diff --git a/src/backend/thread-wrapper.hpp b/src/backend/thread-wrapper.hpp
index 8a76cb5cf..23c553724 100644
--- a/src/backend/thread-wrapper.hpp
+++ b/src/backend/thread-wrapper.hpp
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ namespace backend {
   
   using std::tr1::bind;
   using std::tr1::function;
-  using lumiera::Literal;
+  using lib::Literal;
   using lib::Sync;
   using lib::RecursiveLock_Waitable;
   using lib::NonrecursiveLock_Waitable;
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ namespace backend {
                              , &run         // invoking the run helper and..
                              , this         // passing this start context as parameter
                              , joinCond     // maybe wait-blocking for the thread to terminate
-                             , purpose.c_str()
+                             , purpose.c()
                              , logging_flag
                              );
           
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ namespace backend {
        *         copied onto the stack of the new thread, thus it can be transient.
        * 
        */
-      Thread (Literal& purpose, Operation const& operation, NoBugFlag logging_flag = &NOBUG_FLAG(thread))
+      Thread (Literal purpose, Operation const& operation, NoBugFlag logging_flag = &NOBUG_FLAG(thread))
         : started_(false),
           operation_(operation)
         {
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ namespace backend {
        *         to wait-blocking on the termination of this newly created thread 
        * 
        */
-      Thread (Literal& purpose, Operation const& operation, 
+      Thread (Literal purpose, Operation const& operation, 
               JoinHandle& join, NoBugFlag logging_flag = &NOBUG_FLAG(thread))
         : started_(false),
           operation_(operation)
diff --git a/src/common/appstate.hpp b/src/common/appstate.hpp
index ca77f7128..69775aec4 100644
--- a/src/common/appstate.hpp
+++ b/src/common/appstate.hpp
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
 #ifndef LUMIERA_APPSTATE_H
 #define LUMIERA_APPSTATE_H
 
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include "common/option.hpp"
 #include "common/subsys.hpp"
 
diff --git a/src/common/configrules.hpp b/src/common/configrules.hpp
index 66c2c95ec..2b23fd68b 100644
--- a/src/common/configrules.hpp
+++ b/src/common/configrules.hpp
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@
 
 #include "lib/p.hpp"
 #include "lib/query.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include "lib/meta/generator.hpp"
 #include "lib/singleton-subclass.hpp"
 
@@ -92,8 +93,17 @@ namespace lumiera
       };
     
     
+    using lib::Symbol;
+    using lib::Literal;
+    
+/** placeholder definition for later.
+ *  @todo intention is to integrate with lib::Symbol
+ */
+#define SYMBOL uint
+    
+    
     template
-      < const Symbol SYM,            // Predicate symbol
+      < SYMBOL SYM,                  // Predicate symbol
         typename SIG = bool(string) //  Signature
       >
     class Pred
@@ -119,10 +129,10 @@ namespace lumiera
       {
         static const TY NIL;
         
-        template<Symbol SYM, typename SIG>
+        template<SYMBOL SYM, typename SIG>
         TY find (Pred<SYM,SIG> capability);
         
-        template<Symbol SYM, typename SIG>
+        template<SYMBOL SYM, typename SIG>
         TY make (Pred<SYM,SIG> capability, TY& refObj =NIL);
       };
     
diff --git a/src/common/external/libgavl.hpp b/src/common/external/libgavl.hpp
index d8d7bc412..505fc4325 100644
--- a/src/common/external/libgavl.hpp
+++ b/src/common/external/libgavl.hpp
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ namespace lib {
   namespace external {
   
   
-  using lumiera::Symbol;
+  using lib::Symbol;
   
   using lumiera::StreamType;
   typedef StreamType::ImplFacade ImplFacade;
diff --git a/src/common/query/fake-configrules.cpp b/src/common/query/fake-configrules.cpp
index db7d453d1..5b6c9c23f 100644
--- a/src/common/query/fake-configrules.cpp
+++ b/src/common/query/fake-configrules.cpp
@@ -59,11 +59,12 @@ namespace lumiera {
       
       /** helper especially for creating structural assets from a capability query */
       template<class STRU>
-      AnyPair entry_Struct(Symbol caps)
+      AnyPair entry_Struct(Literal caps)
       {
         typedef typename WrapReturn<STRU>::Wrapper Ptr;
         
-        Query<STRU> query(caps); 
+        string capabilities (caps);
+        Query<STRU> query (capabilities); 
         Ptr obj = Struct::create (query);
         return AnyPair(query.asKey(), obj);
       }
@@ -125,7 +126,7 @@ namespace lumiera {
     {
       typedef WrapReturn<Pipe>::Wrapper Ptr;
       
-      Ptr newPipe (Struct::create (Query<Pipe> ("make(PP), "+q)));
+      Ptr newPipe (Struct::create (Query<Pipe> (string("make(PP), ")+q)));
       answer_->insert (entry<Pipe> (q, newPipe));
       return true;
     }
diff --git a/src/include/lifecycle.h b/src/include/lifecycle.h
index 40634bc95..26e649569 100644
--- a/src/include/lifecycle.h
+++ b/src/include/lifecycle.h
@@ -39,18 +39,20 @@
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include <boost/noncopyable.hpp>
 
 
 
 namespace lumiera {
   
-  extern Symbol ON_BASIC_INIT;      ///< automatic static init. treated specially
-  extern Symbol ON_GLOBAL_INIT;     ///< to be triggered in main()             @note no magic!
-  extern Symbol ON_GLOBAL_SHUTDOWN; ///< to be triggered at the end of main()  @note no magic!
+  using lib::Symbol;
   
