diff --git a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/AdminOperationsImpl.java b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/AdminOperationsImpl.java
index c4cb372..e7cee63 100644
--- a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/AdminOperationsImpl.java
+++ b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/AdminOperationsImpl.java
@@ -163,12 +163,11 @@ class AdminOperationsImpl implements AdminOperations
       base_role = env.getDefaultRole("Global.NewUser");
 
     // Create the user account.
-    ReturnNewUser rnu = UserContextImpl.createAccount(env,env.getUser().userRemoteAddress(),username,
-						      password,reminder,verify_email,lockout,0,base_role,
-						      description);
+    ReturnNewUser rnu = UserContextImpl.createAccount(env,env.getRemoteAddress(),username,password,reminder,
+						      verify_email,lockout,0,base_role,description);
 
     // Need to create a normal user context here for just a minute to autojoin the communities.
-    UserContextImpl rc = new UserContextImpl(env);
+    UserContextImpl rc = new UserContextImpl(env.getGlobalSite(),env);
     rc.loadNewUser("0.0.0.0",rnu.getUserID(),base_role.getLevel(),username,0,rnu.getCreationDate(),
 		   rnu.getCreationDate());
     rc.autoJoinCommunities();
diff --git a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/CommunityCoreData.java b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/CommunityCoreData.java
index 1d9feec..d889deb 100644
--- a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/CommunityCoreData.java
+++ b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/CommunityCoreData.java
@@ -2109,7 +2109,7 @@ class CommunityCoreData implements CommunityData, PropertyProvider
       env.getEngine().registerNewCommunity(comm);
     
       // create an audit record indicating we were successful
-      ar = new AuditRecord(AuditRecord.CREATE_COMMUNITY,host_uid,env.getUser().userRemoteAddress(),new_cid,
+      ar = new AuditRecord(AuditRecord.CREATE_COMMUNITY,host_uid,env.getRemoteAddress(),new_cid,
 			   "name=" + name,"alias=" + alias);
 
     } // end try
diff --git a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/CommunityUserContextImpl.java b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/CommunityUserContextImpl.java
index 627b396..e5781a3 100644
--- a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/CommunityUserContextImpl.java
+++ b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/CommunityUserContextImpl.java
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ class CommunityUserContextImpl implements CommunityContext, CommunityBackend
       logger.debug("CommunityUserContextImpl constructor:ordinary");
     this.env = new EnvCommunity(env,this);
     this.cid = cid;
-    this.level = env.getUser().realBaseLevel();
+    this.level = env.getUserBaseLevel();
     this.is_member = false;
     this.show_admin = false;
     this.locked = false;
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ class CommunityUserContextImpl implements CommunityContext, CommunityBackend
       logger.debug("setMemberValues(" + String.valueOf(granted_level) + ", " + String.valueOf(member)
 		   + ", " + String.valueOf(locked) + ")");
 
-    this.level = Math.max(env.getUser().realBaseLevel(),granted_level);
+    this.level = Math.max(env.getUserBaseLevel(),granted_level);
     this.is_member = member;
     this.show_admin = env.isLevelAdmin(granted_level);
     this.locked = locked;
@@ -1219,7 +1219,7 @@ class CommunityUserContextImpl implements CommunityContext, CommunityBackend
   public void sendInvitation(String address, String personal_message)
       throws AccessError, DataException, EmailException
   {
-    if (env.getUser().userIsAnonymous())
+    if (env.isAnonymous())
       throw new AccessError("You must be logged in to send an invitation.");
 
     CommunityData my_comm = getData();
@@ -1245,13 +1245,12 @@ class CommunityUserContextImpl implements CommunityContext, CommunityBackend
     // Set the remaining variables and replace them.
     vars.put("community.alias",my_comm.getAlias());
     vars.put("personal",personal_message);
-    vars.put("fullname",env.getUser().realFullName());
-    String uname = env.getUser().realUserName();
-    vars.put("username",uname);
+    vars.put("fullname",env.getUserProps().propGet("fullname"));
+    vars.put("username",env.getUserName());
     msg = StringUtil.replaceAllVariables(msg,vars);
 
