diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Create.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Create.js
index 088622e3..1327821f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Create.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Create.js
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import GlobalUI from './GlobalUI'
  * Metamaps.Create.js
  *
  * Dependencies:
- *  - Metamaps.Backbone
+ *  - Metamaps.DataModel
  *  - Metamaps.Metacodes
  *  - Metamaps.Topics
  */
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ const Create = {
     }
 
     var codesToSwitchToIds
-    var metacodeModels = new Metamaps.Backbone.MetacodeCollection()
+    var metacodeModels = new Metamaps.DataModel.MetacodeCollection()
     Create.selectedMetacodeSetIndex = index
     Create.selectedMetacodeSet = 'metacodeset-' + set
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Backbone/index.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/DataModel/index.js
similarity index 97%
rename from frontend/src/Metamaps/Backbone/index.js
rename to frontend/src/Metamaps/DataModel/index.js
index ff4c48b9..1aaac52f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Backbone/index.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/DataModel/index.js
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ import TopicCard from '../TopicCard'
 import Visualize from '../Visualize'
 
 /*
- * Metamaps.Backbone.js.erb
+ * Metamaps.DataModel.js
  *
  * Dependencies:
  *  - Metamaps.Collaborators
@@ -30,9 +30,9 @@ import Visualize from '../Visualize'
  *  - Metamaps.Topics
  */
 
-const _Backbone = {}
+const DataModel = {}
 
-_Backbone.Map = Backbone.Model.extend({
+DataModel.Map = Backbone.Model.extend({
   urlRoot: '/maps',
   blacklist: ['created_at', 'updated_at', 'created_at_clean', 'updated_at_clean', 'user_name', 'contributor_count', 'topic_count', 'synapse_count', 'topics', 'synapses', 'mappings', 'mappers'],
   toJSON: function (options) {
@@ -106,8 +106,8 @@ _Backbone.Map = Backbone.Model.extend({
     }
   }
 })
-_Backbone.MapsCollection = Backbone.Collection.extend({
-  model: _Backbone.Map,
+DataModel.MapsCollection = Backbone.Collection.extend({
+  model: DataModel.Map,
   initialize: function (models, options) {
     this.id = options.id
     this.sortBy = options.sortBy
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ _Backbone.MapsCollection = Backbone.Collection.extend({
   }
 })
 
-_Backbone.Message = Backbone.Model.extend({
+DataModel.Message = Backbone.Model.extend({
   urlRoot: '/messages',
   blacklist: ['created_at', 'updated_at'],
   toJSON: function (options) {
@@ -190,12 +190,12 @@ _Backbone.Message = Backbone.Model.extend({
      */
   }
 })
-_Backbone.MessageCollection = Backbone.Collection.extend({
-  model: _Backbone.Message,
+DataModel.MessageCollection = Backbone.Collection.extend({
+  model: DataModel.Message,
   url: '/messages'
 })
 
-_Backbone.Mapper = Backbone.Model.extend({
+DataModel.Mapper = Backbone.Model.extend({
   urlRoot: '/users',
   blacklist: ['created_at', 'updated_at'],
   toJSON: function (options) {
@@ -211,13 +211,13 @@ _Backbone.Mapper = Backbone.Model.extend({
   }
 })
 
-_Backbone.MapperCollection = Backbone.Collection.extend({
-  model: _Backbone.Mapper,
+DataModel.MapperCollection = Backbone.Collection.extend({
+  model: DataModel.Mapper,
   url: '/users'
 })
 
-_Backbone.init = function () {
-  var self = _Backbone
+DataModel.init = function () {
+  var self = DataModel
 
   self.Metacode = Backbone.Model.extend({
     initialize: function () {
@@ -658,6 +658,6 @@ _Backbone.init = function () {
     }
   }
   self.attachCollectionEvents()
-}; // end _Backbone.init
+}; // end DataModel.init
 
