Helpful Terminology

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on “DBL Terminology.” We've compiled a collection of terms, phrases, and language conventions specific to Digital Bible Library. It serves as a consistent reference to ensure everyone understands the terminology our platform uses.

We hope this article helps to give us a shared language and understanding.

General Terms

Visitor: A guest to DBL who has not created an account or logged in.
User: Any individual who has created a personal account on DBL.
Organization: An entity that participates in creating, distributing, or managing content on DBL. These organizations may include multiple users that mirror their internal structure.
Associations: Connections formed within DBL between various entities, which may include relationships between organizations or between individual users and organizations.
Member: A user or organization that has an active account within DBL.
Manager: A DBL member who has a role as an account, content, or license manager for one or more organizations.
Contributor: An organization responsible for creating and uploading content to DBL, including text, audio, video, print, and braille formats. This organization is often the rights holder or rights administrator of the content.
Distributor: An organization granted permission to distribute content uploaded to DBL for designated purposes and under certain legal conditions.

Dashboard: The main interface that users see upon logging into their account, displaying key metrics, and navigation.
Header: The top menu of the interface, containing links to major sections and a user’s account settings.
Sort and filter: A feature allowing users to refine search results using sorting and filters.
Shield - For items that require extra security, such as templates, scripture with special agreements or private member profiles, we have the Shield icon. This symbol is our commitment to a secure, controlled environment where privacy and protection are paramount. Things that have a shield: Controlled Access Content, Confidential Organizations and Users, Controlled Access Agreements.
Globe - We embrace the spirit of collaboration and openness with our Globe icon. This symbol represents content that is accessible and open, fostering a sense of community and shared knowledge. Open Access content is displayed with the globe icon.

Profile Management

Profile: The section in DBL where users can view and edit their personal user information.
Preferences: A sub-section of the Profile where users can adjust personal preferences for language and notifications.

Content Library

Content: Any resource or file available on DBL, including documents, videos, audio, and translation tool ready assets.
Bundle: A collection of downloadable content on DBL that users can access with a specific license agreement. Bundles are offered under either open or controlled access, dictating the accessibility and usage rights of the content.
Owned: Content owned by organizations where the user is a member and the organization is recognized as the Rights Holder.
Managed: Content overseen by organizations with which the user is associated and where the organization is acknowledged as the Rights Holder.
Licensed Content accessible exclusively to distributors possessing active licenses for controlled content.
Unpublished: Content that has been uploaded but not yet made publicly available or activated on the platform. This content is still under review, pending approval, or awaiting completion before release.
Open Access Content: Content that is available for immediate access and download, typically under a Public Domain or Creative Commons license.
Controlled Access Content: Content that is available for organizations but requires a license agreement with the Contributor before it becomes available for access and download.

Content Management

In-App Uploader: Managing content within DBL involves the creation, editing, review, and publication of content. Content Managers oversee this process, ensuring that all materials meet the required standards and are appropriately managed throughout their lifecycle.
Publishing Dashboard: Available to content managers when uploading new content or editing existing content within DBL, this feature provides an individual dashboard for each piece of managed content. It offers an overview of the publication process, displaying key information such as content status, completion progress, pending tasks, and any issues requiring attention before publication. This dashboard enables content managers to efficiently track and manage the publication workflow, ensuring that content meets quality standards and is ready for release.
Draft Content: This stage involves the creation and editing of content. All revisions are done as drafts, remaining unpublished and invisible to other users until they are published. Content managers have the ability to add or update the metadata and files while managing their content.
Review Content: Once content is drafted, it undergoes review by the Content Manager. A Publication Dashboard provides an overview of completed tasks, outstanding requirements, and compliance with FOBAI standards. Content Managers can download metadata.xml for further review or delete a draft if they decide not to proceed with changes.
Published Content: Upon successful review, content is ready for publication. It can be published in one of three states based on visibility options selected during the upload process:
- Public: Visible and licensable on DBL.
- Private: Does not display in the Content Catalog but is licensable under specific conditions, often used for confidential content.
- Hidden: Does not display in the Content Catalog and is not licensable, marked as confidential in metadata.
Archived Content: If a piece of content becomes obsolete or is no longer necessary, it can be archived. Archived content is considered unpublished and invisible to other users, does not allow for revisions, and is not licensable. Managers with appropriate permissions can access archived content if the need arises.

