diff --git a/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBox.py b/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBox.py
index 4272aed..add05ee 100644
--- a/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBox.py
+++ b/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBox.py
@@ -15,27 +15,35 @@ import os
 import sys
 import unittest
 
-CONF_LOCATIONS = [ "./cryptobox.conf", "~/.cryptobox.conf", "/etc/cryptobox/cryptobox.conf"]
+CONF_LOCATIONS = [
+	"./cryptobox.conf",
+	"~/.cryptobox.conf",
+	"/etc/cryptobox/cryptobox.conf"]
+
 
 class CryptoBox:
 	'''this class rules them all!
 
 	put things like logging, conf and oter stuff in here,
 	that might be used by more classes, it will be passed on to them'''
-	def __init__(self):
+	def __init__(self, config_file=None):
 		self.__initLogging()
-		self.__initPreferences()
+		self.__initPreferences(config_file)
+
 
 	def __initLogging(self):	
 		import logging
+		# RFC: this import should be at the top of the file - or at least (for clarity) be there in a comment line [l]
 		'''initialises the logging system
 		
 		use it with: 'self.log.[debug|info|warning|error|critical](logmessage)'
 		from all classes the inherited from CryptoBox
 
-		TODO: read the logfile from the config - this is a hen-egg problem
+		TODO/RFC: read the logfile from the config - this is a hen-egg problem
 		i would prefer start logging to stdout, read the config and redirect
-		logging to the logfile found in the config [a] '''
+		logging to the logfile found in the config [a]
+		
+		[l]: ok'''
 		## basicConfig(...) needs python >= 2.4
 		try:
 			logging.basicConfig(level=logging.DEBUG,
@@ -49,22 +57,35 @@ class CryptoBox:
 			sys.stderr.write("Something with the loggingsystem went wrong. I give up.")
 			sys.exit(1)
 
-	def __initPreferences(self):
-		try:
-			import configobj ## needed for reading and writing the config file
-		except:
-			self.log.error("Could't import 'configobj'! Try apt-get install python-configobj.")
-			sys.exit(1)
 
-		for f in CONF_LOCATIONS:
-			if os.path.exists(os.path.expanduser(f)):
-				conf_file = os.path.expanduser(f)
-				break
+	def __initPreferences(self, config_file):
+		# RFC: this try-except should happen at the top of the script - or? [l]
+		try:
+			import configobj	## needed for reading and writing of the config file
+		except:
+			self.log.error("Could't import 'configobj'! Try 'apt-get install python-configobj'.")
+			sys.exit(1)
+		# search for the configuration file
+		if config_file is None:
+			# no config file was specified - we will look for it in the ususal locations
+			conf_file_list = [os.path.expanduser(f)
+				for f in CONF_LOCATIONS
+				if os.path.exists(os.path.expanduser(f))]
+			if not conf_file_list:
+				# no possible config file found in the usual locations
+				self.log.error("No configuration file found - sorry!")
+				sys.exit(1)
+			config_file = conf_file_list[0]
+		else:
+			# a config file was specified (e.g. via command line)
+			if not os.path.exists(config_file):
+				self.log.error("Could not find the specified configuration file (%s)" % config_file)
+				sys.exit(1)
 		try:
 			self.cbxPrefs = configobj.ConfigObj(conf_file)
 			self.log.debug("found config: %s" % self.cbxPrefs.items())
 		except:
-			self.log.error("Could not read configuration file. I give up.\n")
+			self.log.error("Could not read configuration file. I give up.")
 			sys.exit(1)
 		try:
 			nameDB_file = os.path.join(
@@ -77,11 +98,16 @@ class CryptoBox:
 		except SyntaxError:
 			self.log.error("Error during parsing of name database file (%s).\n" % (nameDB_file, ))
 			sys.exit(1)
+		# TODO: check if nameDB file was created successfully?
 