-export default _Backbone
+export default DataModel
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/GlobalUI/CreateMap.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/GlobalUI/CreateMap.js
index a24c73c8..d53b4106 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/GlobalUI/CreateMap.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/GlobalUI/CreateMap.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import Active from '../Active'
 import GlobalUI from './index'
 
 /*
- * Metamaps.Backbone
+ * Metamaps.DataModel
  * Metamaps.Maps
  */
 
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ const CreateMap = {
   init: function () {
     var self = CreateMap
 
-    self.newMap = new Metamaps.Backbone.Map({ permission: 'commons' })
+    self.newMap = new Metamaps.DataModel.Map({ permission: 'commons' })
 
     self.bindFormEvents()
 
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ const CreateMap = {
     }
 
     self.bindFormEvents()
-    self.newMap = new Metamaps.Backbone.Map({ permission: 'commons' })
+    self.newMap = new Metamaps.DataModel.Map({ permission: 'commons' })
 
     return false
   }
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/GlobalUI/index.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/GlobalUI/index.js
index 4f1feb18..580aa831 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/GlobalUI/index.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/GlobalUI/index.js
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import Account from './Account'
 import ImportDialog from './ImportDialog'
 
 /*
- * Metamaps.Backbone
+ * Metamaps.DataModel
  * Metamaps.Maps
  */
 
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ const GlobalUI = {
     $('#lightbox_screen, #lightbox_close').click(self.closeLightbox)
 
     // initialize global backbone models and collections
-    if (Active.Mapper) Active.Mapper = new Metamaps.Backbone.Mapper(Active.Mapper)
+    if (Active.Mapper) Active.Mapper = new Metamaps.DataModel.Mapper(Active.Mapper)
 
     var myCollection = Metamaps.Maps.Mine ? Metamaps.Maps.Mine : []
     var sharedCollection = Metamaps.Maps.Shared ? Metamaps.Maps.Shared : []
@@ -51,13 +51,13 @@ const GlobalUI = {
     }
     var featuredCollection = Metamaps.Maps.Featured ? Metamaps.Maps.Featured : []
     var activeCollection = Metamaps.Maps.Active ? Metamaps.Maps.Active : []
-    Metamaps.Maps.Mine = new Metamaps.Backbone.MapsCollection(myCollection, { id: 'mine', sortBy: 'updated_at' })
-    Metamaps.Maps.Shared = new Metamaps.Backbone.MapsCollection(sharedCollection, { id: 'shared', sortBy: 'updated_at' })
-    Metamaps.Maps.Starred = new Metamaps.Backbone.MapsCollection(starredCollection, { id: 'starred', sortBy: 'updated_at' })
+    Metamaps.Maps.Mine = new Metamaps.DataModel.MapsCollection(myCollection, { id: 'mine', sortBy: 'updated_at' })
+    Metamaps.Maps.Shared = new Metamaps.DataModel.MapsCollection(sharedCollection, { id: 'shared', sortBy: 'updated_at' })
+    Metamaps.Maps.Starred = new Metamaps.DataModel.MapsCollection(starredCollection, { id: 'starred', sortBy: 'updated_at' })
     // 'Mapper' refers to another mapper
-    Metamaps.Maps.Mapper = new Metamaps.Backbone.MapsCollection(mapperCollection, mapperOptionsObj)
-    Metamaps.Maps.Featured = new Metamaps.Backbone.MapsCollection(featuredCollection, { id: 'featured', sortBy: 'updated_at' })
-    Metamaps.Maps.Active = new Metamaps.Backbone.MapsCollection(activeCollection, { id: 'active', sortBy: 'updated_at' })
+    Metamaps.Maps.Mapper = new Metamaps.DataModel.MapsCollection(mapperCollection, mapperOptionsObj)
+    Metamaps.Maps.Featured = new Metamaps.DataModel.MapsCollection(featuredCollection, { id: 'featured', sortBy: 'updated_at' })
+    Metamaps.Maps.Active = new Metamaps.DataModel.MapsCollection(activeCollection, { id: 'active', sortBy: 'updated_at' })
   },
   showDiv: function (selector) {
     $(selector).show()
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Import.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Import.js
index 6fd43bfe..b829c0b1 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Import.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Import.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import Topic from './Topic'
  * Metamaps.Import.js.erb
  *
  * Dependencies:
- *  - Metamaps.Backbone
+ *  - Metamaps.DataModel
  *  - Metamaps.Mappings
  *  - Metamaps.Metacodes
  *  - Metamaps.Synapses
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ const Import = {
 