-  extern Symbol ON_EMERGENCY;       ///< activated on shutdown after premature failure of a subsystem
+  extern const char * ON_BASIC_INIT;      ///< automatic static init. treated specially
+  extern const char * ON_GLOBAL_INIT;     ///< to be triggered in main()             @note no magic!
+  extern const char * ON_GLOBAL_SHUTDOWN; ///< to be triggered at the end of main()  @note no magic!
+  
+  extern const char * ON_EMERGENCY;       ///< activated on shutdown after premature failure of a subsystem
 
   
   // client code is free to register and use additional lifecycle events
diff --git a/src/include/symbol.hpp b/src/include/symbol.hpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 00e19571d..000000000
--- a/src/include/symbol.hpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,58 +0,0 @@
-/*
-  SYMBOL.hpp  -  symbolic constant datatype 
- 
-  Copyright (C)         Lumiera.org
-    2008,               Hermann Vosseler <Ichthyostega@web.de>
- 
-  This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
-  modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as
-  published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the
-  License, or (at your option) any later version.
- 
-  This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-  but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-  MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
-  GNU General Public License for more details.
- 
-  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-  along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
-  Foundation, Inc., 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
- 
-*/
-
-/** @file symbol.hpp
- ** WIP placeholder definition for a planned Symbol datatype.
- ** 
- ** @todo for the (currently just planned as of 11/08) rules based configuration
- ** in the Proc-Layer a explicit Symbol datatype will probably very helpful.
- ** For now we just a typedef is sufficient. A real Symbol datatype should 
- ** - be definable by string constant
- ** - integrate smoothly with std::string
- ** - provide a unique numeric index for each distinct Symbol
- ** - automatically maintain a symbol table at runtime to support this
- ** - provide some magic (macros) allowing to build distinct types based on symbols.
- ** 
- ** @see symbol-impl.cpp 
- ** @see configrules.hpp
- ** @see query.hpp
- */
-
-
-#ifndef LUMIERA_SYMBOL_H
-#define LUMIERA_SYMBOL_H
-
-
-#include <string>
-
-
-namespace lumiera {
-  
-  typedef const char * const Symbol;  ///< Token or Atom with distinct identity @todo define a real Symbol class, i.e. same literal string==same pointer,
-
-  typedef const std::string Literal; ///< inline string literal @todo improve interaction with Symbol
-
-  
-  
-} // namespace lumiera
-
-#endif
diff --git a/src/lib/format.hpp b/src/lib/format.hpp
index 9b472dd82..084a5c941 100644
--- a/src/lib/format.hpp
+++ b/src/lib/format.hpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
 
 //#include "lib/util.hpp"
 #include "lib/meta/trait.hpp"
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 
 #include <string>
 #include <cstring>
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ namespace util {
   
   using lumiera::typelist::can_ToString;
   using lumiera::typelist::can_lexical2string;
-  using lumiera::Symbol;
+  using lib::Symbol;
   using boost::enable_if;
   using boost::disable_if;
   using std::string;
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ namespace util {
               return string(prefix) + res;
           }
       
-        return fallback? fallback
+        return fallback? string(fallback)
                        : tyStr(val);
       }
   }
diff --git a/src/lib/lifecycle.cpp b/src/lib/lifecycle.cpp
index 553a9fc32..939e3e252 100644
--- a/src/lib/lifecycle.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/lifecycle.cpp
@@ -63,11 +63,11 @@ namespace lumiera {
   
   
   
-  Symbol ON_BASIC_INIT      ("ON_BASIC_INIT");
-  Symbol ON_GLOBAL_INIT     ("ON_GLOBAL_INIT");
-  Symbol ON_GLOBAL_SHUTDOWN ("ON_GLOBAL_SHUTDOWN");
+  const char * ON_BASIC_INIT      ("ON_BASIC_INIT");
+  const char * ON_GLOBAL_INIT     ("ON_GLOBAL_INIT");
+  const char * ON_GLOBAL_SHUTDOWN ("ON_GLOBAL_SHUTDOWN");
   
-  Symbol ON_EMERGENCY       ("ON_EMERGENCY");
+  const char * ON_EMERGENCY       ("ON_EMERGENCY");
   
   
 } // namespace lumiera
diff --git a/src/lib/lifecycleregistry.hpp b/src/lib/lifecycleregistry.hpp
index 3d14e2209..4a426e2e6 100644
--- a/src/lib/lifecycleregistry.hpp
+++ b/src/lib/lifecycleregistry.hpp
@@ -74,14 +74,14 @@ namespace lumiera {
       
       
       /** @note only one copy of each distinct callback remembered */ 
-      bool enrol (const string label, Hook toCall)
+      bool enrol (Symbol label, Hook toCall)
         {
           return table_[label]
                         .insert(toCall)
                         .second;  // true if actually stored 
         }
       
-      void execute (const string label)
+      void execute (Symbol label)
         {
           Callbacks& cbs (table_[label]);
           Iter e = cbs.end();
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ namespace lumiera {
       
       
     private:
-      std::map<const string, Callbacks> table_;
+      std::map<Symbol, Callbacks> table_;
       
       LifecycleRegistry ()  {
         execute (ON_BASIC_INIT);   // just to be sure, typically a NOP, because nothing is registered yet 
diff --git a/src/lib/query.cpp b/src/lib/query.cpp
index 59be860a3..931d07ff4 100644
--- a/src/lib/query.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/query.cpp
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ namespace lumiera {
       getTermRegex (Symbol sym)
       {
         if (!contains (regexTable, sym))
-          regexTable[sym] = regex (string(sym)+=matchArgument);
+          regexTable[sym] = regex (string(sym)+matchArgument);
         return regexTable[sym];
       }
     }
diff --git a/src/lib/query.hpp b/src/lib/query.hpp
index 911acaabf..52430e0c6 100644
--- a/src/lib/query.hpp
+++ b/src/lib/query.hpp
@@ -30,11 +30,13 @@
 
 #include <boost/format.hpp>
 
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 
 
 namespace lumiera {
-
+  
+  using lib::Symbol;
+  using lib::Literal;
   using std::string;
   using boost::format;
 
@@ -50,7 +52,7 @@ namespace lumiera {
   class Query : public std::string
     {
     public:
-      explicit Query (const string& predicate="") : string(predicate) {}
+      explicit Query (string const& predicate="") : string(predicate) {}
       explicit Query (format& pattern)            : string(str(pattern)) {}
       
       const string asKey()  const
@@ -62,8 +64,7 @@ namespace lumiera {
     };                                          //        for calling removeTerm on the string-ref....
 