+
+	# RFC: what is this method useful for?
 	def cbx_inheritance_test(self):
 		print "you lucky widow"
 
 
+# RFC: why should CryptoBoxProps inherit CryptoBox? [l]
+# RFC: shouldn't we move all useful functions of CryptoBoxProps to CryptoBox? [l]
 class CryptoBoxProps(CryptoBox):
 	'''Get and set the properties of a CryptoBox
 
@@ -91,23 +117,16 @@ class CryptoBoxProps(CryptoBox):
 
 	def __init__(self):
 		'''read config and fill class variables'''
-		"enable it again - or remove the priv-dropping"
-		#if os.geteuid() != 0:
-		#	sys.stderr.write("You need to be root to run this program!\n")
-		#	sys.exit(1)
 		CryptoBox.__init__(self)
 
 		#self.cbx_inheritance_test()
 		#print self.cbxPrefs.items()
 		####
 
-		self.__cboxUID = int(self.cbxPrefs["System"]["User"])
-		self.__cboxGID = int(self.cbxPrefs["System"]["Group"])
 		self.debug = CryptoBoxLogger.CryptoBoxLogger(
 			self.cbxPrefs["Log"]["Level"],
 			self.cbxPrefs["Log"]["Facility"], 
 			self.cbxPrefs["Log"]["Destination"])
-		self.dropPrivileges()
 		self.debugMessage = self.debug.printMessage
 		self.containers = []
 		for device in self.__getAvailablePartitions():
@@ -116,7 +135,6 @@ class CryptoBoxProps(CryptoBox):
 
 	def isDeviceAllowed(self, devicename):
 		"check if a device is white-listed for being used as cryptobox containers"
-		"TODO: broken!"
 		allowed = self.cbxPrefs["Main"]["AllowedDevices"]
 		if type(allowed) == types.StringType: allowed = [allowed]
 		for a_dev in allowed:
@@ -170,24 +188,6 @@ class CryptoBoxProps(CryptoBox):
 		return None
 
 
-	def dropPrivileges(self):
-		"change the effective uid to 'User' specified in section 'System'"
-		"enable it again - or remove the priv-dropping"
-		#if os.getuid() != os.geteuid():
-		#	raise "PrivilegeManager", "we already dropped privileges"
-		os.seteuid(self.__cboxUID)
-		os.setegid(self.__cboxGID)
-	
-
-	def risePrivileges(self):
-		"regain superuser privileges temporarily - call dropPrivileges afterwards!"
-		"enable it again - or remove the priv-dropping"
-		#if os.getuid() == os.geteuid():
-		#	raise "PrivilegeManager", "we already have superuser privileges"
-		os.seteuid(os.getuid())
-		os.setegid(os.getgid())
-		
-
 	""" ************ internal stuff starts here *********** """
 
 	def __getAvailablePartitions(self):
@@ -310,6 +310,9 @@ DefaultCipher   = aes-cbc-essiv:sha256
 Level           = debug
 Facility        = file
 Destination     = /tmp/cryptobox.log
+[Programs]
+blkid			= /sbin/blkid
+cryptsetup		= /sbin/cryptsetup
 """
 	
 	def setUp(self):
@@ -318,19 +321,21 @@ Destination     = /tmp/cryptobox.log
 
 
 	def tearDown(self):
-		if os.path.exists(self.tmpdir): os.rmdir(self.tmpdir)
 		if os.path.exists(self.configFile): os.remove(self.configFile)
 		if os.path.exists(self.logFile): os.remove(self.logFile)
 		if os.path.exists(self.nameDBFile): os.remove(self.nameDBFile)
+		if os.path.exists(self.tmpdir): os.rmdir(self.tmpdir)
 	
 
 	def testConfigFile(self):
+		# RFC: which 'age' did a commit with a broken unittest? [l]
 		CryptoBoxProps()
 		self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(self.nameDBFile))
 		self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(self.logFile))
 	
 
 	def testDeviceCheck(self):
+		# RFC: dito [l]
 		cb = CryptoBoxProps()
 		self.assertTrue(cb.isDeviceAllowed("/dev/loop"))
 		self.assertTrue(cb.isDeviceAllowed("/dev/loop1"))
@@ -339,10 +344,10 @@ Destination     = /tmp/cryptobox.log
 		self.assertFalse(cb.isDeviceAllowed("/dev/loopa/../hda"))
 		self.assertTrue(cb.isDeviceAllowed("/dev/usb/../loop1"))
 		self.assertFalse(cb.isDeviceAllowed("/"))
-	
-	"a lot of tests are still missing - how can we provide a prepared environment?"
+		
+		"a lot of tests are still missing - how can we provide a prepared environment?"
 
