W3C Standardization Process

May 21, 2003

1. Resources

• http://www.w3.org/Talks/2001/0919-XML-Munich/all: W3C, XML and standardization by Bert Bos.
• ftp://ftp.rfc-editor.org/in-notes/rfc2026.txt: The Internet Standard Process using RFC (Request For Comments); used by IETF.

2. Ideas

• Comparing to open source coursewares, W3C standardization process:
  • affect many developers
  • need to be very specific to faciliate implementation issues.
  • need to be compatiable horizontally and vertically.
• The W3C standardization process is
  • formal and vigorously: decisions by voting in working group (WG).
  • time consuming: many version of working draft; last call; candidate recommendation and recommendation.
• Quality assurance in W3C standardization:
  • Working draft (WD) written by domain experts.
  • WG may have invited experts.
  • Voting of WG.
• Open courseware development cannot be and does not need to be that formal and vigorous.