docs: consistent table-tier definitions (Manual = direct insert, not 'by hand')

src/how-to/define-tables.md

@@ -30,10 +30,10 @@ class MyTable(dj.Manual):
 
 | Type | Base Class | Purpose |
 |------|------------|---------|
-| Manual | `dj.Manual` | Data entered at runtime (users, forms, instruments, imports) |
+| Manual | `dj.Manual` | Data inserted directly from outside the pipeline (forms, instruments, ingestion scripts) |
 | Lookup | `dj.Lookup` | Reference data defined in the schema via `contents` |
-| Imported | `dj.Imported` | Data from external sources |
-| Computed | `dj.Computed` | Derived data |
+| Imported | `dj.Imported` | Populated by `make()` from an external source |
+| Computed | `dj.Computed` | Populated by `make()` from other tables |
 | Part | `dj.Part` | Child of master table |
 
 ## Primary Key (Above `---`)

src/reference/specs/table-declaration.md

@@ -23,9 +23,9 @@ class TableName(dj.Manual):
 
 | Tier | Base Class | Table Prefix | Purpose |
 |------|------------|--------------|---------|
-| Manual | `dj.Manual` | (none) | Data entered at runtime (users, instruments, imports) |
+| Manual | `dj.Manual` | (none) | Data inserted directly from outside the pipeline (users, instruments, ingestion scripts) |
 | Lookup | `dj.Lookup` | `#` | Reference data defined in the schema via `contents` |
-| Imported | `dj.Imported` | `_` | Data from external sources |
+| Imported | `dj.Imported` | `_` | Populated by `make()` from an external source |
 | Computed | `dj.Computed` | `__` | Derived from other tables |
 | Part | `dj.Part` | `master__` | Detail records of master table |
 

src/tutorials/advanced/sql-comparison.ipynb

@@ -2067,8 +2067,8 @@
     "| Tier | Purpose | SQL Equivalent |\n",
     "|------|---------|----------------|\n",
     "| `Lookup` | Reference data, parameters | Regular table |\n",
-    "| `Manual` | User-entered data | Regular table |\n",
-    "| `Imported` | Data from external files | Regular table + trigger |\n",
+    "| `Manual` | Data inserted directly from outside the pipeline (people or ingestion scripts) | Regular table |\n",
+    "| `Imported` | Data from external sources (files, instruments, databases), populated by `make()` | Regular table + trigger |\n",
     "| `Computed` | Derived results | Materialized view + trigger |\n",
     "\n",
     "### 2. Automatic Computation\n",

src/tutorials/basics/02-schema-design.ipynb

@@ -52,9 +52,9 @@
     "\n",
     "| Tier | Class | Purpose | Data Entry |\n",
     "|------|-------|---------|------------|\n",
-    "| **Manual** | `dj.Manual` | Core experimental data | Inserted by operators or instruments |\n",
+    "| **Manual** | `dj.Manual` | Core experimental data | Inserted directly by operators, instruments, or ingestion scripts |\n",
     "| **Lookup** | `dj.Lookup` | Reference/configuration data | Pre-populated, rarely changes |\n",
-    "| **Imported** | `dj.Imported` | Data from external files | Auto-populated via `make()` |\n",
+    "| **Imported** | `dj.Imported` | Data from external sources (files, instruments, databases) | Auto-populated via `make()` |\n",
     "| **Computed** | `dj.Computed` | Derived/processed data | Auto-populated via `make()` |\n",
     "\n",
     "**Manual** tables are not necessarily populated by hand—they contain data entered into the pipeline by operators, instruments, or ingestion scripts using `insert` commands. In contrast, **Imported** and **Computed** tables are auto-populated by calling the `.populate()` method, which invokes the `make()` callback for each missing entry.\n",
@@ -1383,9 +1383,9 @@
     "- Keep keys minimal but sufficient for uniqueness\n",
     "\n",
     "### 2. Use Appropriate Table Tiers\n",
-    "- **Manual**: Data entered by operators or instruments\n",
+    "- **Manual**: Data inserted directly — by operators, instruments, or ingestion scripts\n",
     "- **Lookup**: Configuration, parameters, reference data\n",
-    "- **Imported**: Data read from files (recordings, images)\n",
+    "- **Imported**: Data read from external sources (recordings, images, instruments)\n",
     "- **Computed**: Derived analyses and summaries\n",
     "\n",
     "### 3. Normalize Your Data\n",

src/tutorials/domain/calcium-imaging/calcium-imaging.ipynb

@@ -1476,7 +1476,7 @@
    "metadata": {},
    "source": [
     "**Legend:**\n",
-    "- **Green rectangles**: Manual tables (user-entered data)\n",
+    "- **Green rectangles**: Manual tables (data inserted directly — manually or by ingestion scripts)\n",
     "- **Gray rectangles**: Lookup tables (parameters)\n",
     "- **Blue ovals**: Imported tables (data from files)\n",
     "- **Red ovals**: Computed tables (derived from other tables)\n",

src/tutorials/examples/blob-detection.ipynb

@@ -600,7 +600,7 @@
    "metadata": {},
    "source": [
     "The diagram shows:\n",
-    "- **Green** = Manual tables (user-entered data)\n",
+    "- **Green** = Manual tables (data inserted directly, manually or via ingestion)\n",
     "- **Gray** = Lookup tables (reference data)\n",
     "- **Red** = Computed tables (derived data)\n",
     "- **Edges** = Dependencies (foreign keys), always flow top-to-bottom"
@@ -1398,7 +1398,7 @@
     "| Concept | What It Does | Example |\n",
     "|---------|--------------|--------|\n",
     "| **Schema** | Groups related tables | `schema = dj.Schema('tutorial_blobs')` |\n",
-    "| **Manual Table** | Stores user-entered data | `Image`, `SelectedDetection` |\n",
+    "| **Manual Table** | Stores data inserted directly from outside the pipeline | `Image`, `SelectedDetection` |\n",
     "| **Lookup Table** | Stores reference/config data | `DetectionParams` |\n",
     "| **Computed Table** | Derives data automatically | `Detection` |\n",
     "| **Part Table** | Stores detailed results with master | `Detection.Blob` |\n",