     // Get a MailSend object, set it up, and send it.
-    MailSend msend = new PersonalMailSend(env.getMailSender(),env.getGlobalSite(),env.getUser());
+    MailSend msend = new PersonalMailSend(env.getMailSender(),env.getGlobalSite(),env.getUserProps());
     msend.addRecipient(MailSend.RECIP_TO,address);
     msend.setSubject(subject);
     msend.setText(msg + "\n");
@@ -1261,7 +1260,7 @@ class CommunityUserContextImpl implements CommunityContext, CommunityBackend
 
   public boolean canSendInvitation()
   {
-    if (env.getUser().userIsAnonymous())
+    if (env.isAnonymous())
       return false;
     CommunityData d = getDataNE();
     if (d==null)
@@ -1404,7 +1403,7 @@ class CommunityUserContextImpl implements CommunityContext, CommunityBackend
       buf.append("\n\n").append(StringUtil.replaceAllVariables(disklaimer,vars));
 
       // send the mail in the background!
-      MailSend msend = new PersonalMailSend(env.getMailSender(),env.getGlobalSite(),env.getUser());
+      MailSend msend = new PersonalMailSend(env.getMailSender(),env.getGlobalSite(),env.getUserProps());
       msend.setSubject(subject);
       msend.setText(buf.toString());
       MailerAgent agent = new MailerAgent(msend,mail_list);
diff --git a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/ConferenceUserContextImpl.java b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/ConferenceUserContextImpl.java
index 7f7a650..5c7e482 100644
--- a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/ConferenceUserContextImpl.java
+++ b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/ConferenceUserContextImpl.java
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ class ConferenceUserContextImpl implements ConferenceContext, ConferenceBackend
     this.cache = null;
     this.confdata = cdata;
     recalcLevel(new_env.getDefaultRole("Conference.Creator").getLevel());
-    this.pseud = env.getUser().userDefaultPseud();
+    this.pseud = env.getUserProps().propGet("default.pseud");
     this.last_read = null;
     this.last_post = null;
 
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ class ConferenceUserContextImpl implements ConferenceContext, ConferenceBackend
       else
       { // just default everything
 	settings_loaded = false;
-	pseud = env.getUser().userDefaultPseud();
+	pseud = env.getUserProps().propGet("default.pseud");
 	last_read = null;
 	last_post = null;
 
@@ -771,7 +771,7 @@ class ConferenceUserContextImpl implements ConferenceContext, ConferenceBackend
 
   public void setDefaultPseud(String val) throws DataException
   {
-    if (env.getUser().userIsAnonymous())
+    if (env.isAnonymous())
       return;  // anonymous user can't change pseud
     if (deleted)
       throw new DataException("This conference has been deleted.");
@@ -824,7 +824,7 @@ class ConferenceUserContextImpl implements ConferenceContext, ConferenceBackend
 
   public boolean anyUnread()
   {
-    if (deleted || env.getUser().userIsAnonymous())
+    if (deleted || env.isAnonymous())
       return false;
     Connection conn = null;      // pooled database connection
     Statement stmt = null;
@@ -1020,7 +1020,7 @@ class ConferenceUserContextImpl implements ConferenceContext, ConferenceBackend
 
     } // end if
 
-    if (env.getUser().userIsAnonymous())
+    if (env.isAnonymous())
       return;  // anonymous user can't fixseen
 
     Connection conn = null;
@@ -1383,7 +1383,7 @@ class ConferenceUserContextImpl implements ConferenceContext, ConferenceBackend
 
   public boolean canAddToHotlist()
   {
-    if (env.getUser().userIsAnonymous())
+    if (env.isAnonymous())
       return false;
     return !(isInHotlist());
 
@@ -1620,7 +1620,7 @@ class ConferenceUserContextImpl implements ConferenceContext, ConferenceBackend
       buf.append("\n\n").append(StringUtil.replaceAllVariables(disklaimer,vars));
 
