The W3C Rich Web Client Activity was created to operate three Working Groups: Web Application Formats, Web APIs and Compound Document Formats.

The Web Application Formats Working Group is chartered to develop standards for binding behaviour to markup, such as XBL, and document formats for user interfaces, such as XUL. The Working Group is currently gathering use cases and requirements.

The Web API Working Group is starting with a policy to document existing behaviour where ever possible. Other than the DOM Working Group, the W3C has traditionally standardised document formats rather than programming APIs. However, the W3C recognised the importance of the topic to the Web Community and plans to make Recommendations on XMLHttpRequest, the “Window” object, Drag ‘n Drop, File Upload and many other APIs.

The Compound Document Formats Working Group is publishing a framework and profile for compound documents on the Web.

Each Working Group will give a status report plus a description of its future plans. The W3C would also appreciate community feedback:

• What (else) needs to be standardised?
• Will standardisation be useful?