     var topic_permission = permission || Active.Map.get('permission')
     var defer_to_map_id = permission === topic_permission ? Active.Map.get('id') : null
-    var topic = new Metamaps.Backbone.Topic({
+    var topic = new Metamaps.DataModel.Topic({
       name: name,
       metacode_id: metacode.id,
       permission: topic_permission,
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ const Import = {
       self.cidMappings[import_id] = topic.cid
     }
 
-    var mapping = new Metamaps.Backbone.Mapping({
+    var mapping = new Metamaps.DataModel.Mapping({
       xloc: xloc,
       yloc: yloc,
       mappable_id: topic.cid,
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ const Import = {
       return
     } // if
 
-    var synapse = new Metamaps.Backbone.Synapse({
+    var synapse = new Metamaps.DataModel.Synapse({
       desc: desc || '',
       category: category || 'from-to',
       permission: permission,
@@ -349,7 +349,7 @@ const Import = {
     })
     Metamaps.Synapses.add(synapse)
 
-    var mapping = new Metamaps.Backbone.Mapping({
+    var mapping = new Metamaps.DataModel.Mapping({
       mappable_type: 'Synapse',
       mappable_id: synapse.cid
     })
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Map/index.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Map/index.js
index 09790b89..bcf4397b 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Map/index.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Map/index.js
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ import InfoBox from './InfoBox'
  * Metamaps.Map.js.erb
  *
  * Dependencies:
- *  - Metamaps.Backbone
+ *  - Metamaps.DataModel
  *  - Metamaps.Erb
  *  - Metamaps.Loading
  *  - Metamaps.Mappers
@@ -82,17 +82,16 @@ const Map = {
     $('.viewOnly').removeClass('sendRequest sentRequest requestDenied').addClass(className)
   },
   launch: function (id) {
-    var bb = Metamaps.Backbone
     var start = function (data) {
-      Active.Map = new bb.Map(data.map)
-      Metamaps.Mappers = new bb.MapperCollection(data.mappers)
-      Metamaps.Collaborators = new bb.MapperCollection(data.collaborators)
-      Metamaps.Topics = new bb.TopicCollection(data.topics)
-      Metamaps.Synapses = new bb.SynapseCollection(data.synapses)
-      Metamaps.Mappings = new bb.MappingCollection(data.mappings)
+      Active.Map = new Metamaps.DataModel.Map(data.map)
+      Metamaps.Mappers = new Metamaps.DataModel.MapperCollection(data.mappers)
+      Metamaps.Collaborators = new Metamaps.DataModel.MapperCollection(data.collaborators)
+      Metamaps.Topics = new Metamaps.DataModel.TopicCollection(data.topics)
+      Metamaps.Synapses = new Metamaps.DataModel.SynapseCollection(data.synapses)
+      Metamaps.Mappings = new Metamaps.DataModel.MappingCollection(data.mappings)
       Metamaps.Messages = data.messages
       Metamaps.Stars = data.stars
-      Metamaps.Backbone.attachCollectionEvents()
+      Metamaps.DataModel.attachCollectionEvents()
 
       var map = Active.Map
       var mapper = Active.Mapper
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Mapper.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Mapper.js
index 70cbd81a..4beff8bf 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Mapper.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Mapper.js
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 /*
  * Dependencies:
- *  Metamaps.Backbone
+ *  Metamaps.DataModel
  */
 
