diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity.rb
index 40a577011..babea1799 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity.rb
@@ -180,6 +180,47 @@ def pretty_description
     ""
   end
 
+
+  ###########################################################
+  # Auxiliary meta info regarding the items being processed #
+  ###########################################################
+
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def targets_model
+    nil  # stands for undefined
+  end
+
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def produces_model
+    nil  # stands for undefined
+  end
+
+  # helper method to find item
+  def find_target(item)
+    # if class is not ActiveRecord, still can try implement find method
+    targets_model&.find(item_to_id item) rescue item
+    # todo find accessible to user
+  end
+
+  # helper method to transform message to id if needed
+  def find_produced(msg)
+    produces_model&.find(message_to_id msg) rescue msg
+  end
+
+  # extract id from item list element.
+  # In most cases it is identity, yet sometimes items are string with additional value
+  # besides id, as with file registration
+  #
+  def item_to_id(item)
+    item
+  end
+
+  # extracts id from message
+  def message_to_id(m)
+    m # just a message no ids
+  end
+
+
   protected
 
   # Abstract method that must be implemented in a subclass.
@@ -958,4 +999,3 @@ def self.preload_subclasses
   end
 
 end
-
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/archive_task_workdir.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/archive_task_workdir.rb
index 3d94203b1..496e65874 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/archive_task_workdir.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/archive_task_workdir.rb
@@ -43,5 +43,14 @@ def prepare_dynamic_items
     populate_items_from_task_custom_filter
   end
 
-end
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def targets_model
+    CbrainTask
+  end
 
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task generates
+  def produces_model
+    nil # stands for nothing being generated
+  end
+
+end
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/check_missing_workdir.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/check_missing_workdir.rb
index 53ae6682d..9ef80c5bb 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/check_missing_workdir.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/check_missing_workdir.rb
@@ -47,6 +47,11 @@ def self.setup!(remote_resource_id = CBRAIN::SelfRemoteResourceId)
     .save!
   end
 
+  def targets_model
+    CbrainTask
+  end
+
+
   def process(task_id)
     task = CbrainTask.where(:bourreau_id => self.remote_resource_id).find(task_id)
     full = task.full_cluster_workdir
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/clean_cache.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/clean_cache.rb
index a263d27db..177fd5204 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/clean_cache.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/clean_cache.rb
@@ -48,6 +48,11 @@ def pretty_description
     desc
   end
 
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def targets_model
+    Userfile
+  end
+
   def process(item)
     userfile = Userfile.find(item)
     return [ false, "File is under transfer" ] if
@@ -85,4 +90,3 @@ def prepare_dynamic_items
   end
 
 end
-
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/compress_file.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/compress_file.rb
index f70b47361..43340765c 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/compress_file.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/compress_file.rb
@@ -27,6 +27,13 @@ class BackgroundActivity::CompressFile < BackgroundActivity
 
   validates_dynamic_bac_presence_of_option :userfile_custom_filter_id
 
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def targets_model
+    Userfile
+  end
+
+
+
   # Helper for scheduling a copy of files immediately.
   def self.setup!(user_id, userfile_ids, remote_resource_id=nil)
     ba         = self.local_new(user_id, userfile_ids, remote_resource_id)
@@ -75,4 +82,3 @@ def prepare_dynamic_items
   end
 
 end
-
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/copy_file.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/copy_file.rb
index 8cc5d7787..d20e48eef 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/copy_file.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/copy_file.rb
@@ -35,6 +35,17 @@ def pretty_name
     self.class.to_s.demodulize.underscore.humanize + " to #{dp_name}"
   end
 
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def targets_model
+    Userfile  # stands for undefined
+  end
+
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def produces_model
+    Userfile  # stands for undefined
+  end
+
+
   # Helper for scheduling a copy of files immediately.
   def self.setup!(user_id, userfile_ids, remote_resource_id, dest_data_provider_id, options={})
     ba         = self.local_new(user_id, userfile_ids, remote_resource_id)
@@ -82,4 +93,3 @@ def prepare_dynamic_items
   end
 
 end
-
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/copy_file_and_unregister.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/copy_file_and_unregister.rb
index 0e5def32e..d0b865eef 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/copy_file_and_unregister.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/copy_file_and_unregister.rb
@@ -25,6 +25,16 @@ class BackgroundActivity::CopyFileAndUnregister < BackgroundActivity::CopyFile
 
