ABSTRACT
If one looks at the Grid as a loosely coupled set of interfaces (both for humans and for applications), application logic, and resources (databases, devices, computational resources, remote instrumentation, and human capital and human knowledge), metadata can be thought of as the glue that holds them all together. The glue is easier to apply if all the pieces are resident inside the organization; but if some of them are located outside the control structure, additional information is needed for the glue to do its work.
