diff --git a/examples/axon/act.go b/examples/axon/act.go
index dde889a..66c5285 100644
--- a/examples/axon/act.go
+++ b/examples/axon/act.go
@@ -314,8 +314,8 @@ func (dp *DtParams) GiSynFmRawSteady(giRaw float32) float32 {
 	return giRaw * dp.GiTau
 }
 
-// AvgVarUpdt updates the average and variance from current value, using LongAvgDt
-func (dp *DtParams) AvgVarUpdt(avg, vr *float32, val float32) {
+// AvgVarUpdate updates the average and variance from current value, using LongAvgDt
+func (dp *DtParams) AvgVarUpdate(avg, vr *float32, val float32) {
 	if *avg == 0 { // first time -- set
 		*avg = val
 		*vr = 0
@@ -451,7 +451,7 @@ func (at *AttnParams) Update() {
 }
 
 // ModVal returns the attn-modulated value -- attn must be between 1-0
-func (at *AttnParams) ModVal(val float32, attn float32) float32 {
+func (at *AttnParams) ModValue(val float32, attn float32) float32 {
 	if val < 0 {
 		val = 0
 	}
@@ -788,7 +788,7 @@ func (ac *ActParams) GeFmSyn(ni int, nrn *Neuron, geSyn, geExt float32, randctr
 		nrn.GeExt = nrn.Ext * ac.Clamp.Ge
 		geSyn += nrn.GeExt
 	}
-	geSyn = ac.Attn.ModVal(geSyn, nrn.Attn)
+	geSyn = ac.Attn.ModValue(geSyn, nrn.Attn)
 
 	if ac.Clamp.Add.IsTrue() && nrn.HasFlag(NeuronHasExt) {
 		geSyn = nrn.Ext * ac.Clamp.Ge
@@ -846,7 +846,7 @@ func (ac *ActParams) InetFmG(vm, ge, gl, gi, gk float32) float32 {
 
 // VmFmInet computes new Vm value from inet, clamping range
 func (ac *ActParams) VmFmInet(vm, dt, inet float32) float32 {
-	return ac.VmRange.ClipVal(vm + dt*inet)
+	return ac.VmRange.ClipValue(vm + dt*inet)
 }
 
 // VmInteg integrates Vm over VmSteps to obtain a more stable value
diff --git a/examples/axon/axon.hlsl b/examples/axon/axon.hlsl
index 7acd35d..30d3f97 100644
--- a/examples/axon/axon.hlsl
+++ b/examples/axon/axon.hlsl
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 
 // note: on Mac can get away with 16 byte idx
-// struct Idx {
+// struct Index {
 // 	uint X;
 // 	uint Y;
 // };
@@ -9,19 +9,19 @@
 [[vk::binding(0, 0)]] RWStructuredBuffer<Layer> Layers;
 [[vk::binding(0, 1)]] RWStructuredBuffer<Time> time;
 [[vk::binding(0, 2)]] RWStructuredBuffer<Neuron> Neurons;
-// [[vk::binding(0, 3)]] StructuredBuffer<Idx> Idxs;
-// note: uniform declaration for Idxs doesn't work
+// [[vk::binding(0, 3)]] StructuredBuffer<Index> Indexes;
+// note: uniform declaration for Indexes doesn't work
 
 // note: the only way to get a local var to struct is via a function call param
 void CycleNeuron(int ni, inout Neuron nrn, inout Time ctime) {
-	Layers[nrn.LayIdx].CycleNeuron(ni, nrn, ctime);
+	Layers[nrn.LayIndex].CycleNeuron(ni, nrn, ctime);
 	if(ni == 0) {
-		Layers[nrn.LayIdx].CycleTimeInc(ctime);
+		Layers[nrn.LayIndex].CycleTimeInc(ctime);
 		// updating time completely within this loop does NOT work
 		// because the memory update is not shared!
 	}
-	// nrn.SpkSt1 = float(Idxs[ni].X); // debugging
-	// nrn.SpkSt2 = float(nrn.LayIdx);
+	// nrn.SpkSt1 = float(Indexes[ni].X); // debugging
+	// nrn.SpkSt2 = float(nrn.LayIndex);
 }
 