 const Mapper = {
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ const Mapper = {
     $.ajax({
       url: `/users/${id}.json`,
       success: data => {
-        callback(new Metamaps.Backbone.Mapper(data))
+        callback(new Metamaps.DataModel.Mapper(data))
       }
     })
   }
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/index.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/index.js
index 49fd357d..1e91975a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/index.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/index.js
@@ -1,23 +1,11 @@
-/* global Metamaps, $ */
-
-/*
- * Metamaps.Realtime.js
- *
- * Dependencies:
- *  - Metamaps.Backbone
- *  - Metamaps.Erb
- *  - Metamaps.Mappers
- *  - Metamaps.Mappings
- *  - Metamaps.Messages
- *  - Metamaps.Synapses
- *  - Metamaps.Topics
- */
+/* global $ */
 
 import _ from 'lodash'
 import SimpleWebRTC from 'simplewebrtc'
 import SocketIoConnection from 'simplewebrtc/socketioconnection'
 
 import Active from '../Active'
+import DataModel from '../DataModel'
 import GlobalUI from '../GlobalUI'
 import JIT from '../JIT'
 import Synapse from '../Synapse'
@@ -121,12 +109,14 @@ let Realtime = {
   broadcastingStatus: false,
   inConversation: false,
   localVideo: null,
-  init: function () {
+  'junto_spinner_darkgrey.gif': '',
+  init: function (serverData) {
     var self = Realtime
 
     self.addJuntoListeners()
 
-    self.socket = new SocketIoConnection({ url: Metamaps.Erb['REALTIME_SERVER']})
+    self.socket = new SocketIoConnection({ url: serverData['REALTIME_SERVER']})
+    self['junto_spinner_darkgrey.gif'] = serverData['junto_spinner_darkgrey.gif']
     
     self.socket.on('connect', function () {
       console.log('connected')
@@ -230,7 +220,7 @@ let Realtime = {
         self.setupSocket()
         self.setupLocalSendables()
       }
-      self.room.addMessages(new Metamaps.Backbone.MessageCollection(Metamaps.Messages), true)
+      self.room.addMessages(new DataModel.MessageCollection(DataModel.Messages), true)
     }
   },
   endActiveMap: function () {
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/receivable.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/receivable.js
index 3e9b5d16..c1432333 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/receivable.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Realtime/receivable.js
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ everthing in this file happens as a result of websocket events
 import { JUNTO_UPDATED } from './events'
 
 import Active from '../Active'
+import DataModel from '../DataModel'
 import GlobalUI from '../GlobalUI'
 import Control from '../Control'
 import Map from '../Map'
@@ -22,7 +23,7 @@ export const juntoUpdated = self => state => {
 }
 
 export const synapseRemoved = self => data => {
-  var synapse = Metamaps.Synapses.get(data.mappableid)
+  var synapse = DataModel.Synapses.get(data.mappableid)
   if (synapse) {
     var edge = synapse.get('edge')
     var mapping = synapse.getMapping()
@@ -36,8 +37,8 @@ export const synapseRemoved = self => data => {
     if (edge.getData('displayIndex')) {
       delete edge.data.$displayIndex
     }
-    Metamaps.Synapses.remove(synapse)
-    Metamaps.Mappings.remove(mapping)
+    DataModel.Synapses.remove(synapse)
+    DataModel.Mappings.remove(mapping)
   }
 }
 