     
-  namespace query
-    {
+  namespace query {
     
     /** ensure standard format for a given id string.
      *  Trim, sanitise and ensure the first letter is lower case.
@@ -84,7 +85,5 @@ namespace lumiera {
     const string removeTerm (Symbol, string& termString);
 
     
-  } // namespace query
-    
-} // namespace lumiera
+}} // namespace lumiera::query
 #endif
diff --git a/src/lib/streamtype.hpp b/src/lib/streamtype.hpp
index bde5e8e94..6dc5747fc 100644
--- a/src/lib/streamtype.hpp
+++ b/src/lib/streamtype.hpp
@@ -35,14 +35,17 @@
 #define LUMIERA_STREAMTYPE_HPP
 
 
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include "lib/query.hpp"
 
 #include <boost/noncopyable.hpp>
 
 
 namespace lumiera {
-
-
+  
+  using lib::Symbol;
+  
+  
   /**
    * 
    */
@@ -160,7 +163,7 @@ namespace lumiera {
      * opaque placeholder (type erasure) 
      * for implementation specific type info.
      * Intended to be passed to a concrete
-     * MediaImplLib to build an ImplFacade. 
+     * MediaImplLib to build an ImplFacade.
      */
   class StreamType::ImplFacade::TypeTag
     {
diff --git a/src/lib/symbol-impl.cpp b/src/lib/symbol-impl.cpp
index 4b5e9bb35..f852b1ffb 100644
--- a/src/lib/symbol-impl.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/symbol-impl.cpp
@@ -21,21 +21,23 @@
 * *****************************************************/
 
 /** @file symbol-impl.hpp
- ** Collection of helpers for working with the lumiera::Symbol.
+ ** Collection of helpers for working with the lib::Symbol.
  ** 
  ** @todo currently as of 9/09 this is more of a placeholder.
  ** And maybe a location for collecting small bits of implementation,
  ** which could be usable later for real Symbol and Literal datatypes.
  ** 
- ** lumiera::Symbol
+ ** lib::Symbol
  ** control::CommandRegistry for usage example of the hash function.
  ** 
  */
 
 
 
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
+extern "C" {
 #include "lib/safeclib.h"
+}
 
 #include <boost/functional/hash.hpp>
 #include <cstddef>
@@ -46,12 +48,12 @@ using boost::hash_combine;
 
 
 
-namespace lumiera {
+namespace lib {
   
   /** equality on Symbol values is defined
    *  based on the content, not the address. */
-  inline bool
-  operator== (Symbol sy1, Symbol sy2)
+  bool
+  operator== (Literal sy1, Literal sy2)
   {
     return lumiera_strncmp (sy1,sy2, STRING_MAX_RELEVANT); 
   }
@@ -62,7 +64,7 @@ namespace lumiera {
       and should be usable both with  \c std::tr1 and 
       \c <boost/functional/hash.hpp> . It is implemented
       similar as the boost::hash specialisation for std::string */
-  size_t hash_value (Symbol sym)
+  size_t hash_value (Literal sym)
   {
     size_t hash=0;
     const char *pos = sym;
@@ -75,4 +77,4 @@ namespace lumiera {
   
   
   
