W3C

The CSV on the Web Working Group has published a Candidate Recommendation for two documents:

• Web Annotation Data Model: This specification describes a structured model and format, in JSON, to enable annotations to be shared and reused across different hardware and software platforms. Common use cases can be modeled in a manner that is simple and convenient, while at the same time enabling more complex requirements, including linking arbitrary content to a particular data point or to segments of timed multimedia resources.
• Web Annotation Vocabulary: This specifies the set of RDF classes, predicates and named entities that are used by the Web Annotation Data Model. It also lists recommended terms from other ontologies that are used in the model, and provides the JSON-LD Context and profile definitions needed to use the Web Annotation JSON serialization in a Linked Data context.

Candidate Recommendation means that the Working Group considers the technical design to be complete, and is seeking implementation feedback on the documents. There is a separate document on how to use them and report on implementation results. The group is keen to get comments and implementation experiences on these specifications, either as issues on the Group’s GitHub repository or by posting to public-annotation@w3.org.

The group expects to satisfy the implementation goals (i.e., at least two, independent implementation for each of the test cases) by September 30, 2016.

The Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) Working Group has published a Working Draft of CSS Color Module Level 4. This specification describes CSS color values and properties for foreground color and group opacity. It also describes in detail the CSS color value type and describes CSS properties which allow authors to specify the foreground color and opacity of the text content of an element. It not only defines the color-related properties and values that already exist in CSS1 and CSS2, but also defines new properties and values.

The HTML Media Extensions Working Group invites implementation of the Candidate Recommendation of two documents:

• Media Source Extensions: This specification extends HTMLMediaElement (HTML51) to allow JavaScript to generate media streams for playback. Allowing JavaScript to generate streams facilitates a variety of use cases like adaptive streaming and time shifting live streams.
• Encrypted Media Extensions: This proposal extends HTMLMediaElement (HTML5) providing APIs to control playback of encrypted content.

The Web Platform Working Group invites implementation of the Candidate Recommendation of Pointer Lock. This specification defines an API that provides scripted access to raw mouse movement data while locking the target of mouse events to a single element and removing the cursor from view. This is an essential input mode for certain classes of applications, especially first person perspective 3D applications and 3D modeling software.

W3C announced today Web & Virtual Reality Workshop, 19-20 October 2016, in Mountain View, CA, USA. The event is hosted by Samsung.

The combination of improvements in hardware and software capabilities have brought lots of renewed interest in virtual reality experiences. Many of these improved capabilities are available in modern browsers via the Open Web Platform, and thus make the Web a promising ecosystem to create, distribute and enjoy virtual reality applications and services.

W3C is organizing the workshop to look at the intersection of Web and Virtual Reality technologies. The workshop aims at enabling sharing experiences between practitioners of the field, discuss existing gaps in the Web platform that make some Virtual Reality use cases difficult or impossible in browsers today, and explore what future standards are needed to pave the way for the Web to be one of the major VR platforms.

Expected topics of the Workshop include:

• displaying stereoscopic content
• detecting & adapting to characteristics of VR headsets
• handling new input methods for VR (gamepad, hand position, etc.)
• accessible user interfaces and interoperability considerations across VR applications
• innovative VR applications that provide novel accessibility supports
• 3D audio
• 3D media synchronization
• declarative 3D scenes
• interoperable formats and codecs for 3D and 360 content
• displaying and interacting with 360 video and images from HTML
• bringing VR as progressive enhancement to classic Web browsing
• 3D video capture (3D camera) and processing (e.g. scene perception)
• streaming 3D/360 content, streaming real-time 3D content
• obstacles to high framerate rendering of 3D

The event is open to all; position statements or expression of interests will be required to participate, due by 16 September 2016.

Today, W3Cx re-opens registration for the HTML5 Part 2 MOOC course which focuses on advanced features such as HTML5-based APIs, Web components, advanced multimedia, audio for music and games, and more. Taught by Michel Buffa, Professor at the University of Côte d’Azur, the course lasts 4 weeks. This course completes the HTML5 from W3C XSeries, after the HTML5 Introduction and HTML5 Part 1 courses that were held for the past 2 months.

The HTML5 Part 2 course allows Web developers and designers to sharpen their design skills through numerous interactive exercises and practical assignments. Read this course’s great reviews, its description and register. Learn lots and have fun!

W3C announced today W3C China 10th Anniversary, held on 9 July 2016, in Beijing; hosted by W3C/Beihang, which opened as the W3C China Office in 2006, and became the fourth Host of W3C in 2013–a new center for W3C technical staff and leadership activities in China.

A number of developers, W3C members, invited experts from Academia and Industry, and W3C team representatives will be present at this one-day event, which consists of three sessions: Core Web Technologies, Future of the Web and Web & Industry, involving the topics of Web design, WebAPP, Blockchain, Virtual Reality, Accessibility, Knowledge Graph, Web Payments, Web of Things, Web Automotive, Linked Data, etc.

W3C membership is not required to participate. The event is free and open to all, subject to registration and the capacity of the venue. Interpretation and translation between English and Chinese will be available if needed. Registration will be required to participate, due by 5 July 2016

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