Mozilla has introduced Mozilla Webmaker, a new effort to get the vast number of Web users involved in making the Web better by getting hands-on.
In a May 22 post about the new project, Matt Thompson, Mozillas communications director, said the goal of Mozilla Webmaker is to help millions of people move from using the Web to making the Web. Joining Mozilla in the effort are organizations such as Tumblr, Creative Commons, Code for America, SoundCloud, the San Francisco Public Library, the London Zoo, and dozens of others, the company said.
Today, were proud to launch Mozilla Webmaker, a new program to help people everywhere make, learn and play using the open building blocks of the Web, Thompson said. With new tools to use, projects to create and events to join, we want to help the world increase their understanding of the Web and take greater control of their online lives.
Mozillas executive director, Mark Surman, said Webmaker is the product of Mozillas growing commitment to learning, and the culmination of experiments it began with the Mozilla Drumbeat project.
The Web is becoming the worlds second language, and a vital 21st century skill as important as reading, writing and arithmetic, Surman said. Its crucial that we give people the skills they need to understand, shape and actively participate in that world, instead of just passively consuming it. That maker spirit and open ethos is vital to Mozilla, our partners and the Web.
Mozilla Webmaker will provide tools, projects and community. There will be authoring tools and software designed and built with the community. In addition, Mozilla will offer up starter projects, how-to projects and recipes to help people at all levels make something with the Web. And the community aspect comes in the form of Mozilla working to bring people with diverse skills and backgrounds together. From Web ninjas to newbies, Thompson said. All making and learning together at events, meet-ups and hack jams everywhere.
Mozilla plans to officially launch the Webmaker effort with a summer learning campaign called the Summer Code Party, which will kick off on June 23, run all summer and then wrap up on Sept. 23.
Were inviting everyone to join or volunteer at free local events and teach-ins around the world, Thompson said. With new Webmaker tools, event kits and starter projects designed to make it easy, social and fun.
A new Mozilla Webmaker Website launches June 6, he said.