-# ********************* run unittest ****************************
+	# ********************* run unittest ****************************
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
 	unittest.main()
diff --git a/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxContainer.py b/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxContainer.py
index 08bdc69..818884f 100644
--- a/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxContainer.py
+++ b/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxContainer.py
@@ -19,15 +19,6 @@ import re
 
 class CryptoBoxContainer:
 
-	Progs = {
-		"cryptsetup":"/sbin/cryptsetup",
-		"mkfs-data":"/sbin/mkfs.ext3",
-		"mkfs-config":"/sbin/mkfs.ext2",
-		"blkid":"/sbin/blkid",
-		"mount":"/bin/mount",
-		"umount":"/bin/umount"}
-	
-
 	Types = {
 		"unused":0,
 		"plain":1,
@@ -47,8 +38,7 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 		self.device = device
 		self.cbox = cbox
 		self.debugMessage = self.cbox.debugMessage
-		self.__dropPrivileges = self.cbox.dropPrivileges
-		self.__risePrivileges = self.cbox.risePrivileges
+		self.Progs = self.cbox.cbxPrefs["Programs"]
 		self.__resetObject()
 
 
@@ -119,7 +109,6 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 		"remove any potential open luks mapping"
 		self.__umountLuks()
 		"create the luks header"
-		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = subprocess.PIPE,
@@ -131,7 +120,6 @@ 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(), )
@@ -143,7 +131,6 @@ 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,
@@ -156,7 +143,6 @@ 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.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["error"], errorMsg)
@@ -207,7 +193,6 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"Could not open %s" % (os.devnull, ))
-		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell=False,
 			stdin=None,
@@ -221,7 +206,6 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				self.device])
 		proc.wait()
 		result = proc.stdout.read().strip()
-		self.__dropPrivileges()
 		if proc.returncode != 0:
 			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
@@ -252,7 +236,6 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"Could not open %s" % (os.devnull, ))
-		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell=False,
 			stdin=None,
@@ -266,7 +249,6 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				self.device])
 		proc.wait()
 		output = proc.stdout.read().strip()
-		self.__dropPrivileges()
 		if proc.returncode != 0:
 			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
@@ -285,7 +267,6 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"Could not open %s" % (os.devnull, ))
-		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = None,
@@ -297,7 +278,6 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				"isLuks",
 				self.device])
 		proc.wait()
-		self.__dropPrivileges()
 		devnull.close()
 		return proc.returncode == 0
 
@@ -326,7 +306,6 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 			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,
@@ -340,12 +319,10 @@ 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.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"], errorMsg)
 			raise "MountError", errorMsg
-		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = None,
@@ -356,7 +333,6 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				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.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"], errorMsg)
@@ -374,7 +350,6 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"Could not open %s" % (os.devnull, ))
 		if self.isMounted():
-			self.__risePrivileges()
 			proc = subprocess.Popen(
 				shell = False,
 				stdin = None,
@@ -382,13 +357,11 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				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
 		if os.path.exists(os.path.join(self.__dmDir, self.name)):
-			self.__risePrivileges()
 			proc = subprocess.Popen(
 				shell = False,
 				stdin = None,
@@ -400,7 +373,6 @@ 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.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"], errorMsg)
@@ -425,7 +397,6 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 			errorMsg = "Could not create mountpoint (%s)" % (self.__getMountPoint(), )
 			self.debugMessage("error", errorMsg)
 			raise "MountError", errorMsg
-		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = None,
@@ -436,7 +407,6 @@ 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.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"], errorMsg)
@@ -454,7 +424,6 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"Could not open %s" % (os.devnull, ))
 		if self.isMounted():
-			self.__risePrivileges()
 			proc = subprocess.Popen(
 				shell = False,
 				stdin = None,
@@ -465,7 +434,6 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 					"-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)
@@ -485,7 +453,6 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 			self.debugMessage(
 				CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["warn"],
 				"Could not open %s" % (os.devnull, ))
-		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = None,
@@ -495,7 +462,6 @@ 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.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["error"], errorMsg)
@@ -520,7 +486,6 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 		"remove any potential open luks mapping"
 		self.__umountLuks()
 		"create the luks header"
-		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = subprocess.PIPE,
@@ -535,13 +500,11 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				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.debugMessage("error", errorMsg)
 			raise "CreateError", errorMsg
 		"open the luks container for mkfs"
-		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = subprocess.PIPE,
@@ -555,13 +518,11 @@ 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.debugMessage(CryptoBoxLogger.DebugLevels["error"], errorMsg)
 			raise "CreateError", errorMsg
 		"make the filesystem"
-		self.__risePrivileges()
 		proc = subprocess.Popen(
 			shell = False,
 			stdin = None,
@@ -571,7 +532,6 @@ class CryptoBoxContainer:
 				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:
diff --git a/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxLogger.py b/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxLogger.py
index 7f70a7e..eb7d4c2 100644
--- a/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxLogger.py
+++ b/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxLogger.py
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 '''
 manages logging events of the CryptoBox
 '''
+
 import sys
 import os
+import syslog
 import unittest
 
