ordered custom fields, ordered meta

By default the_meta prints out custom fields alphabetically. A rather basic behaviour unsuitable for even very simple tasks (e.g.: printing the keys “title”, “first name” and “surename” in the correct order)

Presenting them differently is possible by arranging the custom fields in the template using get_post_custom_values.

But updating the template every time a new custom key gets added, isn´t a solution.

get_post_meta instead, could do the trick. Unfortunately custom keys do not store any additional data, only the key-value pair itself. Not even the date of their own creation is stored.

Any ideas?

thx,
armin