Everything here sits on one piece of terrain: a data side, a world side, and the
bridge of meaning between them. The journey walks that terrain end to end — and turns it
on the machine that mimics us; the skills staff it. There are three ways in — start as a
data architect with the models, a finance modeller with the forecast, or an
accountant with the books — and all doors open on the same bridge. Follow the spine, or jump
straight to any part.
The library is open and free to read. If you are working on the same problem, carrying meaning from the data you hold to the world it is about, leave your email and we will get in touch. No campaign, no drip sequence: a real conversation about what you are building.
Start where every business already is: disparate systems, each modelling the same world its own way. See why a definition alone can't carry meaning between them — and what has to replace it.
Builds the records, mappings, pipelines and tests.
How the model connects
A schema describes storage structure: tables, fields and their arrangement. An ontology models what exists and how things relate through identity and time. It can describe a schema as a data-side artefact; it is not a fancy name for a data model. Mappings and evidence still need to be established and tested.
Richard F. the 4D ontologistWorld side
Richard F. · the 4D ontologist
Models identity, temporal structure and shared foundations across domains.
“An ontology is NOT a schema. That’s a data-side artefact, Martin!”
A schema describes storage structure. An ontology models what exists and how things relate; it can describe the schema as one data-side artefact. It is not a fancy name for a data model.
DL-1000 · Possible-world analyser
Explore an alternative scenario and its assumptions. Inspired by David Lewis’s possible-world semantics, the fictional analyser compares what would follow in a scenario with the evidence for the actual case. It is a way to examine alternatives, not a truth detector or a portal for physical travel.
GR-25 · Euler set kit
Examine set relations using Gergonne’s distinctions. For two non-empty sets, compare equality, proper inclusion in either direction, overlap or disjointness. Handle empty sets explicitly instead of forcing them into the five-way picture.
AE-900 · Spacetime goggles
See an object’s history and temporal parts in the 4D model. Inspired by Einstein’s spacetime ideas, the fictional goggles help distinguish what persists from what is replaced. Relativity is an inspiration for the visual metaphor, not proof of this modelling approach.
Keep the reference distinct
The identifier text “P-101” is not the metal plate. The plate is not the tagged functional object either.
Two pumps, two installed periods
Each pump has a history before fitting and after removal. Only the installed temporal portion contributes to the tagged functional object in this model.
