finished moving settings to livesettings, available at url /settings

25 files changed, 517 insertions, 228 deletions

diff --git a/django_authopenid/forms.py b/django_authopenid/forms.py
index 2f34986c..2fd3fd7f 100644
--- a/django_authopenid/forms.py
+++ b/django_authopenid/forms.py
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ from django.contrib.auth.models import User
 from django.contrib.auth import authenticate
 from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _
 from django.conf import settings
+from forum.conf import settings as forum_settings
 import types
 import re
 from django.utils.safestring import mark_safe
@@ -254,7 +255,7 @@ class ChangeEmailForm(forms.Form):
     def clean_email(self):
         """ check if email don't exist """
         if 'email' in self.cleaned_data:
-            if settings.EMAIL_UNIQUE == True:
+            if forum_settings.EMAIL_UNIQUE == True:
                 try:
                     user = User.objects.get(email = self.cleaned_data['email'])
                     if self.user and self.user == user:   
diff --git a/django_authopenid/views.py b/django_authopenid/views.py
index 0212955c..688a41fc 100644
--- a/django_authopenid/views.py
+++ b/django_authopenid/views.py
@@ -508,7 +508,7 @@ def register(request):
         #if user just logged in and did not need to create the new account
         
         if user_ != None:
-            if settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION == 'on':
+            if forum_settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION == True:
                 logging.debug('sending email validation')
                 send_new_email_key(user_,nomessage=True)
                 output = validation_email_sent(request)
@@ -750,7 +750,7 @@ def set_new_email(user, new_email, nomessage=False):
         user.email = new_email
         user.email_isvalid = False
         user.save()
-        if settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION == 'on':
+        if forum_settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION == True:
             send_new_email_key(user,nomessage=nomessage)
 
 def _send_email_key(user):
@@ -788,7 +788,7 @@ def send_email_key(request):
     authopenid/changeemail.html template
     """
 
-    if settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION != 'off':
+    if forum_settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION == True:
         if request.user.email_isvalid:
             return render_to_response('authopenid/changeemail.html',
                             { 'email': request.user.email, 
@@ -818,7 +818,7 @@ def verifyemail(request,id=None,key=None):
     url = /email/verify/{{user.id}}/{{user.email_key}}/
     """
     logging.debug('')
-    if settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION != 'off':
+    if forum.settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION == True:
         user = User.objects.get(id=id)
         if user:
             if user.email_key == key:
@@ -855,7 +855,7 @@ def changeemail(request, action='change'):
         if form.is_valid():
             new_email = form.cleaned_data['email']
             if new_email != user_.email:
-                if settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION == 'on':
+                if forum_settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION == True:
                     action = 'validate'
                 else:
                     action = 'done_novalidate'
diff --git a/forum/auth.py b/forum/auth.py
index d45e3647..6c9998cb 100644
--- a/forum/auth.py
+++ b/forum/auth.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ from models import mark_offensive, delete_post_or_answer
 from const import TYPE_REPUTATION
 import logging
 
-from forum.conf import settings
+from forum.conf import settings as forum_settings
 
 def can_moderate_users(user):
     return user.is_superuser
@@ -22,13 +22,13 @@ def can_moderate_users(user):
 def can_vote_up(user):
     """Determines if a User can vote Questions and Answers up."""
     return user.is_authenticated() and (
-        user.reputation >= settings.MIN_REP_TO_VOTE_UP or
+        user.reputation >= forum_settings.MIN_REP_TO_VOTE_UP or
         user.is_superuser)
 
 def can_flag_offensive(user):
     """Determines if a User can flag Questions and Answers as offensive."""
     return user.is_authenticated() and (
-        user.reputation >= settings.MIN_REP_TO_FLAG_OFFENSIVE or
+        user.reputation >= forum_settings.MIN_REP_TO_FLAG_OFFENSIVE or
         user.is_superuser)
 
 def can_add_comments(user,subject):
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ def can_add_comments(user,subject):
     if user.is_authenticated():
         if user.id == subject.author.id:
             return True
-        if user.reputation >= settings.MIN_REP_TO_LEAVE_COMMENTS:
+        if user.reputation >= forum_settings.MIN_REP_TO_LEAVE_COMMENTS:
             return True
         if user.is_superuser:
             return True
@@ -47,55 +47,55 @@ def can_add_comments(user,subject):
 def can_vote_down(user):
     """Determines if a User can vote Questions and Answers down."""
     return user.is_authenticated() and (
-        user.reputation >= settings.MIN_REP_TO_VOTE_DOWN or
+        user.reputation >= forum_settings.MIN_REP_TO_VOTE_DOWN or
         user.is_superuser)
 
 def can_retag_questions(user):
     """Determines if a User can retag Questions."""
     return user.is_authenticated() and (
-        settings.MIN_REP_TO_RETAG_OTHERS_QUESTIONS
+        forum_settings.MIN_REP_TO_RETAG_OTHERS_QUESTIONS
         <= user.reputation 
-        < settings.MIN_REP_TO_EDIT_OTHERS_POSTS or
+        < forum_settings.MIN_REP_TO_EDIT_OTHERS_POSTS or
         user.is_superuser)
 
 def can_edit_post(user, post):
     """Determines if a User can edit the given Question or Answer."""
     return user.is_authenticated() and (
         user.id == post.author_id or
-        (post.wiki and user.reputation >= settings.MIN_REP_TO_EDIT_WIKI) or
-        user.reputation >= settings.MIN_REP_TO_EDIT_OTHERS_POSTS or
+        (post.wiki and user.reputation >= forum_settings.MIN_REP_TO_EDIT_WIKI) or
+        user.reputation >= forum_settings.MIN_REP_TO_EDIT_OTHERS_POSTS or
         user.is_superuser)
 
 def can_delete_comment(user, comment):
     """Determines if a User can delete the given Comment."""
     return user.is_authenticated() and (
         user.id == comment.user_id or
-        user.reputation >= settings.MIN_REP_TO_DELETE_OTHERS_COMMENTS or
+        user.reputation >= forum_settings.MIN_REP_TO_DELETE_OTHERS_COMMENTS or
         user.is_superuser)
 
 def can_view_offensive_flags(user):
     """Determines if a User can view offensive flag counts."""
     return user.is_authenticated() and (
-        user.reputation >= settings.MIN_REP_TO_VIEW_OFFENSIVE_FLAGS or
+        user.reputation >= forum_settings.MIN_REP_TO_VIEW_OFFENSIVE_FLAGS or
         user.is_superuser)
 
 def can_close_question(user, question):
     """Determines if a User can close the given Question."""
     return user.is_authenticated() and (
         (user.id == question.author_id and
-         user.reputation >= settings.MIN_REP_TO_CLOSE_OWN_QUESTIONS) or
-        user.reputation >= settings.MIN_REP_TO_CLOSE_OTHERS_QUESTIONS or
+         user.reputation >= forum_settings.MIN_REP_TO_CLOSE_OWN_QUESTIONS) or
+        user.reputation >= forum_settings.MIN_REP_TO_CLOSE_OTHERS_QUESTIONS or
         user.is_superuser)
 
