diff --git a/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBox.py b/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBox.py
index 9f30c52..32ae799 100644
--- a/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBox.py
+++ b/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBox.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python
 '''
-This is a secure fileserver with encrypted filesystem and webinterface.
+This is the web interface for a fileserver managing encrypted filesystems.
  
 It was originally written in bash/perl. Now a complete rewrite is in
 progress. So things might be confusing here. Hopefully not for long.
@@ -9,71 +9,80 @@ progress. So things might be confusing here. Hopefully not for long.
 
 import CryptoBoxLogger
 import CryptoBoxContainer
-import CryptoBoxPreferences
+import configobj			# to read and write the config file
 import re
 import os
+import sys
+import types
+
+
+CONF_LOCATIONS = [
+	"./cryptobox.conf",
+	"~/.cryptobox.conf",
+	"/etc/cryptobox/cryptobox.conf"]
 
-CONFIG_FILE = "cbx.conf"
 
 class CryptoBoxProps:
 	'''Get and set the properties of a CryptoBox
 
-	This class returns the available _and_ allowed devices, which will
-	be used further.
+	This class contains all available devices that may be accessed.
+	All properties of the cryptobox can be accessed by this class.
 	'''
 
 
-	def __init__(self):
+	def __init__(self, conf_file=None):
 		'''read config and fill class variables'''
-		print CONFIG_FILE
-		self.cbxPrefs = CryptoBoxPreferences.Preferences(CONFIG_FILE)
+		if os.geteuid() != 0:
+			sys.stderr.write("You need to be root to run this program!\n")
+			sys.exit(1)
+		if conf_file == None:
+			for f in CONF_LOCATIONS:
+				if os.path.exists(os.path.expanduser(f)):
+					conf_file = os.path.expanduser(f)
+					break
+			else:
+				sys.stderr.write("Could not find a configuration file. I give up.\n")
+				sys.exit(1)
+		try:
+			self.cbxPrefs = configobj.ConfigObj(conf_file)
+		except SyntaxError:
+			sys.stderr.write("Error during parsing of configuration file (%s).\n" % (conf_file, ))
+			sys.exit(1)
+		try:
+			nameDB_file = os.path.join(
+				self.cbxPrefs["Main"]["DataDir"],
+				self.cbxPrefs["Main"]["NameDatabase"])
+			if os.path.exists(nameDB_file):
+				self.nameDB = configobj.ConfigObj(nameDB_file, create_empty=True)
+			else:
+				self.nameDB = configobj.ConfigObj(nameDB_file)
+		except SyntaxError:
+			sys.stderr.write("Error during parsing of name database file (%s).\n" % (nameDB_file, ))
+			sys.exit(1)
+		self.__cboxUID = int(self.cbxPrefs["System"]["User"])
 		self.debug = CryptoBoxLogger.CryptoBoxLogger(
-				self.cbxPrefs["debuglevel"],
-				self.cbxPrefs["debugfacility"], 
-				self.cbxPrefs["logfile"] )
-		"TODO: move this to config file"
-		self.config = {}
-		self.config["ContainerNameDatabase"] = {
-			"4edc83f1-9ecd-4182-820f-b7815725a957":"Alpha",
-			"7dee9ef8-d69a-400b-8b74-33d828d8bea6":"Beta"}
+			self.cbxPrefs["Log"]["Level"],
+			self.cbxPrefs["Log"]["Facility"], 
+			self.cbxPrefs["Log"]["Destination"],
+			self.__cboxUID)
+		self.dropPrivileges()
+		self.debugMessage = self.debug.printMessage
 		self.containers = []
 		for device in self.__getAvailablePartitions():
 			if self.isDeviceAllowed(device):
-				self.containers.append(CryptoBoxContainer.CryptoBoxContainer(device, self, self.debug))
-
-
-	def debugMessage(self, level, text):
-		"print a debug message to the previously choosen debugging facility"
-		self.debug.printMessage(level,text)
+				self.containers.append(CryptoBoxContainer.CryptoBoxContainer(device, self))
 