       // send the actual E-mail messages in the background
-      MailSend msend = new PersonalMailSend(env.getMailSender(),env.getGlobalSite(),env.getUser());
+      MailSend msend = new PersonalMailSend(env.getMailSender(),env.getGlobalSite(),env.getUserProps());
       msend.setSubject(subject);
       msend.setText(buf.toString());
       MailerAgent agent = new MailerAgent(msend,rc);
@@ -1811,7 +1811,7 @@ class ConferenceUserContextImpl implements ConferenceContext, ConferenceBackend
 
   public void touchRead(Connection conn) throws SQLException
   {
-    if (deleted || env.getUser().userIsAnonymous())
+    if (deleted || env.isAnonymous())
       return;  // anonymous user can't update squat
 
     Statement stmt = null;
@@ -1855,7 +1855,7 @@ class ConferenceUserContextImpl implements ConferenceContext, ConferenceBackend
 
   public void touchPost(Connection conn, java.util.Date post_date) throws SQLException
   {
-    if (deleted || env.getUser().userIsAnonymous())
+    if (deleted || env.isAnonymous())
       return;  // anonymous user can't update squat
 
     Statement stmt = null;
diff --git a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/PersonalMailSend.java b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/PersonalMailSend.java
index 45b3498..a3c87f7 100644
--- a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/PersonalMailSend.java
+++ b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/PersonalMailSend.java
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import com.silverwrist.venice.core.internals.UserBackend;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.except.*;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.svc.internal.GlobalSite;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.util.MailSend;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.util.PropertyProvider;
 
 class PersonalMailSend implements MailSend
 {
@@ -38,14 +39,14 @@ class PersonalMailSend implements MailSend
    *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    */
 
-  PersonalMailSend(MailSend inner, GlobalSite site, UserBackend user) throws DataException
+  PersonalMailSend(MailSend inner, GlobalSite site, PropertyProvider user_props) throws DataException
   {
     this.inner = inner;
     this.site = site;
 
     try
     { // set the "From" address in advance
-      inner.setFrom(user.realFullName(),user.realEmailAddress());
+      inner.setFrom(user_props.propGet("fullname"),user_props.propGet("email"));
 
     } // end try
     catch (EmailException ee)
@@ -55,8 +56,8 @@ class PersonalMailSend implements MailSend
     } // end catch
 
     StringBuffer buf = new StringBuffer("uid ");
-    buf.append(user.realUID()).append("; username \"").append(user.realUserName()).append("\"; ip [");
-    buf.append(user.userRemoteAddress()).append("]");
+    buf.append(user_props.propGet("id")).append("; username \"").append(user_props.propGet("name"));
+    buf.append("\"; ip [").append(user_props.propGet("ip.address")).append("]");
     inner.addHeader("X-Venice-Sender-Info",buf.toString());
     String[] headers = StringUtil.splitArray(site.getStockMessage("header-disclaimer"),"\r\n");
     for (int i=0; i<headers.length; i++)
diff --git a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/TopicMessageUserContextImpl.java b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/TopicMessageUserContextImpl.java
index 5256cdd..6a4bbf5 100644
--- a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/TopicMessageUserContextImpl.java
+++ b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/TopicMessageUserContextImpl.java
@@ -490,14 +490,14 @@ class TopicMessageUserContextImpl implements TopicMessageContext
 
   public boolean canHide()
   {
-    return (   ((creator_uid==env.getUserID()) && (!env.getUser().userIsAnonymous()))
+    return (   ((creator_uid==env.getUserID()) && (!env.isAnonymous()))
 	    || env.getConference().userCanHide());
 
   } // end canHide
 
   public boolean canScribble()
   {
-    return (   ((creator_uid==env.getUserID()) && (!env.getUser().userIsAnonymous()))
+    return (   ((creator_uid==env.getUserID()) && (!env.isAnonymous()))
 	    || env.getConference().userCanScribble());
 
