[statement] Reuse the Web for All design principle language instead of rewording it

[tobie]

In the BLM statement, the following sentence rephrases the "Web for All" design principle of W3C:

The web enables people to communicate, and it creates opportunities for commerce, entertainment and knowledge sharing. One of W3C’s goals is to make sure that everyone can contribute to and benefit from the web, no matter who they are, where they come from, or what kind of technology they use.

For reference, here's the "Web for All" design principle:

The social value of the Web is that it enables human communication, commerce, and opportunities to share knowledge. One of W3C's primary goals is to make these benefits available to all people, whatever their hardware, software, network infrastructure, native language, culture, geographical location, or physical or mental ability.

Adding "entertainment" to the mix increases the focus on a passive, consumerist vision of the Web.

I suggest quoting the Web for All design principle as is and reworking the guideline separately if we want to add "entertainment" to the mix.

[LJWatson]

We considered using that text but decided not to because it contains complex words and phrases that make readability harder, and it uses some out-dated language ("mental ability") that we did not feel comfortable with. So we opted for something shorter and simpler in the end.

[tobie]

Yeah, the second part of that guideline in particular is in dire need of being revised.

By suggesting we just quoted the guideline, my intention was to avoid having a discussion about the guideline itself in this context.

I agree with your point, though. The proposed text does improve on the more problematic part of the guideline that you brought up.

The real thing that bothers me is the the adjunction of the term "entertainment." This really reinforces a passive and consumerist vision of the Web which I find saddening.

What about:

The web enables people to communicate, and it creates opportunities for commerce, entertainment, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. One of W3C’s goals is to make sure that everyone can contribute to and benefit from the web, no matter who they are, where they come from, or what kind of technology they use.

[LJWatson]

We can't change the statement now because it's with the AC for review (where it remains member confidential for the time being). That said, I'm confused - your suggested text appears to match exactly the text from the proposed statement as it went to the AC?

[tobie]

I added “collaboration” after “entertainment.”

[jeffjaffe]

@tobie For clarification, the survey sent to the ac-forum allows ac reps to suggest changes, as is standard practice for all AC surveys.

[tobie]

As stated in #25 and indicated in my response to the CFC, I don't want to delay this statement further and can live with the current text. Feel free to ignore my suggestions if incorporating them would delay publication substantially or risk doing so.

[LJWatson]

@tobie we're now in the process of responding to comments left during the AC review, thank you for yours.

You proposed a slight change, in the form of:

The web enables people to communicate, and it creates opportunities for commerce, entertainment, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. One of W3C’s goals...

We think this is an editorial change that can be made without altering the substantive meaning of the sentence. It's reflected in the draft statement.

Does this resolve your concern?

Meanwhile, discussion continues about revising the design principle itself in #26

[tobie]

Does this resolve your concern?

Absolutely. Thank you!