-} // namespace lumiera
+} // namespace lib
diff --git a/src/lib/symbol.hpp b/src/lib/symbol.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..562a6bf09
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/symbol.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+/*
+  SYMBOL.hpp  -  symbolic constant datatype 
+ 
+  Copyright (C)         Lumiera.org
+    2008,               Hermann Vosseler <Ichthyostega@web.de>
+ 
+  This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+  modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as
+  published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the
+  License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ 
+  This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+  but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+  MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+  GNU General Public License for more details.
+ 
+  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+  along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
+  Foundation, Inc., 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
+ 
+*/
+
+/** @file symbol.hpp
+ ** WIP placeholder definition for a planned Symbol datatype.
+ ** 
+ ** @todo for the (currently just planned as of 11/08) rules based configuration
+ ** in the Proc-Layer a explicit Symbol datatype will probably very helpful.
+ ** For now we just a typedef is sufficient. A real Symbol datatype should 
+ ** - be definable by string constant
+ ** - integrate smoothly with std::string
+ ** - provide a unique numeric index for each distinct Symbol
+ ** - automatically maintain a symbol table at runtime to support this
+ ** - provide some magic (macros) allowing to build distinct types based on symbols.
+ ** 
+ ** @see symbol-impl.cpp 
+ ** @see configrules.hpp
+ ** @see query.hpp
+ */
+
+
+#ifndef LIB_SYMBOL_H
+#define LIB_SYMBOL_H
+
+
+#include <string>
+#include <cstring>
+
+
+namespace lib {
+  
+  /** inline string literal
+   *  @todo improve interaction with Symbol
+   *  @todo make it non-nullable 
+   */
+  class Literal
+    {
+       const char * str_;
+       
+    public:
+       Literal (const char* literal)
+         : str_(literal)
+         { }
+       
+       Literal (Literal const& o)
+         : str_(o.str_)
+         { }
+       
+       operator const char* ()  const { return str_; }
+       const char* c()          const { return str_; }
+       
+       bool
+       empty()  const
+         {
+           return !str_ || 0 == std::strlen(str_);
+         }
+       
+    protected:
+       /** Assignment prohibited */
+       Literal& operator= (const char* newStr)
+         {
+           str_ = newStr;
+           return *this;
+         }
+    };
+  
+  
+  /** Token or Atom with distinct identity
+   * @todo define a real Symbol class, i.e. same literal string==same pointer,
+   */
+  class Symbol
+    : public Literal
+    {
+    public:
+       Symbol (const char* lit =0)
+         : Literal(lit)
+         { }
+      
+       Symbol (Symbol const& o)
+         : Literal(o)
+         { }
+       
+       Symbol&
+       operator= (Literal const& otherSym)
+         {
+           Literal::operator= (otherSym);
+           return *this;
+         }
+    };
+  
+  
+  /** safety guard: maximum number of chars to process.
+   *  For comparisons, hash calculations etc., when dealing
+   *  with raw char ptrs (typically literal values) */
+  const size_t STRING_MAX_RELEVANT = 1000;
+  
+  
+  /* ===== to be picked up by ADL ===== */
+  
+  size_t hash_value (Literal);
+  
+  bool operator== (Literal sy1, Literal sy2);
+  
+  inline bool
+  operator!= (Literal sy1, Literal sy2)
+  {
+    return ! (sy1 == sy2); 
+  }
+  
+  inline std::string
+  operator+ (std::string str, Literal const& sym)
+  {
+    const char* symP (sym);
+    return str + symP;
+  }
+  
+  inline std::string
+  operator+ (Literal const& sym, std::string str)
+  {
+    const char* symP (sym);
+    return symP + str;
+  }
+
+} // namespace lib
+
+#endif
diff --git a/src/lib/test/test-helper.cpp b/src/lib/test/test-helper.cpp
index fbe7f1d4a..401690788 100644
--- a/src/lib/test/test-helper.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/test/test-helper.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ namespace test{
   
   
   string
-  showSizeof (size_t siz, Symbol name)
+  showSizeof (size_t siz, const char* name)
   {
     static format fmt ("sizeof( %s ) %|30t|= %3d");
     return str (fmt % (name? name:"?") % siz);
diff --git a/src/lib/test/test-helper.hpp b/src/lib/test/test-helper.hpp
index ef004ec88..26d3b5616 100644
--- a/src/lib/test/test-helper.hpp
+++ b/src/lib/test/test-helper.hpp
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
 #define LIB_TEST_TESTHELPER_H
 
 
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include "lib/lumitime.hpp"
 
 #include <typeinfo>
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
 namespace lib {
 namespace test{
   
-  using lumiera::Symbol;
+  using lib::Literal;
   using lumiera::Time;
   using std::string;
   using std::rand;
@@ -52,10 +52,10 @@ namespace test{
    *          type identification as implemented by the compiler.
    */
   template<typename T>
-  inline const char*
-  showType (T const& obj, Symbol name=0)
+  inline Literal
+  showType (T const& obj, Literal name=0)
   {
-    return name? name : typeid(obj).name();
+    return name? name : Literal(typeid(obj).name());
   }
   
   /** get a sensible display for a type 
@@ -65,36 +65,36 @@ namespace test{
    *          type identification as implemented by the compiler.
    */
   template<typename T>
-  inline const char*
-  showType (Symbol name=0)
+  inline Literal
+  showType (Literal name=0)
   {
-    return name? name : typeid(T).name();
+    return name? name : Literal(typeid(T).name());
   }
   
   
   /** for printing sizeof().
    *  prints the given size and name literally, without any further magic */
   string
-  showSizeof (size_t siz, Symbol name);
+  showSizeof (size_t siz, const char* name);
   
   /** for printing sizeof(), trying to figure out the type name automatically */
   template<typename T>
   inline string
-  showSizeof(Symbol name=0)
+  showSizeof(const char* name=0)
   {
     return showSizeof (sizeof (T), showType<T> (name));
   }
   
   template<typename T>
   inline string
-  showSizeof(T const& obj, Symbol name=0)
+  showSizeof(T const& obj, const char* name=0)
   {
     return showSizeof (sizeof (obj), showType (obj,name));
   }
   
   template<typename T>
   inline string
-  showSizeof(T *obj, Symbol name=0)
+  showSizeof(T *obj, const char* name=0)
   {
     return obj? showSizeof (*obj, name)
               : showSizeof<T> (name);
diff --git a/src/proc/asset/buildinstruct.hpp b/src/proc/asset/buildinstruct.hpp
index dee85d58d..1b1129762 100644
--- a/src/proc/asset/buildinstruct.hpp
+++ b/src/proc/asset/buildinstruct.hpp
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@
 #define ASSET_BUILDINSTRUCT_H
 
 
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
+
 #include <boost/variant.hpp>
 #include <string>
 
@@ -39,9 +41,11 @@ using std::string;
 
 
 
-namespace asset
-  {
+namespace asset {
+
   using lumiera::P;
+  using lib::Symbol;
+  using lib::Literal;
   
   class Proc;
   class ProcPatt;
@@ -57,7 +61,7 @@ namespace asset
       vector<PProc> nodes;
 
       /** identifying the point where the nodes should be attached */
-      string point;
+      Literal point;
       
       DoAttach (Symbol where = CURRENT) 
         : point(where) 
diff --git a/src/proc/asset/category.hpp b/src/proc/asset/category.hpp
index c644f2acc..aee5a8a9e 100644
--- a/src/proc/asset/category.hpp
+++ b/src/proc/asset/category.hpp
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@
 #ifndef ASSET_CATEGORY_H
 #define ASSET_CATEGORY_H
 