@@ -63,18 +64,18 @@ export const synapseCreated = self => data => {
     }
   }
 
-  mapper = Metamaps.Mappers.get(data.mapperid)
+  mapper = DataModel.Mappers.get(data.mapperid)
   if (mapper === undefined) {
     Mapper.get(data.mapperid, function(m) {
-      Metamaps.Mappers.add(m)
+      DataModel.Mappers.add(m)
       mapper = m
     })
   }
   $.ajax({
     url: '/synapses/' + data.mappableid + '.json',
     success: function (response) {
-      Metamaps.Synapses.add(response)
-      synapse = Metamaps.Synapses.get(response.id)
+      DataModel.Synapses.add(response)
+      synapse = DataModel.Synapses.get(response.id)
     },
     error: function () {
       cancel = true
@@ -83,8 +84,8 @@ export const synapseCreated = self => data => {
   $.ajax({
     url: '/mappings/' + data.mappingid + '.json',
     success: function (response) {
-      Metamaps.Mappings.add(response)
-      mapping = Metamaps.Mappings.get(response.id)
+      DataModel.Mappings.add(response)
+      mapping = DataModel.Mappings.get(response.id)
     },
     error: function () {
       cancel = true
@@ -94,13 +95,13 @@ export const synapseCreated = self => data => {
 }
 
 export const topicRemoved = self => data => {
-  var topic = Metamaps.Topics.get(data.mappableid)
+  var topic = DataModel.Topics.get(data.mappableid)
   if (topic) {
     var node = topic.get('node')
     var mapping = topic.getMapping()
     Control.hideNode(node.id)
-    Metamaps.Topics.remove(topic)
-    Metamaps.Mappings.remove(mapping)
+    DataModel.Topics.remove(topic)
+    DataModel.Mappings.remove(mapping)
   }
 }
 
@@ -120,18 +121,18 @@ export const topicCreated = self => data => {
     }
   }
 
-  mapper = Metamaps.Mappers.get(data.mapperid)
+  mapper = DataModel.Mappers.get(data.mapperid)
   if (mapper === undefined) {
     Mapper.get(data.mapperid, function(m) {
-      Metamaps.Mappers.add(m)
+      DataModel.Mappers.add(m)
       mapper = m
     })
   }
   $.ajax({
     url: '/topics/' + data.mappableid + '.json',
     success: function (response) {
-      Metamaps.Topics.add(response)
-      topic = Metamaps.Topics.get(response.id)
+      DataModel.Topics.add(response)
+      topic = DataModel.Topics.get(response.id)
     },
     error: function () {
       cancel = true
@@ -140,8 +141,8 @@ export const topicCreated = self => data => {
   $.ajax({
     url: '/mappings/' + data.mappingid + '.json',
     success: function (response) {
-      Metamaps.Mappings.add(response)
-      mapping = Metamaps.Mappings.get(response.id)
+      DataModel.Mappings.add(response)
+      mapping = DataModel.Mappings.get(response.id)
     },
     error: function () {
       cancel = true
@@ -152,7 +153,7 @@ export const topicCreated = self => data => {
 }
 
 export const messageCreated = self => data => {
-  self.room.addMessages(new Metamaps.Backbone.MessageCollection(data))
+  self.room.addMessages(new DataModel.MessageCollection(data))
 }
 
 export const mapUpdated = self => data => {
@@ -182,7 +183,7 @@ export const mapUpdated = self => data => {
 }
 
 export const topicUpdated = self => data => {
-  var topic = Metamaps.Topics.get(data.topicId)
+  var topic = DataModel.Topics.get(data.topicId)
   if (topic) {
     var node = topic.get('node')
     topic.fetch({
@@ -195,7 +196,7 @@ export const topicUpdated = self => data => {
 }
 
 export const synapseUpdated = self => data => {
-  var synapse = Metamaps.Synapses.get(data.synapseId)
+  var synapse = DataModel.Synapses.get(data.synapseId)
   if (synapse) {
     // edge reset necessary because fetch causes model reset
     var edge = synapse.get('edge')
@@ -214,7 +215,7 @@ export const topicDragged = self => positions => {
 