Member Community

Member List: A list of organizations, including Contributors and Distributors, within the DBL platform. Users can search and explore organizations for further details with just a click.
Member Details: This page displays information about a specific member organization. Users can see the organization's description, website link, how long they've been a member, and number of managers.

Account Management

Member Application: Each organization must undergo this application process for approval to access DBL and its additional platform features.
Service Agreement: A legally binding document outlining the terms and relationship between DBL and the applying organization. Signed by an authorized representative of the organization.

License Management

Licensing: The process of creating, organizing, and managing templates and agreements.
Templates: Standardized formats that provide the structure for inserting specific details to form agreements. Templates serve as the foundation for creating new agreements.
Agreements: Official legal documents detailing the conditions and requirements governing how content may be utilized by an individual or organization.
Create Template: Custom templates can be created or selected from a gallery of existing templates provided by either DBL and other organizations that have made these accessible to others.
Draft Agreement: Allows both Contributors and Distributors to initiate and modify agreements. However, final approval and completion are reserved for Contributors to ensure trust and security. The status during this phase is marked as in-progress. Note: Agreements cannot be created from scratch; they must be drafted using existing templates.
Negotiate: Enables organizations to collaborate and make revisions until a consensus is reached on the final draft of an agreement. Currently, this part of the process is conducted outside of the DBL platform.
Approve Agreement: This function allows for the review and approval of a draft agreement to activate it. Possible statuses during this phase are in-progress or denied.
Sign: Facilitates the legal signing of agreements using digital signatures.
Manage Agreements: Organize and store all agreements in one accessible location on DBL. This includes:
- Active Agreements: Agreements currently in effect, with options to activate, view, or download. Expiry details are clearly noted.
- Expiring Soon Agreements: Agreements nearing the end of their term, with reminders to renew or review.
- Expired Agreements: Agreements that have lapsed, with options to renew.

License Types

Open Access: Allows for the widest usage, granting immediate access to content for members. Typically under a Public Domain or Creative Commons license.
Controlled Access: Allows organizations to upload and manage custom license models tailored to their specific needs.

Specifications

USX (Unified Scripture XML) serves as the primary format for storing text translations within the DBL (Digital Bible Library) platform. Designed specifically for scripture content, USX facilitates the distribution of text translations across various platforms and technologies. USX is the XML expression of USFM.
USFM (Unified Standard Formatting Markers) is an older markup scheme for scripture specification developed by a working group convened by UBS in 2002. It standardized one Standard Format Marker dialect for the sharing of Scripture content across teams, organizations, and technologies. USFM is managed by Paratext and serves as an authoring version specifically for text translations within Scripture content. Some tools available to convert between USFM and USX include Paratext, BibleMultiConverter (Java), and USFM Grammar (Javascript.)
Metadata: an XML specification developed by DBL and ecosystem partners to enhance the accessibility of scripture content, facilitating its discovery, understanding, and usage through a standardized format. While scripture content is the primary focus for customers, metadata serves to organize and streamline access to these materials. Additionally, DBL provides a metadata.xml file in each bundle of downloadable scripture, containing vital information such as the content's identifiable name, structure, formatting, language, and rights.
Scripture Burrito: A JSON format developed in collaboration with DBL and various industry partners, fulfilling comparable functions to the metadata XML format while accommodating additional metadata requirements beyond the scope of DBL itself. DBL intends to provide metadata in both the XML and JSON formats, ensuring compatibility and ease of use across various systems and applications. This information is commonly packaged as a scriptureburrito.json.

Technical Terms

API (Application Programming Interface): A set of routines, protocols, and tools for building applications that allow DBL to interact with other platforms.
Integration: The process of connecting DBL’s platform with other software tools to enhance functionality.
Encryption: The method by which DBL protects user data and communications from unauthorized access.

Support and Help

Care Team: A dedicated group that manages customer interactions and support within DBL. Responsible for reviewing and approving member applications, addressing user inquiries, and overseeing all communications.
Help Center: The primary resource for members seeking assistance, containing articles and guides.
Ticket: A method by which members can report issues or request help, involving submitting a detailed description via email or online form.