 // important: this must be right before main, and 64 is typical default 
diff --git a/examples/axon/kinase/kinase.go b/examples/axon/kinase/kinase.go
index c6bbb0d..5bc004c 100644
--- a/examples/axon/kinase/kinase.go
+++ b/examples/axon/kinase/kinase.go
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ type CaParams struct {
 	SpikeG float32 `default:"12"`
 
 	// IMPORTANT: only used for SynSpkTheta learning mode: threshold on Act value for updating synapse-level Ca values -- this is purely a performance optimization that excludes random infrequent spikes -- 0.05 works well on larger networks but not smaller, which require the .01 default.
-	UpdtThr float32 `default:"0.01,0.02,0.5"`
+	UpdateThr float32 `default:"0.01,0.02,0.5"`
 
 	// maximum ISI for integrating in Opt mode -- above that just set to 0
 	MaxISI int32 `default:"100"`
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ type CaParams struct {
 
 func (kp *CaParams) Defaults() {
 	kp.SpikeG = 12
-	kp.UpdtThr = 0.01
+	kp.UpdateThr = 0.01
 	kp.MaxISI = 100
 	kp.Dt.Defaults()
 	kp.Update()
diff --git a/examples/axon/learn.go b/examples/axon/learn.go
index 4d9b33d..931229e 100644
--- a/examples/axon/learn.go
+++ b/examples/axon/learn.go
@@ -89,11 +89,11 @@ func (np *CaLrnParams) CaLrn(nrn *Neuron) {
 // signals, starting with CaSyn that is integrated at the neuron level
 // and drives synapse-level, pre * post Ca integration, which provides the Tr
 // trace that multiplies error signals, and drives learning directly for Target layers.
-// CaSpk* values are integrated separately at the Neuron level and used for UpdtThr
+// CaSpk* values are integrated separately at the Neuron level and used for UpdateThr
 // and RLRate as a proxy for the activation (spiking) based learning signal.
 type CaSpkParams struct {
 
-	// gain multiplier on spike for computing CaSpk: increasing this directly affects the magnitude of the trace values, learning rate in Target layers, and other factors that depend on CaSpk values: RLRate, UpdtThr.  Prjn.KinaseCa.SpikeG provides an additional gain factor specific to the synapse-level trace factors, without affecting neuron-level CaSpk values.  Larger networks require higher gain factors at the neuron level -- 12, vs 8 for smaller.
+	// gain multiplier on spike for computing CaSpk: increasing this directly affects the magnitude of the trace values, learning rate in Target layers, and other factors that depend on CaSpk values: RLRate, UpdateThr.  Prjn.KinaseCa.SpikeG provides an additional gain factor specific to the synapse-level trace factors, without affecting neuron-level CaSpk values.  Larger networks require higher gain factors at the neuron level -- 12, vs 8 for smaller.
 	SpikeG float32 `default:"8,12"`
 
 	// time constant for integrating spike-driven calcium trace at sender and recv neurons, CaSyn, which then drives synapse-level integration of the joint pre * post synapse-level activity, in cycles (msec)
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ type LearnNeurParams struct {
 	// parameterizes the neuron-level calcium signals driving learning: CaLrn = NMDA + VGCC Ca sources, where VGCC can be simulated from spiking or use the more complex and dynamic VGCC channel directly.  CaLrn is then integrated in a cascading manner at multiple time scales: CaM (as in calmodulin), CaP (ltP, CaMKII, plus phase), CaD (ltD, DAPK1, minus phase).
 	CaLrn CaLrnParams `view:"inline"`
 