   Revision_info=CbrainFileRevision[__FILE__] #:nodoc:
 
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def targets_model
+    Userfile
+  end
+
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def output_model
+    nil  # stands for undefined
+  end
+
   def process(item)
     ok, userfile_id = super # CopyFile can return the ID or a string message
     return [ ok, userfile_id ] if userfile_id.is_a?(String) # a message
@@ -34,4 +44,3 @@ def process(item)
   end
 
 end
-
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/destroy_file.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/destroy_file.rb
index b2722545a..d4c499909 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/destroy_file.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/destroy_file.rb
@@ -34,6 +34,18 @@ def self.setup!(user_id, userfile_ids, remote_resource_id=nil)
     ba
   end
 
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def targets_model
+    Userfile
+  end
+
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def produces_model
+    nil  # stands for undefined
+  end
+
+
+
   def process(item)
     userfile     = Userfile.find(item)
     ok           = userfile.destroy
@@ -46,4 +58,3 @@ def prepare_dynamic_items
   end
 
 end
-
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/destroy_task.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/destroy_task.rb
index 5a434c7bc..017194ccf 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/destroy_task.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/destroy_task.rb
@@ -27,6 +27,11 @@ class BackgroundActivity::DestroyTask < BackgroundActivity::TerminateTask
 
   Revision_info=CbrainFileRevision[__FILE__] #:nodoc:
 
+  def targets_model
+    CbrainTask
+  end
+
+
   def process(item)
     super(item) # invokes the terminate code; will skip tasks that don't need to be terminated
     cbrain_task  = CbrainTask.where(:bourreau_id => CBRAIN::SelfRemoteResourceId).find(item)
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/destroy_task_without_workdir.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/destroy_task_without_workdir.rb
index 6c1b929a3..ad1f46c8b 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/destroy_task_without_workdir.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/destroy_task_without_workdir.rb
@@ -30,6 +30,11 @@ class BackgroundActivity::DestroyTaskWithoutWorkdir < BackgroundActivity
 
   Revision_info=CbrainFileRevision[__FILE__] #:nodoc:
 
+  def targets_model
+    CbrainTask
+  end
+
+
   def process(item)
     cbrain_task = CbrainTask.find(item)
 
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/duplicate_task.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/duplicate_task.rb
index c7f8a179c..1b9037e57 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/duplicate_task.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/duplicate_task.rb
@@ -28,6 +28,13 @@ class BackgroundActivity::DuplicateTask < BackgroundActivity
 
   Revision_info=CbrainFileRevision[__FILE__] #:nodoc:
 
+  def targets_model
+    CbrainTask
+  end
+
+  def produces_model
+    CbrainTask
+  end
   def process(item)
     task         = CbrainTask.real_tasks.find(item)
     new_bid      = options[:dup_bourreau_id].presence || task.bourreau_id
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/erase_background_activities.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/erase_background_activities.rb
index 1faf2f3fa..074b46d48 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/erase_background_activities.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/erase_background_activities.rb
@@ -36,6 +36,10 @@ def process(item)
     return [ true, nil ]
   end
 
+  def targets_model
+    BackgroundActivity  # stands for undefined
+  end
+
   def prepare_dynamic_items
     days = self.options[:days_older] || 7
     bacs = BackgroundActivity
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/file_on_provider_is_newer.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/file_on_provider_is_newer.rb
index aef470cb0..d2cbd4fc1 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/file_on_provider_is_newer.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/file_on_provider_is_newer.rb
@@ -36,6 +36,10 @@ def self.setup!(user_id, userfile_ids, remote_resource_id=nil)
     ba
   end
 
+  def targets_model
+    Userfile  # stands for undefined
+  end
+
   def process(item)
     Userfile.find(item).provider_is_newer
     [ true,  nil  ]
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/hold_task.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/hold_task.rb
index 02b1533a6..b62da2736 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/hold_task.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/hold_task.rb
@@ -37,6 +37,11 @@ class BackgroundActivity::HoldTask < BackgroundActivity
 
   before_save :must_be_on_bourreau!
 