 def can_lock_posts(user):
     """Determines if a User can lock Questions or Answers."""
     return user.is_authenticated() and (
-        user.reputation >= settings.MIN_REP_TO_LOCK_POSTS or
+        user.reputation >= forum_settings.MIN_REP_TO_LOCK_POSTS or
         user.is_superuser)
 
 def can_follow_url(user):
     """Determines if the URL link can be followed by Google search engine."""
-    return user.reputation >= settings.MIN_REP_TO_DISABLE_URL_NOFOLLOW
+    return user.reputation >= forum_settings.MIN_REP_TO_DISABLE_URL_NOFOLLOW
 
 def can_accept_answer(user, question, answer):
     return (user.is_authenticated() and
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ def can_accept_answer(user, question, answer):
 def can_reopen_question(user, question):
     return (user.is_authenticated() and
         user.id == question.author_id and
-        user.reputation >= settings.MIN_REP_TO_REOPEN_OWN_QUESTIONS) or user.is_superuser
+        user.reputation >= forum_settings.MIN_REP_TO_REOPEN_OWN_QUESTIONS) or user.is_superuser
 
 def can_delete_post(user, post):
     if user.is_superuser:
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ def can_view_user_edit(request_user, target_user):
 
 def can_upload_files(request_user):
     return (request_user.is_authenticated() and 
-            request_user.reputation >= settings.MIN_REP_TO_UPLOAD_FILES) or \
+            request_user.reputation >= forum_settings.MIN_REP_TO_UPLOAD_FILES) or \
            request_user.is_superuser
 
 ###########################################
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ def onFlaggedItem(item, post, user, timestamp=None):
     post.save()
 
     post.author.reputation = calculate_reputation(post.author.reputation,
-                           settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_DOWNVOTE)
+                           forum_settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_DOWNVOTE)
     post.author.save()
 
     question = post
@@ -174,35 +174,35 @@ def onFlaggedItem(item, post, user, timestamp=None):
         question = post.question
 
     reputation = Repute(user=post.author,
-               negative=settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_DOWNVOTE,
+               negative=forum_settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_DOWNVOTE,
                question=question, reputed_at=timestamp,
                reputation_type=-4,
                reputation=post.author.reputation)
     reputation.save()
 
     #todo: These should be updated to work on same revisions.
-    if post.offensive_flag_count ==  settings.MIN_FLAGS_TO_HIDE_POST:
+    if post.offensive_flag_count ==  forum_settings.MIN_FLAGS_TO_HIDE_POST:
         post.author.reputation = calculate_reputation(post.author.reputation,
-                        settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_THREE_FLAGS_PER_REVISION)
+                        forum_settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_THREE_FLAGS_PER_REVISION)
 
         post.author.save()
 
         reputation = Repute(user=post.author,
-               negative=settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_THREE_FLAGS_PER_REVISION,
+               negative=forum_settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_THREE_FLAGS_PER_REVISION,
                question=question,
                reputed_at=timestamp,
                reputation_type=-6,
                reputation=post.author.reputation)
         reputation.save()
 
-    elif post.offensive_flag_count == settings.MIN_FLAGS_TO_DELETE_POST:
+    elif post.offensive_flag_count == forum_settings.MIN_FLAGS_TO_DELETE_POST:
         post.author.reputation = calculate_reputation(post.author.reputation,
-                        settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_FIVE_FLAGS_PER_REVISION)
+                        forum_settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_FIVE_FLAGS_PER_REVISION)
 
         post.author.save()
 
         reputation = Repute(user=post.author,
-               negative=settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_FIVE_FLAGS_PER_REVISION,
+               negative=forum_settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_FIVE_FLAGS_PER_REVISION,
                question=question,
                reputed_at=timestamp,
                reputation_type=-7,
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ def onAnswerAccept(answer, user, timestamp=None):
 
     answer.author.reputation = calculate_reputation(
                             answer.author.reputation,
-                            settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_RECEIVING_ANSWER_ACCEPTANCE
+                            forum_settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_RECEIVING_ANSWER_ACCEPTANCE
                         )
     answer.author.save()
     reputation = Repute(user=answer.author,
@@ -244,10 +244,10 @@ def onAnswerAccept(answer, user, timestamp=None):
     reputation.save()
 
     user.reputation = calculate_reputation(user.reputation,
-                            settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_ACCEPTING_ANSWER)
+                            forum_settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_ACCEPTING_ANSWER)
     user.save()
     reputation = Repute(user=user,
-               positive=settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_ACCEPTING_ANSWER,
+               positive=forum_settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_ACCEPTING_ANSWER,
                question=answer.question,
                reputed_at=timestamp,
                reputation_type=3,
@@ -265,10 +265,10 @@ def onAnswerAcceptCanceled(answer, user, timestamp=None):
     answer.question.save()
 
     answer.author.reputation = calculate_reputation(answer.author.reputation,
-                    settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_CANCELATION_OF_ANSWER_ACCEPTANCE)
+                    forum_settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_CANCELATION_OF_ANSWER_ACCEPTANCE)
     answer.author.save()
     reputation = Repute(user=answer.author,
-           negative=settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_CANCELATION_OF_ANSWER_ACCEPTANCE,
+           negative=forum_settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_CANCELATION_OF_ANSWER_ACCEPTANCE,
            question=answer.question,
            reputed_at=timestamp,
            reputation_type=-2,
@@ -276,10 +276,10 @@ def onAnswerAcceptCanceled(answer, user, timestamp=None):
     reputation.save()
 
     user.reputation = calculate_reputation(user.reputation,
-                    settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_CANCELING_ANSWER_ACCEPTANCE)
+                    forum_settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_CANCELING_ANSWER_ACCEPTANCE)
     user.save()
     reputation = Repute(user=user,
-               negative=settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_CANCELING_ANSWER_ACCEPTANCE,
+               negative=forum_settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_CANCELING_ANSWER_ACCEPTANCE,
                question=answer.question,
                reputed_at=timestamp,
                reputation_type=-1,
@@ -299,9 +299,9 @@ def onUpVoted(vote, post, user, timestamp=None):
     if not post.wiki:
         author = post.author
         todays_rep_gain = Repute.objects.get_reputation_by_upvoted_today(author)
-        if todays_rep_gain <  settings.MAX_REP_GAIN_PER_USER_PER_DAY:
+        if todays_rep_gain <  forum_settings.MAX_REP_GAIN_PER_USER_PER_DAY:
             author.reputation = calculate_reputation(author.reputation,
-                              settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_RECEIVING_UPVOTE)
+                              forum_settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_RECEIVING_UPVOTE)
             author.save()
 
             question = post
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ def onUpVoted(vote, post, user, timestamp=None):
                 question = post.question
 