 
 	def isDeviceAllowed(self, devicename):
 		"check if a device is white-listed for being used as cryptobox containers"
 		"TODO: broken!"
-		for a_dev in self.cbxPrefs["allowed_devices"]:
+		allowed = self.cbxPrefs["Main"]["AllowedDevices"]
+		if type(allowed) == types.StringType: allowed = [allowed]
+		for a_dev in allowed:
 			if a_dev and re.search('^' + a_dev, devicename):	return True
 		return False
 
 
-	def getConfigValue(self, name):
-		"returns the value of a config setting"
-		try:
-			"TODO: return copy instead of original"
-			return self.cbxPrefs[name]
-		except KeyError:
-			return None
-
-
-	def setConfigValue(self, name, value):
-		"set the value of a config setting"
-		if not name: return False
-		try:
-			self.cbxPrefs[name] = value
-		except AttributeError:
-			self.cbxPrefs = {}
-			self.cbxPrefs[name] = value
-
-
 	def getContainerList(self, filterType=None, filterName=None):
 		"retrieve the list of all containers of this cryptobox"
 		try:
@@ -83,8 +92,7 @@ class CryptoBoxProps:
 					return [e for e in self.containers if e.getType() == filterType]
 				else:
 					self.logger.debugMessage(
-						CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["info"],
-						"invalid filterType (%d)" % filterType)
+						"info", "invalid filterType (%d)" % filterType)
 					result.clear()
 			if filterName != None:
 				result = [e for e in self.containers if e.getName() == filterName]
@@ -97,14 +105,15 @@ class CryptoBoxProps:
 		"assign a name to a uuid in the ContainerNameDatabase"
 		used_uuid = self.getUUIDForName(name)
 		"first remove potential conflicting uuid/name combination"
-		if used_uuid: del self.config["ContainerNameDatabase"][used_uuid]
-		self.config["ContainerNameDatabase"][uuid] = name
+		if used_uuid: del self.nameDB[used_uuid]
+		self.nameDB[uuid] = name
+		self.nameDB.write()
 
 
 	def getNameForUUID(self, uuid):
 		"get the name belonging to a specified key (usually the UUID of a fs)"
 		try:
-			return self.config["ContainerNameDatabase"][uuid]
+			return self.nameDB[uuid]
 		except KeyError:
 			return None
 	
@@ -112,12 +121,26 @@ class CryptoBoxProps:
 	def getUUIDForName(self, name):
 		"""	get the key belonging to a value in the ContainerNameDatabase
 			this is the reverse action of 'getNameForUUID'	"""
-		for key in self.config["ContainerNameDatabase"].keys():
-			if self.config["ContainerNameDatabase"][key] == name: return key
+		for key in self.nameDB.keys():
+			if self.nameDB[key] == name: return key
 		"the uuid was not found"
 		return None
 
 
+	def dropPrivileges(self):
+		"change the effective uid to 'User' specified in section 'System'"
+		if os.getuid() != os.geteuid():
+			raise "PrivilegeManager", "we already dropped privileges"
+		os.seteuid(self.__cboxUID)
+	
+
+	def risePrivileges(self):
+		"regain superuser privileges temporarily - call dropPrivileges afterwards!"
+		if os.getuid() == os.geteuid():
+			raise "PrivilegeManager", "we already have superuser privileges"
+		os.seteuid(os.getuid())
+		
+
 	""" ************ internal stuff starts here *********** """
 
 	def __getAvailablePartitions(self):
@@ -151,9 +174,7 @@ class CryptoBoxProps:
 				fpart.close()
 			return [self.__getAbsoluteDeviceName(e) for e in ret_list]
 		except IOError:
-			self.debugMessage(
-				"Could not read /proc/partitions",
-				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"])
+			self.debugMessage("Could not read /proc/partitions", "warn")
 			return []
 
