No, we don't really care!
It seems that despite its origins it has become like a collective noun in
English.
We never talk about the datum - rather we talk about an individual piece of
data.
Indeed, see http://www.xml.com/pub/a/2003/04/23/avalanche.html where the
term "individual pieces of data" is used (in the plural).
"we place the individual pieces of data into the temperature array".
This is even though it is a program that is apparently doing this.
In the next paragraph it says:
"All of our temperature data now resides in the array"
The writer could have used just the word data but probably recognised that
data has come to have a collective sense.
Nick Landau
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Ticher" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2006 11:40 AM
Subject: Re: [data-protection] Incorrect use of the DPA 29(3)
> "Data are" is technically correct, of course, but information "is". Since
> "data" and "information" are often used either interchangeably or in the
> same context I think we shouldn't object to those who say both "data is"
> and "information is" - it's certainly easier on the ear in my experience.
>
> "Statistics" - the discipline, not the numbers, so I have been told, is a
> Greek neuter plural - which takes a singular verb. But do we care?
>
> Paul Ticher
> 0116 273 8191
> 22 Stoughton Drive North, Leicester LE5 5UB
>
> I hereby require any recipient of this message not to use my personal data
> for direct marketing purposes.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Nick Landau" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 11:13 AM
> Subject: Re: Incorrect use of the DPA 29(3)
>
>
>> When did you last hear of "datum" in the context. I would usually speak
>> about a single piece of data.
>>
>> But then I didn't study Latin but statistics;)
>>
>> To get you going again see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datum where the
>> plural of Datum is given as Datums!
>>
>> A datum (plural datums) is a reference from which measurements are made.
>> In surveying and geodesy, a datum is a reference point on the earth's
>> surface against which position measurements are made, and an associated
>> model of the shape of the earth for computing positions.
>>
>> So surveyors also make linguistic solecisms. Good! No doubt they also
>> have their purists.
>>
>> See also http://www.pol.ac.uk/ntslf/tides/datum.html where it says:
>>
>> "Tidal levels are quoted relative to chart datum (approximately the
>> lowest level due to astronomical effects and excluding meteorological
>> effects). The heights of chart datum (CD) relative to ordnance datum (OD,
>> at Newlyn) in the UK are listed below.
>>
>> If for example, you have a data value for Liverpool of 1m relative to CD
>> and want to convert it to be relative to OD, then this would be -3.93m
>> (i.e., 1m - 4.93m)."
>>
>> It seems to me that going by the Latin they have got this the wrong way
>> round. ie it should be (i) Tidal levels are quoted relative to chart
>> _data_ and then (ii) you have a _datum_ value for Liverpool.
>>
>> I note that half the entry regarding Data on Wikipedia
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data discusses this very point - which says
>> a lot about Wikipedia contributors but not much about different types of
>> data.
>>
>> Nick Landau
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Simon Howarth" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: "'Nick Landau'" <[log in to unmask]>;
>> <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 10:57 AM
>> Subject: RE: [data-protection] Incorrect use of the DPA 29(3)
>>
>>
>>> Wording could be improved to make it scan better, but the overall
>>> content is
>>> OK. I think requesting this confirmation is a wise move, if the request
>>> is
>>> in any way questioned.
>>>
>>> My only other comment is pedantic, and is to state that "datum is", but
>>> "data are".
>>>
>>> Simon.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
>>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Nick Landau
>>> Sent: 13 November 2006 16:23
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: Re: [data-protection] Incorrect use of the DPA 29(3)
>>>
>>> I don't know about the DPA, but the Clear English campaign might also be
>>> consulted (the letter-writer not you).
>>>
>>> Nick Landau
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Paul Dodgson" <[log in to unmask]>
>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>> Sent: Monday, November 13, 2006 4:01 PM
>>> Subject: [data-protection] Incorrect use of the DPA 29(3)
>>>
>>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I detail below a letter which asks the recipient to state the powers
>>> they are exercising when making requests for information.
>>>
>>> I am looking for it to be shot down, or otherwise wounded! It actually
>>> relates, in part, to a very poor request from a housing benefit
>>> inspector who made application using the wrong sections of the relevant
>>> Act, and in any case was not certified!
>>>
>>> Any views very much appreciated
>>>
>>> Paul
>>>
>>> Dear XXX,
>>>
>>> I have from you a request for information (your ref xxxx). I have not
>>> eluded to the case name for obvious data protection reasons.
>>>
>>> The request is made under S29 (3) DPA 98.
>>>
>>> Section 29(3) provides that personal data is exempt from non-disclosure
>>> provisions if the disclosure is for purposes detailed in Section 29 (1).
>>> In this case I consider that to relate to Section 29 (1) a,b or c.
>>> [adjusted to suit]
>>>
>>> This is fine. What is not is the statutory powers you wish to rely on
>>> obliging us to release that information no longer protected from
>>> non-disclosure by virtue of that described above.
>>>
>>> I suggest you look at your letters in this regard. Clearly if any such
>>> investigation [specific to the issues I am dealing with, but could be
>>> amended to suit] ended in court and it came to the knowledge of the
>>> court that inappropriate powers were cited, this could have a negative
>>> impact insofar as your case is concerned.
>>>
>>> I have an obligation to ensure that personal data is protected, subject
>>> to the exemptions available in the Act and any enabling powers requiring
>>> that such data be released consequent upon Section 29 (1) DPA 98. I
>>> trust you understand that I cannot approve release of information on the
>>> basis of what I have received thus far.
>>>
>>> I strongly advise that you take advice from your Data Protection
>>> Officer.
>>>
>>>
>>> Yours etc
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________________________________
>>> Leicestershire County Council - rated a 'four-star' council by the
>>> Audit
>>> Commission
>>> _______________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>>
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>>
>> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>> All archives of messages are stored permanently and are
>> available to the world wide web community at large at
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>> If you wish to leave this list please send the command
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>> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> All archives of messages are stored permanently and are
> available to the world wide web community at large at
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> If you wish to leave this list please send the command
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> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
All archives of messages are stored permanently and are
available to the world wide web community at large at
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/data-protection.html
If you wish to leave this list please send the command
leave data-protection to [log in to unmask]
All user commands can be found at : -
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/help/commandref.htm
Any queries about sending or receiving message please send to the list owner
[log in to unmask]
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