-	// parameterizes the neuron-level spike-driven calcium signals, starting with CaSyn that is integrated at the neuron level, and drives synapse-level, pre * post Ca integration, which provides the Tr trace that multiplies error signals, and drives learning directly for Target layers. CaSpk* values are integrated separately at the Neuron level and used for UpdtThr and RLRate as a proxy for the activation (spiking) based learning signal.
+	// parameterizes the neuron-level spike-driven calcium signals, starting with CaSyn that is integrated at the neuron level, and drives synapse-level, pre * post Ca integration, which provides the Tr trace that multiplies error signals, and drives learning directly for Target layers. CaSpk* values are integrated separately at the Neuron level and used for UpdateThr and RLRate as a proxy for the activation (spiking) based learning signal.
 	CaSpk CaSpkParams `view:"inline"`
 
 	// NMDA channel parameters used for learning, vs. the ones driving activation -- allows exploration of learning parameters independent of their effects on active maintenance contributions of NMDA, and may be supported by different receptor subtypes
diff --git a/examples/axon/main.go b/examples/axon/main.go
index 44e7320..115a86c 100644
--- a/examples/axon/main.go
+++ b/examples/axon/main.go
@@ -71,9 +71,9 @@ func main() {
 	for i := range neur1 {
 		nrn := &neur1[i]
 		if i > nfirst {
-			nrn.LayIdx = 1
+			nrn.LayIndex = 1
 		}
-		ly := &lays[nrn.LayIdx]
+		ly := &lays[nrn.LayIndex]
 		ly.Act.InitActs(nrn)
 		nrn.GeBase = 0.4
 	}
@@ -81,9 +81,9 @@ func main() {
 	for i := range neur2 {
 		nrn := &neur2[i]
 		if i > nfirst {
-			nrn.LayIdx = 1
+			nrn.LayIndex = 1
 		}
-		ly := &lays[nrn.LayIdx]
+		ly := &lays[nrn.LayIndex]
 		ly.Act.InitActs(nrn)
 		nrn.GeBase = 0.4
 	}
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ func main() {
 		threading.ParallelRun(func(st, ed int) {
 			for ni := st; ni < ed; ni++ {
 				nrn := &neur1[ni]
-				ly := &lays[nrn.LayIdx]
+				ly := &lays[nrn.LayIndex]
 				ly.CycleNeuron(ni, nrn, time)
 			}
 		}, len(neur1), cpuThreads)
@@ -137,25 +137,25 @@ func main() {
 	timev := sett.AddStruct("Time", int(unsafe.Sizeof(Time{})), 1, vgpu.Storage, vgpu.ComputeShader)
 	neurv := setn.AddStruct("Neurons", int(unsafe.Sizeof(Neuron{})), n, vgpu.Storage, vgpu.ComputeShader)
 	// var ui sltype.Uint2
-	// idxv := seti.AddStruct("Idxs", int(unsafe.Sizeof(ui)), n, vgpu.Storage, vgpu.ComputeShader)
+	// idxv := seti.AddStruct("Indexes", int(unsafe.Sizeof(ui)), n, vgpu.Storage, vgpu.ComputeShader)
 
-	setl.ConfigVals(1) // one val per var
-	sett.ConfigVals(1) // one val per var
-	setn.ConfigVals(1) // one val per var
-	// seti.ConfigVals(1) // one val per var
+	setl.ConfigValues(1) // one val per var
+	sett.ConfigValues(1) // one val per var
+	setn.ConfigValues(1) // one val per var
+	// seti.ConfigValues(1) // one val per var
 	sy.Config() // configures vars, allocates vals, configs pipelines..
 
 	gpuFullTmr := timer.Time{}
 	gpuFullTmr.Start()
 