 class CryptoBoxLogger:
@@ -10,28 +12,35 @@ class CryptoBoxLogger:
 	handles logging events and prints them e.g. to a logfile
 	'''
 
-	DebugLevels	= {"debug":0, "info":3, "warn":6, "error":9}
-	DebugFacilities	= {"file":0}
+	DebugLevels	= {
+		"debug":	syslog.LOG_DEBUG,
+		"info":		syslog.LOG_INFO,
+		"notice":	syslog.LOG_NOTICE,
+		"warn":		syslog.LOG_WARNING,
+		"error":	syslog.LOG_ERR,
+		"crit":		syslog.LOG_CRIT,
+		"alert":	syslog.LOG_ALERT,
+		"emerg":	syslog.LOG_EMERG}
+	DebugDestinations	= {"file":0, "syslog":1}
 
-	def __init__(self, level, facility, destination=None):
-		"""create a CryptoBoxLogger object and connect it to an output facility
-
-		level:		an integer (0..9) or string ('debug', 'info', 'warn' or 'error')
-		facility:	for now only 'file'
-		destination:	e.g. the name of the logfile or syslog facility
+	def __init__(self, level, destination, args=None):
+		"""create a CryptoBoxLogger object and connect it to an output destination
 
+		level:	string (debug/info/notice/warn/error/crit/alert/emerg) or syslog level
+		destination:	the string "file" or "syslog"
+		args:	e.g. the name of the logfile or syslog facility
 		"""
 		try:
 			try:
-				facility = int(facility)
+				destination = int(destination)
 			except Exception:
 				try:
-					facility = self.DebugFacilities[facility]
+					destination = self.DebugDestinations[destination]
 				except KeyError:
 					raise "LoggerError"
-			if (facility != 0): raise "LoggerError"
+			if not destination in self.DebugDestinations.values(): raise "LoggerError"
 		except "LoggerError":
-			errorMsg = "Invalid debug facility: %s" % facility
+			errorMsg = "Invalid debug destination: %s" % destination
 			sys.stderr.write(errorMsg + "\n")
 			raise "LoggerError", errorMsg
 		try:
@@ -42,16 +51,16 @@ class CryptoBoxLogger:
 					level = self.DebugLevels[level]
 				except KeyError:
 					raise "LoggerError"
-			if (level < 0) or (level > 9): raise "LoggerError"
+			if not level in self.DebugLevels.values(): raise "LoggerError"
 		except "LoggerError":
 			errorMsg = "Invalid debug level: %s" % level
 			sys.stderr.write(errorMsg + "\n")
 			raise "LoggerError", errorMsg
 		self.debug_level = level
-		if facility == self.DebugFacilities["file"]:
+		if destination == self.DebugDestinations["file"]:
 			self.logFunc = self.message2file
-			if destination is not None:
-				self.logFile = destination
+			if args is not None:
+				self.logFile = args
 			else:
 				self.logFile = '/var/log/cryptobox.log'
 			try:
@@ -61,7 +70,12 @@ class CryptoBoxLogger:
 				errorMsg ="Unable to open logfile (%s) for writing." % (self.logFile,)
 				sys.stderr.write(errorMsg + "\n")
 				raise "LoggerError", errorMsg
-
+		elif destination == self.DebugDestinations["syslog"]:
+			self.logFunc = self.message2syslog
+			if args is None:
+				syslog.openlog("CryptoBox", 0, syslog.LOG_USER)
+			else:
+				syslog.openlog("CryptoBox", 0, args)
 		else:
 			errorMsg = "Invalid logging facility: %d." % (facility, )
 			sys.stderr.write(errorMsg + "\n")
@@ -80,7 +94,7 @@ class CryptoBoxLogger:
 				errorMsg = "Invalid debug level: %s" % msg_level
 				sys.stderr.write(errorMsg + "\n")
 				raise "LoggerError", errorMsg
-		if (msg_level < 0) or (msg_level > 9):
+		if not msg_level in self.DebugLevels.values():
 			errorMsg = "Invalid debug level: %s" % msg_level
 			sys.stderr.write(errorMsg + "\n")
 			raise "LoggerError", errorMsg
@@ -88,15 +102,16 @@ class CryptoBoxLogger:
 			errorMsg = "Empty debug message - this is not allowed"
 			sys.stderr.write(errorMsg + "\n")
 			raise "LoggerError", errorMsg
-		if msg_level >= self.debug_level:
-			self.logFunc("[CryptoBox] - %s\n" % (text, ))
+		if msg_level <= self.debug_level:
+			self.logFunc(text, msg_level)
 	