   } // end canScribble
@@ -510,7 +510,7 @@ class TopicMessageUserContextImpl implements TopicMessageContext
 
   public void setHidden(boolean flag) throws DataException, AccessError
   {
-    if (env.getUser().userIsAnonymous())
+    if (env.isAnonymous())
       return;  // no-op
     if ((creator_uid!=env.getUserID()) && !(env.getConference().userCanHide()))
     { // we can't change the hidden status!
@@ -578,7 +578,7 @@ class TopicMessageUserContextImpl implements TopicMessageContext
 
   public void scribble() throws DataException, AccessError
   {
-    if (env.getUser().userIsAnonymous())
+    if (env.isAnonymous())
       return;  // no-op
     if ((creator_uid!=env.getUserID()) && !(env.getConference().userCanScribble()))
     { // we can't scribble this post
diff --git a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/TopicUserContextImpl.java b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/TopicUserContextImpl.java
index 7058f9c..1253e6d 100644
--- a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/TopicUserContextImpl.java
+++ b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/TopicUserContextImpl.java
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ class TopicUserContextImpl implements TopicContext
 
   public void setHidden(boolean flag) throws DataException
   {
-    if ((hidden==flag) || deleted || env.getUser().userIsAnonymous())
+    if ((hidden==flag) || deleted || env.isAnonymous())
       return;  // no-op
 
     Connection conn = null;      // pooled database connection
@@ -496,7 +496,7 @@ class TopicUserContextImpl implements TopicContext
     if (logger.isDebugEnabled())
       logger.debug("[raw] setUnreadMessages(" + count + ") entry");
 
-    if (env.getUser().userIsAnonymous())
+    if (env.isAnonymous())
     { // this is effectively a no-op, but log it
       logger.debug("reject 1: anonymous user");
       return;
@@ -1150,7 +1150,7 @@ class TopicUserContextImpl implements TopicContext
 
   public boolean isBozo(int other_uid) throws DataException
   {
-    if (deleted || env.getUser().userIsAnonymous() || (other_uid==env.getUserID()))
+    if (deleted || env.isAnonymous() || (other_uid==env.getUserID()))
       return false;  // no-op
 
     if (bozo_uids==null)
@@ -1182,7 +1182,7 @@ class TopicUserContextImpl implements TopicContext
 
   public void setBozo(int other_uid, boolean bozo) throws DataException
   {
-    if (deleted || env.getUser().userIsAnonymous() || (other_uid==env.getUserID()))
+    if (deleted || env.isAnonymous() || (other_uid==env.getUserID()))
       return;  // no-op
 
     Connection conn = null;
@@ -1249,13 +1249,13 @@ class TopicUserContextImpl implements TopicContext
     // 1. You can't set bozo filters on a deleted topic.
     // 2. You can't set bozo filters if you're the anonymous user.
     // 3. You can't bozo-filter yourself, silly.
-    return !(deleted || env.getUser().userIsAnonymous() || (other_uid==env.getUserID()));
+    return !(deleted || env.isAnonymous() || (other_uid==env.getUserID()));
 
   } // end canSetBozoFilter
 
   public List getBozos() throws DataException
   {
-    if (deleted || env.getUser().userIsAnonymous())
+    if (deleted || env.isAnonymous())
       return Collections.EMPTY_LIST;  // no-op
 
     if (bozo_uids==null)
@@ -1293,7 +1293,7 @@ class TopicUserContextImpl implements TopicContext
 
   public void setSubscribed(boolean flag) throws DataException
   {
-    if ((subscribed==flag) || deleted || env.getUser().userIsAnonymous())
+    if ((subscribed==flag) || deleted || env.isAnonymous())
       return;  // no-op
 
     Connection conn = null;      // pooled database connection
@@ -1478,7 +1478,7 @@ class TopicUserContextImpl implements TopicContext
       buf.append("\n\n").append(StringUtil.replaceAllVariables(disklaimer,vars));
       
       // send the actual E-mail messages in the background
-      MailSend msend = new PersonalMailSend(env.getMailSender(),env.getGlobalSite(),env.getUser());
+      MailSend msend = new PersonalMailSend(env.getMailSender(),env.getGlobalSite(),env.getUserProps());
       msend.setSubject(subject);
       msend.setText(buf.toString());
       MailerAgent agent = new MailerAgent(msend,rc);
diff --git a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/UserContextImpl.java b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/UserContextImpl.java
index 938171d..a893336 100644
--- a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/UserContextImpl.java
+++ b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/UserContextImpl.java
@@ -28,9 +28,10 @@ import com.silverwrist.venice.db.*;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.except.*;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.security.*;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.svc.ServiceControl;
-import com.silverwrist.venice.util.MailSend;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.svc.internal.GlobalSite;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.util.*;
 