             reputation = Repute(user=author,
-                       positive=settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_RECEIVING_UPVOTE,
+                       positive=forum_settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_RECEIVING_UPVOTE,
                        question=question,
                        reputed_at=timestamp,
                        reputation_type=1,
@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ def onUpVotedCanceled(vote, post, user, timestamp=None):
     if not post.wiki:
         author = post.author
         author.reputation = calculate_reputation(author.reputation,
-                          settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_UPVOTE_CANCELATION)
+                          forum_settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_UPVOTE_CANCELATION)
         author.save()
 
         question = post
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ def onUpVotedCanceled(vote, post, user, timestamp=None):
             question = post.question
 
         reputation = Repute(user=author,
-                   negative=settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_UPVOTE_CANCELATION,
+                   negative=forum_settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_UPVOTE_CANCELATION,
                    question=question,
                    reputed_at=timestamp,
                    reputation_type=-8,
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ def onDownVoted(vote, post, user, timestamp=None):
     if not post.wiki:
         author = post.author
         author.reputation = calculate_reputation(author.reputation,
-                                        settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_DOWNVOTING)
+                                        forum_settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_DOWNVOTING)
         author.save()
 
         question = post
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ def onDownVoted(vote, post, user, timestamp=None):
             question = post.question
 
         reputation = Repute(user=author,
-                   negative=settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_DOWNVOTING,
+                   negative=forum_settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_DOWNVOTING,
                    question=question,
                    reputed_at=timestamp,
                    reputation_type=-3,
@@ -375,11 +375,11 @@ def onDownVoted(vote, post, user, timestamp=None):
         reputation.save()
 
         user.reputation = calculate_reputation(user.reputation,
-                                settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_DOWNVOTE)
+                                forum_settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_DOWNVOTE)
         user.save()
 
         reputation = Repute(user=user,
-                   negative=settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_DOWNVOTE,
+                   negative=forum_settings.REP_LOSS_FOR_RECEIVING_DOWNVOTE,
                    question=question,
                    reputed_at=timestamp,
                    reputation_type=-5,
@@ -401,7 +401,7 @@ def onDownVotedCanceled(vote, post, user, timestamp=None):
     if not post.wiki:
         author = post.author
         author.reputation = calculate_reputation(author.reputation,
-                          settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_RECEIVING_DOWNVOTE_CANCELATION)
+                          forum_settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_RECEIVING_DOWNVOTE_CANCELATION)
         author.save()
 
         question = post
@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@ def onDownVotedCanceled(vote, post, user, timestamp=None):
             question = post.question
 
         reputation = Repute(user=author,
-                   positive=settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_RECEIVING_DOWNVOTE_CANCELATION,
+                   positive=forum_settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_RECEIVING_DOWNVOTE_CANCELATION,
                    question=question,
                    reputed_at=timestamp,
                    reputation_type=4,
@@ -417,11 +417,11 @@ def onDownVotedCanceled(vote, post, user, timestamp=None):
         reputation.save()
 
         user.reputation = calculate_reputation(user.reputation,
-                        settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_CANCELING_DOWNVOTE)
+                        forum_settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_CANCELING_DOWNVOTE)
         user.save()
 
         reputation = Repute(user=user,
-                   positive=settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_CANCELING_DOWNVOTE,
+                   positive=forum_settings.REP_GAIN_FOR_CANCELING_DOWNVOTE,
                    question=question,
                    reputed_at=timestamp,
                    reputation_type=5,
diff --git a/forum/conf/__init__.py b/forum/conf/__init__.py
index 0c0c3b1a..54ea2e32 100644
--- a/forum/conf/__init__.py
+++ b/forum/conf/__init__.py
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@ import forum.conf.forum_data_rules
 import forum.conf.flatpages
 import forum.conf.site_settings
 import forum.conf.external_keys
+import forum.conf.skin_counter_settings
+import forum.conf.skin_general_settings
+import forum.conf.user_settings
 
 #import main settings object
 from forum.conf.settings_wrapper import settings
+
diff --git a/forum/conf/email.py b/forum/conf/email.py
index 702a2a67..67704fd8 100644
--- a/forum/conf/email.py
+++ b/forum/conf/email.py
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@
 Email related settings
 """
 from forum.conf.settings_wrapper import settings
-from livesettings import ConfigurationGroup, IntegerValue
+from livesettings import ConfigurationGroup, IntegerValue, BooleanValue
+from livesettings import StringValue
 from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _
 
 EMAIL = ConfigurationGroup(
@@ -19,9 +20,31 @@ settings.register(
     )
 )
 
-#todo: move email.py email_settings.py?
+settings.register(
+    BooleanValue(
+        EMAIL,
+        'EMAIL_VALIDATION',
+        default=False,
+        description=_('Require email verification before allowing to post'),
+        help_text=_('Active email verification is done by sending a verification key in email')
+    )
+)
 
-EMAIL_VALIDATION = 'off' #string - on|off
-EMAIL_UNIQUE = False
-ANONYMOUS_USER_EMAIL = 'anonymous@askbot.org'
+settings.register(
+    BooleanValue(
+        EMAIL,
+        'EMAIL_UNIQUE',
+        default=True,
+        description=_('Allow only one account per email address')
+    )
+)
 
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        EMAIL,
+        'ANONYMOUS_USER_EMAIL',
+        default='anonymous@askbot.org',
+        description=_('Fake email for anonymous user'),
+        help_text=_('Use this setting to control gravatar for email-less user')
+    )
+)
diff --git a/forum/conf/settings_wrapper.py b/forum/conf/settings_wrapper.py
index abf49e5f..d00856b6 100644
--- a/forum/conf/settings_wrapper.py
+++ b/forum/conf/settings_wrapper.py
@@ -6,9 +6,12 @@ via dotted lookup.
 
 for example to lookup value of setting BLAH you would do
 
-from forum.conf import settings
+from forum.conf import settings as forum_settings
 
-settings.BLAH
+forum_settings.BLAH
+
+NOTE that at the moment there is distinction between settings
+(django settings) and forum_settings (livesettings)
 