 
@@ -217,12 +238,3 @@ class CryptoBoxProps:
 			return []
 
 
-	def __csv2list(self, csvstring):
-		'''transform a csv preferences string into a list'''
-		commalist = csvstring.split(",") # split the csv by ","
-		list = []
-		for element in commalist:
-			list.append(element.strip()) # remove whitespaces
-		return list
-
-
diff --git a/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxContainer.py b/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxContainer.py
index e3e3d6e..f295dc9 100644
--- a/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxContainer.py
+++ b/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxContainer.py
@@ -5,10 +5,11 @@ import re
 
 """exceptions:
 	VolumeIsActive
-	InvalidName
 	NameActivelyUsed
+	InvalidName
 	InvalidPassword
 	InvalidType
+	CreateError
 	MountError
 	ChangePasswordError
 	"""
@@ -39,10 +40,12 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 	__dmDir = "/dev/mapper"
 
 
-	def __init__(self, device, cbox, logger):
+	def __init__(self, device, cbox):
 		self.device = device
-		self.logger = logger
 		self.cbox = cbox
+		self.debugMessage = self.cbox.debugMessage
+		self.__dropPrivileges = self.cbox.dropPrivileges
+		self.__risePrivileges = self.cbox.risePrivileges
 		self.__resetObject()
 
 
@@ -55,7 +58,7 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 		if new_name == self.name: return
 		if self.isMounted():
 			raise "VolumeIsActive", "the container must be inactive during renaming"
-		if not re.search(r'^[a-zA-Z0-9_\.\- ]$', new_name):
+		if not re.search(r'^[a-zA-Z0-9_\.\- ]+$', new_name):
 			raise "InvalidName", "the supplied new name contains illegal characters"
 		"check for active partitions with the same name"
 		prev_name_owner = self.cbox.getContainerList(filterName=new_name)
@@ -107,12 +110,13 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 		try:
 			devnull = open(os.devnull, "w")
 		except IOError:
-			self.logger.printMessage(
+			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"Could not open %s" % (os.devnull, ))
 		"remove any potential open luks mapping"
 		self.__umountLuks()
 		"create the luks header"
+		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = subprocess.PIPE,
@@ -124,12 +128,11 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				"luksAddKey",
 				self.device])
 		proc.stdin.write("%s\n%s" % (oldpw, newpw))
+		self.__dropPrivileges()
 		(output, errout) = proc.communicate()
 		if proc.returncode != 0:
 			errorMsg = "Could not add a new luks key: %s - %s" % (output.strip(), errout.strip(), )
-			self.logger.printMessage(
-				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["error"],
-				errorMsg)
+			self.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["error"], errorMsg)
 			raise "ChangePasswordError", errorMsg
 		keys_found = re.search(r'key slot (\d{1,3}) unlocked', output).groups()
 		if keys_found:
@@ -137,6 +140,7 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 		else:
 			raise "ChangePasswordError", "could not get the old key slot"
 		"remove the old key"
+		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = None,
@@ -149,11 +153,10 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				self.device,
 				"%d" % (keyslot, )])
 		proc.wait()
+		self.__dropPrivileges()
 		if proc.returncode != 0:
 			errorMsg = "Could not remove the old luks key: %s" % (proc.stderr.read().strip(), )
-			self.logger.printMessage(
-				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["error"],
-				errorMsg)
+			self.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["error"], errorMsg)
 			raise "ChangePasswordError", errorMsg
 		
