In an effort to get more public input on W3C drafts, a new mailing list has been created:
public-review-announce@w3.org list.
One outcome of this list could be little or not increase in public input on W3C drafts. In which case the forces that favor a closed club at the W3C will be saying “I told you so,” privately of course.
Another outcome of this list could be an increase in public input on W3C drafts. From a broader range of stakeholders that has been the case in the past. In which case the W3C drafts will benefit from the greater input and the case can be made for a greater public voice at the W3C.
But the fate of a greater public voice at the W3C rests with you and others like you. If you don’t speak up when you have the opportunity, people will assume you don’t want to speak at all. Perhaps wrong but that is the way it works.
My recommendation is that you subscribe to this new list and as appropriate, spread the news of W3C drafts of interest to stakeholders in your community. More than that, you should actively encourage people to review and submit comments. And review and submit comments yourself.
The voice at risk is yours.
Your call.