+  def targets_model
+    CbrainTask
+  end
+
+
   def process(item)
     task  = CbrainTask.where(:bourreau_id => CBRAIN::SelfRemoteResourceId).find(item)
     ok    = task.hold
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/move_file.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/move_file.rb
index aa3517d81..25623ae9c 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/move_file.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/move_file.rb
@@ -45,6 +45,10 @@ def process(item)
     [ ok, message ]
   end
 
+  def targets_model
+    Userfile  # stands for undefined
+  end
+
   def prepare_dynamic_items
     populate_items_from_userfile_custom_filter
   end
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/recover_task.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/recover_task.rb
index 44e8339df..a31230703 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/recover_task.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/recover_task.rb
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@ class BackgroundActivity::RecoverTask < BackgroundActivity
 
   before_save :must_be_on_bourreau!
 
+  def targets_model
+    CbrainTask
+  end
+
   def process(item)
     task       = CbrainTask.where(:bourreau_id => CBRAIN::SelfRemoteResourceId).find(item)
     old_status = task.status
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/register_and_copy_file.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/register_and_copy_file.rb
index 719fa5257..ef5a45434 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/register_and_copy_file.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/register_and_copy_file.rb
@@ -44,6 +44,12 @@ def self.setup!(user_id, type_dash_names, remote_resource_id, src_data_provider_
     ba
   end
 
+
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def produces_model
+    Userfile  # stands for undefined
+  end
+
   def process(item)  # item is like "TextFile-abcd.xyz"
     ok, userfile_id = super # userfile_id is an error message if ok is false
     return [ ok, userfile_id ] if ! ok # registration failed
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/register_and_move_file.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/register_and_move_file.rb
index 97f687509..c3ba123cd 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/register_and_move_file.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/register_and_move_file.rb
@@ -30,6 +30,11 @@ def pretty_name
     super + " and move to #{dest_name}"
   end
 
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def produces_model
+    Userfile  # stands for undefined
+  end
+
   # Helper for scheduling a registration and move of the files immediately.
   def self.setup!(user_id, type_dash_names, remote_resource_id, src_data_provider_id, browse_path, group_id, as_user_id, dest_data_provider_id)
     ba         = self.local_new(user_id, type_dash_names, remote_resource_id)
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/register_file.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/register_file.rb
index 21f36a098..5a3180326 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/register_file.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/register_file.rb
@@ -31,6 +31,11 @@ def pretty_name
     "Register #{cnt} file#{cnt > 1 ? 's' : ''} on #{source_name}"
   end
 
+  def produces_model
+    Userfile  # stands for undefined
+  end
+
+
   # Helper for scheduling a registration of the files immediately.
   # Note that the argument +dest_data_provider_id+ is always ignored
   # but it is declared to make this method's signature identical to
@@ -47,6 +52,10 @@ def self.setup!(user_id, type_dash_names, remote_resource_id, src_data_provider_
     ba
   end
 
+  def item_to_id(item)
+    type,name   = item.split("-",2)
+  end
+
   def process(item)  # item is like "TextFile-abcd.xyz"
     type,name   = item.split("-",2)
     src_dp_id   = self.options[:src_data_provider_id]
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/release_task.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/release_task.rb
index e2198d61a..200730799 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/release_task.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/release_task.rb
@@ -37,6 +37,10 @@ class BackgroundActivity::ReleaseTask < BackgroundActivity
 
   before_save :must_be_on_bourreau!
 
+  def targets_model
+    CbrainTask
+  end
+
   def process(item)
     task  = CbrainTask.where(:bourreau_id => CBRAIN::SelfRemoteResourceId).find(item)
     ok    = task.release
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/remove_task_workdir.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/remove_task_workdir.rb
index c690248d7..11fc6b62e 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/remove_task_workdir.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/remove_task_workdir.rb
@@ -27,6 +27,10 @@ class BackgroundActivity::RemoveTaskWorkdir < BackgroundActivity::TerminateTask
 
   Revision_info=CbrainFileRevision[__FILE__] #:nodoc:
 
+  def targets_model
+    CbrainTask
+  end
+
   def process(item)
     super(item) # invokes the terminate code; will skip tasks that don't need to be terminated
     cbrain_task  = CbrainTask.where(:bourreau_id => CBRAIN::SelfRemoteResourceId).find(item)
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/restart_task.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/restart_task.rb
index 5db3cafc3..5f00f0206 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/restart_task.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/restart_task.rb
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@ class BackgroundActivity::RestartTask < BackgroundActivity
 
   before_save :must_be_on_bourreau!
 
