Imported from archive.
[mudpy.git] / mudpy.py
index 699eae1..bbdc5f9 100644 (file)
--- a/mudpy.py
+++ b/mudpy.py
-"""Core objects for the mudpy engine."""
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+u"""Core objects for the mudpy engine."""
 
-# Copyright (c) 2004-2008 Jeremy Stanley <fungi@yuggoth.org>. Permission
+# Copyright (c) 2004-2009 Jeremy Stanley <fungi@yuggoth.org>. Permission
 # to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software is granted under
 # terms provided in the LICENSE file distributed with this software.
 
-# import some things we need
-from ConfigParser import RawConfigParser
-from md5 import new as new_md5
-from os import _exit, R_OK, W_OK, access, chdir, chmod, close, fork, getcwd, getpid, listdir, makedirs, remove, rename, setsid, stat, umask
-from os.path import abspath, basename, dirname, exists, isabs, join as path_join
-from random import choice, randrange
-from re import match
-from signal import SIGHUP, SIGTERM, signal
-from socket import AF_INET, SO_REUSEADDR, SOCK_STREAM, SOL_SOCKET, socket
-from stat import S_IMODE, ST_MODE
-from string import digits, letters, punctuation, uppercase
-from sys import argv, stderr
-from syslog import LOG_PID, LOG_INFO, LOG_DAEMON, closelog, openlog, syslog
-from telnetlib import DO, DONT, ECHO, EOR, GA, IAC, LINEMODE, SB, SE, SGA, WILL, WONT
-from time import asctime, sleep
-from traceback import format_exception
-
 class Element:
-       """An element of the universe."""
-       def __init__(self, key, universe, filename=None):
-               """Set up a new element."""
-
-               # keep track of our key name
-               self.key = key
-
-               # keep track of what universe it's loading` into
-               self.universe = universe
-
-               # clone attributes if this is replacing another element
-               if self.key in self.universe.contents:
-                       old_element = self.universe.contents[self.key]
-                       for attribute in vars(old_element).keys():
-                               exec("self." + attribute + " = old_element." + attribute)
-                       if self.owner: self.owner.avatar = self
-
-               # i guess this is a new element then
-               else:
-
-                       # not owned by a user by default (used for avatars)
-                       self.owner = None
-
-                       # no contents in here by default
-                       self.contents = {}
-
-                       # parse out appropriate category and subkey names, add to list
-                       if self.key.find(":") > 0:
-                               self.category, self.subkey = self.key.split(":", 1)
-                       else:
-                               self.category = "other"
-                               self.subkey = self.key
-                       if not self.category in self.universe.categories:
-                               self.category = "other"
-                               self.subkey = self.key
-
-                       # get an appropriate filename for the origin
-                       if not filename: filename = self.universe.default_origins[self.category]
-                       if not isabs(filename): filename = abspath(filename)
-
-                       # add the file if it doesn't exist yet
-                       if not filename in self.universe.files: DataFile(filename, self.universe)
-
-               # record or reset a pointer to the origin file
-               self.origin = self.universe.files[filename]
-
-               # add a data section to the origin if necessary
-               if not self.origin.data.has_section(self.key):
-                       self.origin.data.add_section(self.key)
-
-               # add or replace this element in the universe
-               self.universe.contents[self.key] = self
-               self.universe.categories[self.category][self.subkey] = self
-
-       def reload(self):
-               """Create a new element and replace this one."""
-               new_element = Element(self.key, self.universe, self.origin.filename)
-               del(self)
-       def destroy(self):
-               """Remove an element from the universe and destroy it."""
-               self.origin.data.remove_section(self.key)
-               del self.universe.categories[self.category][self.subkey]
-               del self.universe.contents[self.key]
-               del self
-       def facets(self):
-               """Return a list of non-inherited facets for this element."""
-               if self.key in self.origin.data.sections():
-                       return self.origin.data.options(self.key)
-               else: return []
-       def has_facet(self, facet):
-               """Return whether the non-inherited facet exists."""
-               return facet in self.facets()
-       def remove_facet(self, facet):
-               """Remove a facet from the element."""
-               if self.has_facet(facet):
-                       self.origin.data.remove_option(self.key, facet)
-                       self.origin.modified = True
-       def ancestry(self):
-               """Return a list of the element's inheritance lineage."""
-               if self.has_facet("inherit"):
-                       ancestry = self.getlist("inherit")
-                       for parent in ancestry[:]:
-                               ancestors = self.universe.contents[parent].ancestry()
-                               for ancestor in ancestors:
-                                       if ancestor not in ancestry: ancestry.append(ancestor)
-                       return ancestry
-               else: return []
-       def get(self, facet, default=None):
-               """Retrieve values."""
-               if default is None: default = ""
-               if self.origin.data.has_option(self.key, facet):
-                       return self.origin.data.get(self.key, facet)
-               elif self.has_facet("inherit"):
-                       for ancestor in self.ancestry():
-                               if self.universe.contents[ancestor].has_facet(facet):
-                                       return self.universe.contents[ancestor].get(facet)
-               else: return default
-       def getboolean(self, facet, default=None):
-               """Retrieve values as boolean type."""
-               if default is None: default=False
-               if self.origin.data.has_option(self.key, facet):
-                       return self.origin.data.getboolean(self.key, facet)
-               elif self.has_facet("inherit"):
-                       for ancestor in self.ancestry():
-                               if self.universe.contents[ancestor].has_facet(facet):
-                                       return self.universe.contents[ancestor].getboolean(facet)
-               else: return default
-       def getint(self, facet, default=None):
-               """Return values as int/long type."""
-               if default is None: default = 0
-               if self.origin.data.has_option(self.key, facet):
-                       return self.origin.data.getint(self.key, facet)
-               elif self.has_facet("inherit"):
-                       for ancestor in self.ancestry():
-                               if self.universe.contents[ancestor].has_facet(facet):
-                                       return self.universe.contents[ancestor].getint(facet)
-               else: return default
-       def getfloat(self, facet, default=None):
-               """Return values as float type."""
-               if default is None: default = 0.0
-               if self.origin.data.has_option(self.key, facet):
-                       return self.origin.data.getfloat(self.key, facet)
-               elif self.has_facet("inherit"):
-                       for ancestor in self.ancestry():
-                               if self.universe.contents[ancestor].has_facet(facet):
-                                       return self.universe.contents[ancestor].getfloat(facet)
-               else: return default
-       def getlist(self, facet, default=None):
-               """Return values as list type."""
-               if default is None: default = []
-               value = self.get(facet)
-               if value: return makelist(value)
-               else: return default
-       def getdict(self, facet, default=None):
-               """Return values as dict type."""
-               if default is None: default = {}
-               value = self.get(facet)
-               if value: return makedict(value)
-               else: return default
-       def set(self, facet, value):
-               """Set values."""
-               if not self.has_facet(facet) or not self.get(facet) == value:
-                       if type(value) is long: value = str(value)
-                       elif not type(value) is str: value = repr(value)
-                       self.origin.data.set(self.key, facet, value)
-                       self.origin.modified = True
-       def append(self, facet, value):
-               """Append value tp a list."""
-               if type(value) is long: value = str(value)
-               elif not type(value) is str: value = repr(value)
-               newlist = self.getlist(facet)
-               newlist.append(value)
-               self.set(facet, newlist)
-
-       def new_event(self, action, when=None):
-               """Create, attach and enqueue an event element."""
-
-               # if when isn't specified, that means now
-               if not when: when = self.universe.get_time()
-
-               # events are elements themselves
-               event = Element("event:" + self.key + ":" + counter)
-
-       def send(self, message, eol="$(eol)", raw=False, flush=False, add_prompt=True, just_prompt=False):
-               """Convenience method to pass messages to an owner."""
-               if self.owner: self.owner.send(message, eol, raw, flush, add_prompt, just_prompt)
-
-       def can_run(self, command):
-               """Check if the user can run this command object."""
-
-               # has to be in the commands category
-               if command not in self.universe.categories["command"].values(): result = False
-
-               # avatars of administrators can run any command
-               elif self.owner and self.owner.account.getboolean("administrator"): result = True
-
-               # everyone can run non-administrative commands
-               elif not command.getboolean("administrative"): result = True
-
-               # otherwise the command cannot be run by this actor
-               else: result = False
-
-               # pass back the result
-               return result
-
-       def update_location(self):
-               """Make sure the location's contents contain this element."""
-               location = self.get("location")
-               if location in self.universe.contents:
-                       self.universe.contents[location].contents[self.key] = self
-       def clean_contents(self):
-               """Make sure the element's contents aren't bogus."""
-               for element in self.contents.values():
-                       if element.get("location") != self.key:
-                               del self.contents[element.key]
-       def go_to(self, location):
-               """Relocate the element to a specific location."""
-               current = self.get("location")
-               if current and self.key in self.universe.contents[current].contents:
-                       del universe.contents[current].contents[self.key]
-               if location in self.universe.contents: self.set("location", location)
-               self.universe.contents[location].contents[self.key] = self
-               self.look_at(location)
-       def go_home(self):
-               """Relocate the element to its default location."""
-               self.go_to(self.get("default_location"))
-               self.echo_to_location("You suddenly realize that " + self.get("name") + " is here.")
-       def move_direction(self, direction):
-               """Relocate the element in a specified direction."""
-               self.echo_to_location(self.get("name") + " exits " + self.universe.categories["internal"]["directions"].getdict(direction)["exit"] + ".")
-               self.send("You exit " + self.universe.categories["internal"]["directions"].getdict(direction)["exit"] + ".", add_prompt=False)
-               self.go_to(self.universe.contents[self.get("location")].link_neighbor(direction))
-               self.echo_to_location(self.get("name") + " arrives from " + self.universe.categories["internal"]["directions"].getdict(direction)["enter"] + ".")
-       def look_at(self, key):
-               """Show an element to another element."""
-               if self.owner:
-                       element = self.universe.contents[key]
-                       message = ""
-                       name = element.get("name")
-                       if name: message += "$(cyn)" + name + "$(nrm)$(eol)"
-                       description = element.get("description")
-                       if description: message += description + "$(eol)"
-                       portal_list = element.portals().keys()
-                       if portal_list:
-                               portal_list.sort()
-                               message += "$(cyn)[ Exits: " + ", ".join(portal_list) + " ]$(nrm)$(eol)"
-                       for element in self.universe.contents[self.get("location")].contents.values():
-                               if element.getboolean("is_actor") and element is not self:
-                                       message += "$(yel)" + element.get("name") + " is here.$(nrm)$(eol)"
-                               elif element is not self:
-                                       message += "$(grn)" + element.get("impression") + "$(nrm)$(eol)"
-                       self.send(message)
-       def portals(self):
-               """Map the portal directions for a room to neighbors."""
-               portals = {}
-               if match("""^location:-?\d+,-?\d+,-?\d+$""", self.key):
-                       coordinates = [(int(x)) for x in self.key.split(":")[1].split(",")]
-                       directions = self.universe.categories["internal"]["directions"]
-                       offsets = dict([(x, directions.getdict(x)["vector"]) for x in directions.facets()])
-                       for portal in self.getlist("gridlinks"):
-                               adjacent = map(lambda c,o: c+o, coordinates, offsets[portal])
-                               neighbor = "location:" + ",".join([(str(x)) for x in adjacent])
-                               if neighbor in self.universe.contents: portals[portal] = neighbor
-               for facet in self.facets():
-                       if facet.startswith("link_"):
-                               neighbor = self.get(facet)
-                               if neighbor in self.universe.contents:
-                                       portal = facet.split("_")[1]
-                                       portals[portal] = neighbor
-               return portals
-       def link_neighbor(self, direction):
-               """Return the element linked in a given direction."""
-               portals = self.portals()
-               if direction in portals: return portals[direction]
-       def echo_to_location(self, message):
-               """Show a message to other elements in the current location."""
-               for element in self.universe.contents[self.get("location")].contents.values():
-                       if element is not self: element.send(message)
+   u"""An element of the universe."""
+   def __init__(self, key, universe, filename=None):
+      u"""Set up a new element."""
+      import os.path
+
+      # keep track of our key name
+      self.key = key
+
+      # keep track of what universe it's loading into
+      self.universe = universe
+
+      # clone attributes if this is replacing another element
+      if self.key in self.universe.contents:
+         old_element = self.universe.contents[self.key]
+         for attribute in vars(old_element).keys():
+            exec(u"self." + attribute + u" = old_element." + attribute)
+         if self.owner: self.owner.avatar = self
+
+      # i guess this is a new element then
+      else:
+
+         # not owned by a user by default (used for avatars)
+         self.owner = None
+
+         # no contents in here by default
+         self.contents = {}
+
+         # parse out appropriate category and subkey names, add to list
+         if self.key.find(u":") > 0:
+            self.category, self.subkey = self.key.split(u":", 1)
+         else:
+            self.category = u"other"
+            self.subkey = self.key
+         if not self.category in self.universe.categories:
+            self.category = u"other"
+            self.subkey = self.key
+
+         # get an appropriate filename for the origin
+         if not filename:
+            filename = self.universe.default_origins[self.category]
+         if not os.path.isabs(filename):
+            filename = os.path.abspath(filename)
+
+         # add the file if it doesn't exist yet
+         if not filename in self.universe.files:
+            DataFile(filename, self.universe)
+
+      # record or reset a pointer to the origin file
+      self.origin = self.universe.files[filename]
+
+      # add a data section to the origin if necessary
+      if not self.origin.data.has_section(self.key):
+         self.origin.data.add_section(self.key)
+
+      # add or replace this element in the universe
+      self.universe.contents[self.key] = self
+      self.universe.categories[self.category][self.subkey] = self
+
+   def reload(self):
+      u"""Create a new element and replace this one."""
+      new_element = Element(self.key, self.universe, self.origin.filename)
+      del(self)
+   def destroy(self):
+      u"""Remove an element from the universe and destroy it."""
+      self.origin.data.remove_section(self.key)
+      del self.universe.categories[self.category][self.subkey]
+      del self.universe.contents[self.key]
+      del self
+   def facets(self):
+      u"""Return a list of non-inherited facets for this element."""
+      if self.key in self.origin.data.sections():
+         return self.origin.data.options(self.key)
+      else: return []
+   def has_facet(self, facet):
+      u"""Return whether the non-inherited facet exists."""
+      return facet in self.facets()
+   def remove_facet(self, facet):
+      u"""Remove a facet from the element."""
+      if self.has_facet(facet):
+         self.origin.data.remove_option(self.key, facet)
+         self.origin.modified = True
+   def ancestry(self):
+      u"""Return a list of the element's inheritance lineage."""
+      if self.has_facet(u"inherit"):
+         ancestry = self.getlist(u"inherit")
+         for parent in ancestry[:]:
+            ancestors = self.universe.contents[parent].ancestry()
+            for ancestor in ancestors:
+               if ancestor not in ancestry: ancestry.append(ancestor)
+         return ancestry
+      else: return []
+   def get(self, facet, default=None):
+      u"""Retrieve values."""
+      if default is None: default = u""
+      if self.origin.data.has_option(self.key, facet):
+         raw_data = self.origin.data.get(self.key, facet)
+         if type(raw_data) == str: return unicode(raw_data, "utf-8")
+         else: return raw_data
+      elif self.has_facet(u"inherit"):
+         for ancestor in self.ancestry():
+            if self.universe.contents[ancestor].has_facet(facet):
+               return self.universe.contents[ancestor].get(facet)
+      else: return default
+   def getboolean(self, facet, default=None):
+      u"""Retrieve values as boolean type."""
+      if default is None: default=False
+      if self.origin.data.has_option(self.key, facet):
+         return self.origin.data.getboolean(self.key, facet)
+      elif self.has_facet(u"inherit"):
+         for ancestor in self.ancestry():
+            if self.universe.contents[ancestor].has_facet(facet):
+               return self.universe.contents[ancestor].getboolean(facet)
+      else: return default
+   def getint(self, facet, default=None):
+      u"""Return values as int/long type."""
+      if default is None: default = 0
+      if self.origin.data.has_option(self.key, facet):
+         return self.origin.data.getint(self.key, facet)
+      elif self.has_facet(u"inherit"):
+         for ancestor in self.ancestry():
+            if self.universe.contents[ancestor].has_facet(facet):
+               return self.universe.contents[ancestor].getint(facet)
+      else: return default
+   def getfloat(self, facet, default=None):
+      u"""Return values as float type."""
+      if default is None: default = 0.0
+      if self.origin.data.has_option(self.key, facet):
+         return self.origin.data.getfloat(self.key, facet)
+      elif self.has_facet(u"inherit"):
+         for ancestor in self.ancestry():
+            if self.universe.contents[ancestor].has_facet(facet):
+               return self.universe.contents[ancestor].getfloat(facet)
+      else: return default
+   def getlist(self, facet, default=None):
+      u"""Return values as list type."""
+      if default is None: default = []
+      value = self.get(facet)
+      if value: return makelist(value)
+      else: return default
+   def getdict(self, facet, default=None):
+      u"""Return values as dict type."""
+      if default is None: default = {}
+      value = self.get(facet)
+      if value: return makedict(value)
+      else: return default
+   def set(self, facet, value):
+      u"""Set values."""
+      if not self.has_facet(facet) or not self.get(facet) == value:
+         if type(value) is long: value = unicode(value)
+         elif not type(value) is unicode: value = repr(value)
+         self.origin.data.set(self.key, facet, value)
+         self.origin.modified = True
+   def append(self, facet, value):
+      u"""Append value tp a list."""
+      if type(value) is long: value = unicode(value)
+      elif not type(value) is unicode: value = repr(value)
+      newlist = self.getlist(facet)
+      newlist.append(value)
+      self.set(facet, newlist)
+
+   def new_event(self, action, when=None):
+      u"""Create, attach and enqueue an event element."""
+
+      # if when isn't specified, that means now
+      if not when: when = self.universe.get_time()
+
+      # events are elements themselves
+      event = Element(u"event:" + self.key + u":" + counter)
+
+   def send(
+      self,
+      message,
+      eol=u"$(eol)",
+      raw=False,
+      flush=False,
+      add_prompt=True,
+      just_prompt=False
+   ):
+      u"""Convenience method to pass messages to an owner."""
+      if self.owner:
+         self.owner.send(message, eol, raw, flush, add_prompt, just_prompt)
+
+   def can_run(self, command):
+      u"""Check if the user can run this command object."""
+
+      # has to be in the commands category
+      if command not in self.universe.categories[u"command"].values():
+         result = False
+
+      # avatars of administrators can run any command
+      elif self.owner and self.owner.account.getboolean(u"administrator"):
+         result = True
+
+      # everyone can run non-administrative commands
+      elif not command.getboolean(u"administrative"):
+         result = True
+
+      # otherwise the command cannot be run by this actor
+      else:
+         result = False
+
+      # pass back the result
+      return result
+
+   def update_location(self):
+      u"""Make sure the location's contents contain this element."""
+      location = self.get(u"location")
+      if location in self.universe.contents:
+         self.universe.contents[location].contents[self.key] = self
+   def clean_contents(self):
+      u"""Make sure the element's contents aren't bogus."""
+      for element in self.contents.values():
+         if element.get(u"location") != self.key:
+            del self.contents[element.key]
+   def go_to(self, location):
+      u"""Relocate the element to a specific location."""
+      current = self.get(u"location")
+      if current and self.key in self.universe.contents[current].contents:
+         del universe.contents[current].contents[self.key]
+      if location in self.universe.contents: self.set(u"location", location)
+      self.universe.contents[location].contents[self.key] = self
+      self.look_at(location)
+   def go_home(self):
+      u"""Relocate the element to its default location."""
+      self.go_to(self.get(u"default_location"))
+      self.echo_to_location(
+         u"You suddenly realize that " + self.get(u"name") + u" is here."
+      )
+   def move_direction(self, direction):
+      u"""Relocate the element in a specified direction."""
+      self.echo_to_location(
+         self.get(
+            u"name"
+         ) + u" exits " + self.universe.categories[
+            u"internal"
+         ][
+            u"directions"
+         ].getdict(
+            direction
+         )[
+            u"exit"
+         ] + u"."
+      )
+      self.send(
+         u"You exit " + self.universe.categories[
+            u"internal"
+         ][
+            u"directions"
+         ].getdict(
+            direction
+         )[
+            u"exit"
+         ] + u".",
+         add_prompt=False
+      )
+      self.go_to(
+         self.universe.contents[self.get(u"location")].link_neighbor(direction)
+      )
+      self.echo_to_location(
+         self.get(
+            u"name"
+         ) + u" arrives from " + self.universe.categories[
+            u"internal"
+         ][
+            u"directions"
+         ].getdict(
+            direction
+         )[
+            u"enter"
+         ] + u"."
+      )
+   def look_at(self, key):
+      u"""Show an element to another element."""
+      if self.owner:
+         element = self.universe.contents[key]
+         message = u""
+         name = element.get(u"name")
+         if name: message += u"$(cyn)" + name + u"$(nrm)$(eol)"
+         description = element.get(u"description")
+         if description: message += description + u"$(eol)"
+         portal_list = element.portals().keys()
+         if portal_list:
+            portal_list.sort()
+            message += u"$(cyn)[ Exits: " + u", ".join(
+               portal_list
+            ) + u" ]$(nrm)$(eol)"
+         for element in self.universe.contents[
+            self.get(u"location")
+         ].contents.values():
+            if element.getboolean(u"is_actor") and element is not self:
+               message += u"$(yel)" + element.get(
+                  u"name"
+               ) + u" is here.$(nrm)$(eol)"
+            elif element is not self:
+               message += u"$(grn)" + element.get(
+                  u"impression"
+               ) + u"$(nrm)$(eol)"
+         self.send(message)
+   def portals(self):
+      u"""Map the portal directions for a room to neighbors."""
+      import re
+      portals = {}
+      if re.match(u"""^location:-?\d+,-?\d+,-?\d+$""", self.key):
+         coordinates = [(int(x)) for x in self.key.split(u":")[1].split(u",")]
+         directions = self.universe.categories[u"internal"][u"directions"]
+         offsets = dict(
+            [
+               (
+                  x, directions.getdict(x)[u"vector"]
+               ) for x in directions.facets()
+            ]
+         )
+         for portal in self.getlist(u"gridlinks"):
+            adjacent = map(lambda c,o: c+o, coordinates, offsets[portal])
+            neighbor = u"location:" + u",".join(
+               [(unicode(x)) for x in adjacent]
+            )
+            if neighbor in self.universe.contents: portals[portal] = neighbor
+      for facet in self.facets():
+         if facet.startswith(u"link_"):
+            neighbor = self.get(facet)
+            if neighbor in self.universe.contents:
+               portal = facet.split(u"_")[1]
+               portals[portal] = neighbor
+      return portals
+   def link_neighbor(self, direction):
+      u"""Return the element linked in a given direction."""
+      portals = self.portals()
+      if direction in portals: return portals[direction]
+   def echo_to_location(self, message):
+      u"""Show a message to other elements in the current location."""
+      for element in self.universe.contents[
+         self.get(u"location")
+      ].contents.values():
+         if element is not self: element.send(message)
 
