Win has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

This meditation does not specifically relate to Perl although could relate to PerlMonks. When looking at facts on the web you are getting two types of information. The first is the content and the second is the motivation behind those that put stuff on the web and the indication that those that put the stuff on the web exist. I am reflecting on words that people could use to describe this second type of information. Meta data is too broad because it includes both subjective and objective metadata. I want a word limited to the phenomenon that leads to the fuzzy information that can only be measured and presented as subjective metadata. Any suggestions on suitable terms would be welcomed.


Update: I've updated the post in light of comments from ELISHEVA

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: Suitable word please
by ELISHEVA (Prior) on Jul 17, 2009 at 10:05 UTC
    I believe the second category is usually called "metadata" - information about information. From Wikipedia's Metadata article:
    Metadata (meta data, or sometimes metainformation) is "data about other data", of any sort in any media... Metadata may include descriptive information about the context, quality and condition, or characteristics of the data.

    Some tips about writing meditations and SOPWs:

    • If your post only poses a question, it should go in SOPW. To turn it into a meditation, one needs to add some personal insights, reflections, or citations and analysis from third party sources.
    • The post should make clear how it relates to one or more of the following: (a) Perl (b) the art and/or profession of programming (c) the community life of Perl Monks. (Note: Posts that are primarily related to community life should be placed in PerlMonks Discussion rather than Meditations). I don't think you have done that here. If you feel this is related to any of those three topics, perhaps you might want to expand on the original post content?
    • Sometimes people do ask questions that aren't just about the above three topics. If so, your post should be named "OT: actual title here". Also it is a good idea to explain why you have chosen to ask an off-topic question. From time to time people do post off-topic questions simply because they have grown comfortable with this community and want its feedback.

    Best, beth

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      From the blurb on Meditation page with past postings ...

      This section is also used for non-question discussions about Perl, and for any discussions that are not specifically programming related. For example, if you want to share or discuss opinions on hacker culture, the job market, or Perl6 development, this is the place.

      ... OP seems /just about/ on topic.

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Re: Suitable word please
by ig (Vicar) on Jul 17, 2009 at 12:01 UTC

    If the second type of information isn't explicit or implied, then it might be described as inferred information. But neither implied nor inferred suggest motivation or existence specifically. Existential might suggest both, depending on your understanding/belief of what existentialism is about.

    If the appropriate word isn't well known, with clear and common understanding, to people generally, then whatever word you choose will probably require a definition in the context. If you are going to define your term, it doesn't matter much what it is, but there might be value in choosing a term that isn't loaded with confusing/confounding meanings among your readers. You might call it "red information", with an appropriately verbose definition of what you mean.

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Re: Suitable word please
by ysth (Canon) on Jul 17, 2009 at 09:15 UTC
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      non-meta ‘encyclopedic’ information could describe the first type of information. But I don't think that the second type could be described as meta non-encylopedic information. Well it could be described as that, but people wouldn't intuitively understand the term. You don't need to know the implications.
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        You don't need to know the implications.

        ysth suggested implication and connotation as the words you were looking for, he wasn't asking for implications.

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Re: Suitable word please
by Bloodnok (Vicar) on Jul 17, 2009 at 11:14 UTC
    How about rationale, or does that not quite convey the existential quality/element you seek ?

    A user level that continues to overstate my experience :-))
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Re: Suitable word please
by JavaFan (Canon) on Jul 17, 2009 at 09:05 UTC
    I think the word that comes closest is "credibility". But I might misunderstand what you actually mean - after all, there's no credibility for most of the stuff you find on the web.
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Re: Suitable word please
by stevemayes (Scribe) on Jul 17, 2009 at 17:04 UTC
    I think what you're referring to is their agenda. That covers their objectives, their aims, their raison d'etre and their unspoken desires.
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Re: Suitable word please
by biohisham (Priest) on Jul 17, 2009 at 14:49 UTC
    "the second is the motivation behind those that put stuff on the web and the indication that those that put the stuff on the web exist" Since motivation is involved then can you look up the word "gumption"?? it talks exactly about something that pushes someone to do or perform. (update) if you are considering this other context when motivation inspires someone to do something, and since much of the stuff put on the web is in the form of writing then you can expand on the meaning of the word "Muse" as in 
    I sing--This verse to Caryl, Muse! is due:
This, ev'n Belinda may vouchsafe to view:

    [download]
    Excellence is an Endeavor of Persistence. Chance Favors a Prepared Mind
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[d/l]
Re: Suitable word please
by QM (Parson) on Jul 17, 2009 at 14:58 UTC
    The 2nd type you describe as motivational and existential information, which should probably be split (though sometimes the motivation is existential).

    Given the overlap and confounding meanings, I'd follow the other suggestions and create your own. Borrowing a Perlish mechanism, how about a "Why-is-this-here DOC"?

    -QM
    --
    Quantum Mechanics: The dreams stuff is made of

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