What are the strong or weak differences in meaning concerning such words as "semantics," "linguistics," "phonetics," etc., and can you think of any other "takes" on words which should also be included for analysis/discussion? I simply want to know what it is about which I am talking--and how I am talking about it!

Yes, that link does seem to be quite thorough. I found pragmatics, which distinquishes word meaning and speaker meaning, and am satisfied. I recommend that link to those who want to improve their understanding of others and to be better understood.