 the value will be taken from livesettings database or cache
 note that during compilation phase database is not accessible
diff --git a/forum/conf/skin_counter_settings.py b/forum/conf/skin_counter_settings.py
index 7f612e93..51c7e332 100644
--- a/forum/conf/skin_counter_settings.py
+++ b/forum/conf/skin_counter_settings.py
@@ -1,24 +1,251 @@
-VOTE_COUNTER_EXPECTED_MAXIMUM = 3
+"""
+Skin settings to color view, vote and answer counters
+"""
+from forum.conf.settings_wrapper import settings
+from livesettings import ConfigurationGroup, IntegerValue, StringValue
+from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _
 from forum_modules.grapefruit import Color
-COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_EMPTY_BG = 'white'
-COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_EMPTY_FG = 'gray'
-COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MIN_BG = 'white'
-COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MIN_FG = 'black'
-COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MAX_BG = '#a9d0f5'
-COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MAX_FG = Color.NewFromHtml(COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MAX_BG).DarkerColor(0.7).html
-VIEW_COUNTER_EXPECTED_MAXIMUM = 100
-COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_EMPTY_BG = 'gray'
-COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_EMPTY_FG = 'white'
-COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MIN_BG = '#D0F5A9'
-COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MIN_FG = Color.NewFromHtml(COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MIN_BG).DarkerColor(0.6).html
-COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MAX_BG = '#FF8000'#'#F7BE81'
-COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MAX_FG = Color.NewFromHtml(COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MAX_BG).DarkerColor(0.7).html
-ANSWER_COUNTER_EXPECTED_MAXIMUM = 4
-COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_EMPTY_BG = Color.NewFromHtml('#a40000').Blend(Color.NewFromHtml('white'),0.8).html
-COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_EMPTY_FG = 'yellow'
-COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MIN_BG = '#AEB404'#'#81F7F3'#'#A9D0F5'#'#045FB4'
-COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MIN_FG = 'white'#'#81F7F3'
-COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MAX_BG = Color.NewFromHtml('#61380B').Blend(Color.NewFromHtml('white'),0.75).html
-COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MAX_FG = '#ffff00'
-COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_ACCEPTED_BG = Color.NewFromHtml('darkgreen').Blend(Color.NewFromHtml('white'),0.8).html
-COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_ACCEPTED_FG = '#D0F5A9'
+
+SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS = ConfigurationGroup(
+                            'SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS',
+                            _('Skin: view, vote and answer counters')
+                        )
+
+settings.register(
+    IntegerValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'VOTE_COUNTER_EXPECTED_MAXIMUM',
+        default=3,
+        description=_('Vote counter value to give "full color"')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_EMPTY_BG',
+        default='white',
+        description=_('Background color for votes = 0'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_EMPTY_FG',
+        default='gray',
+        description=_('Foreground color for votes = 0'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MIN_BG',
+        default='white',
+        description=_('Background color for votes = 1'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MIN_FG',
+        default='black',
+        description=_('Foreground color for votes = 1'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MAX_BG',
+        default='#a9d0f5',
+        description=_('Background color for votes = MAX'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MAX_FG',
+        default=Color.NewFromHtml(
+                                settings.COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MAX_BG
+                            ).DarkerColor(0.7).html,
+        description=_('Foreground color for votes = MAX'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    IntegerValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'VIEW_COUNTER_EXPECTED_MAXIMUM',
+        default=100,
+        description=_('View counter value to give "full color"')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_EMPTY_BG',
+        default='gray',
+        description=_('Background color for views = 0'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_EMPTY_FG',
+        default='white',
+        description=_('Foreground color for views = 0'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MIN_BG',
+        default='#D0F5A9',
+        description=_('Background color for views = 1'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MIN_FG',
+        default=Color.NewFromHtml(
+                                    settings.COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MIN_BG
+                                ).DarkerColor(0.6).html,
+        description=_('Foreground color for views = 1'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MAX_BG',
+        default='#FF8000',
+        description=_('Background color for views = MAX'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MAX_FG',
+        default=Color.NewFromHtml(
+                                    settings.COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MAX_BG
+                                ).DarkerColor(0.7).html,
+        description=_('Foreground color for views = MAX'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    IntegerValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'ANSWER_COUNTER_EXPECTED_MAXIMUM',
+        default=4,
+        description=_('Answer counter value to give "full color"')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_EMPTY_BG',
+        default=Color.NewFromHtml('#a40000').Blend(
+                                Color.NewFromHtml('white'),0.8
+                            ).html,
+        description=_('Background color for answers = 0'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_EMPTY_FG',
+        default='yellow',
+        description=_('Foreground color for answers = 0'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MIN_BG',
+        default='#AEB404',
+        description=_('Background color for answers = 1'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MIN_FG',
+        default='white',
+        description=_('Foreground color for answers = 1'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MAX_BG',
+        default=Color.NewFromHtml('#61380B').Blend(
+                            Color.NewFromHtml('white'),0.75
+                                                    ).html,
+        description=_('Background color for answers = MAX'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MAX_FG',
+        default='#ffff00',
+        description=_('Foreground color for answers = MAX'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_ACCEPTED_BG',
+        default=Color.NewFromHtml('darkgreen').Blend(
+                                    Color.NewFromHtml('white'),0.8
+                                                    ).html,
+        description=_('Background color for accepted'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        SKIN_COUNTER_SETTINGS,
+        'COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_ACCEPTED_FG',
+        default='#D0F5A9',
+        description=_('Foreground color for accepted answer'),
+        help_text=_('HTML color name of hex value')
+    )
+)
diff --git a/forum/conf/skin_general_settings.py b/forum/conf/skin_general_settings.py
index 14165587..dab6e94c 100644
--- a/forum/conf/skin_general_settings.py
+++ b/forum/conf/skin_general_settings.py
@@ -1,3 +1,36 @@
-#skin settings
-RESOURCE_REVISION=4
-ASKBOT_DEFAULT_SKIN = 'default'
+"""
+General skin settings
+"""
+from forum.conf.settings_wrapper import settings
+from livesettings import ConfigurationGroup, StringValue, IntegerValue
+from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _
+from forum.skins import get_skin_choices
+
+GENERAL_SKIN_SETTINGS = ConfigurationGroup(
+                    'GENERAL_SKIN_SETTINGS',
+                    _('Skin: general settings'),
+                )
+
+settings.register(
+    StringValue(
+        GENERAL_SKIN_SETTINGS,
+        'ASKBOT_DEFAULT_SKIN',
+        default='default',
+        choices=get_skin_choices(),
+        description=_('Select skin'),
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    IntegerValue(
+        GENERAL_SKIN_SETTINGS,
+        'MEDIA_RESOURCE_REVISION',
+        default=1,
+        description=_('Skin media revision number'),
+        help_text=_(
+                    'Increment this number when you change '
+                    'image in skin media or stylesheet'
+                    )
+    )
+)
+
diff --git a/forum/conf/user_settings.py b/forum/conf/user_settings.py
index 62e7095c..1aa92d18 100644
--- a/forum/conf/user_settings.py
+++ b/forum/conf/user_settings.py
@@ -1,2 +1,29 @@
-EDITABLE_SCREEN_NAME = False#True or False - can user change screen name?
-MIN_USERNAME_LENGTH = 1
+"""
+User policy settings
+"""
+from forum.conf.settings_wrapper import settings
+from livesettings import ConfigurationGroup, BooleanValue, IntegerValue
+from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _
+
+USER_SETTINGS = ConfigurationGroup(
+                    'USER_SETTINGS',
+                    _('User policy settings')
+                )
+
+settings.register(
+    BooleanValue(
+        USER_SETTINGS,
+        'EDITABLE_SCREEN_NAME',
+        default=True,
+        description=_('Allow editing user screen name')
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    IntegerValue(
+        USER_SETTINGS,
+        'MIN_USERNAME_LENGTH',
+        default=1,
+        description=_('Minimum allowed length for screen name')
+    )
+)
diff --git a/forum/context.py b/forum/context.py
index 1cbb82ba..47fb43f2 100644
--- a/forum/context.py
+++ b/forum/context.py
@@ -13,12 +13,12 @@ def application_settings(context):
         'FORUM_PRIVACY': forum_settings.FORUM_PRIVACY,
         'GOOGLE_SITEMAP_CODE':forum_settings.GOOGLE_SITEMAP_CODE,
         'GOOGLE_ANALYTICS_KEY':forum_settings.GOOGLE_ANALYTICS_KEY,
-        'RESOURCE_REVISION':settings.RESOURCE_REVISION,
-        'ASKBOT_SKIN':settings.ASKBOT_DEFAULT_SKIN,
-        'EMAIL_VALIDATION': settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION,
+        'EMAIL_VALIDATION': forum_settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION,
+        'RESOURCE_REVISION':forum_settings.MEDIA_RESOURCE_REVISION,
+        'ASKBOT_SKIN':forum_settings.ASKBOT_DEFAULT_SKIN,
+        'EDITABLE_SCREEN_NAME':forum_settings.EDITABLE_SCREEN_NAME,
         'FORUM_SCRIPT_ALIAS': settings.FORUM_SCRIPT_ALIAS,
         'LANGUAGE_CODE': settings.LANGUAGE_CODE,
-        'EDITABLE_SCREEN_NAME':settings.EDITABLE_SCREEN_NAME,
         }
     return {'settings':my_settings}
 
