RE: [xml-dev] What is Data?

> I think the William Kent book is probably a better idea than  
> anything we'll come up with here, though.

My objective is not to write a detailed treatise on data. My objective is to merely make plain the fundamental ideas which guide the formation of the science. 

I am hopeful that we can write a few brief paragraphs that makes plain the fundamental ideas.

I am assembling everyone's comments (thanks! keep them coming!) and will try to summarize them.  

/Roger