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
+
 #include <string>
 #include <iostream>
 #include <boost/functional/hash.hpp>
@@ -31,6 +33,8 @@
 
 
 namespace asset {
+
+  using lib::Literal;
   
   using std::string;
   using std::ostream;
@@ -70,7 +74,7 @@ namespace asset {
       string path_;
       
     public:
-      Category (const Kind root, string subfolder ="")
+      Category (const Kind root, Literal subfolder ="")
         : kind_(root), path_(subfolder) {};
       
       bool operator== (Category const& other) const { return kind_== other.kind_ && path_== other.path_; }
diff --git a/src/proc/asset/procpatt.cpp b/src/proc/asset/procpatt.cpp
index 95e985134..4663a3ec7 100644
--- a/src/proc/asset/procpatt.cpp
+++ b/src/proc/asset/procpatt.cpp
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ namespace asset
   ProcPatt::newCopy (string newID)  const
   {
     TODO ("implement the Pattern-ID within the propDescriptor!");
-    TODO ("implement a consitent struct asset naming scheme at one central location!!!!!");
+    TODO ("implement a consistent struct asset naming scheme at one central location!!!!!");
     const Asset::Ident newIdi ( this->ident.name+".X"
                               , this->ident.category
                               );
diff --git a/src/proc/asset/procpatt.hpp b/src/proc/asset/procpatt.hpp
index 4eee80fb2..227679afb 100644
--- a/src/proc/asset/procpatt.hpp
+++ b/src/proc/asset/procpatt.hpp
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ using std::vector;
 namespace asset
   {
   using lumiera::P;
-  using lumiera::Symbol;
+  using lib::Symbol;
 
   class Proc;
   class ProcPatt;
diff --git a/src/proc/asset/struct.cpp b/src/proc/asset/struct.cpp
index 9774f1786..79c5d26a4 100644
--- a/src/proc/asset/struct.cpp
+++ b/src/proc/asset/struct.cpp
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
 
 using boost::format;
 
-using lumiera::Symbol;
+using lib::Symbol;
 using lumiera::query::normaliseID;
 using lumiera::query::QueryHandler;
 using lumiera::ConfigRules;
diff --git a/src/proc/common.hpp b/src/proc/common.hpp
index 7c0680b91..c7da68e24 100644
--- a/src/proc/common.hpp
+++ b/src/proc/common.hpp
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@
 #include "lib/p.hpp"
 #include "lib/util.hpp"
 #include "lib/lumitime.hpp"
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include "lib/error.hpp"   ///< pulls in NoBug via loggging.h
 
 
diff --git a/src/proc/control/command-def.hpp b/src/proc/control/command-def.hpp
index 16b494102..2decf0c4c 100644
--- a/src/proc/control/command-def.hpp
+++ b/src/proc/control/command-def.hpp
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 //#include "pre.hpp"
 #include "lib/error.hpp"
 #include "include/logging.h"
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include "proc/control/command.hpp"
 #include "proc/control/command-impl.hpp"                   /////TODO: any chance to get rid of this import here??
 #include "proc/control/command-registry.hpp"
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ namespace control {
   
   using std::tr1::shared_ptr;
   using std::tr1::function;
-  using lumiera::Symbol;
+  using lib::Symbol;
   using util::cStr;
   
   using lumiera::typelist::FunctionSignature;
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ namespace control {
         : id_(cmdID)
         , prototype_(Command::fetchDef(cmdID))
         {
-          TRACE (command_dbg, "starting CommandDef('%s')...", cmdID);
+          TRACE (command_dbg, "starting CommandDef('%s')...", cmdID.c() );
         }
       
       template<typename SIG>
diff --git a/src/proc/control/command-invocation.hpp b/src/proc/control/command-invocation.hpp
index f8ab945cb..bc1ff54b9 100644
--- a/src/proc/control/command-invocation.hpp
+++ b/src/proc/control/command-invocation.hpp
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 #define CONTROL_COMMAND_INVOCACTION_H
 
 //#include "pre.hpp"
-//#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+//#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 //#include "lib/meta/typelist.hpp"
 //#include "lib/meta/tuple.hpp"
 #include "proc/control/command.hpp"
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@
 
 namespace control {
   
-//  using lumiera::Symbol;
+//  using lib::Symbol;
 //  using std::tr1::shared_ptr;
   using namespace lumiera::typelist;
   
@@ -158,5 +158,14 @@ namespace control {
     return com::RuntimeCheckedCommandInvoker (command);
   }
   
+  
+  inline
+  com::RuntimeCheckedCommandInvoker
+  invoke (const char* cmdID)
+  {
+    return invoke(Symbol(cmdID));
+  }
+  
+  
 } // namespace control
 #endif
diff --git a/src/proc/control/command-signature.hpp b/src/proc/control/command-signature.hpp
index 5c403cace..150e3db0b 100644
--- a/src/proc/control/command-signature.hpp
+++ b/src/proc/control/command-signature.hpp
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
 #define CONTROL_COMMAND_SIGNATURE_H
 
 //#include "pre.hpp"
-//#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+//#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include "lib/meta/function.hpp"
 #include "lib/meta/typelist.hpp"
 #include "lib/meta/typelist-util.hpp"
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
 
 namespace control {
   
-//  using lumiera::Symbol;
+//  using lib::Symbol;
 //  using std::tr1::shared_ptr;
   using std::tr1::function;
   
diff --git a/src/proc/control/command.hpp b/src/proc/control/command.hpp
index fe66a53ee..130cea17b 100644
--- a/src/proc/control/command.hpp
+++ b/src/proc/control/command.hpp
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@
 
