In a press release the World Wide Web Consortitum (W3C), in collaboration with Adobe, Facebook, Google, HP, Microsoft, Mozilla, Nokia, Opera, and "others" (including Apple), has announced the alpha release of Web Platform Docs (docs.webplatform.org).

This is a new community-driven site that aims to become a comprehensive and authoritative source for web developer documentation, according to W3C Director Tim Berners-Lee. In the past, developers who use HTML5, CSS and other technologies of the Open Web Platform have had to consult multiple sites to understand how to use these technologies in a way that works across browsers, operating systems and devices. This was time-consuming and in many cases increased development costs.

Berners-Lee says that, with Web Platform Docs, web professionals will save time and resources by consulting with confidence a single site for current, cross-browser and cross-device coding best practices. Anyone can contribute content to Web Platform Docs. The organizations above -- collectively known as the stewards -- have launched this new site with initial documents contributed as raw material for the community to shape.

The W3C will serve as the site’s convener. As the Open Web Platform evolves, the entire community, including the original stewards and new stewards, will help maintain and improve the content. All materials on the site will be freely available and licensed to foster sharing and reuse, according to Berners-Lee.

He adds that the W3C and the stewards envision webplatform.org as the home of future collaboration with developers and designers. Those interested in contributing to this effort as a steward or as an editor can visit docs.webplatform.org

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international consortium where Member organizations, a full-time staff, and the public work together to develop Web standards. W3C primarily pursues its mission through the creation of Web standards and guidelines designed to ensure long-term growth for the Web.