+  def targets_model
+    CbrainTask
+  end
+
   def process(item)
     task       = CbrainTask.where(:bourreau_id => CBRAIN::SelfRemoteResourceId).find(item)
     atwhat     = options[:atwhat]
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/resume_task.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/resume_task.rb
index 2ccc8364f..da82338a2 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/resume_task.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/resume_task.rb
@@ -37,6 +37,10 @@ class BackgroundActivity::ResumeTask < BackgroundActivity
 
   before_save :must_be_on_bourreau!
 
+  def targets_model
+    CbrainTask
+  end
+
   def process(item)
     task  = CbrainTask.where(:bourreau_id => CBRAIN::SelfRemoteResourceId).find(item)
     ok    = task.resume
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/save_task_workdir.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/save_task_workdir.rb
index 310e0965a..63cb1bb8b 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/save_task_workdir.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/save_task_workdir.rb
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ class BackgroundActivity::SaveTaskWorkdir < BackgroundActivity
 
   Revision_info=CbrainFileRevision[__FILE__] #:nodoc:
 
+  def targets_model
+    CbrainTask
+  end
+
   def process(item)
     task  = CbrainTask.where(:bourreau_id => CBRAIN::SelfRemoteResourceId).find(item)
     ok    = task.send(:save_cluster_workdir, self.user_id) # it's a protected method
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/suspend_task.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/suspend_task.rb
index 94ffafd62..43a244240 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/suspend_task.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/suspend_task.rb
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ class BackgroundActivity::SuspendTask < BackgroundActivity
 
   before_save :must_be_on_bourreau!
 
+
   def process(item)
     task  = CbrainTask.where(:bourreau_id => CBRAIN::SelfRemoteResourceId).find(item)
     ok    = task.suspend
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/sync_file.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/sync_file.rb
index 59a50429f..29a3e5b13 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/sync_file.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/sync_file.rb
@@ -33,6 +33,10 @@ def self.setup!(user_id, userfile_ids, remote_resource_id=nil)
     ba.save!
     ba
   end
+  def targets_model
+    Userfile  # stands for undefined
+  end
+
 
   def process(item)
     Userfile.find(item).sync_to_cache
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/terminate_task.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/terminate_task.rb
index 67dd33631..797a31d4c 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/terminate_task.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/terminate_task.rb
@@ -43,5 +43,14 @@ def prepare_dynamic_items
     populate_items_from_task_custom_filter
   end
 
-end
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def targets_model
+    CbrainTask
+  end
 
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def produces_model
+    nil  # stands for undefined
+  end
+
+end
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/unarchive_task_workdir.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/unarchive_task_workdir.rb
index 687a0e1e9..b0bfee1ff 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/unarchive_task_workdir.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/unarchive_task_workdir.rb
@@ -30,6 +30,11 @@ class BackgroundActivity::UnarchiveTaskWorkdir < BackgroundActivity
   before_save :must_be_on_bourreau!
 
   validates_dynamic_bac_presence_of_option :task_custom_filter_id
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+
+  def targets_model
+    CbrainTask
+  end
 
   def process(item)
     cbrain_task = CbrainTask.where(:bourreau_id => CBRAIN::SelfRemoteResourceId).find(item)
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/uncompress_file.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/uncompress_file.rb
index 1a6edbf26..d11e2990b 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/uncompress_file.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/uncompress_file.rb
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ def self.setup!(user_id, userfile_ids, remote_resource_id=nil)
     ba.save!
     ba
   end
+  def targets_model
+    Userfile  # stands for undefined
+  end
 
   def process(item)
     userfile = Userfile.find(item)
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/unregister_file.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/unregister_file.rb
index 966ad4197..8263cb219 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/unregister_file.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/unregister_file.rb
@@ -34,6 +34,10 @@ def self.setup!(user_id, userfile_ids, remote_resource_id=nil)
     ba
   end
 