diff --git a/forum/feed.py b/forum/feed.py
index 5d124eb9..94065120 100644
--- a/forum/feed.py
+++ b/forum/feed.py
@@ -13,13 +13,13 @@
 from django.contrib.syndication.feeds import Feed, FeedDoesNotExist
 from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _
 from models import Question
-from forum.conf import settings
+from forum.conf import settings as forum_settings
 class RssLastestQuestionsFeed(Feed):
-    title = settings.APP_TITLE + _(' - ')+ _('latest questions')
-    link = settings.APP_URL
-    description = settings.APP_DESCRIPTION
+    title = forum_settings.APP_TITLE + _(' - ')+ _('latest questions')
+    link = forum_settings.APP_URL
+    description = forum_settings.APP_DESCRIPTION
     #ttl = 10
-    copyright = settings.APP_COPYRIGHT
+    copyright = forum_settings.APP_COPYRIGHT
 
     def item_link(self, item):
         return self.link + item.get_absolute_url()
diff --git a/forum/forms.py b/forum/forms.py
index 52cf00cc..e69d8480 100644
--- a/forum/forms.py
+++ b/forum/forms.py
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ class EditAnswerForm(forms.Form):
 
 class EditUserForm(forms.Form):
     email = forms.EmailField(label=u'Email', help_text=_('this email does not have to be linked to gravatar'), required=True, max_length=255, widget=forms.TextInput(attrs={'size' : 35}))
-    if settings.EDITABLE_SCREEN_NAME:
+    if forum_settings.EDITABLE_SCREEN_NAME:
         username = UserNameField(label=_('Screen name'))
     realname = forms.CharField(label=_('Real name'), required=False, max_length=255, widget=forms.TextInput(attrs={'size' : 35}))
     website = forms.URLField(label=_('Website'), required=False, max_length=255, widget=forms.TextInput(attrs={'size' : 35}))
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ class EditUserForm(forms.Form):
     def __init__(self, user, *args, **kwargs):
         super(EditUserForm, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
         logging.debug('initializing the form')
-        if settings.EDITABLE_SCREEN_NAME:
+        if forum_settings.EDITABLE_SCREEN_NAME:
             self.fields['username'].initial = user.username
             self.fields['username'].user_instance = user
         self.fields['email'].initial = user.email
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ class EditUserForm(forms.Form):
         """For security reason one unique email in database"""
         if self.user.email != self.cleaned_data['email']:
             #todo dry it, there is a similar thing in openidauth
-            if settings.EMAIL_UNIQUE == True:
+            if forum_settings.EMAIL_UNIQUE == True:
                 if 'email' in self.cleaned_data:
                     try:
                         user = User.objects.get(email = self.cleaned_data['email'])
diff --git a/forum/importers/stackexchange/management/commands/load_stackexchange.py b/forum/importers/stackexchange/management/commands/load_stackexchange.py
index ee22e33a..308ac0bb 100644
--- a/forum/importers/stackexchange/management/commands/load_stackexchange.py
+++ b/forum/importers/stackexchange/management/commands/load_stackexchange.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import forum.models as askbot
 import forum.importers.stackexchange.models as se
 from forum.forms import EditUserEmailFeedsForm
 from forum.utils.html import sanitize_html
-from django.conf import settings
+from forum.conf import settings as forum_settings
 from django.contrib.auth.models import Message as DjangoMessage
 from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _
 #from markdown2 import Markdown
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ class X(object):#
     @classmethod
     def get_email(cls, email):#todo: fix fringe case - user did not give email!
         if email is None:
-            return settings.ANONYMOUS_USER_EMAIL
+            return forum_settings.ANONYMOUS_USER_EMAIL
         else:
             assert(email != '')
             return email
diff --git a/forum/middleware/anon_user.py b/forum/middleware/anon_user.py
index 2d1dcd2d..51d35fa7 100644
--- a/forum/middleware/anon_user.py
+++ b/forum/middleware/anon_user.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from forum.utils.forms import get_next_url
 from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _
 from forum.user_messages import create_message, get_and_delete_messages
 from django.core.urlresolvers import reverse
-from forum.conf import settings
+from forum.conf import settings as forum_settings
 from forum import const
 import logging
 
@@ -32,5 +32,5 @@ class ConnectToSessionMessagesMiddleware(object):
             #also set the first greeting one time per session only
             if 'greeting_set' not in request.session:
                 request.session['greeting_set'] = True
-                msg = _(const.GREETING_FOR_ANONYMOUS_USER) % settings.GREETING_URL
+                msg = _(const.GREETING_FOR_ANONYMOUS_USER) % forum_settings.GREETING_URL
                 request.user.message_set.create(message=msg)
diff --git a/forum/models/__init__.py b/forum/models/__init__.py
index 5140f9e1..024379db 100644
--- a/forum/models/__init__.py
+++ b/forum/models/__init__.py
@@ -408,8 +408,8 @@ def record_user_full_updated(instance, **kwargs):
 def post_stored_anonymous_content(sender,user,session_key,signal,*args,**kwargs):
     aq_list = AnonymousQuestion.objects.filter(session_key = session_key)
     aa_list = AnonymousAnswer.objects.filter(session_key = session_key)
-    from django.conf import settings
-    if settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION == 'on':#add user to the record
+    from forum.conf import settings as forum_settings
+    if forum_settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION == True:#add user to the record
         for aq in aq_list:
             aq.author = user
             aq.save()
diff --git a/forum/search/state_manager.py b/forum/search/state_manager.py
index ac3f7014..86cc5662 100644
--- a/forum/search/state_manager.py
+++ b/forum/search/state_manager.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #that lives in the session and takes care of the state
 #persistece during the search session
 from forum import const
-from forum.conf import settings
+from forum.conf import settings as forum_settings
 import logging
 