-class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
+class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, ServiceProvider, PropertyProvider, UserBackend
 {
   /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    * Static data members
@@ -57,6 +58,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
    *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    */
 
+  private GlobalSite globalsite;           // the global site
   private EnvUser env;                     // the environment store
   private String remote_addr;              // remote address identifier
   private int uid = -1;                    // the user ID we're using
@@ -82,9 +84,10 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
    *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    */
 
-  UserContextImpl(EnvEngine env)
+  UserContextImpl(GlobalSite globalsite, EnvEngine env)
   {
-    this.env = new EnvUser(env,this);
+    this.globalsite = globalsite;
+    this.env = new EnvUser(env,this,this);
 
   } // end constructor
 
@@ -133,7 +136,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
     try
     { // call through to lower level function
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       stmt = conn.createStatement();
       ResultSet rs = stmt.executeQuery("SELECT * FROM userprefs WHERE uid = " + uid + ";");
       
@@ -185,7 +188,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
       logger.debug("sendEmailConfirmation(): sending to \"" + my_email + "\"");
 
     // Create the message to be sent.
-    String message = env.getStockMessage("email-confirm");
+    String message = globalsite.getStockMessage("email-confirm");
     if (message==null)
     { // no message defined?  oy!
       logger.error("internal error condition: email-confirm stock message not defined");
@@ -199,12 +202,12 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
     vars.put("confnum",String.valueOf(confirm_num));
     message = StringUtil.replaceAllVariables(message,vars);
 
-    String subject = env.getStockMessage("email-confirm-subject");
+    String subject = globalsite.getStockMessage("email-confirm-subject");
     if (subject==null)
       subject = "Venice Email Confirmation";
 
     // Create the emailer and send the message.
-    MailSend msend = env.getMailSender();
+    MailSend msend = (MailSend)(globalsite.queryService(MailSend.class));
     msend.addRecipient(MailSend.RECIP_TO,my_email);
     msend.setSubject(subject);
     msend.setText(message);
@@ -245,8 +248,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
       // Figure out which of those communities we haven't joined yet and set up to autojoin them.
       sql.setLength(0);
-      SecurityMonitor smon =
-	  (SecurityMonitor)(env.getGlobalSite().queryService(SecurityMonitor.class,"Community"));
+      SecurityMonitor smon = (SecurityMonitor)(globalsite.queryService(SecurityMonitor.class,"Community"));
       int new_level = smon.getDefaultRole("Community.NewUser").getLevel();
       for (int i=0; i<tmp_cid.size(); i++)
       { // see if the user is already a member of this community
@@ -292,7 +294,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
     try
     { // get a connection and create a statement
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       stmt = conn.createStatement();
       StringBuffer sql = new StringBuffer();
 
@@ -410,7 +412,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
       
     try
     { // look for a user name matching this user record
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       stmt = conn.createStatement();
       ResultSet rs = stmt.executeQuery("SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = '"
 				       + SQLUtil.encodeString(username) + "';");
@@ -508,18 +510,19 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
     { // the confirmation number is wrong
       logger.warn("...confirmation number incorrect");
       ar = new AuditRecord(AuditRecord.VERIFY_FAIL,uid,remote_addr,"Invalid confirmation number");
-      ar.store(env.getGlobalSite());
+      ar.store(globalsite);
       throw new AccessError("Confirmation number is incorrect.  Please try again.");
 
     } // end if
 
     Connection conn = null;
     Statement stmt = null;
-    Role new_role = env.getDefaultRole("Global.AfterVerify");
+    SecurityMonitor smon = (SecurityMonitor)(globalsite.queryService(SecurityMonitor.class));
+    Role new_role = smon.getDefaultRole("Global.AfterVerify");
 
     try
     { // get a connection and set the user's status to reflect the verification
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       stmt = conn.createStatement();
       StringBuffer sql = new StringBuffer("UPDATE users SET verify_email = 1, base_lvl = ");
       sql.append(new_role.getLevel()).append(" WHERE uid = ").append(uid).append(';');
@@ -571,7 +574,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
     try
     { // need to change the user's email confirmation number first
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       stmt = conn.createStatement();
 