 
@@ -179,7 +182,7 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 		def_name = self.cbox.getNameForUUID(self.uuid)
 		if def_name: return def_name
 		"there is no name defined for this uuid - we will propose a good one"
-		prefix = self.cbox.getConfigValue("DefaultNamePrefix")
+		prefix = self.cbox.cbxPrefs["Main"]["DefaultVolumePrefix"]
 		unused_found = False
 		counter = 1
 		while not unused_found:
@@ -198,9 +201,10 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 		try:
 			devnull = open(os.devnull, "w")
 		except IOError:
-			self.logger.printMessage(
+			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"Could not open %s" % (os.devnull, ))
+		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell=False,
 			stdin=None,
@@ -213,12 +217,13 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				"-w", os.devnull,
 				self.device])
 		proc.wait()
+		result = proc.stdout.read().strip()
+		self.__dropPrivileges()
 		if proc.returncode != 0:
-			self.logger.printMessage(
+			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"retrieving of partition type via 'blkid' failed: %s" % (proc.stderr.read().strip(), ))
 			return None
-		result = proc.stdout.read().strip()
 		devnull.close()
 		if result: return result
 		return self.device.replace(os.path.sep, "_")
@@ -241,9 +246,10 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 		try:
 			devnull = open(os.devnull, "w")
 		except IOError:
-			self.logger.printMessage(
+			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"Could not open %s" % (os.devnull, ))
+		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell=False,
 			stdin=None,
@@ -256,12 +262,13 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				"-w", os.devnull,
 				self.device])
 		proc.wait()
+		output = proc.stdout.read().strip()
+		self.__dropPrivileges()
 		if proc.returncode != 0:
-			self.logger.printMessage(
+			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"retrieving of partition type via 'blkid' failed: %s" % (proc.stderr.read().strip(), ))
 			return None
-		output = proc.stdout.read().strip()
 		devnull.close()
 		return output
 
@@ -272,9 +279,10 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 		try:
 			devnull = open(os.devnull, "w")
 		except IOError:
-			self.logger.printMessage(
+			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"Could not open %s" % (os.devnull, ))
+		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = None,
@@ -286,13 +294,14 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				"isLuks",
 				self.device])
 		proc.wait()
+		self.__dropPrivileges()
 		devnull.close()
 		return proc.returncode == 0
 
 
 	def __getMountPoint(self):
 		"return the name of the mountpoint of this volume"
-		return os.path.join(self.cbox.getConfigValue("MountParent"), self.name)
+		return os.path.join(self.cbox.cbxPrefs["System"]["MountParentDir"], self.name)
 
 
 	def __mountLuks(self, password):
@@ -304,9 +313,17 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 		try:
 			devnull = open(os.devnull, "w")
 		except IOError:
-			self.logger.printMessage(
+			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"Could not open %s" % (os.devnull, ))
+		self.__cleanMountDirs()
+		if not os.path.exists(self.__getMountPoint()):
+			os.mkdir(self.__getMountPoint())
+		if not os.path.exists(self.__getMountPoint()):
+			errorMsg = "Could not create mountpoint (%s)" % (self.__getMountPoint(), )
+			self.debugMessage("error", errorMsg)
+			raise "MountError", errorMsg
+		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = subprocess.PIPE,
@@ -320,27 +337,26 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				self.name])
 		proc.stdin.write(password)
 		(output, errout) = proc.communicate()
+		self.__dropPrivileges()
 		if proc.returncode != 0:
 			errorMsg = "Could not open the luks mapping: %s" % (errout.strip(), )
-			self.logger.printMessage(
-				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
-				errorMsg)
+			self.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"], errorMsg)
 			raise "MountError", errorMsg
+		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = None,
 			stdout = devnull,
-			stderr = devnull,
+			stderr = subprocess.PIPE,
 			args = [
 				self.Progs["mount"],
 				os.path.join(self.__dmDir, self.name),
 				self.__getMountPoint()])
 		proc.wait()
+		self.__dropPrivileges()
 		if proc.returncode != 0:
 			errorMsg = "Could not mount the filesystem: %s" % (proc.stderr.read().strip(), )
-			self.logger.printMessage(
-				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
-				errorMsg)
+			self.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"], errorMsg)
 			raise "MountError", errorMsg
 		devnull.close()
 