+  def targets_model
+    Userfile  # stands for undefined
+  end
+
   def process(item)
     userfile = Userfile.find(item)
     return [ false, "File is under transfer" ] if
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/update_task_workdir_size.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/update_task_workdir_size.rb
index 85d4c75f1..1521726dc 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/update_task_workdir_size.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/update_task_workdir_size.rb
@@ -32,6 +32,11 @@ def self.setup!(task_ids)
     ba.start_at = 5.minutes.from_now
     ba.save
   end
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def targets_model
+    CbrainTask
+  end
+
 
   def process(task_id)
     task = CbrainTask.where(:bourreau_id => CBRAIN::SelfRemoteResourceId).find(task_id)
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/verify_data_provider.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/verify_data_provider.rb
index 2dfb5e47e..33cb6b5d9 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/verify_data_provider.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/verify_data_provider.rb
@@ -44,5 +44,14 @@ def process(item)
     return [ false, "Not alive: #{data_provider.name}" ]
   end
 
-end
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def targets_model
+    DataProvider
+  end
 
+  # Returns the primary class of items the task targets
+  def produces_model
+    nil  # stands for undefined
+  end
+
+end
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/views/background_activities/show.html.erb b/BrainPortal/app/views/background_activities/show.html.erb
index f77567196..f5fe344c8 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/views/background_activities/show.html.erb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/views/background_activities/show.html.erb
@@ -94,23 +94,70 @@
 
 <% end %>
 
-<% if (!@bac.is_configured_for_dynamic_items? && @bac.items.size > 0) %>
-
-<fieldset>
-  <legend>Items</legend>
-  <% bad_hash      = @bac.failed_items.index_by(&:itself) %>
-  <% num_processed = @bac.current_item %>
-  <%= array_to_table(@bac.items.each_with_index.to_a, :table_class => 'xsimple', :cols => 10) do |(item,i),r,c| %>
-    <%= i %> :
-    <%= if i >= num_processed
-          item.to_s
-        else
-          red_if(bad_hash[item],item,nil, :color1 => 'green', :color2 => 'red')
-        end
-    %>
-  <% end %>
-</fieldset>
 
+<% if !@bac.is_configured_for_dynamic_items? && @bac.items.size > 0 %>
+
+    <% if check_role(:admin_user) %>
+
+      <%# show switch to bare-bones/linked-items view only if items are linkable %>
+      <br>
+      <%  if  @bac.targets_model.present? || @bac.produces_model.present? %>
+        <% link_items = true if params['link_items'].to_s != 'false'  %>
+
+        <% if link_items %>
+            <%= link_to "Bare-bones view", background_activity_path(@bac, :link_items => 'false'), :class => :button %>
+        <% else %>
+            <%= link_to "Show links", background_activity_path(@bac, :link_items => 'true'), :class => :button %>
+        <% end %>
+        <br>
+      <% end %>
+
+      <fieldset>
+      <legend>Items</legend>
+
+      <% bad_hash      = @bac.failed_items.index_by(&:itself) %>
+      <% num_processed = @bac.current_item %>
+
+      <%= array_to_table(@bac.items.each_with_index.to_a, :table_class => 'xsimple', :cols => 10) do |(item,i),r,c| %>
+          <%= i %> :
+
+          <%# attempts to find a model %>
+          <% model = @bac.find_target item %>
+
+          <%= (link_to model&.name || model&.type || item,
+                       polymorphic_path(model.becomes(model.class.base_class) )
+              ) rescue item %>
+
+          <% if i < num_processed %>
+            <% if bad_hash[item] %>
+              &#x274C;
+            <% else %>
+              &#9989;
+            <% end %>
+          <% end %>
+
+
+          <% msg = @bac.messages[i] %>
+          <% if msg.present? && msg != 'ok'%>
+              <%= ":" %>
+              <% msg_or_model = @bac.find_produced msg %>
+              <% if msg_or_model.is_a? ApplicationRecord %>
+                  <% base_class = msg_or_model.class.base_class %>
+
+                  <%= (link_to msg_or_model&.name || msg_or_model&.type ,
+                           polymorphic_path(msg_or_model.becomes(base_class))
+                           )
+                %>
+              <% else %>
+                 <%= msg_or_model.to_s.sub(/^[A-Za-z]*:[: ]/, '').truncate(23) %>
+              <% end %>
+          <% end %>
+      </fieldset>
+    <% end %>
+  <% end %>
 <% end %>
 
+
+
+
 <%= (render :partial => "background_activities/#{@bac.class.to_s.demodulize}") rescue nil %>