 
-	def message2file(self, text):
+	def message2file(self, text, level):
+		# "level" gets ignored (but syslog needs it)
 		try:
 			log_sock = open(self.logFile, "a")
 			try:
-				log_sock.writelines(text)
+				log_sock.writelines("[CryptoBox] - %s\n" % (text, ))
 				log_sock.close()
 				return
 			except IOError:
@@ -105,10 +120,18 @@ class CryptoBoxLogger:
 				raise "LoggerError", errorMsg
 		except IOError:
 			errorMsg = "Unable to open logfile (%s) for writing." % (self.logFile, )
-			sys.stderr.write(errorMsg + "\n")
+			sys.stderr.write("[CryptoBox] - %s\n" % (errorMsg, ))
 			raise "LoggerError", errorMsg
 
 
+	def message2syslog(self, text, level):
+		syslog_level = [self.DebugLevels[e]
+				for e in self.DebugLevels.keys()
+				if self.DebugLevels[e] == level
+			][0]
+		syslog.syslog(syslog_level, text)
+			
+
 # ********************* test class **********************
 
 class CryptoBoxLoggerTest(unittest.TestCase):
@@ -118,47 +141,60 @@ class CryptoBoxLoggerTest(unittest.TestCase):
 	def setUp(self):
 		if os.path.exists(self.logFile): os.remove(self.logFile)
 
+
 	def tearDown(self):
 		if os.path.exists(self.logFile): os.remove(self.logFile)
 
+
 	def testInit(self):
+		"""Initialization should fail for invalid parameters"""
 		try:
-			CryptoBoxLogger(0, 0)
+			CryptoBoxLogger(syslog.LOG_ERR, 0)
 		except "LoggerError":
-			CryptoBoxLogger(0, 0, self.logFile)
+			CryptoBoxLogger(syslog.LOG_ERR, 0, self.logFile)
 			os.remove(self.logFile)
 		CryptoBoxLogger("info", "file", self.logFile)
 		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", CryptoBoxLogger, "invalid", 0, self.logFile)
-		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", CryptoBoxLogger, 0, "invalid", self.logFile)
-		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", CryptoBoxLogger, 10, 0, self.logFile)
+		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", CryptoBoxLogger, syslog.LOG_ERR, "invalid", self.logFile)
+		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", CryptoBoxLogger, 3353, 0, self.logFile)
 		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", CryptoBoxLogger, -1, 0, self.logFile)
-		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", CryptoBoxLogger, 0, 10, self.logFile)
-		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", CryptoBoxLogger, 0, -1, self.logFile)
+		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", CryptoBoxLogger, syslog.LOG_INFO, self.logFile)
+		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", CryptoBoxLogger, syslog.LOG_CRIT, -1, self.logFile)
 		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", CryptoBoxLogger, None, 0, self.logFile)
-		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", CryptoBoxLogger, 0, None, self.logFile)
-		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", CryptoBoxLogger, 0, 0, "/no/existing/path")
-		os.remove(self.logFile)
+		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", CryptoBoxLogger, syslog.LOG_WARNING, None, self.logFile)
+		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", CryptoBoxLogger, syslog.LOG_EMERG, 0, "/no/existing/path")
+
 		
