Comments on: Next big step for the Web--or a detour?

At a San Francisco conference, the W3C tries to establish the relevance of the Semantic Web, but skeptics abound.

[Sentinel]

All about the docs...

So the W3C is busy again, huh? And oh, big news, writing more DOCUMENTS. Seems that writing documents and protocols is all they do. When will we see the first completely HTML 4 compliant browser? One which doesn't add extra tags to the standard of its own. When the W3C writes it, because propietary companies just don't follow the standard. Interesting, though, that Microsoft, known for having added a lot of extra tags and security compromising features to their browser, is a member of the W3C. I think the W3C is a small organization which claims to standarize the Internet, but is bullied by companies who insist in doing whatever they think is right. They invented XML to, precisely, allow companies to do just that: do whatever they want with the Web. Don't get me wrong, I admire Mr. Berners-Lee for his great contribution, I just think the W3C has given to much freedom to companies. This Semantic Web will be just another layer-on-top of the current World Wide Web, which companies will also mutate to their will.

W3C and proprietary extensions

Interesting and provocative post. I wonder how you would propose that the W3C respond to companies that "embrace and extend" its recommendations. When you say that the W3C has given those companies "too much freedom," what exactly do you mean, and how do you suggest the consortium could exercise authority over its paying members?

[John Kuzak]

W3C is busy

http://www.analogstereo.com/renault_scenic_owners_manual.htm

Automation is the Key

Rather than complain about those who are trying to do something positive and productive with their energy, one should contribute and assist where applicable.

From my point of view, the ability to dynamically consume services over the web based on a resource description framework is a VERY positive step forward in the evolution of the web. It is precisely this type of activity, removed from the slow mechanical process of human intervention, which will enable all of us to create the higher order operations where the true value-add can be harvested.