@@ -351,24 +367,25 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 		try:
 			devnull = open(os.devnull, "w")
 		except IOError:
-			self.logger.printMessage(
+			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"Could not open %s" % (os.devnull, ))
 		if self.isMounted():
+			self.__risePrivileges()
 			proc = subprocess.Popen(
 				shell = False,
 				stdin = None,
 				stdout = devnull,
-				stderr = devnull,
+				stderr = subprocess.PIPE,
 				args = [self.Progs["umount"], "-l", self.__getMountPoint()])
 			proc.wait()
+			self.__dropPrivileges()
 			if proc.returncode != 0:
 				errorMsg = "Could not umount the filesystem: %s" % (proc.stderr.read().strip(), )
-				self.logger.printMessage(
-					CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
-					errorMsg)
+				self.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"], errorMsg)
 				raise "MountError", errorMsg
 		if os.path.exists(os.path.join(self.__dmDir, self.name)):
+			self.__risePrivileges()
 			proc = subprocess.Popen(
 				shell = False,
 				stdin = None,
@@ -380,27 +397,32 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 					"luksClose",
 					self.name])
 			proc.wait()
+			self.__dropPrivileges()
 			if proc.returncode != 0:
 				errorMsg = "Could not remove the luks mapping: %s" % (proc.stderr.read().strip(), )
-				self.logger.printMessage(
-					CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
-					errorMsg)
+				self.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"], errorMsg)
 				raise "MountError", errorMsg
 		devnull.close()
 
 
 	def __mountPlain(self):
 		"mount a plaintext partition"
+		if self.isMounted(): raise "VolumeIsActive", "this container is already active"
 		devnull = None
 		try:
 			devnull = open(os.devnull, "w")
 		except IOError:
-			self.logger.printMessage(
+			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"Could not open %s" % (os.devnull, ))
 		self.__cleanMountDirs()
 		if not os.path.exists(self.__getMountPoint()):
 			os.mkdir(self.__getMountPoint())
+		if not os.path.exists(self.__getMountPoint()):
+			errorMsg = "Could not create mountpoint (%s)" % (self.__getMountPoint(), )
+			self.debugMessage("error", errorMsg)
+			raise "MountError", errorMsg
+		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = None,
@@ -411,11 +433,10 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				self.device,
 				self.__getMountPoint()])
 		proc.wait()
+		self.__dropPrivileges()
 		if proc.returncode != 0:
 			errorMsg = "Could not mount the filesystem: %s" % (proc.stderr.read().strip(), )
-			self.logger.printMessage(
-				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
-				errorMsg)
+			self.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"], errorMsg)
 			raise "MountError", errorMsg
 		devnull.close()
 
@@ -426,25 +447,26 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 		try:
 			devnull = open(os.devnull, "w")
 		except IOError:
-			self.logger.printMessage(
+			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"Could not open %s" % (os.devnull, ))
-		proc = subprocess.Popen(
-			shell = False,
-			stdin = None,
-			stdout = devnull,
-			stderr = subprocess.PIPE,
-			args = [
-				self.Progs["umount"],
-				"-l",
-				self.__getMountPoint()])
-		proc.wait()
-		if proc.returncode != 0:
-			errorMsg = "Could not umount the filesystem: %s" % (proc.stderr.read().strip(), )
-			self.logger.printMessage(
-				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
-				errorMsg)
-			raise "MountError", errorMsg
+		if self.isMounted():
+			self.__risePrivileges()
+			proc = subprocess.Popen(
+				shell = False,
+				stdin = None,
+				stdout = devnull,
+				stderr = subprocess.PIPE,
+				args = [
+					self.Progs["umount"],
+					"-l",
+					self.__getMountPoint()])
+			proc.wait()
+			self.__dropPrivileges()
+			if proc.returncode != 0:
+				errorMsg = "Could not umount the filesystem: %s" % (proc.stderr.read().strip(), )
+				self.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"], errorMsg)
+				raise "MountError", errorMsg
 		devnull.close()
 	
