1. A method of storing a semantic representation of a thing that occupies space and has physical properties, a system or a methodology, using a controlled taxonomy, comprising storing in a memory, a plurality of information objects, at least a first one of said information objects identifying an attribute and a value, value range or description for said attribute, at least a second one of said information objects being a meaning object defining a meaning for said first information object, said first information object including a pointer to said meaning object.