 ACTIVE_COMMANDS = (
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ class SearchState(object):
         self.tags = None
         self.author = None
         self.sort = const.DEFAULT_POST_SORT_METHOD
-        self.page_size = int(settings.DEFAULT_QUESTIONS_PAGE_SIZE)
+        self.page_size = int(forum_settings.DEFAULT_QUESTIONS_PAGE_SIZE)
         self.page = 1
         self.logged_in = False
         logging.debug('new search state initialized')
diff --git a/forum/skins/__init__.py b/forum/skins/__init__.py
index 10b6a340..fcb4dd59 100644
--- a/forum/skins/__init__.py
+++ b/forum/skins/__init__.py
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
-from django.conf import settings
+from forum.conf import settings as forum_settings
 from django.template import loader
 from django.template.loaders import filesystem 
 from django.http import HttpResponse
 import os.path
+import os
 import logging
 
 #module for skinning askbot
-#at this point skin can be changed only in settings file
-#via ASKBOT_DEFAULT_SKIN variable
+#via ASKBOT_DEFAULT_SKIN configureation variable (not django setting)
 
 #note - Django template loaders use method django.utils._os.safe_join
 #to work on unicode file paths
@@ -15,18 +15,28 @@ import logging
 
 def load_template_source(name, dirs=None):
     try:
-        tname = os.path.join(settings.ASKBOT_DEFAULT_SKIN,'templates',name)
+        tname = os.path.join(forum_settings.ASKBOT_DEFAULT_SKIN,'templates',name)
         return filesystem.load_template_source(tname,dirs)
     except:
         tname = os.path.join('default','templates',name)
         return filesystem.load_template_source(tname,dirs)
 load_template_source.is_usable = True
 
+def get_skin_dirs():
+    #todo: handle case of multiple skin directories
+    d = os.path.dirname
+    n = os.path.normpath
+    j = os.path.join
+    f = os.path.isfile
+    skin_dirs = []
+    skin_dirs.append( n(j(d(d(__file__)), 'skins')) )
+    return skin_dirs
+
 def find_media_source(url):
     """returns url prefixed with the skin name
     of the first skin that contains the file 
     directories are searched in this order:
-    settings.ASKBOT_DEFAULT_SKIN, then 'default', then 'commmon'
+    forum_settings.ASKBOT_DEFAULT_SKIN, then 'default', then 'commmon'
     if file is not found - returns None
     and logs an error message
     """
@@ -35,11 +45,12 @@ def find_media_source(url):
     n = os.path.normpath
     j = os.path.join
     f = os.path.isfile
-    skins = n(j(d(d(__file__)),'skins'))
+    #todo: handles case of multiple skin directories
+    skins = get_skin_dirs()[0]
     try:
-        media = os.path.join(skins, settings.ASKBOT_DEFAULT_SKIN, url)
+        media = os.path.join(skins, forum_settings.ASKBOT_DEFAULT_SKIN, url)
         assert(f(media))
-        use_skin = settings.ASKBOT_DEFAULT_SKIN
+        use_skin = forum_settings.ASKBOT_DEFAULT_SKIN
     except:
         try:
             media = j(skins, 'default', url)
@@ -55,3 +66,15 @@ def find_media_source(url):
                 use_skin = ''
                 return None
     return use_skin + '/' + url
+
+def get_skin_choices():
+    dirs = get_skin_dirs()
+    items = os.listdir(dirs[0])
+    skin_list = ['default']
+    for i in items:
+        if i == 'common':
+            continue
+        if i not in skin_list:
+            skin_list.append(i)
+
+    return [(i,i) for i in skin_list]
diff --git a/forum/skins/default/templates/ask.html b/forum/skins/default/templates/ask.html
index 4278f4cb..82828fe9 100644
--- a/forum/skins/default/templates/ask.html
+++ b/forum/skins/default/templates/ask.html
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@
 			    <p>{% trans "login to post question info" %}</p>
             </div>
             {% else %}
-                {% ifequal settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION 'on' %}
+                {% if settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION %}
                     {% if not request.user.email_isvalid %}
                         <div class="message">
                             {% blocktrans with request.user.email as email %}must have valid {{email}} to post, 
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@
                             {% endblocktrans %}
                         </div>
                     {% endif %}
-                {% endifequal %}
+                {% endif %}
 			{% endif %}
             <div class="form-item">
                 <label for="id_title" ><strong>{{ form.title.label_tag }}:</strong></label> <span class="form-error"></span><br/>
diff --git a/forum/skins/default/templates/ask_form.html b/forum/skins/default/templates/ask_form.html
index 25e9fe6c..1bb3866b 100644
--- a/forum/skins/default/templates/ask_form.html
+++ b/forum/skins/default/templates/ask_form.html
@@ -10,13 +10,13 @@
                 {% if not request.user.is_authenticated %}
                     <p>{% trans "login to post question info" %}</p>
                 {% else %}
-                    {% ifequal settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION 'on' %}
+                    {% if settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION %}
                         {% if not request.user.email_isvalid %}
                                 {% blocktrans with request.user.email as email %}must have valid {{email}} to post, 
                                 see {{email_validation_faq_url}}
                                 {% endblocktrans %}
                         {% endif %}
-                    {% endifequal %}
+                    {% endif %}
                 {% endif %}
                 <input id="id_title" class="questionTitleInput" name="title" 
                     value="{% if form.initial.title %}{{form.initial.title}}{% endif %}"/>
diff --git a/forum/skins/default/templates/faq.html b/forum/skins/default/templates/faq.html
index cc790ccc..c944240a 100644
--- a/forum/skins/default/templates/faq.html
+++ b/forum/skins/default/templates/faq.html
@@ -98,13 +98,13 @@
             </table>
         </div>
         {% comment %}
-        {% ifequal settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION 'on' %}
+        {% if settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION %}
         <div>
             <a id='validate'></a><h3 class="subtitle">{% trans "how to validate email title" %}</h3>
             <!--special case here message must contain paragraphs-->
             {% blocktrans %}how to validate email info with {{send_email_key_url}} {{gravatar_faq_url}}{% endblocktrans %}
         </div>
-        {% endifequal %}
+        {% endif %}
         {% endcomment %}
         <div>
             <a id='gravatar'></a><h3 class="subtitle">{% trans "what is gravatar" %}</h3>
diff --git a/forum/templatetags/extra_tags.py b/forum/templatetags/extra_tags.py
index 36de4ec5..39a1ded7 100644
--- a/forum/templatetags/extra_tags.py
+++ b/forum/templatetags/extra_tags.py
@@ -294,7 +294,10 @@ def media(url):
     url = skins.find_media_source(url)
     if url:
         url = '///' + settings.FORUM_SCRIPT_ALIAS + '/m/' + url
-        return posixpath.normpath(url) + '?v=%d' % settings.RESOURCE_REVISION
+        return posixpath.normpath(url) + '?v=%d' \
+                % forum_settings.MEDIA_RESOURCE_REVISION
+    else:
+        return '' #todo: raise exception here?
 