 
@@ -457,9 +479,10 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 		try:
 			devnull = open(os.devnull, "w")
 		except IOError:
-			self.logger.printMessage(
+			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"Could not open %s" % (os.devnull, ))
+		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = None,
@@ -469,11 +492,10 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				self.Progs["mkfs-data"],
 				self.device])
 		proc.wait()
+		self.__dropPrivileges()
 		if proc.returncode != 0:
 			errorMsg = "Could not create the filesystem: %s" % (proc.stderr.read().strip(), )
-			self.logger.printMessage(
-				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["error"],
-				errorMsg)
+			self.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["error"], errorMsg)
 			raise "CreateError", errorMsg
 		devnull.close()
 
@@ -489,12 +511,13 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 		try:
 			devnull = open(os.devnull, "w")
 		except IOError:
-			self.logger.printMessage(
+			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"Could not open %s" % (os.devnull, ))
 		"remove any potential open luks mapping"
 		self.__umountLuks()
 		"create the luks header"
+		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = subprocess.PIPE,
@@ -503,19 +526,19 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 			args = [
 				self.Progs["cryptsetup"],
 				"--batch-mode",
-				"--cipher", self.cbox.getConfigValue("DefaultCipher"),
+				"--cipher", self.cbox.cbxPrefs["System"]["DefaultCipher"],
 				"--iter-time", "2000",
 				"luksFormat",
 				self.device])
 		proc.stdin.write(password)
 		(output, errout) = proc.communicate()
+		self.__dropPrivileges()
 		if proc.returncode != 0:
 			errorMsg = "Could not create the luks header: %s" % (errout.strip(), )
-			self.logger.printMessage(
-				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["error"],
-				errorMsg)
+			self.debugMessage("error", errorMsg)
 			raise "CreateError", errorMsg
 		"open the luks container for mkfs"
+		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = subprocess.PIPE,
@@ -529,29 +552,28 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				self.name])
 		proc.stdin.write(password)
 		(output, errout) = proc.communicate()
+		self.__dropPrivileges()
 		if proc.returncode != 0:
 			errorMsg = "Could not open the new luks mapping: %s" % (errout.strip(), )
-			self.logger.printMessage(
-				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["error"],
-				errorMsg)
+			self.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["error"], errorMsg)
 			raise "CreateError", errorMsg
 		"make the filesystem"
+		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = None,
 			stdout = devnull,
-			stderr = devnull,
+			stderr = subprocess.PIPE,
 			args = [
 				self.Progs["mkfs-data"],
 				os.path.join(self.__dmDir, self.name)])
 		proc.wait()
+		self.__dropPrivileges()
 		"remove the mapping - for every exit status"
 		self.__umountLuks()
 		if proc.returncode != 0:
 			errorMsg = "Could not create the filesystem: %s" % (proc.stderr.read().strip(), )
-			self.logger.printMessage(
-				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["error"],
-				errorMsg)
+			self.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["error"], errorMsg)
 			"remove the luks mapping"
 			raise "CreateError", errorMsg
 		devnull.close()
@@ -560,9 +582,9 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 	def __cleanMountDirs(self):
 		"""	remove all unnecessary subdirs of the mount parent directory
 			this should be called for every (u)mount	"""
-		subdirs = os.listdir(self.cbox.getConfigValue("MountParent"))
+		subdirs = os.listdir(self.cbox.cbxPrefs["System"]["MountParentDir"])
 		for dir in subdirs:
-			abs_dir = os.path.join(self.cbox.getConfigValue("MountParent"), dir)
+			abs_dir = os.path.join(self.cbox.cbxPrefs["System"]["MountParentDir"], dir)
 			if (not os.path.islink(abs_dir)) and os.path.isdir(abs_dir) and (not os.path.ismount(abs_dir)): os.rmdir(abs_dir)
 