 #include "pre.hpp"
 #include "lib/error.hpp"
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include "proc/control/command-binding.hpp"
 #include "proc/control/argument-erasure.hpp"
 #include "proc/control/handling-pattern.hpp"
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@
 namespace control {
   
   using std::string;
-  using lumiera::Symbol;
+  using lib::Symbol;
   using std::tr1::shared_ptr;
   using lumiera::typelist::Tuple;
   
diff --git a/src/proc/control/handling-pattern.cpp b/src/proc/control/handling-pattern.cpp
index d48f39d30..7df3c41d5 100644
--- a/src/proc/control/handling-pattern.cpp
+++ b/src/proc/control/handling-pattern.cpp
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
 #include "proc/control/handling-pattern.hpp"
 #include "proc/control/handling-patterns.hpp"
 
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include "include/logging.h"
 #include "lib/util.hpp"
 //#include "proc/mobject/mobject-ref.hpp"
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ namespace control {
   ExecResult
   HandlingPattern::invoke (CommandImpl& command, Symbol name)  const
   {
-    TRACE (proc_dbg, "invoking %s...", name);
+    TRACE (proc_dbg, "invoking %s...", name.c());
     static format err_pre ("Error state detected, %s *NOT* invoked.");
     static format err_post ("Error state after %s invocation.");
     static format err_fatal ("Execution of %s raised unknown error.");
@@ -83,21 +83,21 @@ namespace control {
     catch (lumiera::Error& problem)
       {
         Symbol errID = lumiera_error();
-        WARN (command, "Invocation of %s failed: %s", name, problem.what());
-        TRACE (proc_dbg, "Error flag was: %s", errID);
+        WARN (command, "Invocation of %s failed: %s", name.c(), problem.what());
+        TRACE (proc_dbg, "Error flag was: %s", errID.c());
         return ExecResult (problem);
       }
     catch (std::exception& library_problem)
       {
         Symbol errID = lumiera_error();
-        WARN (command, "Invocation of %s failed: %s", name, library_problem.what());
-        TRACE (proc_dbg, "Error flag was: %s", errID);
+        WARN (command, "Invocation of %s failed: %s", name.c(), library_problem.what());
+        TRACE (proc_dbg, "Error flag was: %s", errID.c());
         return ExecResult (error::External (library_problem));
       }
     catch (...)
       {
         Symbol errID = lumiera_error();
-        ERROR (command, "Invocation of %s failed with unknown exception; error flag is: %s", name, errID);
+        ERROR (command, "Invocation of %s failed with unknown exception; error flag is: %s", name.c(), errID.c());
         throw error::Fatal (str (err_fatal % command), errID);
       }
   }
diff --git a/src/proc/control/handling-pattern.hpp b/src/proc/control/handling-pattern.hpp
index c52b26075..5422bfb31 100644
--- a/src/proc/control/handling-pattern.hpp
+++ b/src/proc/control/handling-pattern.hpp
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
 //#include "pre.hpp"
 #include "lib/error.hpp"
 #include "lib/bool-checkable.hpp"
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 
 //#include <tr1/memory>
 #include <string>
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
 namespace control {
   
   using std::string;
-  using lumiera::Symbol;
+  using lib::Symbol;
 //  using std::tr1::shared_ptr;
   
   
diff --git a/src/proc/control/handling-patterns.hpp b/src/proc/control/handling-patterns.hpp
index b3e56f36c..f4d62cc7b 100644
--- a/src/proc/control/handling-patterns.hpp
+++ b/src/proc/control/handling-patterns.hpp
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
 #include "proc/control/command-impl.hpp"
 #include "proc/mobject/session.hpp"
 #include "include/lifecycle.h"
-//#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+//#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 
 //#include <tr1/memory>
 //#include <string>
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ namespace control {
   
     using std::vector;
 //  using std::string;
-//  using lumiera::Symbol;
+//  using lib::Symbol;
 //  using std::tr1::shared_ptr;
     
     
diff --git a/src/proc/control/mediaimpllib.hpp b/src/proc/control/mediaimpllib.hpp
index 958d65a12..6150c3f4e 100644
--- a/src/proc/control/mediaimpllib.hpp
+++ b/src/proc/control/mediaimpllib.hpp
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 
 namespace control {
   
-  using lumiera::Symbol;
+  using lib::Symbol;
   
   
   class MediaImplLib
diff --git a/src/proc/control/proc-dispatcher.hpp b/src/proc/control/proc-dispatcher.hpp
index b0783a940..61352bc47 100644
--- a/src/proc/control/proc-dispatcher.hpp
+++ b/src/proc/control/proc-dispatcher.hpp
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
 #define CONTROL_PROC_DISPATCHER_H
 
 //#include "pre.hpp"
-//#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+//#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include "proc/control/command.hpp"
 
 //#include <tr1/memory>
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@
 
 namespace control {
   
-//  using lumiera::Symbol;
+//  using lib::Symbol;
 //  using std::tr1::shared_ptr;
   
   
diff --git a/src/proc/control/stypemanager.cpp b/src/proc/control/stypemanager.cpp
index d2f798a8b..30e34f644 100644
--- a/src/proc/control/stypemanager.cpp
+++ b/src/proc/control/stypemanager.cpp
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 namespace control {
   
   using lumiera::StreamType;
-  using lumiera::Symbol;
+  using lib::Symbol;
   
   /* ======= stream type manager lifecycle ==========*/
   
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ namespace control {
    *        their basic setup functions using this hook, which can be done via
    *        the C interface functions 
    */
-  Symbol ON_STREAMTYPES_RESET ("ON_STREAMTYPES_RESET");
+  const char* ON_STREAMTYPES_RESET ("ON_STREAMTYPES_RESET");
   