-	def testMessage(self):
-		cb = CryptoBoxLogger(3, 0, self.logFile)
+	def testOutputParams(self):
+		"""Output should fail for invalid parameters"""
+		cb = CryptoBoxLogger(syslog.LOG_ERR, 0, self.logFile)
+		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", cb.printMessage, 3353, "Ausgabe")
+		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", cb.printMessage, -1, "Ausgabe")
+		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", cb.printMessage, "invalid", "Ausgabe")
+		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", cb.printMessage, syslog.LOG_DEBUG, None)
+
+	def testFile(self):
+		"""Do not write messages below specified priority to a file"""
+		cb = CryptoBoxLogger(syslog.LOG_ERR, 0, self.logFile)
 		content1 = self.readFile()
 		self.assertEquals(content1, "")
-		cb.printMessage(3, "Ausgabe")
+		cb.printMessage(syslog.LOG_ERR, "Ausgabe")
 		content2 = self.readFile()
 		self.assertNotEqual(content1, content2)
-		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", cb.printMessage, 10, "Ausgabe")
+		cb.printMessage(syslog.LOG_DEBUG, "Ausgabe")
 		self.assertEquals(content2, self.readFile())
-		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", cb.printMessage, -1, "Ausgabe")
-		self.assertEquals(content2, self.readFile())
-		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", cb.printMessage, "invalid", "Ausgabe")
-		self.assertEquals(content2, self.readFile())
-		self.assertRaises("LoggerError", cb.printMessage, 3, None)
-		self.assertEquals(content2, self.readFile())
-		cb.printMessage(2, "Ausgabe")
-		self.assertEquals(content2, self.readFile())
-		cb.printMessage(4, "Ausgabe")
+		cb.printMessage(syslog.LOG_CRIT, "Ausgabe")
 		self.assertNotEqual(content2, self.readFile())
-		os.remove(self.logFile)
+
+	
+	def testSyslog(self):
+		"""Check syslog output"""
+		cb = CryptoBoxLogger(syslog.LOG_DEBUG, "syslog")
+		cb.printMessage(syslog.LOG_DEBUG, "just a verification check")
+		"""sorry - we do not have a way to check, if something was written somewhere
+		so we cannot do other checks beside initialization and writing"""
+
+
 