 	// this copy is pretty fast -- most of time is below
-	lvl, _ := layv.Vals.ValByIdxTry(0)
+	lvl, _ := layv.Values.ValueByIndexTry(0)
 	lvl.CopyFromBytes(unsafe.Pointer(&lays[0]))
-	tvl, _ := timev.Vals.ValByIdxTry(0)
+	tvl, _ := timev.Values.ValueByIndexTry(0)
 	tvl.CopyFromBytes(unsafe.Pointer(time))
-	nvl, _ := neurv.Vals.ValByIdxTry(0)
+	nvl, _ := neurv.Values.ValueByIndexTry(0)
 	nvl.CopyFromBytes(unsafe.Pointer(&neur2[0]))
-	// ivl, _ := idxv.Vals.ValByIdxTry(0)
+	// ivl, _ := idxv.Values.ValueByIndexTry(0)
 	// ivl.CopyFromBytes(unsafe.Pointer(&idxs[0]))
 
 	// gpuFullTmr := timer.Time{}
@@ -163,10 +163,10 @@ func main() {
 
 	sy.Mem.SyncToGPU()
 
-	vars.BindDynValIdx(0, "Layers", 0)
-	vars.BindDynValIdx(1, "Time", 0)
-	vars.BindDynValIdx(2, "Neurons", 0)
-	// vars.BindDynValIdx(3, "Idxs", 0)
+	vars.BindDynamicValueIndex(0, "Layers", 0)
+	vars.BindDynamicValueIndex(1, "Time", 0)
+	vars.BindDynamicValueIndex(2, "Neurons", 0)
+	// vars.BindDynamicValueIndex(3, "Indexes", 0)
 
 	cmd := sy.ComputeCmdBuff()
 	sy.CmdResetBindVars(cmd, 0)
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ func main() {
 
 	gpuTmr.Stop()
 
-	sy.Mem.SyncValIdxFmGPU(2, "Neurons", 0) // this is about same as SyncToGPU
+	sy.Mem.SyncValueIndexFromGPU(2, "Neurons", 0) // this is about same as SyncToGPU
 	nvl.CopyToBytes(unsafe.Pointer(&neur2[0]))
 
 	gpuFullTmr.Stop()
diff --git a/examples/axon/minmax/minmax.go b/examples/axon/minmax/minmax.go
index caa0c9e..282a595 100644
--- a/examples/axon/minmax/minmax.go
+++ b/examples/axon/minmax/minmax.go
@@ -73,18 +73,18 @@ func (mr *F32) Midpoint() float32 {
 
 // NormVal normalizes value to 0-1 unit range relative to current Min / Max range
 // Clips the value within Min-Max range first.
-func (mr *F32) NormVal(val float32) float32 {
-	return (mr.ClipVal(val) - mr.Min) * mr.Scale()
+func (mr *F32) NormValue(val float32) float32 {
+	return (mr.ClipValue(val) - mr.Min) * mr.Scale()
 }
 
 // ProjVal projects a 0-1 normalized unit value into current Min / Max range (inverse of NormVal)
-func (mr *F32) ProjVal(val float32) float32 {
+func (mr *F32) ProjValue(val float32) float32 {
 	return mr.Min + (val * mr.Range())
 }
 
 // ClipVal clips given value within Min / Max range
 // Note: a NaN will remain as a NaN
-func (mr *F32) ClipVal(val float32) float32 {
+func (mr *F32) ClipValue(val float32) float32 {
 	if val < mr.Min {
 		return mr.Min
 	}
@@ -96,14 +96,14 @@ func (mr *F32) ClipVal(val float32) float32 {
 
 // ClipNormVal clips then normalizes given value within 0-1
 // Note: a NaN will remain as a NaN
-func (mr *F32) ClipNormVal(val float32) float32 {
+func (mr *F32) ClipNormValue(val float32) float32 {
 	if val < mr.Min {
 		return 0
 	}
 	if val > mr.Max {
 		return 1
 	}
-	return mr.NormVal(val)
+	return mr.NormValue(val)
 }
 