   
   
diff --git a/src/proc/control/stypemanager.hpp b/src/proc/control/stypemanager.hpp
index 31ec08675..b35334124 100644
--- a/src/proc/control/stypemanager.hpp
+++ b/src/proc/control/stypemanager.hpp
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 
 namespace control {
   
-  using lumiera::Symbol;
+  using lib::Symbol;
   using lumiera::StreamType;
   
   
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ namespace control {
       ImplFacade const& fetchImpl (StreamType::ImplFacade::TypeTag);
     };
   
-  extern Symbol ON_STREAMTYPES_RESET;  ///< triggered to load the generic pristine default
+  extern const char* ON_STREAMTYPES_RESET;  ///< triggered to load the generic pristine default
   
   
   template<class TY>
diff --git a/src/proc/mobject/builder/mould.hpp b/src/proc/mobject/builder/mould.hpp
index 425e76b30..9a0108104 100644
--- a/src/proc/mobject/builder/mould.hpp
+++ b/src/proc/mobject/builder/mould.hpp
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ namespace mobject {
   
     using std::vector;
     using asset::PProcPatt;
-    using lumiera::Symbol;
+    using lib::Symbol;
 
 
     /**
diff --git a/src/proc/mobject/session.hpp b/src/proc/mobject/session.hpp
index 7ce03ed62..0542e1da2 100644
--- a/src/proc/mobject/session.hpp
+++ b/src/proc/mobject/session.hpp
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
 #include "proc/mobject/placement.hpp"
 #include "proc/mobject/session/defsmanager.hpp"
 #include "lib/singleton.hpp"
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 
 #include <boost/noncopyable.hpp>
 #include <tr1/memory>
@@ -99,9 +99,9 @@ namespace mobject {
     };
   
   
-  extern lumiera::Symbol ON_SESSION_START;  ///< triggered before loading any content into a newly created session
-  extern lumiera::Symbol ON_SESSION_INIT;   ///< triggered when initialising a new session, after adding content
-  extern lumiera::Symbol ON_SESSION_END;    ///< triggered before discarding an existing session
+  extern const char* ON_SESSION_START;  ///< triggered before loading any content into a newly created session
+  extern const char* ON_SESSION_INIT;   ///< triggered when initialising a new session, after adding content
+  extern const char* ON_SESSION_END;    ///< triggered before discarding an existing session
   
   
   namespace session {
diff --git a/src/proc/mobject/session/session.cpp b/src/proc/mobject/session/session.cpp
index 1a75c5e9b..f466259b3 100644
--- a/src/proc/mobject/session/session.cpp
+++ b/src/proc/mobject/session/session.cpp
@@ -35,11 +35,11 @@
 #include "proc/mobject/session/defsmanager.hpp"
 #include "proc/mobject/session/session-impl.hpp"
 
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include "lib/singleton.hpp"
 
 
-using lumiera::Symbol;
+using lib::Symbol;
 using lumiera::Singleton;
 using mobject::session::SessManager;
 using mobject::session::SessManagerImpl;
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ namespace mobject {
    *        session should register their basic setup functions using this hook, which can be
    *        done via the C interface functions defined in lifecycle.h
    */
-  Symbol ON_SESSION_START ("ON_SESSION_START");
+  const char* ON_SESSION_START ("ON_SESSION_START");
   
   /** \par
    *  LifecycleHook, to perform any initialisation, wiring and registrations necessary
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ namespace mobject {
    *  and configuration has already be loaded. Any subsystems requiring to build some indices
    *  or wiring to keep track of the session's content should register here.
    */
-  Symbol ON_SESSION_INIT ("ON_SESSION_INIT");
+  const char* ON_SESSION_INIT ("ON_SESSION_INIT");
   
   /** \par
    *  LifecycleHook, to perform any state saving, deregistration or de-activation necessary 
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ namespace mobject {
    *        specific/internal information into the persisted state, besides actually attaching
    *        data to objects within the session?
    */
-  Symbol ON_SESSION_END ("ON_SESSION_END");
+  const char* ON_SESSION_END ("ON_SESSION_END");
   
   
   
diff --git a/tests/components/proc/control/command-registry-test.cpp b/tests/components/proc/control/command-registry-test.cpp
index a4d473db8..d03ef200f 100644
--- a/tests/components/proc/control/command-registry-test.cpp
+++ b/tests/components/proc/control/command-registry-test.cpp
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
 #include "proc/control/command-registry.hpp"
 #include "proc/control/command-def.hpp"
 //#include "lib/lumitime.hpp"
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include "lib/util.hpp"
 
 #include "proc/control/test-dummy-commands.hpp"
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ namespace test    {
 //  using util::contains;
 
 //  using session::test::TestClip;
-  using lumiera::Symbol;
+  using lib::Symbol;
 //  using lumiera::P;
   
   
diff --git a/tests/components/proc/mobject/session/defsmanagerimpltest.cpp b/tests/components/proc/mobject/session/defsmanagerimpltest.cpp
index 89cbc4368..c3a260876 100644
--- a/tests/components/proc/mobject/session/defsmanagerimpltest.cpp
+++ b/tests/components/proc/mobject/session/defsmanagerimpltest.cpp
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ namespace asset {
   namespace test {
     
     using mobject::Session;
-    using lumiera::Symbol;
+    using lib::Symbol;
     using lumiera::Query;
     using lumiera::query::normaliseID;
     
diff --git a/tests/components/proc/mobject/test-dummy-mobject.hpp b/tests/components/proc/mobject/test-dummy-mobject.hpp
index 28988c473..d301fbd81 100644
--- a/tests/components/proc/mobject/test-dummy-mobject.hpp
+++ b/tests/components/proc/mobject/test-dummy-mobject.hpp
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
 #include "proc/mobject/builder/buildertool.hpp"
 #include "proc/mobject/session/abstractmo.hpp"
 #include "proc/mobject/placement.hpp"
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include "lib/util.hpp"
 
