Any DocBook users in here? I'm trying to figure out what the difference is between keyword and subject elements for metadata. DocBook documentation is not very specific:

Keyword: One of a set of keywords describing the content of a document.

Subject: One of a group of terms describing the subject matter of a document.

Is there really any difference between the content and subject matter of a document??

Maybe keywords are individual words and subject can be compound things, i.e. a keyword is "slash" or "writing", while a subject is "fan fiction"

Maybe keywords are individual words and subject can be compound things, i.e. a keyword is "slash" or "writing", while a subject is "fan fiction"

Also, keywords could be user entered, using any words to describe the content. (Like tags or keywords from Dublin core metadata.) while subject could be from a controlled set of descriptors, like standardized subject headings.

There is a subtle difference between "keyword" and "subject", but I'm not sure how to articulate it.

maybe:

{ set of Subjects } ⊆ { set of Keywords }

A document might typically have one subject, but several keywords.

but then how is it a "set of subjects"

I'm thinking maybe we could break it down like this:

• Keyword: Controlled vocabs with role attributes like "infotype," "version," "os," "audience," etc.
• Subject: Free text, no roles, descriptive of subject matter.

Thoughts?

but then how is it a "set of subjects"

True. The way it's tagged is subjectset > subject > subjectterm, so it is intended to allow for multiple subjectterms.

Eee PC update: I went to lunch with the Eee PC (and hub came along too). Tiny Laptop is, indeed, tiny: [link]

"Who's a cute widdle waptop? You're a cute widdle waptop! Yes you are!"

How hard is it to type on those keys?

This actually looks better for my work project than either an iPhone or the godawful UMPC.... so, can we borrow it? (I kid. But maybe we'll put it in the budget for next year.)