I've been writing about meta class systems for some time now. Meta is often used as a prefix to other words, such as metadata, which means higher level data, or data about data. Analogously, metatools are tools which control tools. This hierarchy may be extended beyond two levels. Meta Tools (MT) are tools that enable use and control of resources. This implies that a MT is logically a higher level function than the resources themselves.
In this column, I use Meta Tools to define a class of tools that enable the use of complex distributed resources. These individual resources may themselves be complex entities that use a different set of tools to control its own components.
I'm serving up something completely different this month, a popurri of technology items. There are items from a set of updated operating systems to Digital Libraries to a collection of earth images. Here is a brief list:
Grid computing, which I have called Meta Computing in previous columns, is a rapidly maturing set of concepts and software. There is now enough software and information on the web to enable almost any group to install and build a custom Grid system.
With all the publicity that Windows and Linux get, you may be forgiven for not being aware of a number of other Operating Systems (OS). So in addition to my coverage OS/2 and BSD, there are some other choices that I find interesting and useful alternatives.
Since Windows, Linux and Mac are covered by other Byte writers, my emphasis will be on these alternative OSs.
Digital Libraries (Dlibs) are organized collections of information in digital form that is usually meant for direct viewing. The definition of a Library includes an equivalent of the classic library card index. Items in a card catalog can be found in the index by title, subject or author. Digital Libraries are more complex entities that have exploded from research efforts into popular use because of recent standard developments.