 class DataFile:
-       """A file containing universe elements."""
-       def __init__(self, filename, universe):
-               self.filename = filename
-               self.universe = universe
-               self.load()
-       def load(self):
-               """Read a file and create elements accordingly."""
-               self.modified = False
-               self.data = RawConfigParser()
-               if access(self.filename, R_OK): self.data.read(self.filename)
-               if not hasattr(self.universe, "files"): self.universe.files = {}
-               self.universe.files[self.filename] = self
-               if self.data.has_option("__control__", "include_files"):
-                       includes = makelist(self.data.get("__control__", "include_files"))
-               else: includes = []
-               if self.data.has_option("__control__", "default_files"):
-                       origins = makedict(self.data.get("__control__", "default_files"))
-                       for key in origins.keys():
-                               if not isabs(origins[key]):
-                                       origins[key] = path_join(dirname(self.filename), origins[key])
-                               if not origins[key] in includes: includes.append(origins[key])
-                               self.universe.default_origins[key] = origins[key]
-                               if not key in self.universe.categories:
-                                       self.universe.categories[key] = {}
-               if self.data.has_option("__control__", "private_files"):
-                       for item in makelist(self.data.get("__control__", "private_files")):
-                               if not item in includes: includes.append(item)
-                               if not item in self.universe.private_files:
-                                       if not isabs(item):
-                                               item = path_join(dirname(self.filename), item)
-                                       self.universe.private_files.append(item)
-               for section in self.data.sections():
-                       if section != "__control__":
-                               Element(section, self.universe, self.filename)
-               for include_file in includes:
-                       if not isabs(include_file):
-                               include_file = path_join(dirname(self.filename), include_file)
-                       if include_file not in self.universe.files or not self.universe.files[include_file].is_writeable():
-                               DataFile(include_file, self.universe)
-       def save(self):
-               """Write the data, if necessary."""
-
-               # when modified, writeable and has content or the file exists
-               if self.modified and self.is_writeable() and ( self.data.sections() or exists(self.filename) ):
-
-                       # make parent directories if necessary
-                       if not exists(dirname(self.filename)):
-                               makedirs(dirname(self.filename))
-
-                       # backup the file
-                       if self.data.has_option("__control__", "backup_count"):
-                               max_count = self.data.has_option("__control__", "backup_count")
-                       else: max_count = universe.categories["internal"]["limits"].getint("default_backup_count")
-                       if exists(self.filename) and max_count:
-                               backups = []
-                               for candidate in listdir(dirname(self.filename)):
-                                       if match(basename(self.filename) + """\.\d+$""", candidate):
-                                               backups.append(int(candidate.split(".")[-1]))
-                               backups.sort()
-                               backups.reverse()
-                               for old_backup in backups:
-                                       if old_backup >= max_count-1:
-                                               remove(self.filename+"."+str(old_backup))
-                                       elif not exists(self.filename+"."+str(old_backup+1)):
-                                               rename(self.filename+"."+str(old_backup), self.filename+"."+str(old_backup+1))
-                               if not exists(self.filename+".0"):
-                                       rename(self.filename, self.filename+".0")
-
-                       # our data file
-                       file_descriptor = file(self.filename, "w")
-
-                       # if it's marked private, chmod it appropriately
-                       if self.filename in self.universe.private_files and oct(S_IMODE(stat(self.filename)[ST_MODE])) != 0600:
-                               chmod(self.filename, 0600)
-
-                       # write it back sorted, instead of using ConfigParser
-                       sections = self.data.sections()
-                       sections.sort()
-                       for section in sections:
-                               file_descriptor.write("[" + section + "]\n")
-                               options = self.data.options(section)
-                               options.sort()
-                               for option in options:
-                                       file_descriptor.write(option + " = " + self.data.get(section, option) + "\n")
-                               file_descriptor.write("\n")
-
-                       # flush and close the file
-                       file_descriptor.flush()
-                       file_descriptor.close()
-
-                       # unset the modified flag
-                       self.modified = False
-       def is_writeable(self):
-               """Returns True if the __control__ read_only is False."""
-               return not self.data.has_option("__control__", "read_only") or not self.data.getboolean("__control__", "read_only")
+   u"""A file containing universe elements."""
+   def __init__(self, filename, universe):
+      self.filename = filename
+      self.universe = universe
+      self.load()
+   def load(self):
+      u"""Read a file and create elements accordingly."""
+      import ConfigParser, os, os.path
+      self.data = ConfigParser.RawConfigParser()
+      self.modified = False
+      if os.access(self.filename, os.R_OK): self.data.read(self.filename)
+      if not hasattr(self.universe, u"files"): self.universe.files = {}
+      self.universe.files[self.filename] = self
+      if self.data.has_option(u"__control__", u"include_files"):
+         includes = makelist(self.data.get(u"__control__", u"include_files"))
+      else: includes = []
+      if self.data.has_option(u"__control__", u"default_files"):
+         origins = makedict(self.data.get(u"__control__", u"default_files"))
+         for key in origins.keys():
+            if not os.path.isabs(origins[key]):
+               origins[key] = os.path.join(
+                  os.path.dirname(self.filename), origins[key]
+               )
+            if not origins[key] in includes: includes.append(origins[key])
+            self.universe.default_origins[key] = origins[key]
+            if not key in self.universe.categories:
+               self.universe.categories[key] = {}
+      if self.data.has_option(u"__control__", u"private_files"):
+         for item in makelist(self.data.get(u"__control__", u"private_files")):
+            if not item in includes: includes.append(item)
+            if not item in self.universe.private_files:
+               if not os.path.isabs(item):
+                  item = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(self.filename), item)
+               self.universe.private_files.append(item)
+      for section in self.data.sections():
+         if section != u"__control__":
+            Element(section, self.universe, self.filename)
+      for include_file in includes:
+         if not os.path.isabs(include_file):
+            include_file = os.path.join(
+               os.path.dirname(self.filename), include_file
+            )
+         if include_file not in self.universe.files or not self.universe.files[
+            include_file
+         ].is_writeable():
+            DataFile(include_file, self.universe)
+   def save(self):
+      u"""Write the data, if necessary."""
+      import codecs, os, os.path, re, stat
+
+      # when modified, writeable and has content or the file exists
+      if self.modified and self.is_writeable() and (
+         self.data.sections() or os.path.exists(self.filename)
+      ):
+
+         # make parent directories if necessary
+         if not os.path.exists(os.path.dirname(self.filename)):
+            os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(self.filename))
+
+         # backup the file
+         if self.data.has_option(u"__control__", u"backup_count"):
+            max_count = self.data.has_option(u"__control__", u"backup_count")
+         else:
+            max_count = universe.categories[u"internal"][u"limits"].getint(
+               u"default_backup_count"
+            )
+         if os.path.exists(self.filename) and max_count:
+            backups = []
+            for candidate in os.listdir(os.path.dirname(self.filename)):
+               if re.match(
+                  os.path.basename(self.filename) + u"""\.\d+$""", candidate
+               ):
+                  backups.append(int(candidate.split(u".")[-1]))
+            backups.sort()
+            backups.reverse()
+            for old_backup in backups:
+               if old_backup >= max_count-1:
+                  os.remove(self.filename+u"."+unicode(old_backup))
+               elif not os.path.exists(
+                  self.filename+u"."+unicode(old_backup+1)
+               ):
+                  os.rename(
+                     self.filename + u"."+unicode(old_backup),
+                     self.filename + u"."+unicode( old_backup + 1 )
+                  )
+            if not os.path.exists(self.filename+u".0"):
+               os.rename( self.filename, self.filename + u".0" )
+
+         # our data file
+         file_descriptor = codecs.open(self.filename, u"w", u"utf-8")
+
+         # if it's marked private, chmod it appropriately
+         if self.filename in self.universe.private_files and oct(
+            stat.S_IMODE( os.stat(self.filename)[stat.ST_MODE] )
+         ) != 0600:
+            os.chmod(self.filename, 0600)
+
+         # write it back sorted, instead of using ConfigParser
+         sections = self.data.sections()
+         sections.sort()
+         for section in sections:
+            file_descriptor.write(u"[" + section + u"]\n")
+            options = self.data.options(section)
+            options.sort()
+            for option in options:
+               file_descriptor.write(
+                  option + u" = " + self.data.get(section, option) + u"\n"
+               )
+            file_descriptor.write(u"\n")
+
+         # flush and close the file
+         file_descriptor.flush()
+         file_descriptor.close()
+
+         # unset the modified flag
+         self.modified = False
+   def is_writeable(self):
+      u"""Returns True if the __control__ read_only is False."""
+      return not self.data.has_option(
+         u"__control__", u"read_only"
+      ) or not self.data.getboolean(
+         u"__control__", u"read_only"
+      )
 
 class Universe:
-       """The universe."""
-
-       def __init__(self, filename="", load=False):
-               """Initialize the universe."""
-               self.categories = {}
-               self.contents = {}
-               self.default_origins = {}
-               self.loglines = []
-               self.pending_events_long = {}
-               self.pending_events_short = {}
-               self.private_files = []
-               self.reload_flag = False
-               self.startdir = getcwd()
-               self.terminate_flag = False
-               self.userlist = []
-               if not filename:
-                       possible_filenames = [
-                               ".mudpyrc",
-                               ".mudpy/mudpyrc",
-                               ".mudpy/mudpy.conf",
-                               "mudpy.conf",
-                               "etc/mudpy.conf",
-                               "/usr/local/mudpy/mudpy.conf",
-                               "/usr/local/mudpy/etc/mudpy.conf",
-                               "/etc/mudpy/mudpy.conf",
-                               "/etc/mudpy.conf"
-                               ]
-                       for filename in possible_filenames:
-                               if access(filename, R_OK): break
-               if not isabs(filename):
-                       filename = path_join(self.startdir, filename)
-               self.filename = filename
-               if load: self.load()
-
-       def load(self):
-               """Load universe data from persistent storage."""
-
-               # the files dict must exist and filename needs to be read-only
-               if not hasattr(self, "files") or not ( self.filename in self.files and self.files[self.filename].is_writeable() ):
-
-                       # clear out all read-only files
-                       if hasattr(self, "files"):
-                               for data_filename in self.files.keys():
-                                       if not self.files[data_filename].is_writeable():
-                                               del self.files[data_filename]
-
-                       # start loading from the initial file
-                       DataFile(self.filename, self)
-
-               # make a list of inactive avatars
-               inactive_avatars = []
-               for account in self.categories["account"].values():
-                       inactive_avatars += [ (self.contents[x]) for x in account.getlist("avatars") ]
-               for user in self.userlist:
-                       if user.avatar in inactive_avatars:
-                               inactive_avatars.remove(user.avatar)
-
-               # go through all elements to clear out inactive avatar locations
-               for element in self.contents.values():
-                       location = element.get("location")
-                       if element in inactive_avatars and location:
-                               if location in self.contents and element.key in self.contents[location].contents:
-                                       del self.contents[location].contents[element.key]
-                               element.set("default_location", location)
-                               element.remove_facet("location")
-
-               # another pass to straighten out all the element contents
-               for element in self.contents.values():
-                       element.update_location()
-                       element.clean_contents()
-
-       def new(self):
-               """Create a new, empty Universe (the Big Bang)."""
-               new_universe = Universe()
-               for attribute in vars(self).keys():
-                       exec("new_universe." + attribute + " = self." + attribute)
-               new_universe.reload_flag = False
-               del self
-               return new_universe
-
-       def save(self):
-               """Save the universe to persistent storage."""
-               for key in self.files: self.files[key].save()
-
-       def initialize_server_socket(self):
-               """Create and open the listening socket."""
-
-               # create a new ipv4 stream-type socket object
-               self.listening_socket = socket(AF_INET, SOCK_STREAM)
-
-               # set the socket options to allow existing open ones to be
-               # reused (fixes a bug where the server can't bind for a minute
-               # when restarting on linux systems)
-               self.listening_socket.setsockopt(SOL_SOCKET, SO_REUSEADDR, 1)
-
-               # bind the socket to to our desired server ipa and port
-               host = self.categories["internal"]["network"].get("host")
-               port = self.categories["internal"]["network"].getint("port")
-               self.listening_socket.bind((host, port))
-
-               # disable blocking so we can proceed whether or not we can
-               # send/receive
-               self.listening_socket.setblocking(0)
-
-               # start listening on the socket
-               self.listening_socket.listen(1)
-
-               # note that we're now ready for user connections
-               if not host: host = "0.0.0.0"
-               log("Listening for Telnet connections on: " + host + ":" + str(port))
-
-       def get_time(self):
-               """Convenience method to get the elapsed time counter."""
-               return self.categories["internal"]["counters"].getint("elapsed")
+   u"""The universe."""
+
+   def __init__(self, filename=u"", load=False):
+      u"""Initialize the universe."""
+      import os, os.path
+      self.categories = {}
+      self.contents = {}
+      self.default_origins = {}
+      self.loglines = []
+      self.pending_events_long = {}
+      self.pending_events_short = {}
+      self.private_files = []
+      self.reload_flag = False
+      self.startdir = os.getcwd()
+      self.terminate_flag = False
+      self.userlist = []
+      if not filename:
+         possible_filenames = [
+            u".mudpyrc",
+            u".mudpy/mudpyrc",
+            u".mudpy/mudpy.conf",
+            u"mudpy.conf",
+            u"etc/mudpy.conf",
+            u"/usr/local/mudpy/mudpy.conf",
+            u"/usr/local/mudpy/etc/mudpy.conf",
+            u"/etc/mudpy/mudpy.conf",
+            u"/etc/mudpy.conf"
+            ]
+         for filename in possible_filenames:
+            if os.access(filename, os.R_OK): break
+      if not os.path.isabs(filename):
+         filename = os.path.join(self.startdir, filename)
+      self.filename = filename
+      if load: self.load()
+
+   def load(self):
+      u"""Load universe data from persistent storage."""
+
+      # the files dict must exist and filename needs to be read-only
+      if not hasattr(
+         self, u"files"
+      ) or not (
+         self.filename in self.files and self.files[
+            self.filename
+         ].is_writeable()
+      ):
+
+         # clear out all read-only files
+         if hasattr(self, u"files"):
+            for data_filename in self.files.keys():
+               if not self.files[data_filename].is_writeable():
+                  del self.files[data_filename]
+
+         # start loading from the initial file
+         DataFile(self.filename, self)
+
+      # make a list of inactive avatars
+      inactive_avatars = []
+      for account in self.categories[u"account"].values():
+         inactive_avatars += [
+            (self.contents[x]) for x in account.getlist(u"avatars")
+         ]
+      for user in self.userlist:
+         if user.avatar in inactive_avatars:
+            inactive_avatars.remove(user.avatar)
+
+      # go through all elements to clear out inactive avatar locations
+      for element in self.contents.values():
+         location = element.get(u"location")
+         if element in inactive_avatars and location:
+            if location in self.contents and element.key in self.contents[
+               location
+            ].contents:
+               del self.contents[location].contents[element.key]
+            element.set(u"default_location", location)
+            element.remove_facet(u"location")
+
+      # another pass to straighten out all the element contents
+      for element in self.contents.values():
+         element.update_location()
+         element.clean_contents()
+
+   def new(self):
+      u"""Create a new, empty Universe (the Big Bang)."""
+      new_universe = Universe()
+      for attribute in vars(self).keys():
+         exec(u"new_universe." + attribute + u" = self." + attribute)
+      new_universe.reload_flag = False
+      del self
+      return new_universe
+
+   def save(self):
+      u"""Save the universe to persistent storage."""
+      for key in self.files: self.files[key].save()
+
+   def initialize_server_socket(self):
+      u"""Create and open the listening socket."""
+      import socket
+
+      # create a new ipv4 stream-type socket object
+      self.listening_socket = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
+
+      # set the socket options to allow existing open ones to be
+      # reused (fixes a bug where the server can't bind for a minute
+      # when restarting on linux systems)
+      self.listening_socket.setsockopt(
+         socket.SOL_SOCKET, socket.SO_REUSEADDR, 1
+      )
+
+      # bind the socket to to our desired server ipa and port
+      host = self.categories[u"internal"][u"network"].get(u"host")
+      port = self.categories[u"internal"][u"network"].getint(u"port")
+      self.listening_socket.bind((host, port))
+
+      # disable blocking so we can proceed whether or not we can
+      # send/receive
+      self.listening_socket.setblocking(0)
+
+      # start listening on the socket
+      self.listening_socket.listen(1)
+
+      # note that we're now ready for user connections
+      if not host: host = u"0.0.0.0"
+      log(
+         u"Listening for Telnet connections on: " + host + u":" + unicode(port)
+      )
+
+   def get_time(self):
+      u"""Convenience method to get the elapsed time counter."""
+      return self.categories[u"internal"][u"counters"].getint(u"elapsed")
 