   if (Active.Map) {
     for (var key in positions) {
-      topic = Metamaps.Topics.get(key)
+      topic = DataModel.Topics.get(key)
       if (topic) node = topic.get('node')
       if (node) node.pos.setc(positions[key].x, positions[key].y)
     } // for
@@ -332,7 +333,7 @@ export const invitedToCall = self => inviter => {
   self.soundId = self.room.chat.sound.play('sessioninvite')
 
   var username = self.mappersOnMap[inviter].name
-  var notifyText = '<img src="' + Metamaps.Erb['junto_spinner_darkgrey.gif'] + '" style="display: inline-block; margin-top: -12px; margin-bottom: -6px; vertical-align: top;" />'
+  var notifyText = '<img src="' + self['junto_spinner_darkgrey.gif'] + '" style="display: inline-block; margin-top: -12px; margin-bottom: -6px; vertical-align: top;" />'
   notifyText += username + ' is inviting you to a conversation. Join live?'
   notifyText += ' <button type="button" class="toast-button button" onclick="Metamaps.Realtime.acceptCall(' + inviter + ')">Yes</button>'
   notifyText += ' <button type="button" class="toast-button button btn-no" onclick="Metamaps.Realtime.denyCall(' + inviter + ')">No</button>'
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Synapse.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Synapse.js
index 8253d6ba..4b80c05a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Synapse.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Synapse.js
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import Visualize from './Visualize'
  * Metamaps.Synapse.js.erb
  *
  * Dependencies:
- *  - Metamaps.Backbone
+ *  - Metamaps.DataModel
  *  - Metamaps.Mappings
  *  - Metamaps.Synapses
  *  - Metamaps.Topics
@@ -112,14 +112,14 @@ const Synapse = {
     for (var i = 0; i < synapsesToCreate.length; i++) {
       node1 = synapsesToCreate[i]
       topic1 = node1.getData('topic')
-      synapse = new Metamaps.Backbone.Synapse({
+      synapse = new Metamaps.DataModel.Synapse({
         desc: Create.newSynapse.description,
         topic1_id: topic1.isNew() ? topic1.cid : topic1.id,
         topic2_id: topic2.isNew() ? topic2.cid : topic2.id,
       })
       Metamaps.Synapses.add(synapse)
 
-      mapping = new Metamaps.Backbone.Mapping({
+      mapping = new Metamaps.DataModel.Mapping({
         mappable_type: 'Synapse',
         mappable_id: synapse.cid,
       })
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ const Synapse = {
       node2
 
     self.get(id, synapse => {
-      var mapping = new Metamaps.Backbone.Mapping({
+      var mapping = new Metamaps.DataModel.Mapping({
         mappable_type: 'Synapse',
         mappable_id: synapse.id,
       })
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Topic.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Topic.js
index 91c720aa..38596b9e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Topic.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Topic.js
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ import Visualize from './Visualize'
  * Metamaps.Topic.js.erb
  *
  * Dependencies:
- *  - Metamaps.Backbone
+ *  - Metamaps.DataModel
  *  - Metamaps.Creators
  *  - Metamaps.Mappings
  *  - Metamaps.Synapses
@@ -45,13 +45,13 @@ const Topic = {
     } else callback(Metamaps.Topics.get(id))
   },
   launch: function (id) {
-    var bb = Metamaps.Backbone
+    var bb = Metamaps.DataModel
     var start = function (data) {
       Active.Topic = new bb.Topic(data.topic)
       Metamaps.Creators = new bb.MapperCollection(data.creators)
       Metamaps.Topics = new bb.TopicCollection([data.topic].concat(data.relatives))
       Metamaps.Synapses = new bb.SynapseCollection(data.synapses)
-      Metamaps.Backbone.attachCollectionEvents()
+      Metamaps.DataModel.attachCollectionEvents()
 
       document.title = Active.Topic.get('name') + ' | Metamaps'
 
@@ -128,9 +128,9 @@ const Topic = {
       if (data.topics.length > 0) Metamaps.Topics.add(data.topics)
       if (data.synapses.length > 0) Metamaps.Synapses.add(data.synapses)
 
