W3C

The Dataset Exchange Working Group has published a First Public Working Draft of Data Catalog Vocabulary (DCAT) – Version 3, intended to supersede DCAT 2. DCAT is an RDF vocabulary designed to facilitate interoperability between data catalogs published on the Web. Version 3 extends the DCAT 2 with guidelines on Versioning and Dataset series.

The Devices and Sensors Working Group has published a First Public Working Draft of The Screen Fold API. This document specifies an API that allows web applications to request the angular value to which a device with a screen hinge is folded. Under the right conditions, and if allowed, the value representing the angle in degrees is returned.

The Web Real-Time Communications Working Group has published a Proposed Recommendation of WebRTC 1.0: Real-Time Communication Between Browsers. This document defines a set of ECMAScript APIs in WebIDL to allow media to be sent to and received from another browser or device implementing the appropriate set of real-time protocols. This specification is being developed in conjunction with a protocol specification developed by the IETF RTCWEB group and an API specification to get access to local media devices.

Comments are welcome through 15 January 2021.

The CSS Working Group invites implementation of an updated Candidate Recommendation of CSS Conditional Rules Module Level 3. This module contains the features of CSS for conditional processing of parts of style sheets, conditioned on capabilities of the processor or the document the style sheet is being applied to. It includes and extends the functionality of CSS level 2 [CSS21], which builds on CSS level 1 [CSS1]. The main extensions compared to level 2 are allowing nesting of certain at-rules inside @media, and the addition of the @supports rule for conditional processing. Comments are welcome by 15 January 2021.

The W3C Advisory Committee, having nominated nine individuals, is invited today to vote until 5 January 2021 for four seats in the W3C Technical Architecture Group (TAG) election.

The TAG is a special working group within the W3C, chartered under the W3C Process Document, with stewardship of the Web architecture. Some aspects of its mission include

• to document and build consensus around principles of Web architecture and to interpret and clarify these principles when necessary;
• to resolve issues involving general Web architecture brought to the TAG;
• to help coordinate cross-technology architecture developments inside and outside W3C.

The Web Payments Working Group invites implementation of an updated Candidate Recommendation of Payment Request API. This specification standardizes an API to allow merchants (i.e. web sites selling physical or digital goods) to utilize one or more payment methods with minimal integration. User agents (e.g., browsers) facilitate the payment flow between merchant and user. Comments are welcome by 31 December 2020.

The W3C Technical Architecture Group (TAG) has published a First Public Working Group Note of Web Platform Design Principles. This document contains a set of design principles to be used when designing Web Platform technologies. These principles have been collected during the Technical Architecture Group’s discussions in reviewing developing specifications. We encourage specification designers to read this document and use it as a resource when making design decisions.

W3C released today to the public the October 2020 edition of the W3C Strategic Highlights, our semi-annual report about the tremendous work to enhance the Web platform and innovate for its growth and strength.

The comprehensive report contains updates in key areas of the Web, illustrates how W3C meets industry needs, and gives the latest information around Web for all and outreach to the world. We also invite you to read W3C CEO’s thoughts on W3C’s 20th Technical Plenary and Advisory Committee meetings which just concluded last week.