 class User:
-       """This is a connected user."""
-
-       def __init__(self):
-               """Default values for the in-memory user variables."""
-               self.account = None
-               self.address = ""
-               self.authenticated = False
-               self.avatar = None
-               self.connection = None
-               self.echoing = True
-               self.error = ""
-               self.input_queue = []
-               self.last_address = ""
-               self.last_input = universe.get_time()
-               self.menu_choices = {}
-               self.menu_seen = False
-               self.negotiation_pause = 0
-               self.output_queue = []
-               self.partial_input = ""
-               self.password_tries = 0
-               self.received_newline = True
-               self.state = "initial"
-               self.terminator = IAC+GA
-
-       def quit(self):
-               """Log, close the connection and remove."""
-               if self.account: name = self.account.get("name")
-               else: name = ""
-               if name: message = "User " + name
-               else: message = "An unnamed user"
-               message += " logged out."
-               log(message, 2)
-               self.deactivate_avatar()
-               self.connection.close()
-               self.remove()
-
-       def check_idle(self):
-               """Warn or disconnect idle users as appropriate."""
-               idletime = universe.get_time() - self.last_input
-               linkdead_dict = universe.categories["internal"]["time"].getdict("linkdead")
-               if self.state in linkdead_dict: linkdead_state = self.state
-               else: linkdead_state = "default"
-               if idletime > linkdead_dict[linkdead_state]:
-                       self.send("$(eol)$(red)You've done nothing for far too long... goodbye!$(nrm)$(eol)", flush=True, add_prompt=False)
-                       logline = "Disconnecting "
-                       if self.account and self.account.get("name"): logline += self.account.get("name")
-                       else: logline += "an unknown user"
-                       logline += " after idling too long in a " + self.state + " state."
-                       log(logline, 2)
-                       self.state = "disconnecting"
-                       self.menu_seen = False
-               idle_dict = universe.categories["internal"]["time"].getdict("idle")
-               if self.state in idle_dict: idle_state = self.state
-               else: idle_state = "default"
-               if idletime == idle_dict[idle_state]:
-                       self.send("$(eol)$(red)If you continue to be unproductive, you'll be shown the door...$(nrm)$(eol)")
-
-       def reload(self):
-               """Save, load a new user and relocate the connection."""
-
-               # get out of the list
-               self.remove()
-
-               # create a new user object
-               new_user = User()
-
-               # set everything equivalent
-               for attribute in vars(self).keys():
-                       exec("new_user." + attribute + " = self." + attribute)
-
-               # the avatar needs a new owner
-               if new_user.avatar: new_user.avatar.owner = new_user
-
-               # add it to the list
-               universe.userlist.append(new_user)
-
-               # get rid of the old user object
-               del(self)
-
-       def replace_old_connections(self):
-               """Disconnect active users with the same name."""
-
-               # the default return value
-               return_value = False
-
-               # iterate over each user in the list
-               for old_user in universe.userlist:
-
-                       # the name is the same but it's not us
-                       if hasattr(old_user, "account") and old_user.account and old_user.account.get("name") == self.account.get("name") and old_user is not self:
-
-                               # make a note of it
-                               log("User " + self.account.get("name") + " reconnected--closing old connection to " + old_user.address + ".", 2)
-                               old_user.send("$(eol)$(red)New connection from " + self.address + ". Terminating old connection...$(nrm)$(eol)", flush=True, add_prompt=False)
-
-                               # close the old connection
-                               old_user.connection.close()
-
-                               # replace the old connection with this one
-                               old_user.send("$(eol)$(red)Taking over old connection from " + old_user.address + ".$(nrm)")
-                               old_user.connection = self.connection
-                               old_user.last_address = old_user.address
-                               old_user.address = self.address
-
-                               # may need to tell the new connection to echo
-                               if old_user.echoing:
-                                       old_user.send(get_echo_sequence(old_user.state, self.echoing), raw=True)
-
-                               # take this one out of the list and delete
-                               self.remove()
-                               del(self)
-                               return_value = True
-                               break
-
-               # true if an old connection was replaced, false if not
-               return return_value
-
-       def authenticate(self):
-               """Flag the user as authenticated and disconnect duplicates."""
-               if not self.state is "authenticated":
-                       log("User " + self.account.get("name") + " logged in.", 2)
-                       self.authenticated = True
-                       if self.account.subkey in universe.categories["internal"]["limits"].getlist("default_admins"):
-                               self.account.set("administrator", "True")
-
-       def show_menu(self):
-               """Send the user their current menu."""
-               if not self.menu_seen:
-                       self.menu_choices = get_menu_choices(self)
-                       self.send(get_menu(self.state, self.error, self.echoing, self.terminator, self.menu_choices), "")
-                       self.menu_seen = True
-                       self.error = False
-                       self.adjust_echoing()
-
-       def adjust_echoing(self):
-               """Adjust echoing to match state menu requirements."""
-               if self.echoing and not menu_echo_on(self.state): self.echoing = False
-               elif not self.echoing and menu_echo_on(self.state): self.echoing = True
-
-       def remove(self):
-               """Remove a user from the list of connected users."""
-               universe.userlist.remove(self)
-
-       def send(self, output, eol="$(eol)", raw=False, flush=False, add_prompt=True, just_prompt=False):
-               """Send arbitrary text to a connected user."""
-
-               # unless raw mode is on, clean it up all nice and pretty
-               if not raw:
-
-                       # strip extra $(eol) off if present
-                       while output.startswith("$(eol)"): output = output[6:]
-                       while output.endswith("$(eol)"): output = output[:-6]
-                       extra_lines = output.find("$(eol)$(eol)$(eol)")
-                       while extra_lines > -1:
-                               output = output[:extra_lines] + output[extra_lines+6:]
-                               extra_lines = output.find("$(eol)$(eol)$(eol)")
-
-                       # we'll take out GA or EOR and add them back on the end
-                       if output.endswith(IAC+GA) or output.endswith(IAC+EOR):
-                               terminate = True
-                               output = output[:-2]
-                       else: terminate = False
-
-                       # start with a newline, append the message, then end
-                       # with the optional eol string passed to this function
-                       # and the ansi escape to return to normal text
-                       if not just_prompt:
-                               if not self.output_queue or not self.output_queue[-1].endswith("\r\n"):
-                                       output = "$(eol)$(eol)" + output
-                               elif not self.output_queue[-1].endswith("\r\n"+chr(27)+"[0m"+"\r\n") and not self.output_queue[-1].endswith("\r\n\r\n"):
-                                       output = "$(eol)" + output
-                       output += eol + chr(27) + "[0m"
-
-                       # tack on a prompt if active
-                       if self.state == "active":
-                               if not just_prompt: output += "$(eol)"
-                               if add_prompt:
-                                       output += "> "
-                                       mode = self.avatar.get("mode")
-                                       if mode: output += "(" + mode + ") "
-
-                       # find and replace macros in the output
-                       output = replace_macros(self, output)
-
-                       # wrap the text at 79 characters
-                       output = wrap_ansi_text(output, 79)
-
-                       # tack the terminator back on
-                       if terminate: output += self.terminator
-
-               # drop the output into the user's output queue
-               self.output_queue.append(output)
-
-               # if this is urgent, flush all pending output
-               if flush: self.flush()
-
-       def pulse(self):
-               """All the things to do to the user per increment."""
-
-               # if the world is terminating, disconnect
-               if universe.terminate_flag:
-                       self.state = "disconnecting"
-                       self.menu_seen = False
-
-               # check for an idle connection and act appropriately
-               else: self.check_idle()
-
-               # if output is paused, decrement the counter
-               if self.state == "initial":
-                       if self.negotiation_pause: self.negotiation_pause -= 1
-                       else: self.state = "entering_account_name"
-
-               # show the user a menu as needed
-               elif not self.state == "active": self.show_menu()
-
-               # flush any pending output in teh queue
-               self.flush()
-
-               # disconnect users with the appropriate state
-               if self.state == "disconnecting": self.quit()
-
-               # check for input and add it to the queue
-               self.enqueue_input()
-
-               # there is input waiting in the queue
-               if self.input_queue:
-                       handle_user_input(self)
-
-       def flush(self):
-               """Try to send the last item in the queue and remove it."""
-               if self.output_queue:
-                       if self.received_newline:
-                               self.received_newline = False
-                               if self.output_queue[0].startswith("\r\n"):
-                                       self.output_queue[0] = self.output_queue[0][2:]
-                       try:
-                               self.connection.send(self.output_queue[0])
-                               del self.output_queue[0]
-                       except:
-                               pass
-
-
-       def enqueue_input(self):
-               """Process and enqueue any new input."""
-
-               # check for some input
-               try:
-                       input_data = self.connection.recv(1024)
-               except:
-                       input_data = ""
-
-               # we got something
-               if input_data:
-
-                       # tack this on to any previous partial
-                       self.partial_input += input_data
-
-                       # reply to and remove any IAC negotiation codes
-                       self.negotiate_telnet_options()
-
-                       # separate multiple input lines
-                       new_input_lines = self.partial_input.split("\n")
-
-                       # if input doesn't end in a newline, replace the
-                       # held partial input with the last line of it
-                       if not self.partial_input.endswith("\n"):
-                               self.partial_input = new_input_lines.pop()
-
-                       # otherwise, chop off the extra null input and reset
-                       # the held partial input
-                       else:
-                               new_input_lines.pop()
-                               self.partial_input = ""
-
-                       # iterate over the remaining lines
-                       for line in new_input_lines:
-
-                               # remove a trailing carriage return
-                               if line.endswith("\r"): line = line.rstrip("\r")
-
-                               # log non-printable characters remaining
-                               removed = filter(lambda x: (x < " " or x > "~"), line)
-                               if removed:
-                                       logline = "Non-printable characters from "
-                                       if self.account and self.account.get("name"): logline += self.account.get("name") + ": "
-                                       else: logline += "unknown user: "
-                                       logline += repr(removed)
-                                       log(logline, 4)
-
-                               # filter out non-printables
-                               line = filter(lambda x: " " <= x <= "~", line)
-
-                               # strip off extra whitespace
-                               line = line.strip()
-
-                               # put on the end of the queue
-                               self.input_queue.append(line)
-
-       def negotiate_telnet_options(self):
-               """Reply to/remove partial_input telnet negotiation options."""
-
-               # start at the begining of the input
-               position = 0
-
-               # make a local copy to play with
-               text = self.partial_input
-
-               # as long as we haven't checked it all
-               while position < len(text):
-
-                       # jump to the first IAC you find
-                       position = text.find(IAC, position)
-
-                       # if there wasn't an IAC in the input, skip to the end
-                       if position < 0: position = len(text)
-
-                       # replace a double (literal) IAC if there's an LF later
-                       elif len(text) > position+1 and text[position+1] == IAC:
-                               if text.find("\n", position) > 0: text = text.replace(IAC+IAC, IAC)
-                               else: position += 1
-                               position += 1
-
-                       # this must be an option negotiation
-                       elif len(text) > position+2 and text[position+1] in (DO, DONT, WILL, WONT):
-
-                               negotiation = text[position+1:position+3]
-
-                               # if we turned echo off, ignore the confirmation
-                               if not self.echoing and negotiation == DO+ECHO: pass
-
-                               # allow LINEMODE
-                               elif negotiation == WILL+LINEMODE: self.send(IAC+DO+LINEMODE, raw=True)
-
-                               # if the client likes EOR instead of GA, make a note of it
-                               elif negotiation == DO+EOR: self.terminator = IAC+EOR
-                               elif negotiation == DONT+EOR and self.terminator == IAC+EOR:
-                                       self.terminator = IAC+GA
-
-                               # if the client doesn't want GA, oblige
-                               elif negotiation == DO+SGA and self.terminator == IAC+GA:
-                                       self.terminator = ""
-                                       self.send(IAC+WILL+SGA, raw=True)
-
-                               # we don't want to allow anything else
-                               elif text[position+1] == DO: self.send(IAC+WONT+text[position+2], raw=True)
-                               elif text[position+1] == WILL: self.send(IAC+DONT+text[position+2], raw=True)
-
-                               # strip the negotiation from the input
-                               text = text.replace(text[position:position+3], "")
-
-                       # get rid of IAC SB .* IAC SE
-                       elif len(text) > position+4 and text[position:position+2] == IAC+SB:
-                               end_subnegotiation = text.find(IAC+SE, position)
-                               if end_subnegotiation > 0: text = text[:position] + text[end_subnegotiation+2:]
-                               else: position += 1
-
-                       # otherwise, strip out a two-byte IAC command
-                       elif len(text) > position+2: text = text.replace(text[position:position+2], "")
-
-                       # and this means we got the begining of an IAC
-                       else: position += 1
-
-               # replace the input with our cleaned-up text
-               self.partial_input = text
-
-       def new_avatar(self):
-               """Instantiate a new, unconfigured avatar for this user."""
-               counter = 0
-               while "avatar:" + self.account.get("name") + ":" + str(counter) in universe.categories["actor"].keys(): counter += 1
-               self.avatar = Element("actor:avatar:" + self.account.get("name") + ":" + str(counter), universe)
-               self.avatar.append("inherit", "archetype:avatar")
-               self.account.append("avatars", self.avatar.key)
-
-       def delete_avatar(self, avatar):
-               """Remove an avatar from the world and from the user's list."""
-               if self.avatar is universe.contents[avatar]: self.avatar = None
-               universe.contents[avatar].destroy()
-               avatars = self.account.getlist("avatars")
-               avatars.remove(avatar)
-               self.account.set("avatars", avatars)
-
-       def activate_avatar_by_index(self, index):
-               """Enter the world with a particular indexed avatar."""
-               self.avatar = universe.contents[self.account.getlist("avatars")[index]]
-               self.avatar.owner = self
-               self.state = "active"
-               self.avatar.go_home()
-
-       def deactivate_avatar(self):
-               """Have the active avatar leave the world."""
-               if self.avatar:
-                       current = self.avatar.get("location")
-                       if current:
-                               self.avatar.set("default_location", current)
-                               self.avatar.echo_to_location("You suddenly wonder where " + self.avatar.get("name") + " went.")
-                               del universe.contents[current].contents[self.avatar.key]
-                               self.avatar.remove_facet("location")
-                       self.avatar.owner = None
-                       self.avatar = None
-
-       def destroy(self):
-               """Destroy the user and associated avatars."""
-               for avatar in self.account.getlist("avatars"): self.delete_avatar(avatar)
-               self.account.destroy()
-
-       def list_avatar_names(self):
-               """List names of assigned avatars."""
-               return [ universe.contents[avatar].get("name") for avatar in self.account.getlist("avatars") ]
+   u"""This is a connected user."""
+
+   def __init__(self):
+      u"""Default values for the in-memory user variables."""
+      self.account = None
+      self.address = u""
+      self.authenticated = False
+      self.avatar = None
+      self.client_displays_binary = False
+      self.client_sends_binary = False
+      self.columns = 79
+      self.connection = None
+      self.echoing = True
+      self.error = u""
+      self.input_queue = []
+      self.last_address = u""
+      self.last_input = universe.get_time()
+      self.menu_choices = {}
+      self.menu_seen = False
+      self.negotiation_pause = 0
+      self.output_queue = []
+      self.partial_input = ""
+      self.password_tries = 0
+      self.received_newline = True
+      self.state = u"initial"
+      self.terminator = telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"GA"])
+
+   def quit(self):
+      u"""Log, close the connection and remove."""
+      if self.account: name = self.account.get(u"name")
+      else: name = u""
+      if name: message = u"User " + name
+      else: message = u"An unnamed user"
+      message += u" logged out."
+      log(message, 2)
+      self.deactivate_avatar()
+      self.connection.close()
+      self.remove()
+
+   def check_idle(self):
+      u"""Warn or disconnect idle users as appropriate."""
+      idletime = universe.get_time() - self.last_input
+      linkdead_dict = universe.categories[u"internal"][u"time"].getdict(
+         u"linkdead"
+      )
+      if self.state in linkdead_dict: linkdead_state = self.state
+      else: linkdead_state = u"default"
+      if idletime > linkdead_dict[linkdead_state]:
+         self.send(
+            u"$(eol)$(red)You've done nothing for far too long... goodbye!" \
+               + u"$(nrm)$(eol)",
+            flush=True,
+            add_prompt=False
+         )
+         logline = u"Disconnecting "
+         if self.account and self.account.get(u"name"):
+            logline += self.account.get(u"name")
+         else:
+            logline += u"an unknown user"
+         logline += u" after idling too long in a " + self.state + u" state."
+         log(logline, 2)
+         self.state = u"disconnecting"
+         self.menu_seen = False
+      idle_dict = universe.categories[u"internal"][u"time"].getdict(u"idle")
+      if self.state in idle_dict: idle_state = self.state
+      else: idle_state = u"default"
+      if idletime == idle_dict[idle_state]:
+         self.send(
+            u"$(eol)$(red)If you continue to be unproductive, " \
+               + u"you'll be shown the door...$(nrm)$(eol)"
+         )
+
+   def reload(self):
+      u"""Save, load a new user and relocate the connection."""
+
+      # get out of the list
+      self.remove()
+
+      # create a new user object
+      new_user = User()
+
+      # set everything equivalent
+      for attribute in vars(self).keys():
+         exec(u"new_user." + attribute + u" = self." + attribute)
+
+      # the avatar needs a new owner
+      if new_user.avatar: new_user.avatar.owner = new_user
+
+      # add it to the list
+      universe.userlist.append(new_user)
+
+      # get rid of the old user object
+      del(self)
+
+   def replace_old_connections(self):
+      u"""Disconnect active users with the same name."""
+
+      # the default return value
+      return_value = False
+
+      # iterate over each user in the list
+      for old_user in universe.userlist:
+
+         # the name is the same but it's not us
+         if hasattr(
+            old_user, u"account"
+         ) and old_user.account and old_user.account.get(
+            u"name"
+         ) == self.account.get(
+            u"name"
+         ) and old_user is not self:
+
+            # make a note of it
+            log(
+               u"User " + self.account.get(
+                  u"name"
+               ) + u" reconnected--closing old connection to " \
+                  + old_user.address + u".",
+               2
+            )
+            old_user.send(
+               u"$(eol)$(red)New connection from " + self.address \
+                  + u". Terminating old connection...$(nrm)$(eol)", \
+               flush=True,
+               add_prompt=False
+            )
+
+            # close the old connection
+            old_user.connection.close()
+
+            # replace the old connection with this one
+            old_user.send(
+               u"$(eol)$(red)Taking over old connection from " \
+                  + old_user.address + u".$(nrm)"
+            )
+            old_user.connection = self.connection
+            old_user.last_address = old_user.address
+            old_user.address = self.address
+            old_user.client_displays_binary = self.client_displays_binary
+            old_user.client_sends_binary = self.client_sends_binary
+
+            # may need to tell the new connection to echo
+            if old_user.echoing:
+               old_user.send(
+                  get_echo_sequence(old_user.state, self.echoing), raw=True
+               )
+
+            # take this one out of the list and delete
+            self.remove()
+            del(self)
+            return_value = True
+            break
+
+      # true if an old connection was replaced, false if not
+      return return_value
+
+   def authenticate(self):
+      u"""Flag the user as authenticated and disconnect duplicates."""
+      if not self.state is u"authenticated":
+         log(u"User " + self.account.get(u"name") + u" logged in.", 2)
+         self.authenticated = True
+         if self.account.subkey in universe.categories[
+            u"internal"
+         ][
+            u"limits"
+         ].getlist(
+            u"default_admins"
+         ):
+            self.account.set(u"administrator", u"True")
+
+   def show_menu(self):
+      u"""Send the user their current menu."""
+      if not self.menu_seen:
+         self.menu_choices = get_menu_choices(self)
+         self.send(
+            get_menu(self.state, self.error, self.menu_choices),
+            u"",
+            add_terminator=True
+         )
+         self.menu_seen = True
+         self.error = False
+         self.adjust_echoing()
+
+   def adjust_echoing(self):
+      u"""Adjust echoing to match state menu requirements."""
+      if self.echoing and not menu_echo_on(self.state): self.echoing = False
+      elif not self.echoing and menu_echo_on(self.state): self.echoing = True
+
+   def remove(self):
+      u"""Remove a user from the list of connected users."""
+      universe.userlist.remove(self)
+
+   def send(
+      self,
+      output,
+      eol=u"$(eol)",
+      raw=False,
+      flush=False,
+      add_prompt=True,
+      just_prompt=False,
+      add_terminator=False
+   ):
+      u"""Send arbitrary text to a connected user."""
+
+      # unless raw mode is on, clean it up all nice and pretty
+      if not raw:
+
+         # strip extra $(eol) off if present
+         while output.startswith(u"$(eol)"): output = output[6:]
+         while output.endswith(u"$(eol)"): output = output[:-6]
+         extra_lines = output.find(u"$(eol)$(eol)$(eol)")
+         while extra_lines > -1:
+            output = output[:extra_lines] + output[extra_lines+6:]
+            extra_lines = output.find(u"$(eol)$(eol)$(eol)")
+
+         # start with a newline, append the message, then end
+         # with the optional eol string passed to this function
+         # and the ansi escape to return to normal text
+         if not just_prompt:
+            if not self.output_queue or not self.output_queue[-1].endswith(
+               "\r\n"
+            ):
+               output = u"$(eol)$(eol)" + output
+            elif not self.output_queue[-1].endswith(
+               "\r\n\x1b[0m\r\n"
+            ) and not self.output_queue[-1].endswith(
+               "\r\n\r\n"
+            ):
+               output = u"$(eol)" + output
+         output += eol + unichr(27) + u"[0m"
+
+         # tack on a prompt if active
+         if self.state == u"active":
+            if not just_prompt: output += u"$(eol)"
+            if add_prompt:
+               output += u"> "
+               mode = self.avatar.get(u"mode")
+               if mode: output += u"(" + mode + u") "
+
+         # find and replace macros in the output
+         output = replace_macros(self, output)
+
+         # wrap the text at the client's width (min 40, 0 disables)
+         if self.columns:
+            if self.columns < 40: wrap = 40
+            else: wrap = self.columns
+            output = wrap_ansi_text(output, wrap)
+
+         # if supported by the client, encode it utf-8
+         if self.client_displays_binary:
+            encoded_output = output.encode(u"utf-8")
+
+         # otherwise just send ascii
+         else:
+            encoded_output = output.encode(u"ascii", u"replace")
+
+         # inject appropriate echoing changes
+         encoded_output += get_echo_sequence(self.state, self.echoing)
+
+         # end with a terminator if requested
+         if add_terminator: encoded_output += self.terminator
+
+         # and tack it onto the queue
+         self.output_queue.append(encoded_output)
+
+         # if this is urgent, flush all pending output
+         if flush: self.flush()
+
+      # just dump raw bytes as requested
+      else:
+         self.output_queue.append(output)
+         self.flush()
+
+   def pulse(self):
+      u"""All the things to do to the user per increment."""
+
+      # if the world is terminating, disconnect
+      if universe.terminate_flag:
+         self.state = u"disconnecting"
+         self.menu_seen = False
+
+      # check for an idle connection and act appropriately
+      else: self.check_idle()
+
+      # if output is paused, decrement the counter
+      if self.state == u"initial":
+         if self.negotiation_pause: self.negotiation_pause -= 1
+         else: self.state = u"entering_account_name"
+
+      # show the user a menu as needed
+      elif not self.state == u"active": self.show_menu()
+
+      # flush any pending output in the queue
+      self.flush()
+
+      # disconnect users with the appropriate state
+      if self.state == u"disconnecting": self.quit()
+
+      # check for input and add it to the queue
+      self.enqueue_input()
+
+      # there is input waiting in the queue
+      if self.input_queue:
+         handle_user_input(self)
+
+   def flush(self):
+      u"""Try to send the last item in the queue and remove it."""
+      if self.output_queue:
+         if self.received_newline:
+            self.received_newline = False
+            if self.output_queue[0].startswith("\r\n"):
+               self.output_queue[0] = self.output_queue[0][2:]
+         try:
+            self.connection.send(self.output_queue[0])
+            del self.output_queue[0]
+         except:
+            if self.account and self.account.get(u"name"):
+               account = self.account.get(u"name")
+            else: account = u"an unknown user"
+            log(
+               u"Sending to " + account \
+                  + u" raised an exception (broken pipe?)."
+            )
+            pass
+
+
+   def enqueue_input(self):
+      u"""Process and enqueue any new input."""
+      import unicodedata
+
+      # check for some input
+      try:
+         raw_input = self.connection.recv(1024)
+      except:
+         raw_input = ""
+
+      # we got something
+      if raw_input:
+
+         # tack this on to any previous partial
+         self.partial_input += raw_input
+
+         # reply to and remove any IAC negotiation codes
+         self.negotiate_telnet_options()
+
+         # separate multiple input lines
+         new_input_lines = self.partial_input.split("\n")
+
+         # if input doesn't end in a newline, replace the
+         # held partial input with the last line of it
+         if not self.partial_input.endswith("\n"):
+            self.partial_input = new_input_lines.pop()
+
+         # otherwise, chop off the extra null input and reset
+         # the held partial input
+         else:
+            new_input_lines.pop()
+            self.partial_input = ""
+
+         # iterate over the remaining lines
+         for line in new_input_lines:
+
+            # strip off extra whitespace
+            line = line.strip()
+
+            # make sure it's valid unicode (probably no longer needed)
+            try: unicode(line, u"utf-8")
+            except UnicodeDecodeError:
+               logline = u"Non-unicode data from "
+               if self.account and self.account.get(u"name"):
+                  logline += self.account.get(u"name") + u": "
+               else: logline += u"unknown user: "
+               logline += repr(line)
+               log(logline, 4)
+               line = ""
+
+            # log non-printable characters remaining
+            if not hasattr(
+               self, u"client_sends_binary"
+            ) or not self.client_sends_binary:
+               asciiline = filter(lambda x: " " <= x <= "~", line)
+               if line != asciiline:
+                  logline = u"Non-ASCII characters from "
+                  if self.account and self.account.get(u"name"):
+                     logline += self.account.get(u"name") + u": "
+                  else: logline += u"unknown user: "
+                  logline += repr(line)
+                  log(logline, 4)
+                  line = asciiline
+
+            # put on the end of the queue
+            self.input_queue.append(
+               unicodedata.normalize( u"NFKC", unicode(line, u"utf-8") )
+            )
+
+   def negotiate_telnet_options(self):
+      u"""Reply to/remove partial_input telnet negotiation options."""
+
+      # start at the begining of the input
+      position = 0
+
+      # make a local copy to play with
+      text = self.partial_input
+
+      # as long as we haven't checked it all
+      while position < len(text):
+
+         # jump to the first IAC you find
+         position = text.find(telnet_proto([u"IAC"]), position)
+
+         # if there wasn't an IAC in the input, we're done
+         if position < 0: break
+
+         # replace a double (literal) IAC if there's an LF later
+         elif len(text) > position+1 and text[position+1] == telnet_proto(
+            [u"IAC"]
+         ):
+            if text.find("\n", position) > 0:
+               text = text.replace(
+                  telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"IAC"]), telnet_proto([u"IAC"])
+               )
+            else: position += 1
+            position += 1
+
+         # implement an RFC 1143 option negotiation queue here
+         elif len(text) > position+2 and text[position+1] in (
+            telnet_proto([u"DO",u"DONT",u"WILL",u"WONT"])
+         ):
+            negotiation = text[position+1:position+3]
+
+            # if we turned echo off, ignore the confirmation
+            if not self.echoing and negotiation == telnet_proto(
+               [u"DO",u"TELOPT_ECHO"]
+            ):
+               self.send(
+                  telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"WILL",u"TELOPT_ECHO"]), raw=True
+               )
+
+            # BINARY mode handling for unicode support (RFC 856)
+            elif negotiation == telnet_proto([u"DO",u"TELOPT_BINARY"]):
+               self.send(
+                  telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"WILL",u"TELOPT_BINARY"]), raw=True
+               )
+               self.client_displays_binary = True
+            elif negotiation == telnet_proto([u"DONT",u"TELOPT_BINARY"]):
+               self.send(
+                  telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"WONT",u"TELOPT_BINARY"]), raw=True
+               )
+               self.client_displays_binary = False
+            elif negotiation == telnet_proto([u"WILL",u"TELOPT_BINARY"]):
+               self.send(
+                  telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"DO",u"TELOPT_BINARY"]), raw=True
+               )
+               self.client_sends_binary = True
+            elif negotiation == telnet_proto([u"WONT",u"TELOPT_BINARY"]):
+               self.send(
+                  telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"DONT",u"TELOPT_BINARY"]), raw=True
+               )
+               self.client_sends_binary = False
+
+            # allow LINEMODE (RFC 1184)
+            elif negotiation == telnet_proto([u"WILL",u"TELOPT_LINEMODE"]):
+               self.send(
+                  telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"DO",u"TELOPT_LINEMODE"]), raw=True
+               )
+            elif negotiation == telnet_proto([u"WONT",u"TELOPT_LINEMODE"]):
+               self.send(
+                  telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"DONT",u"TELOPT_LINEMODE"]), raw=True
+               )
+
+            # allow NAWS (RFC 1073)
+            elif negotiation == telnet_proto([u"WILL",u"TELOPT_NAWS"]):
+               self.send(
+                  telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"DO",u"TELOPT_NAWS"]), raw=True
+               )
+            elif negotiation == telnet_proto([u"WONT",u"TELOPT_NAWS"]):
+               self.send(
+                  telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"DONT",u"TELOPT_NAWS"]), raw=True
+               )
+
+            # if the client likes EOR (RFC 885) instead of GA, note it
+            elif negotiation == telnet_proto([u"DO",u"TELOPT_EOR"]):
+               self.send(
+                  telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"WILL",u"TELOPT_EOR"]), raw=True
+               )
+               self.terminator = telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"EOR"])
+            elif negotiation == telnet_proto([u"DONT",u"TELOPT_EOR"]):
+               self.send(
+                  telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"WONT",u"TELOPT_EOR"]), raw=True
+               )
+               if self.terminator == telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"EOR"]):
+                  self.terminator = telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"GA"])
+
+            # if the client doesn't want GA, oblige (RFC 858)
+            elif negotiation == telnet_proto([u"DO",u"TELOPT_SGA"]):
+               self.send(telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"WILL",u"TELOPT_SGA"]),
+                  raw=True)
+               if self.terminator == telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"GA"]):
+                  self.terminator = ""
+
+            # we don't want to allow anything else
+            elif text[position+1] == telnet_proto([u"DO"]):
+               self.send(
+                  telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"WONT"])+text[position+2], raw=True
+               )
+            elif text[position+1] == telnet_proto([u"WILL"]):
+               self.send(
+                  telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"DONT"])+text[position+2], raw=True
+               )
+
+            # strip the negotiation from the input
+            text = text.replace(text[position:position+3], "")
+
+         # subnegotiation options
+         elif len(text) > position+4 and text[
+            position:position+2
+         ] == telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"SB"]):
+            if text[position+2] == telnet_proto([u"TELOPT_NAWS"]):
+               self.columns = ord(text[position+3])*256+ord(text[position+4])
+            end_subnegotiation = text.find(
+               telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"SE"]), position
+            )
+            if end_subnegotiation > 0:
+               text = text[:position] + text[end_subnegotiation+2:]
+            else: position += 1
+
+         # otherwise, strip out a two-byte IAC command
+         elif len(text) > position+2:
+            text = text.replace(text[position:position+2], "")
+
+         # and this means we got the begining of an IAC
+         else: position += 1
+
+      # replace the input with our cleaned-up text
+      self.partial_input = text
+
+   def new_avatar(self):
+      u"""Instantiate a new, unconfigured avatar for this user."""
+      counter = 0
+      while u"avatar:" + self.account.get(u"name") + u":" + unicode(
+         counter
+      ) in universe.categories[u"actor"].keys():
+         counter += 1
+      self.avatar = Element(
+         u"actor:avatar:" + self.account.get(u"name") + u":" + unicode(
+            counter
+         ),
+         universe
+      )
+      self.avatar.append(u"inherit", u"archetype:avatar")
+      self.account.append(u"avatars", self.avatar.key)
+
+   def delete_avatar(self, avatar):
+      u"""Remove an avatar from the world and from the user's list."""
+      if self.avatar is universe.contents[avatar]: self.avatar = None
+      universe.contents[avatar].destroy()
+      avatars = self.account.getlist(u"avatars")
+      avatars.remove(avatar)
+      self.account.set(u"avatars", avatars)
+
+   def activate_avatar_by_index(self, index):
+      u"""Enter the world with a particular indexed avatar."""
+      self.avatar = universe.contents[self.account.getlist(u"avatars")[index]]
+      self.avatar.owner = self
+      self.state = u"active"
+      self.avatar.go_home()
+
+   def deactivate_avatar(self):
+      u"""Have the active avatar leave the world."""
+      if self.avatar:
+         current = self.avatar.get(u"location")
+         if current:
+            self.avatar.set(u"default_location", current)
+            self.avatar.echo_to_location(
+               u"You suddenly wonder where " + self.avatar.get(
+                  u"name"
+               ) + u" went."
+            )
+            del universe.contents[current].contents[self.avatar.key]
+            self.avatar.remove_facet(u"location")
+         self.avatar.owner = None
+         self.avatar = None
+
+   def destroy(self):
+      u"""Destroy the user and associated avatars."""
+      for avatar in self.account.getlist(u"avatars"):
+         self.delete_avatar(avatar)
+      self.account.destroy()
+
+   def list_avatar_names(self):
+      u"""List names of assigned avatars."""
+      return [
+         universe.contents[avatar].get(
+            u"name"
+         ) for avatar in self.account.getlist(u"avatars")
+      ]
 
