definition of "meta"

[Terry Kuny]

Hello all,

There are certainly a wide-range of definitions to the 
root of "meta" that are not "change." 

I am not certain the FGDS definition necessarily the best 
one to consider when thinking about a general 
definition of "metadata." There is certainly no requirement
in etymology which ties it to "geography" as might be
suggested.

For example, the prefix "meta" in Greek appears to have
a variety of connotations including "with" "after" 
and "among" - not merely "change". Perhaps the better
usage of "meta" for the purposes of thinking about "metadata"
is that of "transcending", much as in "metaphysics" where 
the root "meta" is about transcending physics in the search 
for first principles. 

My own definition is that "metadata" is that form of 
work which involves the description of the principle 
information about information. The transcending of data 
through the search for the core attributes ("first principles")
about data.

<sigh>

Where is Ranganathan when we need him? Maybe we need a "Five Laws
of Metadata" or a "Prolegomena to Metadata"... ;-)

-terry








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