comprehend AAC symbols better than standard text, but there are multiple AAC symbol sets and they are not mutually comprehensible. To solve this issue and make it possible for content creators to support AAC users in web content, this specification defines the appropriate use of Blissymbolics Communication International (BCI) concept indexing as specified by the W3C Alternative and Augmented Communication (AAC) Symbol Registry in web content, provided guidance on associating an appropriate BCI index value with a span of text corresponding to the defined concept expressed as standard text, and it is anticipated that user agents will display the corresponding AAC symbol from the user’s preferred symbol set by allowing the user to configure for their preferred AAC symbol set and cache that symbol set locally. Please send comments by 28 February 2023.

W3C Board of Directors successfully brokered MIT Asset Transfer Agreement

 Following its formation on 20 October, the W3C Board of Directors is pleased to have reached an agreement with MIT that transfers assets at MIT to World Wide Web Consortium, Inc. The Web Consortium continues its mission to lead the web to its full potential by developing standards for an open and equitable web.

We are very pleased with the completion of this critical milestone in the World Wide Web Consortium’s transition to its own legal entity, set to launch in January 2023. More information will be available from our website in January.

First Public Working Draft: Compute Pressure Level 1

 The Devices and Sensors Working Group has published a First Public Working Draft of Compute Pressure Level 1. This specification provides a way for websites to react to changes in the CPU pressure of the target device, such that websites can trade off resources for an improved user experience. The Level 1 version of the specification supports CPU pressure source type. The specification is extensible with additional pressure source types such as GPU, power and memory in a possible future version of this specification.

Dr. Jeffrey Jaffe steps down as W3C CEO; Ralph Swick appointed Interim CEO

 

After serving as W3C Chief Executive Officer for 12 years, Dr. Jeffrey Jaffe stepped down. From March 2010 till December 2022, Jeff led the Consortium with purpose and skills informed by several different careers as a researcher, manager, and executive, for a succession of organizations. He was responsible for all of W3C’s global operations, for maintaining the interests of all of W3C’s stakeholders, and for sustaining a culture of cooperation and transparency, so that W3C continues to be the leading forum for the technical development and stewardship of the Web.

Jeff’s three-pronged strategic focus on participation, potential of the web and Member value led to key successes such as increasing participation by a factor of 10, growing our global footprint, a stronger technical agenda, agility in our W3C Process, addressing industry and societal needs, member growth, and some progress on inclusion and diversity.

Jeff noted “This work has enhanced the web, whose role as the center of modern infrastructure only gains in importance over time. The web’s essential role during the COVID-19 pandemic punctuated the criticality of the web and of our work.“

Jeff was a critical force in the World Wide Web Consortium’s transition to its own legal entity, set to launch in January 2023.

Ralph Swick has agreed to be Interim CEO until a permanent CEO is named by the Board of Directors which initiated critical functions of W3C Inc. starting in October 2022. Ralph who joined W3C in January 1997 to work on privacy, semantic web and RDF, is W3C’s Chief Operating Officer since 2010 and previously acted as Interim CEO in June 2009.

Farewell and best wishes to Jeff!