 def makelist(value):
-       """Turn string into list type."""
-       if value[0] + value[-1] == "[]": return eval(value)
-       else: return [ value ]
+   u"""Turn string into list type."""
+   if value[0] + value[-1] == u"[]": return eval(value)
+   else: return [ value ]
 
 def makedict(value):
-       """Turn string into dict type."""
-       if value[0] + value[-1] == "{}": return eval(value)
-       elif value.find(":") > 0: return eval("{" + value + "}")
-       else: return { value: None }
+   u"""Turn string into dict type."""
+   if value[0] + value[-1] == u"{}": return eval(value)
+   elif value.find(u":") > 0: return eval(u"{" + value + u"}")
+   else: return { value: None }
+
+def telnet_proto(arguments):
+   u"""Return a concatenated series of Telnet protocol commands."""
+
+   # same names as bsd's arpa/telnet.h (telnetlib's are ambiguous)
+   telnet_commands = {
+      u"TELOPT_BINARY": 0, # RFC 856
+      u"TELOPT_ECHO": 1, # RFC 857
+      u"TELOPT_SGA": 3, # RFC 858
+      u"TELOPT_EOR": 25, # RFC 885
+      u"TELOPT_NAWS": 31, # RFC 1073
+      u"TELOPT_LINEMODE": 34, # RFC 1184
+      u"EOR": 239,
+      u"SE": 240,
+      u"GA": 249,
+      u"SB": 250,
+      u"WILL": 251,
+      u"WONT": 252,
+      u"DO": 253,
+      u"DONT": 254,
+      u"IAC": 255
+   }
+
+   # this will need to be a byte type during 2to3 migration
+   command_series = ""
+   for argument in arguments:
+      command_series += chr(telnet_commands[argument])
+   return command_series
 
 def broadcast(message, add_prompt=True):
-       """Send a message to all connected users."""
-       for each_user in universe.userlist: each_user.send("$(eol)" + message, add_prompt=add_prompt)
+   u"""Send a message to all connected users."""
+   for each_user in universe.userlist:
+      each_user.send(u"$(eol)" + message, add_prompt=add_prompt)
 
 def log(message, level=0):
-       """Log a message."""
-
-       # a couple references we need
-       file_name = universe.categories["internal"]["logging"].get("file")
-       max_log_lines = universe.categories["internal"]["logging"].getint("max_log_lines")
-       syslog_name = universe.categories["internal"]["logging"].get("syslog")
-       timestamp = asctime()[4:19]
-
-       # turn the message into a list of lines
-       lines = filter(lambda x: x!="", [(x.rstrip()) for x in message.split("\n")])
-
-       # send the timestamp and line to a file
-       if file_name:
-               if not isabs(file_name):
-                       file_name = path_join(universe.startdir, file_name)
-               file_descriptor = file(file_name, "a")
-               for line in lines: file_descriptor.write(timestamp + " " + line + "\n")
-               file_descriptor.flush()
-               file_descriptor.close()
-
-       # send the timestamp and line to standard output
-       if universe.categories["internal"]["logging"].getboolean("stdout"):
-               for line in lines: print(timestamp + " " + line)
-
-       # send the line to the system log
-       if syslog_name:
-               openlog(syslog_name, LOG_PID, LOG_INFO | LOG_DAEMON)
-               for line in lines: syslog(line)
-               closelog()
-
-       # display to connected administrators
-       for user in universe.userlist:
-               if user.state == "active" and user.account.getboolean("administrator") and user.account.getint("loglevel") <= level:
-                       # iterate over every line in the message
-                       full_message = ""
-                       for line in lines:
-                               full_message += "$(bld)$(red)" + timestamp + " " + line + "$(nrm)$(eol)"
-                       user.send(full_message, flush=True)
-
-       # add to the recent log list
-       for line in lines:
-               while 0 < len(universe.loglines) >= max_log_lines: del universe.loglines[0]
-               universe.loglines.append((level, timestamp + " " + line))
+   u"""Log a message."""
+   import codecs, os.path, syslog, time
+
+   # a couple references we need
+   file_name = universe.categories[u"internal"][u"logging"].get(u"file")
+   max_log_lines = universe.categories[u"internal"][u"logging"].getint(
+      u"max_log_lines"
+   )
+   syslog_name = universe.categories[u"internal"][u"logging"].get(u"syslog")
+   timestamp = time.asctime()[4:19]
+
+   # turn the message into a list of lines
+   lines = filter(
+      lambda x: x!=u"", [ (x.rstrip()) for x in message.split(u"\n") ]
+   )
+
+   # send the timestamp and line to a file
+   if file_name:
+      if not os.path.isabs(file_name):
+         file_name = os.path.join(universe.startdir, file_name)
+      file_descriptor = codecs.open(file_name, u"a", u"utf-8")
+      for line in lines: file_descriptor.write(timestamp + u" " + line + u"\n")
+      file_descriptor.flush()
+      file_descriptor.close()
+
+   # send the timestamp and line to standard output
+   if universe.categories[u"internal"][u"logging"].getboolean(u"stdout"):
+      for line in lines: print(timestamp + u" " + line)
+
+   # send the line to the system log
+   if syslog_name:
+      syslog.openlog(
+         syslog_name.encode("utf-8"),
+         syslog.LOG_PID,
+         syslog.LOG_INFO | syslog.LOG_DAEMON
+      )
+      for line in lines: syslog.syslog(line)
+      syslog.closelog()
+
+   # display to connected administrators
+   for user in universe.userlist:
+      if user.state == u"active" and user.account.getboolean(
+         u"administrator"
+      ) and user.account.getint(u"loglevel") <= level:
+         # iterate over every line in the message
+         full_message = u""
+         for line in lines:
+            full_message += u"$(bld)$(red)" + timestamp + u" " + line.replace(
+               u"$(", u"$_("
+            ) + u"$(nrm)$(eol)"
+         user.send(full_message, flush=True)
+
+   # add to the recent log list
+   for line in lines:
+      while 0 < len(universe.loglines) >= max_log_lines:
+         del universe.loglines[0]
+      universe.loglines.append((level, timestamp + u" " + line))
 