 // FitValInRange adjusts our Min, Max to fit given value within Min, Max range
diff --git a/examples/axon/neuron.go b/examples/axon/neuron.go
index 8fd6317..8357f7b 100644
--- a/examples/axon/neuron.go
+++ b/examples/axon/neuron.go
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ type Neuron struct {
 	Flags NeuronFlags
 
 	// index of the layer that this neuron belongs to -- needed for neuron-level parallel code.
-	LayIdx uint32
+	LayIndex uint32
 
 	// index of the sub-level inhibitory pool that this neuron is in (only for 4D shapes, the pool (unit-group / hypercolumn) structure level) -- indicies start at 1 -- 0 is layer-level pool (is 0 if no sub-pools).
 	SubPool int32
@@ -334,12 +334,12 @@ func init() {
 	NeuronVarsMap = make(map[string]int, len(NeuronVars))
 	typ := reflect.TypeOf((*Neuron)(nil)).Elem()
 	nf := typ.NumField()
-	startIdx := NeuronVarStart
-	for i := startIdx; i < nf; i++ {
+	startIndex := NeuronVarStart
+	for i := startIndex; i < nf; i++ {
 		fs := typ.FieldByIndex([]int{i})
 		v := fs.Name
 		NeuronVars = append(NeuronVars, v)
-		NeuronVarsMap[v] = i - startIdx
+		NeuronVarsMap[v] = i - startIndex
 		pstr := NeuronVarProps[v]
 		if fld, has := typ.FieldByName(v); has {
 			if desc, ok := fld.Tag.Lookup("desc"); ok {
@@ -354,8 +354,8 @@ func (nrn *Neuron) VarNames() []string {
 	return NeuronVars
 }
 
-// NeuronVarIdxByName returns the index of the variable in the Neuron, or error
-func NeuronVarIdxByName(varNm string) (int, error) {
+// NeuronVarIndexByName returns the index of the variable in the Neuron, or error
+func NeuronVarIndexByName(varNm string) (int, error) {
 	i, ok := NeuronVarsMap[varNm]
 	if !ok {
 		return -1, fmt.Errorf("Neuron VarByName: variable name: %v not valid", varNm)
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ func (nrn *Neuron) VarByIndex(idx int) float32 {
 
 // VarByName returns variable by name, or error
 func (nrn *Neuron) VarByName(varNm string) (float32, error) {
-	i, err := NeuronVarIdxByName(varNm)
+	i, err := NeuronVarIndexByName(varNm)
 	if err != nil {
 		return mat32.NaN(), err
 	}
diff --git a/examples/basic/main.go b/examples/basic/main.go
index 33241db..14fd65b 100644
--- a/examples/basic/main.go
+++ b/examples/basic/main.go
@@ -71,17 +71,17 @@ func main() {
 	parsv := setp.AddStruct("Params", int(unsafe.Sizeof(ParamStruct{})), 1, vgpu.Storage, vgpu.ComputeShader)
 	datav := setd.AddStruct("Data", int(unsafe.Sizeof(DataStruct{})), n, vgpu.Storage, vgpu.ComputeShader)
 
-	setp.ConfigVals(1) // one val per var
-	setd.ConfigVals(1) // one val per var
-	sy.Config()        // configures vars, allocates vals, configs pipelines..
+	setp.ConfigValues(1) // one val per var
+	setd.ConfigValues(1) // one val per var
+	sy.Config()          // configures vars, allocates vals, configs pipelines..
 
 	gpuFullTmr := timer.Time{}
 	gpuFullTmr.Start()
 
 	// this copy is pretty fast -- most of time is below
-	pvl, _ := parsv.Vals.ValByIdxTry(0)
+	pvl, _ := parsv.Values.ValueByIndexTry(0)
 	pvl.CopyFromBytes(unsafe.Pointer(pars))
-	dvl, _ := datav.Vals.ValByIdxTry(0)
+	dvl, _ := datav.Values.ValueByIndexTry(0)
 	dvl.CopyFromBytes(unsafe.Pointer(&data[0]))
 
