Secure XML: The New Syntax for Signatures and Encryption

E.2. Questions of Meaning

Human “meaning” is something that the paper-oriented person considers extraordinarily important but the protocol-oriented person rarely thinks about.

E.2.1. Core Meaning

PAPER: The “meaning” of a document is a deep and interesting human question related to volition. The document should typically include or reference human language policy, warranty, or disclaimer information. At an absolute minimum, it must satisfy a requirement for some sort of semantic labeling. The assumed situation is always a person interpreting the whole “paper” without other context. Thus it is reasonable to consult attorneys during message design so that the documents will hold up in court, require human-readable statements “within the four corners” ...