 
diff --git a/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxLogger.py b/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxLogger.py
index 90268bc..0e9481e 100644
--- a/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxLogger.py
+++ b/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxLogger.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 manages logging events of the CryptoBox
 '''
 import sys
+import os
 
 class CryptoBoxLogger:
 	'''
@@ -11,9 +12,17 @@ class CryptoBoxLogger:
 	DebugLevels	= {"debug":0, "info":3, "warn":6, "error":9}
 	DebugFacilities	= {"file":0}
 
-	def __init__(self, level, facility, name=None):
-		self.debug_level = int(level)
-		if int(facility) == self.DebugFacilities["file"]:
+	def __init__(self, level, facility, name=None, user=None):
+		try:
+			facility = int(facility)
+		except ValueError:
+			facility = self.DebugFacilities[facility]
+		try:
+			level = int(level)
+		except ValueError:
+			level = self.DebugLevels[level]
+		self.debug_level = level
+		if facility == self.DebugFacilities["file"]:
 			self.logFunc = self.message2file
 			if name is not None:
 				self.logFile = name
@@ -22,6 +31,12 @@ class CryptoBoxLogger:
 			try:
 				fsock = open(self.logFile, "a")
 				fsock.close()
+				# TODO: check before, if this file was owned
+				# by someone else than the cryptobox user - in this case,
+				# we may not chown it - very baaaad!
+				"change ownership of log file"
+				if user != None:
+					os.chown(self.logFile, user, os.getegid())
 				return
 			except IOError:
 				sys.stderr.write("Unable to open logfile (%s) for writing.\n" % (self.logFile, ))
@@ -32,8 +47,13 @@ class CryptoBoxLogger:
 		sys.exit(1)
 
 
-	def printMessage(self, text, msg_level=None):
+	def printMessage(self, msg_level, text):
 		if msg_level is None:	msg_level = self.DebugLevels["debug"]
+		"convert debuglevel from string to int, if necessary"
+		try:
+			msg_level = int(msg_level)
+		except ValueError:
+			msg_level = self.DebugLevels[msg_level]
 		if msg_level >= self.debug_level:
 			self.logFunc("[CryptoBox] - %s\n" % (text, ))
 	