 class ItemSeparatorNode(template.Node):
     def __init__(self,separator):
@@ -374,7 +377,7 @@ class BlockMediaUrlNode(template.Node):
 
         url = skins.find_media_source(url)
         url = prefix + url
-        out = posixpath.normpath(url) + '?v=%d' % settings.RESOURCE_REVISION
+        out = posixpath.normpath(url) + '?v=%d' % forum_settings.MEDIA_RESOURCE_REVISION
         return out.replace(' ','')
 
 @register.tag(name='blockmedia')
@@ -424,39 +427,39 @@ def question_counter_widget(question):
     #background and foreground colors for each item
     (views_fg, views_bg) = colors.get_counter_colors(
                                 view_count,
-                                max = settings.VIEW_COUNTER_EXPECTED_MAXIMUM,
-                                zero_bg = settings.COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_EMPTY_BG,
-                                zero_fg = settings.COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_EMPTY_FG,
-                                min_bg = settings.COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MIN_BG,
-                                min_fg = settings.COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MIN_FG,
-                                max_bg = settings.COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MAX_BG,
-                                max_fg = settings.COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MAX_FG,
+                                max = forum_settings.VIEW_COUNTER_EXPECTED_MAXIMUM,
+                                zero_bg = forum_settings.COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_EMPTY_BG,
+                                zero_fg = forum_settings.COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_EMPTY_FG,
+                                min_bg = forum_settings.COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MIN_BG,
+                                min_fg = forum_settings.COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MIN_FG,
+                                max_bg = forum_settings.COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MAX_BG,
+                                max_fg = forum_settings.COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MAX_FG,
                             )
 
     (answers_fg, answers_bg) = colors.get_counter_colors(
                                 answer_count,
-                                max = settings.ANSWER_COUNTER_EXPECTED_MAXIMUM,
-                                zero_bg = settings.COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_EMPTY_BG,
-                                zero_fg = settings.COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_EMPTY_FG,
-                                min_bg = settings.COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MIN_BG,
-                                min_fg = settings.COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MIN_FG,
-                                max_bg = settings.COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MAX_BG,
-                                max_fg = settings.COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MAX_FG,
+                                max = forum_settings.ANSWER_COUNTER_EXPECTED_MAXIMUM,
+                                zero_bg = forum_settings.COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_EMPTY_BG,
+                                zero_fg = forum_settings.COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_EMPTY_FG,
+                                min_bg = forum_settings.COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MIN_BG,
+                                min_fg = forum_settings.COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MIN_FG,
+                                max_bg = forum_settings.COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MAX_BG,
+                                max_fg = forum_settings.COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MAX_FG,
                             )
     if answer_accepted:
         #todo: maybe recalculate the foreground color too
-        answers_bg = settings.COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_ACCEPTED_BG
-        answers_fg = settings.COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_ACCEPTED_FG
+        answers_bg = forum_settings.COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_ACCEPTED_BG
+        answers_fg = forum_settings.COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_ACCEPTED_FG
 
     (votes_fg, votes_bg) = colors.get_counter_colors(
                                 vote_count,
-                                max = settings.VOTE_COUNTER_EXPECTED_MAXIMUM,
-                                zero_bg = settings.COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_EMPTY_BG,
-                                zero_fg = settings.COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_EMPTY_FG,
-                                min_bg = settings.COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MIN_BG,
-                                min_fg = settings.COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MIN_FG,
-                                max_bg = settings.COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MAX_BG,
-                                max_fg = settings.COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MAX_FG,
+                                max = forum_settings.VOTE_COUNTER_EXPECTED_MAXIMUM,
+                                zero_bg = forum_settings.COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_EMPTY_BG,
+                                zero_fg = forum_settings.COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_EMPTY_FG,
+                                min_bg = forum_settings.COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MIN_BG,
+                                min_fg = forum_settings.COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MIN_FG,
+                                max_bg = forum_settings.COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MAX_BG,
+                                max_fg = forum_settings.COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MAX_FG,
                             )
 
     #returns a dictionary with keys like 'votes_bg', etc
diff --git a/forum/utils/forms.py b/forum/utils/forms.py
index d8d04d05..946c1fd9 100644
--- a/forum/utils/forms.py
+++ b/forum/utils/forms.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import re
 from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _
 from django.utils.safestring import mark_safe
 from django.conf import settings
+from forum.conf import settings as forum_settings
 from django.http import str_to_unicode
 from django.contrib.auth.models import User
 import logging
@@ -121,7 +122,7 @@ class UserEmailField(forms.EmailField):
         email = super(UserEmailField,self).clean(email.strip())
         if self.skip_clean:
             return email
-        if settings.EMAIL_UNIQUE == True:
+        if forum_settings.EMAIL_UNIQUE == True:
             try:
                 user = User.objects.get(email = email)
                 logging.debug('email taken')
diff --git a/forum/views/commands.py b/forum/views/commands.py
index 2905426c..4746f71d 100644
--- a/forum/views/commands.py
+++ b/forum/views/commands.py
@@ -210,7 +210,9 @@ def vote(request, id):#todo: pretty incomprehensible view used by various ajax c
                 if user.is_authenticated():
                     if user not in question.followed_by.all():
                         question.followed_by.add(user)
-                        if settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION == 'on' and user.email_isvalid == False:
+                        if forum_settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION == True \
+                            and user.email_isvalid == False:
+
                             response_data['message'] = \
                                     _('subscription saved, %(email)s needs validation, see %(details_url)s') \
                                     % {'email':user.email,'details_url':reverse('faq') + '#validate'}
diff --git a/forum/views/users.py b/forum/views/users.py
index a8b9398d..8a7ecaa6 100644
--- a/forum/views/users.py
+++ b/forum/views/users.py
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ def set_new_email(user, new_email, nomessage=False):
         user.email = new_email
         user.email_isvalid = False
         user.save()
-        #if settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION == 'on':
+        #if forum_settings.EMAIL_VALIDATION == True:
         #    send_new_email_key(user,nomessage=nomessage)    
 
 @login_required
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ def edit_user(request, id):
 
             set_new_email(user, new_email)
 
-            if settings.EDITABLE_SCREEN_NAME:
+            if forum_settings.EDITABLE_SCREEN_NAME:
                 user.username = sanitize_html(form.cleaned_data['username'])
 
             user.real_name = sanitize_html(form.cleaned_data['realname'])
diff --git a/settings_local.py.dist b/settings_local.py.dist
index 137ad6ec..a75a09c1 100755
--- a/settings_local.py.dist
+++ b/settings_local.py.dist
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 # encoding:utf-8
 import os.path
-from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _
 
 SITE_SRC_ROOT = os.path.dirname(__file__)
 LOG_FILENAME = 'askbot.log'
@@ -18,26 +17,17 @@ ADMINS = (('Forum Admin', 'forum@example.com'),)
 MANAGERS = ADMINS
 
