Drumbeat/key message

Make stuff. Meet friends. Keep the Web open.

Key Message

What is Drumbeat? Mozilla’s Drumbeat initiative facilitates a better, more open Internet by connecting a global community of people who take control of their online lives. Drumbeat will support artists, activists, teachers, lawyers, librarians, everyday Internet users, and of course geeks who will keep the Web open for the next 100 years through exciting new projects and local engagement.

Drumbeat bolsters Internet lovers in building a better Web and more open world. The goal is getting [a whole new group of people] involved in our cause of making a better Internet. We are all about making and building, and we’re working out in the open together. We don't just talk about ideas–with your help, we build them.

What is the open Web?

The open Web, in short, is remixable, decentralized, transparent and participatory.

The open Web is:

• Evolving and improving as we each remix existing parts of the Internet into something that is our own.
• Decentralized in both architecture and control, ensuring continued choice and diversity.
• Built on transparent technologies that anyone can study, use or improve.
• Fueled by participation, in ideas, energy or media from more than a billion Internet users.

The Internet is increasingly becoming our global commons: a critical public resource over a billion people use every day to learn, innovate, trade, befriend and play. By explaining, protecting and building things around the characteristics of the open Web, Drumbeat can create a better Internet, an Internet that is even richer and more resilient.

Why does it matter?

Will the Web be open 100 years from now? We think it can, and has to be.

Aspects of the Web are open, but also many places on the Web remain closed. The openness is threatened by closed platforms and non-open standards. We see it as our role to create new ways for each of us to "own" our online lives, aimed at keeping the Web open for users 100 years from now.

Why is Mozilla doing this? Mozilla has made the world's best Web browser by engaging the greatest software developers in the world to help build it. In this way, Mozilla has been successful at getting people involved in the open Web movement, but it’s not clear that technology alone will keep the Web open. We have the ability to draw from our international platform and community in very tangible ways.

There are many who feel an affinity for this cause but haven’t fond a way to contribute–until now. Drumbeat stands as an open invitation for all audiences to become involved in the open Web movement.

Message for various audiences

What are the five things we want these groups to understand?

  1. People who don’t know/think about the open Web (think: your Facebook friends)
         * Remixability, decentralization, transparency and participation are not ubiquitous on the Web
         * You can learn about principles of openness and how they can benefit your on and offline life on Drumbeat
         * You can join us, even to participate in tiny ways like attending an event or sharing a project with your own social network
  2. People who care already but don’t have tons of time to get involved (think: your boss)
         * You can join us, even to participate in tiny ways like attending an event or sharing a project with your own social network
         * You can learn about projects that may help work you’re already doing, while keeping the Web open
  3. People looking for things to get involved with (think: the coders that volunteer for Firefox) (maybe we need an artist or librarian example for this)
         * We are a filter to help you connect with other open Web advocates
         * You can join more than one project
         * You can host a local event to meet other open Web advocates, even if you don’t have your own project
  4. People who actually have an idea or project or are already engaged in an issue (think: *pick your favourite Drumbeat project*)
         * Our site is a platform to propose projects, organize events and build community
         * We are a filter to help you connect with other open Web advocates
         * If your project takes off, we'll get involved in introducing you to the right people, and potentially even fund you [this one needs better wording]