 def get_loglines(level, start, stop):
-       """Return a specific range of loglines filtered by level."""
-
-       # filter the log lines
-       loglines = filter(lambda x: x[0]>=level, universe.loglines)
-
-       # we need these in several places
-       total_count = str(len(universe.loglines))
-       filtered_count = len(loglines)
-
-       # don't proceed if there are no lines
-       if filtered_count:
-
-               # can't start before the begining or at the end
-               if start > filtered_count: start = filtered_count
-               if start < 1: start = 1
-
-               # can't stop before we start
-               if stop > start: stop = start
-               elif stop < 1: stop = 1
-
-               # some preamble
-               message = "There are " + str(total_count)
-               message += " log lines in memory and " + str(filtered_count)
-               message += " at or above level " + str(level) + "."
-               message += " The matching lines from " + str(stop) + " to "
-               message += str(start) + " are:$(eol)$(eol)"
-
-               # add the text from the selected lines
-               if stop > 1: range_lines = loglines[-start:-(stop-1)]
-               else: range_lines = loglines[-start:]
-               for line in range_lines:
-                       message += "   (" + str(line[0]) + ") " + line[1] + "$(eol)"
-
-       # there were no lines
-       else:
-               message = "None of the " + str(total_count)
-               message += " lines in memory matches your request."
-
-       # pass it back
-       return message
+   u"""Return a specific range of loglines filtered by level."""
+
+   # filter the log lines
+   loglines = filter(lambda x: x[0]>=level, universe.loglines)
+
+   # we need these in several places
+   total_count = unicode(len(universe.loglines))
+   filtered_count = len(loglines)
+
+   # don't proceed if there are no lines
+   if filtered_count:
+
+      # can't start before the begining or at the end
+      if start > filtered_count: start = filtered_count
+      if start < 1: start = 1
+
+      # can't stop before we start
+      if stop > start: stop = start
+      elif stop < 1: stop = 1
+
+      # some preamble
+      message = u"There are " + unicode(total_count)
+      message += u" log lines in memory and " + unicode(filtered_count)
+      message += u" at or above level " + unicode(level) + u"."
+      message += u" The matching lines from " + unicode(stop) + u" to "
+      message += unicode(start) + u" are:$(eol)$(eol)"
+
+      # add the text from the selected lines
+      if stop > 1: range_lines = loglines[-start:-(stop-1)]
+      else: range_lines = loglines[-start:]
+      for line in range_lines:
+         message += u"   (" + unicode(line[0]) + u") " + line[1].replace(
+            u"$(", u"$_("
+         ) + u"$(eol)"
+
+   # there were no lines
+   else:
+      message = u"None of the " + unicode(total_count)
+      message += u" lines in memory matches your request."
+
+   # pass it back
+   return message
+
+def glyph_columns(character):
+   u"""Convenience function to return the column width of a glyph."""
+   import unicodedata
+   if unicodedata.east_asian_width(character) in u"FW": return 2
+   else: return 1
 
 def wrap_ansi_text(text, width):
-       """Wrap text with arbitrary width while ignoring ANSI colors."""
-
-       # the current position in the entire text string, including all
-       # characters, printable or otherwise
-       absolute_position = 0
-
-       # the current text position relative to the begining of the line,
-       # ignoring color escape sequences
-       relative_position = 0
-
-       # whether the current character is part of a telnet IAC sequence
-       iac_counter = 0
-
-       # whether the current character is part of a color escape sequence
-       escape = False
-
-       # iterate over each character from the begining of the text
-       for each_character in text:
-
-               # the current character is the telnet IAC character
-               if each_character == IAC and not iac_counter:
-                       iac_counter = 2
-
-               # the current character is within an IAC sequence
-               elif iac_counter:
-
-                       # the current character is another IAC,
-                       # terminating the sequence
-                       if each_character == IAC:
-                               iac_counter = 0
-
-                       # otherwise, decrement the IAC counter
-                       else:
-                               iac_counter -= 1
-
-               # the current character is the escape character
-               elif each_character == chr(27) and not escape:
-                       escape = True
-
-               # the current character is within an escape sequence
-               elif escape:
-
-                       # the current character is m, which terminates the
-                       # escape sequence
-                       if each_character == "m":
-                               escape = False
-
-               # the current character is a newline, so reset the relative
-               # position (start a new line)
-               elif each_character == "\n":
-                       relative_position = 0
-
-               # the current character meets the requested maximum line width,
-               # so we need to backtrack and find a space at which to wrap
-               elif relative_position == width and not each_character == "\r":
-
-                       # distance of the current character examined from the
-                       # relative position
-                       wrap_offset = 0
-
-                       # count backwards until we find a space
-                       while text[absolute_position - wrap_offset] != " ":
-                               wrap_offset += 1
-
-                       # insert an eol in place of the space
-                       text = text[:absolute_position - wrap_offset] + "\r\n" + text[absolute_position - wrap_offset + 1:]
-
-                       # increase the absolute position because an eol is two
-                       # characters but the space it replaced was only one
-                       absolute_position += 1
-
-                       # now we're at the begining of a new line, plus the
-                       # number of characters wrapped from the previous line
-                       relative_position = wrap_offset
-
-               # as long as the character is not a carriage return and the
-               # other above conditions haven't been met, count it as a
-               # printable character
-               elif each_character != "\r":
-                       relative_position += 1
-
-               # increase the absolute position for every character
-               absolute_position += 1
-
-       # return the newly-wrapped text
-       return text
+   u"""Wrap text with arbitrary width while ignoring ANSI colors."""
+   import unicodedata
+
+   # the current position in the entire text string, including all
+   # characters, printable or otherwise
+   absolute_position = 0
+
+   # the current text position relative to the begining of the line,
+   # ignoring color escape sequences
+   relative_position = 0
+
+   # the absolute position of the most recent whitespace character
+   last_whitespace = 0
+
+   # whether the current character is part of a color escape sequence
+   escape = False
+
+   # normalize any potentially composited unicode before we count it
+   text = unicodedata.normalize(u"NFKC", text)
+
+   # iterate over each character from the begining of the text
+   for each_character in text:
+
+      # the current character is the escape character
+      if each_character == u"\x1b" and not escape:
+         escape = True
+
+      # the current character is within an escape sequence
+      elif escape:
+
+         # the current character is m, which terminates the
+         # escape sequence
+         if each_character == u"m":
+            escape = False
+
+      # the current character is a newline, so reset the relative
+      # position (start a new line)
+      elif each_character == u"\n":
+         relative_position = 0
+         last_whitespace = absolute_position
+
+      # the current character meets the requested maximum line width,
+      # so we need to backtrack and find a space at which to wrap;
+      # special care is taken to avoid an off-by-one in case the
+      # current character is a double-width glyph
+      elif each_character != u"\r" and (
+         relative_position >= width or (
+            relative_position >= width -1 and glyph_columns(
+               each_character
+            ) == 2
+         )
+      ):
+
+         # it's always possible we landed on whitespace
+         if unicodedata.category(each_character) in (u"Cc",u"Zs"):
+            last_whitespace = absolute_position
+
+         # insert an eol in place of the space
+         text = text[:last_whitespace] + u"\r\n" + text[last_whitespace + 1:]
+
+         # increase the absolute position because an eol is two
+         # characters but the space it replaced was only one
+         absolute_position += 1
+
+         # now we're at the begining of a new line, plus the
+         # number of characters wrapped from the previous line
+         relative_position = 0
+         for remaining_characters in text[last_whitespace:absolute_position]:
+            relative_position += glyph_columns(remaining_characters)
+
+      # as long as the character is not a carriage return and the
+      # other above conditions haven't been met, count it as a
+      # printable character
+      elif each_character != u"\r":
+         relative_position += glyph_columns(each_character)
+         if unicodedata.category(each_character) in (u"Cc",u"Zs"):
+            last_whitespace = absolute_position
+
+      # increase the absolute position for every character
+      absolute_position += 1
+
+   # return the newly-wrapped text
+   return text
 
 def weighted_choice(data):
-       """Takes a dict weighted by value and returns a random key."""
+   u"""Takes a dict weighted by value and returns a random key."""
+   import random
 
-       # this will hold our expanded list of keys from the data
-       expanded = []
+   # this will hold our expanded list of keys from the data
+   expanded = []
 
-       # create thee expanded list of keys
-       for key in data.keys():
-               for count in range(data[key]):
-                       expanded.append(key)
+   # create thee expanded list of keys
+   for key in data.keys():
+      for count in range(data[key]):
+         expanded.append(key)
 
-       # return one at random
-       return choice(expanded)
+   # return one at random
+   return random.choice(expanded)
 
 def random_name():
-       """Returns a random character name."""
-
-       # the vowels and consonants needed to create romaji syllables
-       vowels = [ "a", "i", "u", "e", "o" ]
-       consonants = ["'", "k", "z", "s", "sh", "z", "j", "t", "ch", "ts", "d", "n", "h", "f", "m", "y", "r", "w" ]
-
-       # this dict will hold our weighted list of syllables
-       syllables = {}
-
-       # generate the list with an even weighting
-       for consonant in consonants:
-               for vowel in vowels:
-                       syllables[consonant + vowel] = 1
-
-       # we'll build the name into this string
-       name = ""
-
-       # create a name of random length from the syllables
-       for syllable in range(randrange(2, 6)):
-               name += weighted_choice(syllables)
-
-       # strip any leading quotemark, capitalize and return the name
-       return name.strip("'").capitalize()
+   u"""Returns a random character name."""
+   import random
+
+   # the vowels and consonants needed to create romaji syllables
+   vowels = [
+      u"a",
+      u"i",
+      u"u",
+      u"e",
+      u"o"
+   ]
+   consonants = [
+      u"'",
+      u"k",
+      u"z",
+      u"s",
+      u"sh",
+      u"z",
+      u"j",
+      u"t",
+      u"ch",
+      u"ts",
+      u"d",
+      u"n",
+      u"h",
+      u"f",
+      u"m",
+      u"y",
+      u"r",
+      u"w"
+   ]
+
+   # this dict will hold our weighted list of syllables
+   syllables = {}
+
+   # generate the list with an even weighting
+   for consonant in consonants:
+      for vowel in vowels:
+         syllables[consonant + vowel] = 1
+
+   # we'll build the name into this string
+   name = u""
+
+   # create a name of random length from the syllables
+   for syllable in range(random.randrange(2, 6)):
+      name += weighted_choice(syllables)
+
+   # strip any leading quotemark, capitalize and return the name
+   return name.strip(u"'").capitalize()
 
 def replace_macros(user, text, is_input=False):
-       """Replaces macros in text output."""
-
-       # third person pronouns
-       pronouns = {
-               "female": { "obj": "her", "pos": "hers", "sub": "she" },
-               "male": { "obj": "him", "pos": "his", "sub": "he" },
-               "neuter": { "obj": "it", "pos": "its", "sub": "it" }
-               }
-
-       # a dict of replacement macros
-       macros = {
-               "eol": "\r\n",
-               "bld": chr(27) + "[1m",
-               "nrm": chr(27) + "[0m",
-               "blk": chr(27) + "[30m",
-               "blu": chr(27) + "[34m",
-               "cyn": chr(27) + "[36m",
-               "grn": chr(27) + "[32m",
-               "mgt": chr(27) + "[35m",
-               "red": chr(27) + "[31m",
-               "yel": chr(27) + "[33m",
-               }
-
-       # add dynamic macros where possible
-       if user.account:
-               account_name = user.account.get("name")
-               if account_name:
-                       macros["account"] = account_name
-       if user.avatar:
-               avatar_gender = user.avatar.get("gender")
-               if avatar_gender:
-                       macros["tpop"] = pronouns[avatar_gender]["obj"]
-                       macros["tppp"] = pronouns[avatar_gender]["pos"]
-                       macros["tpsp"] = pronouns[avatar_gender]["sub"]
-
-       # loop until broken
-       while True:
-
-               # find and replace per the macros dict
-               macro_start = text.find("$(")
-               if macro_start == -1: break
-               macro_end = text.find(")", macro_start) + 1
-               macro = text[macro_start+2:macro_end-1]
-               if macro in macros.keys():
-                       replacement = macros[macro]
-
-               # this is how we handle local file inclusion (dangerous!)
-               elif macro.startswith("inc:"):
-                       incfile = path_join(universe.startdir, macro[4:])
-                       if exists(incfile):
-                               incfd = file(incfile)
-                               replacement = ""
-                               for line in incfd:
-                                       if line.endswith("\n") and not line.endswith("\r\n"):
-                                               line = line.replace("\n", "\r\n")
-                                       replacement += line
-                               # lose the trailing eol
-                               replacement = replacement[:-2]
-                       else:
-                               replacement = ""
-                               log("Couldn't read included " + incfile + " file.", 6)
-
-               # if we get here, log and replace it with null
-               else:
-                       replacement = ""
-                       if not is_input:
-                               log("Unexpected replacement macro " + macro + " encountered.", 6)
-
-               # and now we act on the replacement
-               text = text.replace("$(" + macro + ")", replacement)
-
-       # replace the look-like-a-macro sequence
-       text = text.replace("$_(", "$(")
-
-       return text
+   u"""Replaces macros in text output."""
+   import codecs, os.path
+
+   # third person pronouns
+   pronouns = {
+      u"female": { u"obj": u"her", u"pos": u"hers", u"sub": u"she" },
+      u"male": { u"obj": u"him", u"pos": u"his", u"sub": u"he" },
+      u"neuter": { u"obj": u"it", u"pos": u"its", u"sub": u"it" }
+      }
+
+   # a dict of replacement macros
+   macros = {
+      u"eol": u"\r\n",
+      u"bld": unichr(27) + u"[1m",
+      u"nrm": unichr(27) + u"[0m",
+      u"blk": unichr(27) + u"[30m",
+      u"blu": unichr(27) + u"[34m",
+      u"cyn": unichr(27) + u"[36m",
+      u"grn": unichr(27) + u"[32m",
+      u"mgt": unichr(27) + u"[35m",
+      u"red": unichr(27) + u"[31m",
+      u"yel": unichr(27) + u"[33m",
+      }
+
+   # add dynamic macros where possible
+   if user.account:
+      account_name = user.account.get(u"name")
+      if account_name:
+         macros[u"account"] = account_name
+   if user.avatar:
+      avatar_gender = user.avatar.get(u"gender")
+      if avatar_gender:
+         macros[u"tpop"] = pronouns[avatar_gender][u"obj"]
+         macros[u"tppp"] = pronouns[avatar_gender][u"pos"]
+         macros[u"tpsp"] = pronouns[avatar_gender][u"sub"]
+
+   # loop until broken
+   while True:
+
+      # find and replace per the macros dict
+      macro_start = text.find(u"$(")
+      if macro_start == -1: break
+      macro_end = text.find(u")", macro_start) + 1
+      macro = text[macro_start+2:macro_end-1]
+      if macro in macros.keys():
+         replacement = macros[macro]
+
+      # this is how we handle local file inclusion (dangerous!)
+      elif macro.startswith(u"inc:"):
+         incfile = os.path.join(universe.startdir, macro[4:])
+         if os.path.exists(incfile):
+            incfd = codecs.open(incfile, u"r", u"utf-8")
+            replacement = u""
+            for line in incfd:
+               if line.endswith(u"\n") and not line.endswith(u"\r\n"):
+                  line = line.replace(u"\n", u"\r\n")
+               replacement += line
+            # lose the trailing eol
+            replacement = replacement[:-2]
+         else:
+            replacement = u""
+            log(u"Couldn't read included " + incfile + u" file.", 6)
+
+      # if we get here, log and replace it with null
+      else:
+         replacement = u""
+         if not is_input:
+            log(u"Unexpected replacement macro " + macro + u" encountered.", 6)
+
+      # and now we act on the replacement
+      text = text.replace(u"$(" + macro + u")", replacement)
+
+   # replace the look-like-a-macro sequence
+   text = text.replace(u"$_(", u"$(")
+
+   return text
 
 def escape_macros(text):
-       """Escapes replacement macros in text."""
-       return text.replace("$(", "$_(")
+   u"""Escapes replacement macros in text."""
+   return text.replace(u"$(", u"$_(")
 
-def first_word(text, separator=" "):
-       """Returns a tuple of the first word and the rest."""
-       if text:
-               if text.find(separator) > 0: return text.split(separator, 1)
-               else: return text, ""
-       else: return "", ""
+def first_word(text, separator=u" "):
+   u"""Returns a tuple of the first word and the rest."""
+   if text:
+      if text.find(separator) > 0: return text.split(separator, 1)
+      else: return text, u""
+   else: return u"", u""
 
 def on_pulse():
-       """The things which should happen on each pulse, aside from reloads."""
-
-       # open the listening socket if it hasn't been already
-       if not hasattr(universe, "listening_socket"):
-               universe.initialize_server_socket()
-
-       # assign a user if a new connection is waiting
-       user = check_for_connection(universe.listening_socket)
-       if user: universe.userlist.append(user)
-
-       # iterate over the connected users
-       for user in universe.userlist: user.pulse()
-
-       # add an element for counters if it doesn't exist
-       if not "counters" in universe.categories["internal"]:
-               universe.categories["internal"]["counters"] = Element("internal:counters", universe)
-
-       # update the log every now and then
-       if not universe.categories["internal"]["counters"].getint("mark"):
-               log(str(len(universe.userlist)) + " connection(s)")
-               universe.categories["internal"]["counters"].set("mark", universe.categories["internal"]["time"].getint("frequency_log"))
-       else: universe.categories["internal"]["counters"].set("mark", universe.categories["internal"]["counters"].getint("mark") - 1)
-
-       # periodically save everything
-       if not universe.categories["internal"]["counters"].getint("save"):
-               universe.save()
-               universe.categories["internal"]["counters"].set("save", universe.categories["internal"]["time"].getint("frequency_save"))
-       else: universe.categories["internal"]["counters"].set("save", universe.categories["internal"]["counters"].getint("save") - 1)
-
-       # pause for a configurable amount of time (decimal seconds)
-       sleep(universe.categories["internal"]["time"].getfloat("increment"))
-
-       # increase the elapsed increment counter
-       universe.categories["internal"]["counters"].set("elapsed", universe.categories["internal"]["counters"].getint("elapsed") + 1)
+   u"""The things which should happen on each pulse, aside from reloads."""
+   import time
+
+   # open the listening socket if it hasn't been already
+   if not hasattr(universe, u"listening_socket"):
+      universe.initialize_server_socket()
+
+   # assign a user if a new connection is waiting
+   user = check_for_connection(universe.listening_socket)
+   if user: universe.userlist.append(user)
+
+   # iterate over the connected users
+   for user in universe.userlist: user.pulse()
+
+   # add an element for counters if it doesn't exist
+   if not u"counters" in universe.categories[u"internal"]:
+      universe.categories[u"internal"][u"counters"] = Element(
+         u"internal:counters", universe
+      )
+
+   # update the log every now and then
+   if not universe.categories[u"internal"][u"counters"].getint(u"mark"):
+      log(unicode(len(universe.userlist)) + u" connection(s)")
+      universe.categories[u"internal"][u"counters"].set(
+         u"mark", universe.categories[u"internal"][u"time"].getint(
+            u"frequency_log"
+         )
+      )
+   else:
+      universe.categories[u"internal"][u"counters"].set(
+         u"mark", universe.categories[u"internal"][u"counters"].getint(
+            u"mark"
+         ) - 1
+      )
+
+   # periodically save everything
+   if not universe.categories[u"internal"][u"counters"].getint(u"save"):
+      universe.save()
+      universe.categories[u"internal"][u"counters"].set(
+         u"save", universe.categories[u"internal"][u"time"].getint(
+            u"frequency_save"
+         )
+      )
+   else:
+      universe.categories[u"internal"][u"counters"].set(
+         u"save", universe.categories[u"internal"][u"counters"].getint(
+            u"save"
+         ) - 1
+      )
+
+   # pause for a configurable amount of time (decimal seconds)
+   time.sleep(universe.categories[u"internal"][u"time"].getfloat(u"increment"))
+
+   # increase the elapsed increment counter
+   universe.categories[u"internal"][u"counters"].set(
+      u"elapsed", universe.categories[u"internal"][u"counters"].getint(
+         u"elapsed"
+      ) + 1
+   )
 
 def reload_data():
-       """Reload all relevant objects."""
-       for user in universe.userlist[:]: user.reload()
-       for element in universe.contents.values():
-               if element.origin.is_writeable(): element.reload()
-       universe.load()
+   u"""Reload all relevant objects."""
+   for user in universe.userlist[:]: user.reload()
+   for element in universe.contents.values():
+      if element.origin.is_writeable(): element.reload()
+   universe.load()
 
 def check_for_connection(listening_socket):
-       """Check for a waiting connection and return a new user object."""
-
-       # try to accept a new connection
-       try:
-               connection, address = listening_socket.accept()
-       except:
-               return None
-
-       # note that we got one
-       log("Connection from " + address[0], 2)
+   u"""Check for a waiting connection and return a new user object."""
 