 #DEBUG SETTINGS
-DEBUG = False
+DEBUG = True
 TEMPLATE_DEBUG = DEBUG
 INTERNAL_IPS = ('127.0.0.1',)
 
 DATABASE_NAME = ''             # Or path to database file if using sqlite3.
 DATABASE_USER = ''               # Not used with sqlite3.
 DATABASE_PASSWORD = ''               # Not used with sqlite3.
-DATABASE_ENGINE = ''  #mysql, etc
+DATABASE_ENGINE = 'mysql'  #mysql, etc
 DATABASE_HOST = ''
 DATABASE_PORT = ''
 
-#set this value to 'dummy://' if you don't want to use cache, or set up your favourite caching mechanism
-#see http://docs.djangoproject.com/en/1.1/topics/cache/ for details
-#example (set local file system cache in a cache folder in the root of the askbot install):
-#CACHE_BACKEND = 'file://%s' % os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__),'cache').replace('\\','/')
-CACHE_BACKEND = 'dummy://'
-
-#If you use memcache you may want to uncomment the following line to enable memcached based sessions
-#SESSION_ENGINE = 'django.contrib.sessions.backends.cache_db'
-
 #email server settings
 SERVER_EMAIL = ''
 DEFAULT_FROM_EMAIL = ''
@@ -48,80 +38,32 @@ EMAIL_HOST='askbot.org'
 EMAIL_PORT='25'
 EMAIL_USE_TLS=False
 
-#HACK - anonymous user email - for email-less users
-ANONYMOUS_USER_EMAIL = 'anonymous@askbot.org'
-
 #LOCALIZATIONS
 TIME_ZONE = 'America/New_York'
 
-###########################
-#
-#   this will allow running your forum with url like http://site.com/forum
-#
-#   FORUM_SCRIPT_ALIAS = 'forum/'
-#
+#this will allow running your forum with url like http://site.com/forum
+#FORUM_SCRIPT_ALIAS = 'forum/'
 FORUM_SCRIPT_ALIAS = '' #no leading slash, default = '' empty string
 
-
 #OTHER SETTINGS
-APP_TITLE = u'ASKBOT: Open Source Q&A Forum'
-APP_SHORT_NAME = u'ASKBOT'
-APP_KEYWORDS = u'ASKBOT,CNPROG,forum,community'
-APP_DESCRIPTION = u'Ask and answer questions.'
-APP_INTRO = u'<p>Ask and answer questions, make the world better!</p>'
-APP_COPYRIGHT = 'Copyright ASKBOT, 2009. Some rights reserved under creative commons license.'
-LOGIN_URL = '/%s%s%s' % (FORUM_SCRIPT_ALIAS,'account/','signin/')
-GREETING_URL = LOGIN_URL #may be url of "faq" page or "about", etc
+_ = lambda v:v
+LOGIN_URL = '/%s%s%s' % (FORUM_SCRIPT_ALIAS,_('account/'),_('signin/'))
 
 USE_I18N = True
 LANGUAGE_CODE = 'en'
-EMAIL_VALIDATION = 'off' #string - on|off
-MIN_USERNAME_LENGTH = 1
-EMAIL_UNIQUE = False
-APP_URL = 'http://askbot.org' #used by email notif system and RSS
-GOOGLE_SITEMAP_CODE = ''
-GOOGLE_ANALYTICS_KEY = ''
-WIKI_ON = True
-FEEDBACK_SITE_URL = None #None or url
-EDITABLE_SCREEN_NAME = False #True or False - can user change screen name?
-
-DJANGO_VERSION = 1.1
-RESOURCE_REVISION=4
-
-#please get these at recaptcha.net
-RECAPTCHA_PRIVATE_KEY='...'
-RECAPTCHA_PUBLIC_KEY='...'
-ASKBOT_DEFAULT_SKIN = 'default'
-
-
-#Facebook settings
-USE_FB_CONNECT=False
-FB_API_KEY='' #your api key from facebook
-FB_SECRET='' #your application secret
 
-USE_EXTERNAL_LEGACY_LOGIN = False #DO NOT USE, and do not delete this line, will be removed later
-#counter colors
-from forum_modules.grapefruit import Color
-VOTE_COUNTER_EXPECTED_MAXIMUM = 5
-COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_EMPTY_BG = 'white'
-COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_EMPTY_FG = 'gray'
-COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MIN_BG = 'white'
-COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MIN_FG = 'black'
-COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MAX_BG = '#a9d0f5'
-COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MAX_FG = Color.NewFromHtml(COLORS_VOTE_COUNTER_MAX_BG).DarkerColor(0.7).html
-VIEW_COUNTER_EXPECTED_MAXIMUM = 100
-COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_EMPTY_BG = 'gray'
-COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_EMPTY_FG = 'white'
-COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MIN_BG = '#D0F5A9'
-COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MIN_FG = Color.NewFromHtml(COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MIN_BG).DarkerColor(0.6).html
-COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MAX_BG = '#FF8000'#'#F7BE81'
-COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MAX_FG = Color.NewFromHtml(COLORS_VIEW_COUNTER_MAX_BG).DarkerColor(0.7).html
-ANSWER_COUNTER_EXPECTED_MAXIMUM = 4
-COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_EMPTY_BG = Color.NewFromHtml('#a40000').Blend(Color.NewFromHtml('white'),0.8).html
-COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_EMPTY_FG = 'yellow'
-COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MIN_BG = '#AEB404'#'#81F7F3'#'#A9D0F5'#'#045FB4'
-COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MIN_FG = 'white'#'#81F7F3'
-COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MAX_BG = Color.NewFromHtml('#61380B').Blend(Color.NewFromHtml('white'),0.75).html
-COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_MAX_FG = '#ffff00'
-COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_ACCEPTED_BG = Color.NewFromHtml('darkgreen').Blend(Color.NewFromHtml('white'),0.8).html
-COLORS_ANSWER_COUNTER_ACCEPTED_FG = '#D0F5A9'
+#Do not use these - will be phased out
+USE_EXTERNAL_LEGACY_LOGIN = False
+EXTERNAL_LEGACY_LOGIN_HOST = 'login.askbot.net'
+EXTERNAL_LEGACY_LOGIN_PORT = 80
+EXTERNAL_LEGACY_LOGIN_PROVIDER_NAME = '<span class="orange">ASKBOT</span>'
+
+#SPHINX SETTINGS
+USE_SPHINX_SEARCH = False #if True all SPHINX_* settings are required
+#also sphinx search engine and djangosphinxs app must be installed
+#sample sphinx configuration file is /sphinx/sphinx.conf
+SPHINX_API_VERSION = 0x113 #refer to djangosphinx documentation
+SPHINX_SEARCH_INDICES=('askbot',) #a tuple of index names remember about a comma after the
+#last item, especially if you have just one :)
+SPHINX_SERVER='localhost'
+SPHINX_PORT=3312