 #include <boost/format.hpp>
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ using std::cout;
 namespace mobject {
 namespace test    {
   
-  using lumiera::Symbol;
+  using lib::Symbol;
   using builder::BuilderTool;
   
   
diff --git a/tests/lib/lifecycletest.cpp b/tests/lib/lifecycletest.cpp
index 8b98373e5..00b43fd36 100644
--- a/tests/lib/lifecycletest.cpp
+++ b/tests/lib/lifecycletest.cpp
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ namespace test   {
   void basicInitHook () { ++basicInit; }
   void myCallback() { ++customCallback; }
   
-  Symbol MY_DEADLY_EVENT = "dial M for murder";
+  const char* MY_DEADLY_EVENT = "dial M for murder";
   
   
   namespace // register them to be invoked by lifecycle event id
diff --git a/tests/lib/query/queryutilstest.cpp b/tests/lib/query/queryutilstest.cpp
index 6f642ea49..61b464118 100644
--- a/tests/lib/query/queryutilstest.cpp
+++ b/tests/lib/query/queryutilstest.cpp
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ namespace lumiera {
             }
           
           void
-          ASSERT_removeTerm (Symbol sym, string input, Symbol extracted, Symbol modified)
+          ASSERT_removeTerm (Symbol sym, string input, string extracted, string modified)
             {
               ASSERT (extracted == removeTerm (sym, input));
               ASSERT (modified  == input);
diff --git a/tests/lib/singletontestmocktest.cpp b/tests/lib/singletontestmocktest.cpp
index 131603c49..797916f6a 100644
--- a/tests/lib/singletontestmocktest.cpp
+++ b/tests/lib/singletontestmocktest.cpp
@@ -57,11 +57,11 @@ namespace lumiera
         TestSingletonO(Symbol ty="TestSingletonO")
             : callCnt (0), typid(ty), msg ("%s::doIt() call=%d\n")
         {
-          TRACE (test, "ctor %s", typid);
+          TRACE (test, "ctor %s", typid.c());
         }
         virtual ~TestSingletonO()
         {
-          TRACE (test, "dtor %s", typid);
+          TRACE (test, "dtor %s", typid.c());
         }
 
         void doIt ()
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ namespace lumiera
           sing->doIt();
           ASSERT (sing->getCnt() == 1);
 
-          instance.injectSubclass (0); // unshaddowing original instance
+          instance.injectSubclass (0); // un-shadowing original instance
           sing = &instance();
           ASSERT (sing->getCnt() == 2);
           sing->doIt();
diff --git a/tests/lib/subsystem-runner-test.cpp b/tests/lib/subsystem-runner-test.cpp
index 8585ee563..e86e0af05 100644
--- a/tests/lib/subsystem-runner-test.cpp
+++ b/tests/lib/subsystem-runner-test.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
 #include "common/subsystem-runner.hpp"
 #include "common/option.hpp"
 
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include "backend/thread-wrapper.hpp"
 #include "lib/error.hpp"
 #include "lib/query.hpp"
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ namespace test  {
           public Sync<RecursiveLock_Waitable>
         {
           Literal id_;
-          Literal spec_;
+          const string spec_;
           
           volatile bool isUp_;
           volatile bool didRun_;
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ namespace test  {
           bool
           shouldStart (lumiera::Option&)
             {
-              Literal startSpec (extractID ("start",spec_));
+              string startSpec (extractID ("start",spec_));
               return "true" ==startSpec 
                   || "fail" ==startSpec
                   || "throw"==startSpec;
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ namespace test  {
           void
           run (Subsys::SigTerm termination)
             {
-              Literal runSpec (extractID ("run",spec_));
+              string runSpec (extractID ("run",spec_));
               ASSERT (!isnil (runSpec));
               
               { // run-status handshake
diff --git a/tests/lib/thread-wrapper-join-test.cpp b/tests/lib/thread-wrapper-join-test.cpp
index e7e80cd08..93257e794 100644
--- a/tests/lib/thread-wrapper-join-test.cpp
+++ b/tests/lib/thread-wrapper-join-test.cpp
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 
 #include "lib/test/run.hpp"
 
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include "backend/thread-wrapper.hpp"
 #include "lib/error.hpp"
 #include "lib/sync.hpp"
diff --git a/tests/lib/thread-wrapper-test.cpp b/tests/lib/thread-wrapper-test.cpp
index 9c66b4145..edd9660f1 100644
--- a/tests/lib/thread-wrapper-test.cpp
+++ b/tests/lib/thread-wrapper-test.cpp
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 
 #include "lib/test/run.hpp"
 
-#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include "backend/thread-wrapper.hpp"
 #include "lib/sync.hpp"
 
diff --git a/tests/lib/typed-allocation-manager-test.cpp b/tests/lib/typed-allocation-manager-test.cpp
index 09c5254e8..c8cf35de1 100644
--- a/tests/lib/typed-allocation-manager-test.cpp
+++ b/tests/lib/typed-allocation-manager-test.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
 #include "proc/control/typed-allocation-manager.hpp"
 //#include "proc/control/command-def.hpp"
 //#include "lib/lumitime.hpp"
-//#include "include/symbol.hpp"
+//#include "lib/symbol.hpp"
 #include "lib/util.hpp"
 
 
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ namespace test    {
 //  using util::contains;
 
 //  using session::test::TestClip;
-//  using lumiera::Symbol;
+//  using lib::Symbol;
 //  using lumiera::P;