-       # disable blocking so we can proceed whether or not we can send/receive
-       connection.setblocking(0)
+   # try to accept a new connection
+   try:
+      connection, address = listening_socket.accept()
+   except:
+      return None
 
-       # create a new user object
-       user = User()
+   # note that we got one
+   log(u"Connection from " + address[0], 2)
 
-       # associate this connection with it
-       user.connection = connection
+   # disable blocking so we can proceed whether or not we can send/receive
+   connection.setblocking(0)
 
-       # set the user's ipa from the connection's ipa
-       user.address = address[0]
+   # create a new user object
+   user = User()
 
-       # let the client know we WILL EOR
-       user.send(IAC+WILL+EOR, raw=True)
-       user.negotiation_pause = 2
+   # associate this connection with it
+   user.connection = connection
 
-       # return the new user object
-       return user
+   # set the user's ipa from the connection's ipa
+   user.address = address[0]
 
-def get_menu(state, error=None, echoing=True, terminator="", choices=None):
-       """Show the correct menu text to a user."""
+   # let the client know we WILL EOR (RFC 885)
+   user.send(telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"WILL",u"TELOPT_EOR"]), raw=True)
+   user.negotiation_pause = 2
 
-       # make sure we don't reuse a mutable sequence by default
-       if choices is None: choices = {}
+   # return the new user object
+   return user
 
-       # begin with a telnet echo command sequence if needed
-       message = get_echo_sequence(state, echoing)
+def get_menu(state, error=None, choices=None):
+   u"""Show the correct menu text to a user."""
 
-       # get the description or error text
-       message += get_menu_description(state, error)
+   # make sure we don't reuse a mutable sequence by default
+   if choices is None: choices = {}
 
-       # get menu choices for the current state
-       message += get_formatted_menu_choices(state, choices)
+   # get the description or error text
+   message = get_menu_description(state, error)
 
-       # try to get a prompt, if it was defined
-       message += get_menu_prompt(state)
+   # get menu choices for the current state
+   message += get_formatted_menu_choices(state, choices)
 
-       # throw in the default choice, if it exists
-       message += get_formatted_default_menu_choice(state)
+   # try to get a prompt, if it was defined
+   message += get_menu_prompt(state)
 
-       # display a message indicating if echo is off
-       message += get_echo_message(state)
+   # throw in the default choice, if it exists
+   message += get_formatted_default_menu_choice(state)
 
-       # tack on EOR or GA to indicate the prompt will not be followed by CRLF
-       message += terminator
+   # display a message indicating if echo is off
+   message += get_echo_message(state)
 
-       # return the assembly of various strings defined above
-       return message
+   # return the assembly of various strings defined above
+   return message
 
 def menu_echo_on(state):
-       """True if echo is on, false if it is off."""
-       return universe.categories["menu"][state].getboolean("echo", True)
+   u"""True if echo is on, false if it is off."""
+   return universe.categories[u"menu"][state].getboolean(u"echo", True)
 
 def get_echo_sequence(state, echoing):
-       """Build the appropriate IAC WILL/WONT ECHO sequence as needed."""
+   u"""Build the appropriate IAC WILL/WONT ECHO sequence as needed."""
 
-       # if the user has echo on and the menu specifies it should be turned
-       # off, send: iac + will + echo + null
-       if echoing and not menu_echo_on(state): return IAC+WILL+ECHO
+   # if the user has echo on and the menu specifies it should be turned
+   # off, send: iac + will + echo + null
+   if echoing and not menu_echo_on(state):
+      return telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"WILL",u"TELOPT_ECHO"])
 
-       # if echo is not set to off in the menu and the user curently has echo
-       # off, send: iac + wont + echo + null
-       elif not echoing and menu_echo_on(state): return IAC+WONT+ECHO
+   # if echo is not set to off in the menu and the user curently has echo
+   # off, send: iac + wont + echo + null
+   elif not echoing and menu_echo_on(state):
+      return telnet_proto([u"IAC",u"WONT",u"TELOPT_ECHO"])
 
-       # default is not to send an echo control sequence at all
-       else: return ""
+   # default is not to send an echo control sequence at all
+   else: return ""
 
 def get_echo_message(state):
-       """Return a message indicating that echo is off."""
-       if menu_echo_on(state): return ""
-       else: return "(won't echo) "
+   u"""Return a message indicating that echo is off."""
+   if menu_echo_on(state): return u""
+   else: return u"(won't echo) "
 
 def get_default_menu_choice(state):
-       """Return the default choice for a menu."""
-       return universe.categories["menu"][state].get("default")
+   u"""Return the default choice for a menu."""
+   return universe.categories[u"menu"][state].get(u"default")
 
 def get_formatted_default_menu_choice(state):
-       """Default menu choice foratted for inclusion in a prompt string."""
-       default_choice = get_default_menu_choice(state)
-       if default_choice: return "[$(red)" + default_choice + "$(nrm)] "
-       else: return ""
+   u"""Default menu choice foratted for inclusion in a prompt string."""
+   default_choice = get_default_menu_choice(state)
+   if default_choice: return u"[$(red)" + default_choice + u"$(nrm)] "
+   else: return u""
 
 def get_menu_description(state, error):
-       """Get the description or error text."""
+   u"""Get the description or error text."""
 
-       # an error condition was raised by the handler
-       if error:
+   # an error condition was raised by the handler
+   if error:
 
-               # try to get an error message matching the condition
-               # and current state
-               description = universe.categories["menu"][state].get("error_" + error)
-               if not description: description = "That is not a valid choice..."
-               description = "$(red)" + description + "$(nrm)"
+      # try to get an error message matching the condition
+      # and current state
+      description = universe.categories[u"menu"][state].get(u"error_" + error)
+      if not description: description = u"That is not a valid choice..."
+      description = u"$(red)" + description + u"$(nrm)"
 
-       # there was no error condition
-       else:
+   # there was no error condition
+   else:
 
-               # try to get a menu description for the current state
-               description = universe.categories["menu"][state].get("description")
+      # try to get a menu description for the current state
+      description = universe.categories[u"menu"][state].get(u"description")
 
-       # return the description or error message
-       if description: description += "$(eol)$(eol)"
-       return description
+   # return the description or error message
+   if description: description += u"$(eol)$(eol)"
+   return description
 
 def get_menu_prompt(state):
-       """Try to get a prompt, if it was defined."""
-       prompt = universe.categories["menu"][state].get("prompt")
-       if prompt: prompt += " "
-       return prompt
+   u"""Try to get a prompt, if it was defined."""
+   prompt = universe.categories[u"menu"][state].get(u"prompt")
+   if prompt: prompt += u" "
+   return prompt
 
 def get_menu_choices(user):
-       """Return a dict of choice:meaning."""
-       menu = universe.categories["menu"][user.state]
-       create_choices = menu.get("create")
-       if create_choices: choices = eval(create_choices)
-       else: choices = {}
-       ignores = []
-       options = {}
-       creates = {}
-       for facet in menu.facets():
-               if facet.startswith("demand_") and not eval(universe.categories["menu"][user.state].get(facet)):
-                       ignores.append(facet.split("_", 2)[1])
-               elif facet.startswith("create_"):
-                       creates[facet] = facet.split("_", 2)[1]
-               elif facet.startswith("choice_"):
-                       options[facet] = facet.split("_", 2)[1]
-       for facet in creates.keys():
-               if not creates[facet] in ignores:
-                       choices[creates[facet]] = eval(menu.get(facet))
-       for facet in options.keys():
-               if not options[facet] in ignores:
-                       choices[options[facet]] = menu.get(facet)
-       return choices
+   u"""Return a dict of choice:meaning."""
+   menu = universe.categories[u"menu"][user.state]
+   create_choices = menu.get(u"create")
+   if create_choices: choices = eval(create_choices)
+   else: choices = {}
+   ignores = []
+   options = {}
+   creates = {}
+   for facet in menu.facets():
+      if facet.startswith(u"demand_") and not eval(
+         universe.categories[u"menu"][user.state].get(facet)
+      ):
+         ignores.append(facet.split(u"_", 2)[1])
+      elif facet.startswith(u"create_"):
+         creates[facet] = facet.split(u"_", 2)[1]
+      elif facet.startswith(u"choice_"):
+         options[facet] = facet.split(u"_", 2)[1]
+   for facet in creates.keys():
+      if not creates[facet] in ignores:
+         choices[creates[facet]] = eval(menu.get(facet))
+   for facet in options.keys():
+      if not options[facet] in ignores:
+         choices[options[facet]] = menu.get(facet)
+   return choices
 
 def get_formatted_menu_choices(state, choices):
-       """Returns a formatted string of menu choices."""
-       choice_output = ""
-       choice_keys = choices.keys()
-       choice_keys.sort()
-       for choice in choice_keys:
-               choice_output += "   [$(red)" + choice + "$(nrm)]  " + choices[choice] + "$(eol)"
-       if choice_output: choice_output += "$(eol)"
-       return choice_output
+   u"""Returns a formatted string of menu choices."""
+   choice_output = u""
+   choice_keys = choices.keys()
+   choice_keys.sort()
+   for choice in choice_keys:
+      choice_output += u"   [$(red)" + choice + u"$(nrm)]  " + choices[
+         choice
+      ] + u"$(eol)"
+   if choice_output: choice_output += u"$(eol)"
+   return choice_output
 
 def get_menu_branches(state):
-       """Return a dict of choice:branch."""
-       branches = {}
-       for facet in universe.categories["menu"][state].facets():
-               if facet.startswith("branch_"):
-                       branches[facet.split("_", 2)[1]] = universe.categories["menu"][state].get(facet)
-       return branches
+   u"""Return a dict of choice:branch."""
+   branches = {}
+   for facet in universe.categories[u"menu"][state].facets():
+      if facet.startswith(u"branch_"):
+         branches[
+            facet.split(u"_", 2)[1]
+         ] = universe.categories[u"menu"][state].get(facet)
+   return branches
 
 def get_default_branch(state):
-       """Return the default branch."""
-       return universe.categories["menu"][state].get("branch")
+   u"""Return the default branch."""
+   return universe.categories[u"menu"][state].get(u"branch")
 
 def get_choice_branch(user, choice):
-       """Returns the new state matching the given choice."""
-       branches = get_menu_branches(user.state)
-       if choice in branches.keys(): return branches[choice]
-       elif choice in user.menu_choices.keys(): return get_default_branch(user.state)
-       else: return ""
+   u"""Returns the new state matching the given choice."""
+   branches = get_menu_branches(user.state)
+   if choice in branches.keys(): return branches[choice]
+   elif choice in user.menu_choices.keys():
+      return get_default_branch(user.state)
+   else: return u""
 
 def get_menu_actions(state):
-       """Return a dict of choice:branch."""
-       actions = {}
-       for facet in universe.categories["menu"][state].facets():
-               if facet.startswith("action_"):
-                       actions[facet.split("_", 2)[1]] = universe.categories["menu"][state].get(facet)
-       return actions
+   u"""Return a dict of choice:branch."""
+   actions = {}
+   for facet in universe.categories[u"menu"][state].facets():
+      if facet.startswith(u"action_"):
+         actions[
+            facet.split(u"_", 2)[1]
+         ] = universe.categories[u"menu"][state].get(facet)
+   return actions
 
 def get_default_action(state):
-       """Return the default action."""
-       return universe.categories["menu"][state].get("action")
+   u"""Return the default action."""
+   return universe.categories[u"menu"][state].get(u"action")
 
 def get_choice_action(user, choice):
-       """Run any indicated script for the given choice."""
-       actions = get_menu_actions(user.state)
-       if choice in actions.keys(): return actions[choice]
-       elif choice in user.menu_choices.keys(): return get_default_action(user.state)
-       else: return ""
+   u"""Run any indicated script for the given choice."""
+   actions = get_menu_actions(user.state)
+   if choice in actions.keys(): return actions[choice]
+   elif choice in user.menu_choices.keys():
+      return get_default_action(user.state)
+   else: return u""
 
 def handle_user_input(user):
-       """The main handler, branches to a state-specific handler."""
+   u"""The main handler, branches to a state-specific handler."""
 
-       # if the user's client echo is off, send a blank line for aesthetics
-       if user.echoing: user.received_newline = True
+   # if the user's client echo is off, send a blank line for aesthetics
+   if user.echoing: user.received_newline = True
 
-       # check to make sure the state is expected, then call that handler
-       if "handler_" + user.state in globals():
-               exec("handler_" + user.state + "(user)")
-       else:
-               generic_menu_handler(user)
+   # check to make sure the state is expected, then call that handler
+   if u"handler_" + user.state in globals():
+      exec(u"handler_" + user.state + u"(user)")
+   else:
+      generic_menu_handler(user)
 
-       # since we got input, flag that the menu/prompt needs to be redisplayed
-       user.menu_seen = False
+   # since we got input, flag that the menu/prompt needs to be redisplayed
+   user.menu_seen = False
 
-       # update the last_input timestamp while we're at it
-       user.last_input = universe.get_time()
+   # update the last_input timestamp while we're at it
+   user.last_input = universe.get_time()
 
 def generic_menu_handler(user):
-       """A generic menu choice handler."""
-
-       # get a lower-case representation of the next line of input
-       if user.input_queue:
-               choice = user.input_queue.pop(0)
-               if choice: choice = choice.lower()
-       else: choice = ""
-       if not choice: choice = get_default_menu_choice(user.state)
-       if choice in user.menu_choices:
-               exec(get_choice_action(user, choice))
-               new_state = get_choice_branch(user, choice)
-               if new_state: user.state = new_state
-       else: user.error = "default"
+   u"""A generic menu choice handler."""
+
+   # get a lower-case representation of the next line of input
+   if user.input_queue:
+      choice = user.input_queue.pop(0)
+      if choice: choice = choice.lower()
+   else: choice = u""
+   if not choice: choice = get_default_menu_choice(user.state)
+   if choice in user.menu_choices:
+      exec(get_choice_action(user, choice))
+      new_state = get_choice_branch(user, choice)
+      if new_state: user.state = new_state
+   else: user.error = u"default"
 
 def handler_entering_account_name(user):
-       """Handle the login account name."""
-
-       # get the next waiting line of input
-       input_data = user.input_queue.pop(0)
-
-       # did the user enter anything?
-       if input_data:
-               
-               # keep only the first word and convert to lower-case
-               name = input_data.lower()
-
-               # fail if there are non-alphanumeric characters
-               if name != filter(lambda x: x>="0" and x<="9" or x>="a" and x<="z", name):
-                       user.error = "bad_name"
-
-               # if that account exists, time to request a password
-               elif name in universe.categories["account"]:
-                       user.account = universe.categories["account"][name]
-                       user.state = "checking_password"
-
-               # otherwise, this could be a brand new user
-               else:
-                       user.account = Element("account:" + name, universe)
-                       user.account.set("name", name)
-                       log("New user: " + name, 2)
-                       user.state = "checking_new_account_name"
-
-       # if the user entered nothing for a name, then buhbye
-       else:
-               user.state = "disconnecting"
+   u"""Handle the login account name."""
+
+   # get the next waiting line of input
+   input_data = user.input_queue.pop(0)
+
+   # did the user enter anything?
+   if input_data:
+      
+      # keep only the first word and convert to lower-case
+      name = input_data.lower()
+
+      # fail if there are non-alphanumeric characters
+      if name != filter(
+         lambda x: x>=u"0" and x<=u"9" or x>=u"a" and x<=u"z", name
+      ):
+         user.error = u"bad_name"
+
+      # if that account exists, time to request a password
+      elif name in universe.categories[u"account"]:
+         user.account = universe.categories[u"account"][name]
+         user.state = u"checking_password"
+
+      # otherwise, this could be a brand new user
+      else:
+         user.account = Element(u"account:" + name, universe)
+         user.account.set(u"name", name)
+         log(u"New user: " + name, 2)
+         user.state = u"checking_new_account_name"
+
+   # if the user entered nothing for a name, then buhbye
+   else:
+      user.state = u"disconnecting"
 
 def handler_checking_password(user):
-       """Handle the login account password."""
-
-       # get the next waiting line of input
-       input_data = user.input_queue.pop(0)
-
-       # does the hashed input equal the stored hash?
-       if new_md5(user.account.get("name") + input_data).hexdigest() == user.account.get("passhash"):
-
-               # if so, set the username and load from cold storage
-               if not user.replace_old_connections():
-                       user.authenticate()
-                       user.state = "main_utility"
-
-       # if at first your hashes don't match, try, try again
-       elif user.password_tries < universe.categories["internal"]["limits"].getint("password_tries") - 1:
-               user.password_tries += 1
-               user.error = "incorrect"
-
-       # we've exceeded the maximum number of password failures, so disconnect
-       else:
-               user.send("$(eol)$(red)Too many failed password attempts...$(nrm)$(eol)")
-               user.state = "disconnecting"
+   u"""Handle the login account password."""
+   import md5
+
+   # get the next waiting line of input
+   input_data = user.input_queue.pop(0)
+
+   # does the hashed input equal the stored hash?
+   if unicode(
+      md5.new(
+         ( user.account.get(u"name") + input_data ).encode(u"utf-8")
+      ).hexdigest()
+   ) == user.account.get(u"passhash"):
+
+      # if so, set the username and load from cold storage
+      if not user.replace_old_connections():
+         user.authenticate()
+         user.state = u"main_utility"
+
+   # if at first your hashes don't match, try, try again
+   elif user.password_tries < universe.categories[
+      u"internal"
+   ][
+      u"limits"
+   ].getint(
+      u"password_tries"
+   ) - 1:
+      user.password_tries += 1
+      user.error = u"incorrect"
+
+   # we've exceeded the maximum number of password failures, so disconnect
+   else:
+      user.send(
+         u"$(eol)$(red)Too many failed password attempts...$(nrm)$(eol)"
+      )
+      user.state = u"disconnecting"
 