 	def readFile(self):
 		fd = None
diff --git a/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxPreferences.py b/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxPreferences.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 03d83f6..0000000
--- a/pythonrewrite/bin2/CryptoBoxPreferences.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,131 +0,0 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python
-'''
-read and write configuration
-
-This Class is derived mainly from 'gimini' project.
-Thanx to Dutoit! <dutoitc(at)hotmail.com>
-'''
-
-from ConfigParser import *
-import sys, os
-
-### Set the Preferences filename
-
-
-class Preferences:
-    """
-    This class handles preferences and stores them into given configfile
-
-    To use it :
-      - instanciate a Preferences object : 
-        myPP=Preferences()
-      - to get a preference :
-        mypref=myPP["ma_preference"]
-      - to set a preference :
-        myPP["ma_preference"]=xxx
-
-    The preferences are automatically loaded on the first instanciation of this
-    class and are saved when a value is added or changed automatically, too.
-    """
-    def __init__(self, filename):
-        """
-        Constructor
-
-        @author C.Dutoit <dutoitc@hotmail.com>
-        """
-        self.prefsfilename = filename
-        self._config = None
-        self.__loadConfig()
-
-    #>--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-    def __getitem__(self, name):
-        """
-        Return the preferences for the given item
-
-        @param String name : Name of the item for which we return a value
-        @return String : value of the pref, or None if inexistant
-        @since 1.1.2.7
-        @author C.Dutoit <dutoitc@hotmail.com>
-        """
-        if not self._config.has_section("Main"):
-	    print "No section: \"[Main]\""
-            return None
-
-        try:
-            return self._config.get("Main", name)
-        except NoOptionError:
-	    print "No such option: \"" + name +"\""
-            return None
-
-    #>--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-    def __setitem__(self, name, value):
-        """
-        Return the preferences for the given item
-
-        @param String name : Name of the item WITHOUT SPACES
-        @param String Value : Value for the given name
-        @raises TypeError : if the name contains spaces
-        @since 1.1.2.7
-        @author C.Dutoit <dutoitc@hotmail.com>
-        """
-        # Add 'Main' section ?
-        if not self._config.has_section("Main"):
-            self._config.add_section("Main")
-
-        if " " in list(name):
-            raise TypeError, "Name cannot contain a space"
-
-        # Save
-        self._config.set("Main", name, str(value))
-        self.__saveConfig()
-
-    #>--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-    def __saveConfig(self):
-        """
-        Save datas to config file
-
-        @since 1.1.2.5
-        @author C.Dutoit <dutoitc@hotmail.com>
-        """
-        f=open(self.prefsfilename, "w")
-        self._config.write(f)
-        f.close()
-
-    #>--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-    def __loadConfig(self):
-        """
-        Load datas from config file
-
-        @since 1.1.2.5
-        @author C.Dutoit <dutoitc@hotmail.com>
-        """
-        # Make sure that the configuration file exist
-        try:
-            f = open(self.prefsfilename, "r")
-            f.close()
-        except:
-            try:
-                f = open(self.prefsfilename, "w")
-                f.write("")
-                f.close()
-            except:
-                print "Can't make %s for saving preferences !" % self.prefsfilename
-                return
-
-
-        # Read datas
-        self._config=ConfigParser()
-        self._config.read(self.prefsfilename)
-
-    #>--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    myPP=Preferences()
-    mypref=myPP["ma_preference"]
-    myPP["ma_preference"]="xxx"
-
-
diff --git a/pythonrewrite/bin2/cryptobox.conf b/pythonrewrite/bin2/cryptobox.conf
index c20f860..5416f1b 100644
--- a/pythonrewrite/bin2/cryptobox.conf
+++ b/pythonrewrite/bin2/cryptobox.conf
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ Facility	= file
 #  file:	$FILENAME
 #  syslog:	$LOG_FACILITY
 # The log file will get created as root and then handed over to the
-# cryptobox user 8see above)
+# cryptobox user (see above)
 #Destination	= /var/log/cryptobox.log
 Destination	= ./cryptobox.log
 
@@ -62,4 +62,13 @@ Language = de
 #path to documentation	files
 DocDir = ../doc/html
 #default language for documentation
-DocLang = en
\ No newline at end of file
+DocLang = en
+
+[Programs]
+cryptsetup	= /sbin/cryptsetup
+mkfs-data	= /sbin/mkfs.ext3
+mkfs-config	= /sbin/mkfs.ext2
+blkid		= /sbin/blkid
+mount		= /bin/mount
+umount		= /bin/umount
+
diff --git a/pythonrewrite/bin2/filehandling.py b/pythonrewrite/bin2/filehandling.py
index e1236b5..f9e8e33 100644
--- a/pythonrewrite/bin2/filehandling.py
+++ b/pythonrewrite/bin2/filehandling.py
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 import os,tempfile,dircache,string,commands
 """I suppose this stuff should be inside some class?"""
 
+# RFC: which of these methods do we need more than once?
+#  or: these actions are too short for methods - or not? [l]
+
 def read_file(filename):
 	"""
 	read from the file whose name is given
diff --git a/pythonrewrite/bin2/test.py b/pythonrewrite/bin2/test.py
index b591f92..b5a3208 100644
--- a/pythonrewrite/bin2/test.py
+++ b/pythonrewrite/bin2/test.py
@@ -33,15 +33,15 @@ def main():
 
 	testElement = cb.getContainerList()[0]
 	print "\nRunning some tests now ..."
-	if not luke_tests(testElement):
+	if not plain_tests(testElement):
 		print "some previous tests failed - we should stop now"
 		sys.exit(1)
-	plain_tests(testElement)
+	luks_tests(testElement)
 
 
 " ***************** some functions ******************** "
 
-def luke_tests(e):
+def luks_tests(e):
 	e.create(e.Types["luks"], "alt")
 	print "\tluks create:\tok"
 
@@ -90,4 +90,9 @@ def	plain_tests(e):
 	if e.isMounted():	print "\tplain umount:\tfailed"
 	else:				print "\tplain umount:\tok"
 
+	if e.isMounted(): return False
+	else: return True
+
+# ************ main ****************
+
 main()