 	// gpuFullTmr := timer.Time{}
@@ -89,8 +89,8 @@ func main() {
 
 	sy.Mem.SyncToGPU()
 
-	vars.BindDynValIdx(0, "Params", 0)
-	vars.BindDynValIdx(1, "Data", 0)
+	vars.BindDynamicValueIndex(0, "Params", 0)
+	vars.BindDynamicValueIndex(1, "Data", 0)
 
 	cmd := sy.ComputeCmdBuff()
 	sy.CmdResetBindVars(cmd, 0)
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ func main() {
 
 	gpuTmr.Stop()
 
-	sy.Mem.SyncValIdxFmGPU(1, "Data", 0) // this is about same as SyncToGPU
+	sy.Mem.SyncValueIndexFromGPU(1, "Data", 0) // this is about same as SyncToGPU
 	dvl.CopyToBytes(unsafe.Pointer(&data[0]))
 
 	gpuFullTmr.Stop()
diff --git a/examples/rand/main.go b/examples/rand/main.go
index 92fff93..b976bee 100644
--- a/examples/rand/main.go
+++ b/examples/rand/main.go
@@ -70,17 +70,17 @@ func main() {
 	ctrv := setc.AddStruct("Counter", int(unsafe.Sizeof(seed)), 1, vgpu.Storage, vgpu.ComputeShader)
 	datav := setd.AddStruct("Data", int(unsafe.Sizeof(Rnds{})), n, vgpu.Storage, vgpu.ComputeShader)
 
-	setc.ConfigVals(1) // one val per var
-	setd.ConfigVals(1) // one val per var
-	sy.Config()        // configures vars, allocates vals, configs pipelines..
+	setc.ConfigValues(1) // one val per var
+	setd.ConfigValues(1) // one val per var
+	sy.Config()          // configures vars, allocates vals, configs pipelines..
 
 	gpuFullTmr := timer.Time{}
 	gpuFullTmr.Start()
 
 	// this copy is pretty fast -- most of time is below
-	cvl, _ := ctrv.Vals.ValByIdxTry(0)
+	cvl, _ := ctrv.Values.ValueByIndexTry(0)
 	cvl.CopyFromBytes(unsafe.Pointer(&seed))
-	dvl, _ := datav.Vals.ValByIdxTry(0)
+	dvl, _ := datav.Values.ValueByIndexTry(0)
 	dvl.CopyFromBytes(unsafe.Pointer(&dataG[0]))
 
 	// gpuFullTmr := timer.Time{}
@@ -88,8 +88,8 @@ func main() {
 
 	sy.Mem.SyncToGPU()
 
-	vars.BindDynValIdx(0, "Counter", 0)
-	vars.BindDynValIdx(1, "Data", 0)
+	vars.BindDynamicValueIndex(0, "Counter", 0)
+	vars.BindDynamicValueIndex(1, "Data", 0)
 
 	cmd := sy.ComputeCmdBuff()
 	sy.CmdResetBindVars(cmd, 0)
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ func main() {
 
 	gpuTmr.Stop()
 
-	sy.Mem.SyncValIdxFmGPU(1, "Data", 0) // this is about same as SyncToGPU
+	sy.Mem.SyncValueIndexFromGPU(1, "Data", 0) // this is about same as SyncToGPU
 	dvl.CopyToBytes(unsafe.Pointer(&dataG[0]))
 
 	gpuFullTmr.Stop()
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ func main() {
 	anyDiffEx := false
 	anyDiffTol := false
 	mx := min(n, 5)
-	fmt.Printf("Idx\tDif(Ex,Tol)\t   CPU   \t  then GPU\n")
+	fmt.Printf("Index\tDif(Ex,Tol)\t   CPU   \t  then GPU\n")
 	for i := 0; i < n; i++ {
 		dc := &dataC[i]
 		dg := &dataG[i]