Vision should make a positive statement of how the Web should evolve

[jyasskin]

The W3C’s Vision for the World Wide Web section contains 4 points that mostly describe ways to "not mess up", with no pointers toward what we should be trying to do.

We should work toward having a W3C-wide positive vision for the web, but I think it's ok to publish this version (consensus on "don't break things" is a step forward), and then develop that direction for the next version.

[martinthomson]

The W3C produces technical standards. It would be a shame to limit the vision to stuff about the how to the detriment of the what. There are a few hooks (like priority of constituencies) but not really a whole lot of substance about what it means to have a technical direction.

I do want to point out that it might be orders of magnitude easier to agree on the how part than the what part. But that's where something like a vision really delivers value. Operational aspirations are great, but exemplary execution is no good without an outcome.

(It seems like many Bond villains appear to have excellent organizational discipline, health care, remuneration, etc...)

[martinthomson]

I consider this issue a blocker. The TAG has discussed this and does not have consensus either way on that point.

I personally would prefer that this document not be presented as a vision, but as a set of operating principles for the consortium. That is what it is. If it is presented as a Vision, it will do harm to the institution that it is supposed to promote and strengthen. The W3C is a technical standards development body and publishing a vision that does not include any substantive technical component risks undermining the credibility of the institution.

[chrishtr]

We should work toward having a W3C-wide positive vision for the web...

Here's my proposal. The web should be:

1. The best way to represent all of humanity's information, learning and wisdom.
2. The best way to easily express any user experience across all modalities, languages and cultures.
3. Universally available and accessible to all users and all computing devices.
4. An open system available to all that is better than any proprietary alternative.

[martinthomson]

I don't think that a true vision for the technical future of the web is so brief. I refer to Mozilla's vision, which is a substantial document. I don't think that this (edit: that is, Mozilla's vision) is the right sort of thing for the W3C to advocate for as it is somewhat narrower in scope and maybe less positive than I would personally advocate for in 2024.

However, as I mentioned, the title of the document could more accurately reflect the somewhat internal focus of this document. This is not a vision statement, but a set of guidelines for how we think the consortium should operate.

Hence: "Operating Principles for W3C" is my suggestion as a title.

[chrishtr]

I don't think that a true vision for the technical future of the web is so brief.

Fair. I think it's worth having a brief and bold statement that everyone can get behind, but just my 2c.