diff --git a/pythonrewrite/bin2/cbx.conf b/pythonrewrite/bin2/cbx.conf
deleted file mode 100644
index 9541290..0000000
--- a/pythonrewrite/bin2/cbx.conf
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-[Main]
-allowed_devices = /dev/loop
-defaultcipher = aes-cbc-essiv:sha256
-defaultnameprefix = "Data "
-mountparent = /var/cache/cryptobox/mnt
-debugfacility = 0
-debuglevel = 0
-logfile = cbox.log
-
diff --git a/pythonrewrite/bin2/cryptobox.conf b/pythonrewrite/bin2/cryptobox.conf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..87b4a9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pythonrewrite/bin2/cryptobox.conf
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+[Main]
+
+# comma separated list of possible prefixes for accesible devices
+# beware: .e.g "/dev/hd" grants access to _all_ harddisks
+AllowedDevices	= /dev/loop
+
+# the default prefix of not yet named containers
+
+DefaultVolumePrefix	 = "Data "
+
+# where should we put the local configuration and the mountpoints?
+# this directory must be accessible by the cryptobox user (see below)
+#DataDir			= /var/cache/cryptobox
+DataDir			= .
+
+# the name-database file - inside of DataDir
+NameDatabase	= cryptobox_names.db
+
+
+[System]
+# most actions of the cryptobox are not executed as root - choose a limited
+# user here - for now only numeric ids are allowed
+User			= 1000
+
+# where should we mount volumes?
+# this directory must be writeable by the cryptobox user (see above)
+MountParentDir	= /var/cache/cryptobox/mnt
+
+# which cipher should cryptsetup-luks use?
+DefaultCipher	= aes-cbc-essiv:sha256
+
+
+[Log]
+# possible values are "debug", "info", "warn" and "error" or numbers from
+# 0 (debug) to 9 (error)
+Level		= debug
+
+# where to write the log messages to?
+# possible values are: file
+# syslog support will be added later
+Facility	= file
+
+# depending on the choosen facility (see above) you may select a
+# destination. Possible values for the different facilities are:
+#  file:	$FILENAME
+#  syslog:	$LOG_FACILITY
+# The log file will get created as root and then handed over to the
+# cryptobox user 8see above)
+#Destination	= /var/log/cryptobox.log
+Destination	= ./cryptobox.log
+
diff --git a/pythonrewrite/bin2/test.py b/pythonrewrite/bin2/test.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b591f92
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pythonrewrite/bin2/test.py
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+"""
+BEWARE: this script may overwrite the data of one of your loop devices. You
+should restrict the AllowedDevices directive in cryptobox.conf to exclude
+your precious black devices from being used by this script.
+
+the following script runs a number of tests for different parts 
+"""
+
+from CryptoBox import CryptoBoxProps
+from CryptoBoxContainer import CryptoBoxContainer
+import sys
+
+
+def main():
+	cb = CryptoBoxProps()
+
+	print "Confguration:"
+	print "\tConfig file:\t\t%s" % (cb.cbxPrefs.filename, )
+	print "\tAllowed devices:\t%s" % (cb.cbxPrefs["Main"]["AllowedDevices"], )
+
+	"""for e in cb.getContainerList(filterType=CryptoBoxContainer.Types["luks"]):"""
+	for e in cb.getContainerList():
+		print "\t\t%d\t\t%s - %s - %d" % (cb.getContainerList().index(e), e.getDevice(), e.getName(), e.getType())
+
+	if not cb.getContainerList():
+		print "no loop devices found for testing"
+		sys.exit(1)
+
+	if len(cb.getContainerList()) > 1:
+		print "I found more than one available loop device - I will stop now to avoid risking data loss."
+		print "Please change the 'AllowedDevices' setting in 'cryptobox.conf' to reduce the number of allowed devices to only one."
+		sys.exit(1)
+
+	testElement = cb.getContainerList()[0]
+	print "\nRunning some tests now ..."
+	if not luke_tests(testElement):
+		print "some previous tests failed - we should stop now"
+		sys.exit(1)
+	plain_tests(testElement)
+
+
+" ***************** some functions ******************** "
+
+def luke_tests(e):
+	e.create(e.Types["luks"], "alt")
+	print "\tluks create:\tok"
+
+	e.changePassword("alt","neu")
+	print "\tluks changepw:\tok"
+
+	e.setName("lalla")
+	print "\tluks setName:\tok"
+
+	try:
+		e.mount("neu")
+	except "MountError":
+		pass
+	if e.isMounted():	print "\tluks mount:\tok"
+	else:				print "\tluks mount:\tfailed"
+
+	try:
+		e.umount()
+	except "MountError":
+		pass
+	if e.isMounted():	print "\tluks umount:\tfailed"
+	else:				print "\tluks umount:\tok"
+
+	if e.isMounted(): return False
+	else: return True
+
+
+def	plain_tests(e):
+	e.create(e.Types["plain"])
+	print "\tplain create:\tok"
+
+	e.setName("plain-lili")
+	print "\tplain setName:\tok"
+
+	try:
+		e.mount()
+	except "MountError":
+		pass
+	if e.isMounted():	print "\tplain mount:\tok"
+	else:				print "\tplain mount:\tfailed"
+
+	try:
+		e.umount()
+	except "MountError":
+		pass
+	if e.isMounted():	print "\tplain umount:\tfailed"
+	else:				print "\tplain umount:\tok"
+
+main()