 def handler_entering_new_password(user):
-       """Handle a new password entry."""
-
-       # get the next waiting line of input
-       input_data = user.input_queue.pop(0)
-
-       # make sure the password is strong--at least one upper, one lower and
-       # one digit, seven or more characters in length
-       if len(input_data) > 6 and len(filter(lambda x: x>="0" and x<="9", input_data)) and len(filter(lambda x: x>="A" and x<="Z", input_data)) and len(filter(lambda x: x>="a" and x<="z", input_data)):
-
-               # hash and store it, then move on to verification
-               user.account.set("passhash",  new_md5(user.account.get("name") + input_data).hexdigest())
-               user.state = "verifying_new_password"
-
-       # the password was weak, try again if you haven't tried too many times
-       elif user.password_tries < universe.categories["internal"]["limits"].getint("password_tries") - 1:
-               user.password_tries += 1
-               user.error = "weak"
-
-       # too many tries, so adios
-       else:
-               user.send("$(eol)$(red)Too many failed password attempts...$(nrm)$(eol)")
-               user.account.destroy()
-               user.state = "disconnecting"
+   u"""Handle a new password entry."""
+   import md5
+
+   # get the next waiting line of input
+   input_data = user.input_queue.pop(0)
+
+   # make sure the password is strong--at least one upper, one lower and
+   # one digit, seven or more characters in length
+   if len(input_data) > 6 and len(
+      filter( lambda x: x>=u"0" and x<=u"9", input_data )
+   ) and len(
+      filter( lambda x: x>=u"A" and x<=u"Z", input_data )
+   ) and len(
+      filter( lambda x: x>=u"a" and x<=u"z", input_data )
+   ):
+
+      # hash and store it, then move on to verification
+      user.account.set(
+         u"passhash",
+         unicode(
+            md5.new(
+               ( user.account.get(u"name") + input_data ).encode(u"utf-8")
+            ).hexdigest()
+         )
+      )
+      user.state = u"verifying_new_password"
+
+   # the password was weak, try again if you haven't tried too many times
+   elif user.password_tries < universe.categories[
+      u"internal"
+   ][
+      u"limits"
+   ].getint(
+      u"password_tries"
+   ) - 1:
+      user.password_tries += 1
+      user.error = u"weak"
+
+   # too many tries, so adios
+   else:
+      user.send(
+         u"$(eol)$(red)Too many failed password attempts...$(nrm)$(eol)"
+      )
+      user.account.destroy()
+      user.state = u"disconnecting"
 
 def handler_verifying_new_password(user):
-       """Handle the re-entered new password for verification."""
-
-       # get the next waiting line of input
-       input_data = user.input_queue.pop(0)
-
-       # hash the input and match it to storage
-       if new_md5(user.account.get("name") + input_data).hexdigest() == user.account.get("passhash"):
-               user.authenticate()
-
-               # the hashes matched, so go active
-               if not user.replace_old_connections(): user.state = "main_utility"
-
-       # go back to entering the new password as long as you haven't tried
-       # too many times
-       elif user.password_tries < universe.categories["internal"]["limits"].getint("password_tries") - 1:
-               user.password_tries += 1
-               user.error = "differs"
-               user.state = "entering_new_password"
-
-       # otherwise, sayonara
-       else:
-               user.send("$(eol)$(red)Too many failed password attempts...$(nrm)$(eol)")
-               user.account.destroy()
-               user.state = "disconnecting"
+   u"""Handle the re-entered new password for verification."""
+   import md5
+
+   # get the next waiting line of input
+   input_data = user.input_queue.pop(0)
+
+   # hash the input and match it to storage
+   if unicode(
+      md5.new(
+         ( user.account.get(u"name") + input_data ).encode(u"utf-8")
+      ).hexdigest()
+   ) == user.account.get(u"passhash"):
+      user.authenticate()
+
+      # the hashes matched, so go active
+      if not user.replace_old_connections(): user.state = u"main_utility"
+
+   # go back to entering the new password as long as you haven't tried
+   # too many times
+   elif user.password_tries < universe.categories[
+      u"internal"
+   ][
+      u"limits"
+   ].getint(
+      u"password_tries"
+   ) - 1:
+      user.password_tries += 1
+      user.error = u"differs"
+      user.state = u"entering_new_password"
+
+   # otherwise, sayonara
+   else:
+      user.send(
+         u"$(eol)$(red)Too many failed password attempts...$(nrm)$(eol)"
+      )
+      user.account.destroy()
+      user.state = u"disconnecting"
 
 def handler_active(user):
-       """Handle input for active users."""
-
-       # get the next waiting line of input
-       input_data = user.input_queue.pop(0)
-
-       # is there input?
-       if input_data:
-
-               # split out the command and parameters
-               actor = user.avatar
-               mode = actor.get("mode")
-               if mode and input_data.startswith("!"):
-                       command_name, parameters = first_word(input_data[1:])
-               elif mode == "chat":
-                       command_name = "say"
-                       parameters = input_data
-               else:
-                       command_name, parameters = first_word(input_data)
-
-               # lowercase the command
-               command_name = command_name.lower()
-
-               # the command matches a command word for which we have data
-               if command_name in universe.categories["command"]:
-                       command = universe.categories["command"][command_name]
-               else: command = None
-
-               # if it's allowed, do it
-               if actor.can_run(command): exec(command.get("action"))
-
-               # otherwise, give an error
-               elif command_name: command_error(actor, input_data)
-
-       # if no input, just idle back with a prompt
-       else: user.send("", just_prompt=True)
-       
+   u"""Handle input for active users."""
+
+   # get the next waiting line of input
+   input_data = user.input_queue.pop(0)
+
+   # is there input?
+   if input_data:
+
+      # split out the command and parameters
+      actor = user.avatar
+      mode = actor.get(u"mode")
+      if mode and input_data.startswith(u"!"):
+         command_name, parameters = first_word(input_data[1:])
+      elif mode == u"chat":
+         command_name = u"say"
+         parameters = input_data
+      else:
+         command_name, parameters = first_word(input_data)
+
+      # lowercase the command
+      command_name = command_name.lower()
+
+      # the command matches a command word for which we have data
+      if command_name in universe.categories[u"command"]:
+         command = universe.categories[u"command"][command_name]
+      else: command = None
+
+      # if it's allowed, do it
+      if actor.can_run(command): exec(command.get(u"action"))
+
+      # otherwise, give an error
+      elif command_name: command_error(actor, input_data)
+
+   # if no input, just idle back with a prompt
+   else: user.send(u"", just_prompt=True)
+   
 def command_halt(actor, parameters):
-       """Halt the world."""
-       if actor.owner:
+   u"""Halt the world."""
+   if actor.owner:
 
-               # see if there's a message or use a generic one
-               if parameters: message = "Halting: " + parameters
-               else: message = "User " + actor.owner.account.get("name") + " halted the world."
+      # see if there's a message or use a generic one
+      if parameters: message = u"Halting: " + parameters
+      else:
+         message = u"User " + actor.owner.account.get(
+            u"name"
+         ) + u" halted the world."
 
-               # let everyone know
-               broadcast(message, add_prompt=False)
-               log(message, 8)
+      # let everyone know
+      broadcast(message, add_prompt=False)
+      log(message, 8)
 
-               # set a flag to terminate the world
-               universe.terminate_flag = True
+      # set a flag to terminate the world
+      universe.terminate_flag = True
 
 def command_reload(actor):
-       """Reload all code modules, configs and data."""
-       if actor.owner:
+   u"""Reload all code modules, configs and data."""
+   if actor.owner:
 
-               # let the user know and log
-               actor.send("Reloading all code modules, configs and data.")
-               log("User " + actor.owner.account.get("name") + " reloaded the world.", 8)
+      # let the user know and log
+      actor.send(u"Reloading all code modules, configs and data.")
+      log(
+         u"User " + actor.owner.account.get(u"name") + u" reloaded the world.",
+         8
+      )
 
-               # set a flag to reload
-               universe.reload_flag = True
+      # set a flag to reload
+      universe.reload_flag = True
 
 def command_quit(actor):
-       """Leave the world and go back to the main menu."""
-       if actor.owner:
-               actor.owner.state = "main_utility"
-               actor.owner.deactivate_avatar()
+   u"""Leave the world and go back to the main menu."""
+   if actor.owner:
+      actor.owner.state = u"main_utility"
+      actor.owner.deactivate_avatar()
 
 def command_help(actor, parameters):
-       """List available commands and provide help for commands."""
-
-       # did the user ask for help on a specific command word?
-       if parameters and actor.owner:
-
-               # is the command word one for which we have data?
-               if parameters in universe.categories["command"]:
-                       command = universe.categories["command"][parameters]
-               else: command = None
-
-               # only for allowed commands
-               if actor.can_run(command):
-
-                       # add a description if provided
-                       description = command.get("description")
-                       if not description:
-                               description = "(no short description provided)"
-                       if command.getboolean("administrative"): output = "$(red)"
-                       else: output = "$(grn)"
-                       output += parameters + "$(nrm) - " + description + "$(eol)$(eol)"
-
-                       # add the help text if provided
-                       help_text = command.get("help")
-                       if not help_text:
-                               help_text = "No help is provided for this command."
-                       output += help_text
-
-                       # list related commands
-                       see_also = command.getlist("see_also")
-                       if see_also:
-                               really_see_also = ""
-                               for item in see_also:
-                                       if item in universe.categories["command"]:
-                                               command = universe.categories["command"][item]
-                                               if actor.can_run(command):
-                                                       if really_see_also:
-                                                               really_see_also += ", "
-                                                       if command.getboolean("administrative"):
-                                                               really_see_also += "$(red)"
-                                                       else:
-                                                               really_see_also += "$(grn)"
-                                                       really_see_also += item + "$(nrm)"
-                               if really_see_also:
-                                       output += "$(eol)$(eol)See also: " + really_see_also
-
-               # no data for the requested command word
-               else:
-                       output = "That is not an available command."
-
-       # no specific command word was indicated
-       else:
-
-               # give a sorted list of commands with descriptions if provided
-               output = "These are the commands available to you:$(eol)$(eol)"
-               sorted_commands = universe.categories["command"].keys()
-               sorted_commands.sort()
-               for item in sorted_commands:
-                       command = universe.categories["command"][item]
-                       if actor.can_run(command):
-                               description = command.get("description")
-                               if not description:
-                                       description = "(no short description provided)"
-                               if command.getboolean("administrative"): output += "   $(red)"
-                               else: output += "   $(grn)"
-                               output += item + "$(nrm) - " + description + "$(eol)"
-               output += "$(eol)Enter \"help COMMAND\" for help on a command named \"COMMAND\"."
-
-       # send the accumulated output to the user
-       actor.send(output)
+   u"""List available commands and provide help for commands."""
+
+   # did the user ask for help on a specific command word?
+   if parameters and actor.owner:
+
+      # is the command word one for which we have data?
+      if parameters in universe.categories[u"command"]:
+         command = universe.categories[u"command"][parameters]
+      else: command = None
+
+      # only for allowed commands
+      if actor.can_run(command):
+
+         # add a description if provided
+         description = command.get(u"description")
+         if not description:
+            description = u"(no short description provided)"
+         if command.getboolean(u"administrative"): output = u"$(red)"
+         else: output = u"$(grn)"
+         output += parameters + u"$(nrm) - " + description + u"$(eol)$(eol)"
+
+         # add the help text if provided
+         help_text = command.get(u"help")
+         if not help_text:
+            help_text = u"No help is provided for this command."
+         output += help_text
+
+         # list related commands
+         see_also = command.getlist(u"see_also")
+         if see_also:
+            really_see_also = u""
+            for item in see_also:
+               if item in universe.categories[u"command"]:
+                  command = universe.categories[u"command"][item]
+                  if actor.can_run(command):
+                     if really_see_also:
+                        really_see_also += u", "
+                     if command.getboolean(u"administrative"):
+                        really_see_also += u"$(red)"
+                     else:
+                        really_see_also += u"$(grn)"
+                     really_see_also += item + u"$(nrm)"
+            if really_see_also:
+               output += u"$(eol)$(eol)See also: " + really_see_also
+
+      # no data for the requested command word
+      else:
+         output = u"That is not an available command."
+
+   # no specific command word was indicated
+   else:
+
+      # give a sorted list of commands with descriptions if provided
+      output = u"These are the commands available to you:$(eol)$(eol)"
+      sorted_commands = universe.categories[u"command"].keys()
+      sorted_commands.sort()
+      for item in sorted_commands:
+         command = universe.categories[u"command"][item]
+         if actor.can_run(command):
+            description = command.get(u"description")
+            if not description:
+               description = u"(no short description provided)"
+            if command.getboolean(u"administrative"): output += u"   $(red)"
+            else: output += u"   $(grn)"
+            output += item + u"$(nrm) - " + description + u"$(eol)"
+      output += u"$(eol)Enter \"help COMMAND\" for help on a command " \
+         + u"named \"COMMAND\"."
+
+   # send the accumulated output to the user
+   actor.send(output)
 
 def command_move(actor, parameters):
-       """Move the avatar in a given direction."""
-       if parameters in universe.contents[actor.get("location")].portals():
-               actor.move_direction(parameters)
-       else: actor.send("You cannot go that way.")
+   u"""Move the avatar in a given direction."""
+   if parameters in universe.contents[actor.get(u"location")].portals():
+      actor.move_direction(parameters)
+   else: actor.send(u"You cannot go that way.")
 
 def command_look(actor, parameters):
-       """Look around."""
-       if parameters: actor.send("You can't look at or in anything yet.")
-       else: actor.look_at(actor.get("location"))
+   u"""Look around."""
+   if parameters: actor.send(u"You can't look at or in anything yet.")
+   else: actor.look_at(actor.get(u"location"))
 
 def command_say(actor, parameters):
-       """Speak to others in the same room."""
-
-       # check for replacement macros
-       if replace_macros(actor.owner, parameters, True) != parameters:
-               actor.send("You cannot speak $_(replacement macros).")
-
-       # the user entered a message
-       elif parameters:
-
-               # get rid of quote marks on the ends of the message
-               message = parameters.strip("\"'`")
-
-               # match the punctuation used, if any, to an action
-               actions = universe.categories["internal"]["language"].getdict("actions")
-               default_punctuation = universe.categories["internal"]["language"].get("default_punctuation")
-               action = ""
-               for mark in actions.keys():
-                       if message.endswith(mark):
-                               action = actions[mark]
-                               break
-
-               # add punctuation if needed
-               if not action:
-                       action = actions[default_punctuation]
-                       if message and not message[-1] in punctuation:
-                               message += default_punctuation
-
-               # decapitalize the first letter to improve matching
-               if message and message[0] in uppercase:
-                       message = message[0].lower() + message[1:]
-
-               # iterate over all words in message, replacing typos
-               typos = universe.categories["internal"]["language"].getdict("typos")
-               words = message.split()
-               for index in range(len(words)):
-                       word = words[index]
-                       bare_word = word.strip(punctuation)
-                       if bare_word in typos.keys():
-                               words[index] = word.replace(bare_word, typos[bare_word])
-               message = " ".join(words)
-
-               # capitalize the first letter
-               message = message[0].upper() + message[1:]
-
-               # tell the room
-               actor.echo_to_location(actor.get("name") + " " + action + "s, \"" + message + "\"")
-               actor.send("You " + action + ", \"" + message + "\"")
-
-       # there was no message
-       else:
-               actor.send("What do you want to say?")
+   u"""Speak to others in the same room."""
+   import unicodedata
+
+   # check for replacement macros
+   if replace_macros(actor.owner, parameters, True) != parameters:
+      actor.send(u"You cannot speak $_(replacement macros).")
+
+   # the user entered a message
+   elif parameters:
+
+      # get rid of quote marks on the ends of the message
+      message = parameters.strip(u"\"'`")
+
+      # match the punctuation used, if any, to an action
+      actions = universe.categories[u"internal"][u"language"].getdict(
+         u"actions"
+      )
+      default_punctuation = universe.categories[u"internal"][u"language"].get(
+         u"default_punctuation"
+      )
+      action = u""
+      for mark in actions.keys():
+         if message.endswith(mark):
+            action = actions[mark]
+            break
+
+      # add punctuation if needed
+      if not action:
+         action = actions[default_punctuation]
+         if message and not unicodedata.category(message[-1]) == u"Po":
+            message += default_punctuation
+
+      # decapitalize the first letter to improve matching
+      message = message[0].lower() + message[1:]
+
+      # iterate over all words in message, replacing typos
+      typos = universe.categories[u"internal"][u"language"].getdict(u"typos")
+      words = message.split()
+      for index in range(len(words)):
+         word = words[index]
+         while unicodedata.category(word[0]) == u"Po":
+            word = word[1:]
+         while unicodedata.category(word[-1]) == u"Po":
+            word = word[:-1]
+         if word in typos.keys():
+            words[index] = words[index].replace(word, typos[word])
+      message = u" ".join(words)
+
+      # capitalize the first letter
+      message = message[0].upper() + message[1:]
+
+      # tell the room
+      actor.echo_to_location(
+         actor.get(u"name") + u" " + action + u"s, \"" + message + u"\""
+      )
+      actor.send(u"You " + action + u", \"" + message + u"\"")
+
+   # there was no message
+   else:
+      actor.send(u"What do you want to say?")
 
 def command_chat(actor):
-       """Toggle chat mode."""
-       mode = actor.get("mode")
-       if not mode:
-               actor.set("mode", "chat")
-               actor.send("Entering chat mode (use $(grn)!chat$(nrm) to exit).")
-       elif mode == "chat":
-               actor.remove_facet("mode")
-               actor.send("Exiting chat mode.")
-       else: actor.send("Sorry, but you're already busy with something else!")
+   u"""Toggle chat mode."""
+   mode = actor.get(u"mode")
+   if not mode:
+      actor.set(u"mode", u"chat")
+      actor.send(u"Entering chat mode (use $(grn)!chat$(nrm) to exit).")
+   elif mode == u"chat":
+      actor.remove_facet(u"mode")
+      actor.send(u"Exiting chat mode.")
+   else: actor.send(u"Sorry, but you're already busy with something else!")
 