-      var topicColl = new Metamaps.Backbone.TopicCollection(data.topics)
+      var topicColl = new Metamaps.DataModel.TopicCollection(data.topics)
       topicColl.add(topic)
-      var synapseColl = new Metamaps.Backbone.SynapseCollection(data.synapses)
+      var synapseColl = new Metamaps.DataModel.SynapseCollection(data.synapses)
 
       var graph = JIT.convertModelsToJIT(topicColl, synapseColl)[0]
       Visualize.mGraph.op.sum(graph, {
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ const Topic = {
 
     var metacode = Metamaps.Metacodes.get(Create.newTopic.metacode)
 
-    var topic = new Metamaps.Backbone.Topic({
+    var topic = new Metamaps.DataModel.Topic({
       name: Create.newTopic.name,
       metacode_id: metacode.id,
       defer_to_map_id: Active.Map.id
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ const Topic = {
     if (Create.newTopic.pinned) {
       var nextCoords = AutoLayout.getNextCoord({ mappings: Metamaps.Mappings })
     }
-    var mapping = new Metamaps.Backbone.Mapping({
+    var mapping = new Metamaps.DataModel.Mapping({
       xloc: nextCoords ? nextCoords.x : Create.newTopic.x,
       yloc: nextCoords ? nextCoords.y : Create.newTopic.y,
       mappable_id: topic.cid,
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ const Topic = {
     })
     Metamaps.Topics.add(topic)
 
-    var mapping = new Metamaps.Backbone.Mapping({
+    var mapping = new Metamaps.DataModel.Mapping({
       xloc: Metamaps.Create.newTopic.x,
       yloc: Metamaps.Create.newTopic.y,
       mappable_id: topic.cid,
@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ const Topic = {
 
     self.get(id, (topic) => {
       var nextCoords = AutoLayout.getNextCoord({ mappings: Metamaps.Mappings })
-      var mapping = new Metamaps.Backbone.Mapping({
+      var mapping = new Metamaps.DataModel.Mapping({
         xloc: nextCoords.x,
         yloc: nextCoords.y,
         mappable_type: 'Topic',
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Views/Room.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Views/Room.js
index 7075e017..9bbd5e31 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Views/Room.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Views/Room.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import VideoView from './VideoView'
 
 /*
  * Dependencies:
- *   Metamaps.Backbone
+ *   Metamaps.DataModel
  */
 
 const Room = function(opts) {
@@ -170,14 +170,14 @@ Room.prototype.init = function () {
     var self = this
       //this.roomRef.child('messages').push(data)
       if (self.chat.alertSound) self.chat.sound.play('sendchat')
-      var m = new Metamaps.Backbone.Message({
+      var m = new Metamaps.DataModel.Message({
         message: data.message,
         resource_id: Active.Map.id,
         resource_type: "Map"
       })
       m.save(null, {
         success: function (model, response) {
-          self.addMessages(new Metamaps.Backbone.MessageCollection(model), false, true)
+          self.addMessages(new Metamaps.DataModel.MessageCollection(model), false, true)
           $(document).trigger(Room.events.newMessage, [model])
         },
         error: function (model, response) {
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/index.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/index.js
index bf2e2d60..5dc99aa5 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/index.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/index.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import Account from './Account'
 import Active from './Active'
 import Admin from './Admin'
 import AutoLayout from './AutoLayout'
-import Backbone from './Backbone'
+import DataModel from './DataModel'
 import Control from './Control'
 import Create from './Create'
 import Debug from './Debug'
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ Metamaps.Account = Account
 Metamaps.Active = Active
 Metamaps.Admin = Admin
 Metamaps.AutoLayout = AutoLayout
-Metamaps.Backbone = Backbone
+Metamaps.DataModel = DataModel
 Metamaps.Control = Control
 Metamaps.Create = Create
 Metamaps.Debug = Debug