Please explain the role of the W3C in the continuing development of HTML

Dear all,

There has been much discussion[1] about HTML/HTML5 over the past few weeks
due to the HTML5 logo and the WHATWG changing the name and stripping the
vestiges of HTML versioning.
The WHATWG have clearly stated the rationale for the formalisation of the
WHAT WG HTML - living standard, one that includes the devaluation of the W3C
spec development model.

What has been and is clearly missing from this public discourse is the clear
articulation (by the W3C) of the role of the W3C in HTML development and the
value proposition of the specification process used by the W3C for HTML5.

Please provide a clear expalnation of the role of the W3C in the continuing
development of HTML

[1] a selection
http://www.zeldman.com/2011/01/27/html5-vs-html/
http://blog.whatwg.org/html-is-the-new-html5
http://www.infoworld.com/d/developer-world/html-the-standard-failed-585
http://adactio.com/journal/4301/

-- 
with regards

Steve Faulkner
Technical Director - TPG

www.paciellogroup.com | www.HTML5accessibility.com |
www.twitter.com/stevefaulkner
HTML5: Techniques for providing useful text alternatives -
dev.w3.org/html5/alt-techniques/
Web Accessibility Toolbar - www.paciellogroup.com/resources/wat-ie-about.html