 def command_show(actor, parameters):
-       """Show program data."""
-       message = ""
-       arguments = parameters.split()
-       if not parameters: message = "What do you want to show?"
-       elif arguments[0] == "time":
-               message = universe.categories["internal"]["counters"].get("elapsed") + " increments elapsed since the world was created."
-       elif arguments[0] == "categories":
-               message = "These are the element categories:$(eol)"
-               categories = universe.categories.keys()
-               categories.sort()
-               for category in categories: message += "$(eol)   $(grn)" + category + "$(nrm)"
-       elif arguments[0] == "files":
-               message = "These are the current files containing the universe:$(eol)"
-               filenames = universe.files.keys()
-               filenames.sort()
-               for filename in filenames:
-                       if universe.files[filename].is_writeable(): status = "rw"
-                       else: status = "ro"
-                       message += "$(eol)   $(red)(" + status + ") $(grn)" + filename + "$(nrm)"
-       elif arguments[0] == "category":
-               if len(arguments) != 2: message = "You must specify one category."
-               elif arguments[1] in universe.categories:
-                       message = "These are the elements in the \"" + arguments[1] + "\" category:$(eol)"
-                       elements = [(universe.categories[arguments[1]][x].key) for x in universe.categories[arguments[1]].keys()]
-                       elements.sort()
-                       for element in elements:
-                               message += "$(eol)   $(grn)" + element + "$(nrm)"
-               else: message = "Category \"" + arguments[1] + "\" does not exist."
-       elif arguments[0] == "file":
-               if len(arguments) != 2: message = "You must specify one file."
-               elif arguments[1] in universe.files:
-                       message = "These are the elements in the \"" + arguments[1] + "\" file:$(eol)"
-                       elements = universe.files[arguments[1]].data.sections()
-                       elements.sort()
-                       for element in elements:
-                               message += "$(eol)   $(grn)" + element + "$(nrm)"
-               else: message = "Category \"" + arguments[1] + "\" does not exist."
-       elif arguments[0] == "element":
-               if len(arguments) != 2: message = "You must specify one element."
-               elif arguments[1] in universe.contents:
-                       element = universe.contents[arguments[1]]
-                       message = "These are the properties of the \"" + arguments[1] + "\" element (in \"" + element.origin.filename + "\"):$(eol)"
-                       facets = element.facets()
-                       facets.sort()
-                       for facet in facets:
-                               message += "$(eol)   $(grn)" + facet + ": $(red)" + escape_macros(element.get(facet)) + "$(nrm)"
-               else: message = "Element \"" + arguments[1] + "\" does not exist."
-       elif arguments[0] == "result":
-               if len(arguments) < 2: message = "You need to specify an expression."
-               else:
-                       try:
-                               message = repr(eval(" ".join(arguments[1:])))
-                       except:
-                               message = "Your expression raised an exception!"
-       elif arguments[0] == "log":
-               if len(arguments) == 4:
-                       if match("^\d+$", arguments[3]) and int(arguments[3]) >= 0:
-                               stop = int(arguments[3])
-                       else: stop = -1
-               else: stop = 0
-               if len(arguments) >= 3:
-                       if match("^\d+$", arguments[2]) and int(arguments[2]) > 0:
-                               start = int(arguments[2])
-                       else: start = -1
-               else: start = 10
-               if len(arguments) >= 2:
-                       if match("^\d+$", arguments[1]) and 0 <= int(arguments[1]) <= 9:
-                               level = int(arguments[1])
-                       else: level = -1
-               elif 0 <= actor.owner.account.getint("loglevel") <= 9:
-                       level = actor.owner.account.getint("loglevel")
-               else: level = 1
-               if level > -1 and start > -1 and stop > -1:
-                       message = get_loglines(level, start, stop)
-               else: message = "When specified, level must be 0-9 (default 1), start and stop must be >=1 (default 10 and 1)."
-       else: message = "I don't know what \"" + parameters + "\" is."
-       actor.send(message)
+   u"""Show program data."""
+   import re
+   message = u""
+   arguments = parameters.split()
+   if not parameters: message = u"What do you want to show?"
+   elif arguments[0] == u"time":
+      message = universe.categories[u"internal"][u"counters"].get(
+         u"elapsed"
+      ) + u" increments elapsed since the world was created."
+   elif arguments[0] == u"categories":
+      message = u"These are the element categories:$(eol)"
+      categories = universe.categories.keys()
+      categories.sort()
+      for category in categories:
+         message += u"$(eol)   $(grn)" + category + u"$(nrm)"
+   elif arguments[0] == u"files":
+      message = u"These are the current files containing the universe:$(eol)"
+      filenames = universe.files.keys()
+      filenames.sort()
+      for filename in filenames:
+         if universe.files[filename].is_writeable(): status = u"rw"
+         else: status = u"ro"
+         message += u"$(eol)   $(red)(" + status + u") $(grn)" + filename \
+            + u"$(nrm)"
+   elif arguments[0] == u"category":
+      if len(arguments) != 2: message = u"You must specify one category."
+      elif arguments[1] in universe.categories:
+         message = u"These are the elements in the \"" + arguments[1] \
+            + u"\" category:$(eol)"
+         elements = [
+            (
+               universe.categories[arguments[1]][x].key
+            ) for x in universe.categories[arguments[1]].keys()
+         ]
+         elements.sort()
+         for element in elements:
+            message += u"$(eol)   $(grn)" + element + u"$(nrm)"
+      else: message = u"Category \"" + arguments[1] + u"\" does not exist."
+   elif arguments[0] == u"file":
+      if len(arguments) != 2: message = u"You must specify one file."
+      elif arguments[1] in universe.files:
+         message = u"These are the elements in the \"" + arguments[1] \
+            + u"\" file:$(eol)"
+         elements = universe.files[arguments[1]].data.sections()
+         elements.sort()
+         for element in elements:
+            message += u"$(eol)   $(grn)" + element + u"$(nrm)"
+      else: message = u"Category \"" + arguments[1] + u"\" does not exist."
+   elif arguments[0] == u"element":
+      if len(arguments) != 2: message = u"You must specify one element."
+      elif arguments[1] in universe.contents:
+         element = universe.contents[arguments[1]]
+         message = u"These are the properties of the \"" + arguments[1] \
+            + u"\" element (in \"" + element.origin.filename + u"\"):$(eol)"
+         facets = element.facets()
+         facets.sort()
+         for facet in facets:
+            message += u"$(eol)   $(grn)" + facet + u": $(red)" \
+               + escape_macros(element.get(facet)) + u"$(nrm)"
+      else: message = u"Element \"" + arguments[1] + u"\" does not exist."
+   elif arguments[0] == u"result":
+      if len(arguments) < 2: message = u"You need to specify an expression."
+      else:
+         try:
+            message = repr(eval(u" ".join(arguments[1:])))
+         except:
+            message = u"Your expression raised an exception!"
+   elif arguments[0] == u"log":
+      if len(arguments) == 4:
+         if re.match(u"^\d+$", arguments[3]) and int(arguments[3]) >= 0:
+            stop = int(arguments[3])
+         else: stop = -1
+      else: stop = 0
+      if len(arguments) >= 3:
+         if re.match(u"^\d+$", arguments[2]) and int(arguments[2]) > 0:
+            start = int(arguments[2])
+         else: start = -1
+      else: start = 10
+      if len(arguments) >= 2:
+         if re.match(u"^\d+$", arguments[1]) and 0 <= int(arguments[1]) <= 9:
+            level = int(arguments[1])
+         else: level = -1
+      elif 0 <= actor.owner.account.getint(u"loglevel") <= 9:
+         level = actor.owner.account.getint(u"loglevel")
+      else: level = 1
+      if level > -1 and start > -1 and stop > -1:
+         message = get_loglines(level, start, stop)
+      else:
+         message = u"When specified, level must be 0-9 (default 1), " \
+            + u"start and stop must be >=1 (default 10 and 1)."
+   else: message = u"I don't know what \"" + parameters + u"\" is."
+   actor.send(message)
 
 def command_create(actor, parameters):
-       """Create an element if it does not exist."""
-       if not parameters: message = "You must at least specify an element to create."
-       elif not actor.owner: message = ""
-       else:
-               arguments = parameters.split()
-               if len(arguments) == 1: arguments.append("")
-               if len(arguments) == 2:
-                       element, filename = arguments
-                       if element in universe.contents: message = "The \"" + element + "\" element already exists."
-                       else:
-                               message = "You create \"" + element + "\" within the universe."
-                               logline = actor.owner.account.get("name") + " created an element: " + element
-                               if filename:
-                                       logline += " in file " + filename
-                                       if filename not in universe.files:
-                                               message += " Warning: \"" + filename + "\" is not yet included in any other file and will not be read on startup unless this is remedied."
-                               Element(element, universe, filename)
-                               log(logline, 6)
-               elif len(arguments) > 2: message = "You can only specify an element and a filename."
-       actor.send(message)
+   u"""Create an element if it does not exist."""
+   if not parameters:
+      message = u"You must at least specify an element to create."
+   elif not actor.owner: message = u""
+   else:
+      arguments = parameters.split()
+      if len(arguments) == 1: arguments.append(u"")
+      if len(arguments) == 2:
+         element, filename = arguments
+         if element in universe.contents:
+            message = u"The \"" + element + u"\" element already exists."
+         else:
+            message = u"You create \"" + element + u"\" within the universe."
+            logline = actor.owner.account.get(
+               u"name"
+            ) + u" created an element: " + element
+            if filename:
+               logline += u" in file " + filename
+               if filename not in universe.files:
+                  message += u" Warning: \"" + filename \
+                     + u"\" is not yet included in any other file and will " \
+                     + u"not be read on startup unless this is remedied."
+            Element(element, universe, filename)
+            log(logline, 6)
+      elif len(arguments) > 2:
+         message = u"You can only specify an element and a filename."
+   actor.send(message)
 
 def command_destroy(actor, parameters):
-       """Destroy an element if it exists."""
-       if actor.owner:
-               if not parameters: message = "You must specify an element to destroy."
-               else:
-                       if parameters not in universe.contents: message = "The \"" + parameters + "\" element does not exist."
-                       else:
-                               universe.contents[parameters].destroy()
-                               message = "You destroy \"" + parameters + "\" within the universe."
-                               log(actor.owner.account.get("name") + " destroyed an element: " + parameters, 6)
-               actor.send(message)
+   u"""Destroy an element if it exists."""
+   if actor.owner:
+      if not parameters: message = u"You must specify an element to destroy."
+      else:
+         if parameters not in universe.contents:
+            message = u"The \"" + parameters + u"\" element does not exist."
+         else:
+            universe.contents[parameters].destroy()
+            message = u"You destroy \"" + parameters \
+               + u"\" within the universe."
+            log(
+               actor.owner.account.get(
+                  u"name"
+               ) + u" destroyed an element: " + parameters,
+               6
+            )
+      actor.send(message)
 
 def command_set(actor, parameters):
-       """Set a facet of an element."""
-       if not parameters: message = "You must specify an element, a facet and a value."
-       else:
-               arguments = parameters.split(" ", 2)
-               if len(arguments) == 1: message = "What facet of element \"" + arguments[0] + "\" would you like to set?"
-               elif len(arguments) == 2: message = "What value would you like to set for the \"" + arguments[1] + "\" facet of the \"" + arguments[0] + "\" element?"
-               else:
-                       element, facet, value = arguments
-                       if element not in universe.contents: message = "The \"" + element + "\" element does not exist."
-                       else:
-                               universe.contents[element].set(facet, value)
-                               message = "You have successfully (re)set the \"" + facet + "\" facet of element \"" + element + "\". Try \"show element " + element + "\" for verification."
-       actor.send(message)
+   u"""Set a facet of an element."""
+   if not parameters:
+      message = u"You must specify an element, a facet and a value."
+   else:
+      arguments = parameters.split(u" ", 2)
+      if len(arguments) == 1:
+         message = u"What facet of element \"" + arguments[0] \
+            + u"\" would you like to set?"
+      elif len(arguments) == 2:
+         message = u"What value would you like to set for the \"" \
+            + arguments[1] + u"\" facet of the \"" + arguments[0] \
+            + u"\" element?"
+      else:
+         element, facet, value = arguments
+         if element not in universe.contents:
+            message = u"The \"" + element + u"\" element does not exist."
+         else:
+            universe.contents[element].set(facet, value)
+            message = u"You have successfully (re)set the \"" + facet \
+               + u"\" facet of element \"" + element \
+               + u"\". Try \"show element " + element + u"\" for verification."
+   actor.send(message)
 
 def command_delete(actor, parameters):
-       """Delete a facet from an element."""
-       if not parameters: message = "You must specify an element and a facet."
-       else:
-               arguments = parameters.split(" ")
-               if len(arguments) == 1: message = "What facet of element \"" + arguments[0] + "\" would you like to delete?"
-               elif len(arguments) != 2: message = "You may only specify an element and a facet."
-               else:
-                       element, facet = arguments
-                       if element not in universe.contents: message = "The \"" + element + "\" element does not exist."
-                       elif facet not in universe.contents[element].facets(): message = "The \"" + element + "\" element has no \"" + facet + "\" facet."
-                       else:
-                               universe.contents[element].remove_facet(facet)
-                               message = "You have successfully deleted the \"" + facet + "\" facet of element \"" + element + "\". Try \"show element " + element + "\" for verification."
-       actor.send(message)
+   u"""Delete a facet from an element."""
+   if not parameters: message = u"You must specify an element and a facet."
+   else:
+      arguments = parameters.split(u" ")
+      if len(arguments) == 1:
+         message = u"What facet of element \"" + arguments[0] \
+         + u"\" would you like to delete?"
+      elif len(arguments) != 2:
+         message = u"You may only specify an element and a facet."
+      else:
+         element, facet = arguments
+         if element not in universe.contents:
+            message = u"The \"" + element + u"\" element does not exist."
+         elif facet not in universe.contents[element].facets():
+            message = u"The \"" + element + u"\" element has no \"" + facet \
+               + u"\" facet."
+         else:
+            universe.contents[element].remove_facet(facet)
+            message = u"You have successfully deleted the \"" + facet \
+               + u"\" facet of element \"" + element \
+               + u"\". Try \"show element " + element + u"\" for verification."
+   actor.send(message)
 
 def command_error(actor, input_data):
-       """Generic error for an unrecognized command word."""
+   u"""Generic error for an unrecognized command word."""
+   import random
 
-       # 90% of the time use a generic error
-       if randrange(10):
-               message = "I'm not sure what \"" + input_data + "\" means..."
+   # 90% of the time use a generic error
+   if random.randrange(10):
+      message = u"I'm not sure what \"" + input_data + u"\" means..."
 
-       # 10% of the time use the classic diku error
-       else:
-               message = "Arglebargle, glop-glyf!?!"
+   # 10% of the time use the classic diku error
+   else:
+      message = u"Arglebargle, glop-glyf!?!"
 
-       # send the error message
-       actor.send(message)
+   # send the error message
+   actor.send(message)
 
 def daemonize():
-       """Fork and disassociate from everything."""
-       if universe.contents["internal:process"].getboolean("daemon"):
-               import sys
-               from resource import getrlimit, RLIMIT_NOFILE
-               log("Disassociating from the controlling terminal.")
-               if fork(): _exit(0)
-               setsid()
-               if fork(): _exit(0)
-               chdir("/")
-               umask(0)
-               for stdpipe in range(3): close(stdpipe)
-               sys.stdin = sys.__stdin__ = file("/dev/null", "r")
-               sys.stdout = sys.stderr = sys.__stdout__ = sys.__stderr__ = file("/dev/null", "w")
+   u"""Fork and disassociate from everything."""
+   import codecs, os, sys
+   if universe.contents[u"internal:process"].getboolean(u"daemon"):
+      log(u"Disassociating from the controlling terminal.")
+      if os.fork(): os._exit(0)
+      os.setsid()
+      if os.fork(): os._exit(0)
+      os.chdir(u"/")
+      os.umask(0)
+      for stdpipe in range(3): os.close(stdpipe)
+      sys.stdin = codecs.open(u"/dev/null", u"r", u"utf-8")
+      sys.__stdin__ = codecs.open(u"/dev/null", u"r", u"utf-8")
+      sys.stdout = codecs.open(u"/dev/null", u"w", u"utf-8")
+      sys.stderr = codecs.open(u"/dev/null", u"w", u"utf-8")
+      sys.__stdout__ = codecs.open(u"/dev/null", u"w", u"utf-8")
+      sys.__stderr__ = codecs.open(u"/dev/null", u"w", u"utf-8")
 
 def create_pidfile(universe):
-       """Write a file containing the current process ID."""
-       pid = str(getpid())
-       log("Process ID: " + pid)
-       file_name = universe.contents["internal:process"].get("pidfile")
-       if file_name:
-               if not isabs(file_name):
-                       file_name = path_join(universe.startdir, file_name)
-               file_descriptor = file(file_name, 'w')
-               file_descriptor.write(pid + "\n")
-               file_descriptor.flush()
-               file_descriptor.close()
+   u"""Write a file containing the current process ID."""
+   import codecs, os, os.path
+   pid = unicode(os.getpid())
+   log(u"Process ID: " + pid)
+   file_name = universe.contents[u"internal:process"].get(u"pidfile")
+   if file_name:
+      if not os.path.isabs(file_name):
+         file_name = os.path.join(universe.startdir, file_name)
+      file_descriptor = codecs.open(file_name, u"w", u"utf-8")
+      file_descriptor.write(pid + u"\n")
+      file_descriptor.flush()
+      file_descriptor.close()
 
 def remove_pidfile(universe):
-       """Remove the file containing the current process ID."""
-       file_name = universe.contents["internal:process"].get("pidfile")
-       if file_name:
-               if not isabs(file_name):
-                       file_name = path_join(universe.startdir, file_name)
-               if access(file_name, W_OK): remove(file_name)
-
-def excepthook(excepttype, value, traceback):
-       """Handle uncaught exceptions."""
-
-       # assemble the list of errors into a single string
-       message = "".join(format_exception(excepttype, value, traceback))
-
-       # try to log it, if possible
-       try: log(message, 9)
-       except: pass
-
-       # try to write it to stderr, if possible
-       try: stderr.write(message)
-       except: pass
+   u"""Remove the file containing the current process ID."""
+   import os, os.path
+   file_name = universe.contents[u"internal:process"].get(u"pidfile")
+   if file_name:
+      if not os.path.isabs(file_name):
+         file_name = os.path.join(universe.startdir, file_name)
+      if os.access(file_name, os.W_OK): os.remove(file_name)
+
+def excepthook(excepttype, value, tracebackdata):
+   u"""Handle uncaught exceptions."""
+   import traceback
+
+   # assemble the list of errors into a single string
+   message = u"".join(
+      traceback.format_exception(excepttype, value, tracebackdata)
+   )
+
+   # try to log it, if possible
+   try: log(message, 9)
+   except: pass
+
+   # try to write it to stderr, if possible
+   try: sys.stderr.write(message)
+   except: pass
 
 def sighook(what, where):
-       """Handle external signals."""
+   u"""Handle external signals."""
+   import signal
 
-       # a generic message
-       message = "Caught signal: "
+   # a generic message
+   message = u"Caught signal: "
 
-       # for a hangup signal
-       if what == SIGHUP:
-               message += "hangup (reloading)"
-               universe.reload_flag = True
+   # for a hangup signal
+   if what == signal.SIGHUP:
+      message += u"hangup (reloading)"
+      universe.reload_flag = True
 
-       # for a terminate signal
-       elif what == SIGTERM:
-               message += "terminate (halting)"
-               universe.terminate_flag = True
+   # for a terminate signal
+   elif what == signal.SIGTERM:
+      message += u"terminate (halting)"
+      universe.terminate_flag = True
 
-       # catchall for unexpected signals
-       else: message += str(what) + " (unhandled)"
+   # catchall for unexpected signals
+   else: message += unicode(what) + u" (unhandled)"
 
-       # log what happened
-       log(message, 8)
+   # log what happened
+   log(message, 8)
 
 # redefine sys.excepthook with ours
 import sys
 sys.excepthook = excepthook
 
 # assign the sgnal handlers
-signal(SIGHUP, sighook)
-signal(SIGTERM, sighook)
+import signal
+signal.signal(signal.SIGHUP, sighook)
+signal.signal(signal.SIGTERM, sighook)
 
 # if there is no universe, create an empty one
-if not "universe" in locals():
-       if len(argv) > 1: conffile = argv[1]
-       else: conffile = ""
-       universe = Universe(conffile, True)
+if not u"universe" in locals():
+   if len(sys.argv) > 1: conffile = sys.argv[1]
+   else: conffile = u""
+   universe = Universe(conffile, True)
 elif universe.reload_flag:
-       universe = universe.new()
-       reload_data()
+   universe = universe.new()
+   reload_data()