Is the main international standards organization for the World Wide Web (abbreviated WWW or W3). Founded and headed by Sir Tim Berners-Lee,[2] the consortium is made up of member organizations which maintain full-time staff for the purpose of working together in the development of standards for the World Wide Web. As of 8 September 2009, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has 356 members.[1] W3C also engages in education and outreach, develops software and serves as an open forum for discussion about the Web.