Misconceptions about W3C Widgets

Throughout the last few years, a number of misconceptions have been perpetuated about W3C Widgets. Over the next week, I will publish a number of post to address some of those misconceptions (hopefully setting the record straight):

• Misconception: Widgets reinvent the wheel
• Misconception: JSON is easier than XML
• Misconception: XML Digital Signatures is too hard to implement
• Misconception: Widgets lack an origin
• Misconception: Widgets lack a security model

Unfortunately, the misconceptions continue to be perpetuated at the detriment of the W3C Widget standards, while the market continues to fragment as new formats continue to emerge (e.g., Google’s installable web apps, Windows 8 Metro apps) and old formats linger (e.g., Dashboard Widgets in Mac Os Lion).

These posts are based on the paper I wrote for the W3C Workshop on The Future of Off-line Web Applications, which is to be held on 5 November, 2011 at Redwood City, CA, USA. We hope to see you there!