The TextGrid Laboratory, together with the TextGrid Repository, is a diverse research environment. The TextGridLab includes various tools and services that you can access to create, manage, and edit research data. The TextGridLab offers the possibility to collaboratively edit and generate research data in a protected environment. The Open-Source-Software is available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Other open source tools and services optimized for use with TextGrid can be integrated via the MarketPlace integrated into the TextGridLab (access via the start window of the TextGridLab). Thanks to the modular open-source architecture of the software, the tools and services provided by TextGrid can also be adapted to specific project-specific requirements. At the heart of the third funding phase (2012-2015) was the transfer of the virtual research environment into the long-term sustainable operation. TextGrid is freely available as part of the DARIAH infrastructure.

The TextGridLab is optimised for XML/TEI development, e.g. in the context of digital editions.

Advantages

• Decentralized work area: Users can access the TextGridLab and the TextgridRep independently of the location and work together in complex research projects.
• Standardization: The controlled metadata vocabulary and open standards facilitate the exchange of data, text search, and digital archiving.
• Extensibility: TextGrid is extensible and allows users to improve existing tools or integrate new tools and services.
• Modularity: The TextGridLab is modular, the XML editor serves as a core element on which the virtual research environment builds. Numerous tools and services are linked to the XML editor and arranged and combined according to the individual needs of the project.
• User Rights Assignment: TextGrid provides a sophisticated, roll-based access control to manage user rights.

Included Tools

• XML-Editor
• Text-Bild-Link-Editor
• Metadaten-Editor
• Text-Text-Link-Editor
• Dictionary research tool
• DigiLib
• MEISE
• Aggregation Composer
• User and project management
• Lemmatizer
• COSMAS II
• LEXUS

Target Groups

• scholars of the Arts and Humanities using TextGrid for their research projects
• developers adapting TextGrid tools and services for specific scholarly needs
• academic institutions (e.g. archives, libraries) storing data in TextGrid or linking data to own data bases

Architecture and Standards

Interoperability

Owing to the modular architecture based on open sources the service-driven TextGrid infrastructure allows a high level of interoperability.

Homogeneity

TextGrid provides a platform that comprises numerous tools in one research infrastructure. The complete scientific workflow should be included: from collecting and generating of primary data through editions and publications. By TextGrid an open and easy access to a growing amount of scientific resources is available.

Open source

TextGrid is an open source-project. All the tools and most of the content is freely available and documented. Consequently all scientist can be part of the developing community.

Open standards

TextGrid is based on open standards (data format, interfaces, protocols etc.) and enables the exchange and re-use of data and tools.

XML and TEI

TextGrid builds on the XML-based database system eXist. Therefore the markup language XML and the data format TEI are supported. They have proved themselves as international standard for the text technological analysis of humanistic contents, especially of the linguistics and the edition philology.

Context: TextGrid

The TextGrid virtual research environment consists of two main components: the TextGrid Laboratory (TextGridLab), which serves as the entry point to the virtual research environment, and the TextGrid Repository (TextGridRep), which is a long-term humanities data archive ensuring sustainability, interoperability and long-term access to research data. To support all stages of the research lifecycle, preserve and maintain research data, and ensure its long-term usefulness, existing research practices must be supported.