       // generate new confirmation number
@@ -655,7 +658,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
       
     try
     { // get a database connection
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       Stashable obj = (Stashable)ci;
 
       // save the contact information
@@ -688,7 +691,8 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
 	// generate new confirmation number
 	int new_confirm_num = Generator.get().getNewConfirmationNumber();
-	Role new_role = env.getDefaultRole("Global.Unverified");
+	SecurityMonitor smon = (SecurityMonitor)(globalsite.queryService(SecurityMonitor.class));
+	Role new_role = smon.getDefaultRole("Global.Unverified");
 
 	Statement stmt = null;
 	try
@@ -752,7 +756,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
     try
     { // retrieve a connection from the data pool
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       UserProfileImpl prof = new UserProfileImpl(env,conn,xusername);
       if (logger.isDebugEnabled())
 	logger.debug("...found it!");
@@ -781,7 +785,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
     try
     { // retrieve a connection from the data pool
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       UserProfileImpl prof = new UserProfileImpl(env,conn,xuid);
       if (logger.isDebugEnabled())
 	logger.debug("...found it!");
@@ -817,7 +821,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
     try
     { // retrieve a connection from the data pool
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       stmt = conn.createStatement();
       String hash_value = Generator.hashPassword(password);
       StringBuffer sql = new StringBuffer("UPDATE users SET passhash = '");
@@ -859,7 +863,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
     try
     { // retrieve a connection from the data pool
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       stmt = conn.createStatement();
       StringBuffer sql = new StringBuffer("UPDATE users SET description = '");
       sql.append(SQLUtil.encodeString(new_descr)).append("' WHERE uid = ").append(uid).append(';');
@@ -993,9 +997,8 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
     boolean hide_search = (hide_mode==CommunityContext.HIDE_BOTH);
 
     // Create the new community's database entries and internal data.
-    CommunityData new_comm = CommunityCoreData.createCommunity(env.getGlobalSite(),env,name,alias,uid,
-							       language,synopsis,rules,joinkey,hide_dir,
-							       hide_search);
+    CommunityData new_comm = CommunityCoreData.createCommunity(globalsite,env,name,alias,uid,language,
+							       synopsis,rules,joinkey,hide_dir,hide_search);
 
     // Create the community context we return to the user.
     CommunityContext rc = new CommunityUserContextImpl(env,new_comm);
@@ -1020,7 +1023,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
     try
     { // retrieve a connection from the data pool
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       stmt = conn.createStatement();
 
       // retrieve the necessary rows from the sideboxes table
@@ -1063,7 +1066,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
     try
     { // retrieve a connection
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       stmt = conn.createStatement();
 
       stmt.executeUpdate("LOCK TABLES sideboxes WRITE;");
@@ -1147,7 +1150,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
     try
     { // retrieve a connection from the data pool
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       stmt = conn.createStatement();
 
       // create the update statement
@@ -1192,7 +1195,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
     try
     { // retrieve a connection from the data pool
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       stmt = conn.createStatement();
 
       // create the update statement
@@ -1237,7 +1240,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
     try
     { // retrieve a connection from the data pool
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       stmt = conn.createStatement();
       StringBuffer sql = new StringBuffer("UPDATE users SET tokenauth = '");
       sql.append(tokenauth).append("' WHERE uid = ").append(uid).append(';');
@@ -1365,7 +1368,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
       
     try
     { // look for a user record matching this user ID
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       stmt = conn.createStatement();
       ResultSet rs = stmt.executeQuery("SELECT * FROM users WHERE uid = " + pending_uid + ";");
 
@@ -1516,7 +1519,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
     try
     { // get a database connection
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       TopicMessageFoundHelper helper = new TopicMessageFoundHelper(conn);
       stmt = conn.createStatement();
 
@@ -1576,7 +1579,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
     try
     { // get a database connection
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       stmt = conn.createStatement();
 
       // create the SQL statement
@@ -1615,65 +1618,102 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
   } // end getSearchPostCount
 
   /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-   * Implementations from interface UserBackend
+   * Implementations from interface ServiceProvider
    *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    */
 
-  public int realUID()
+  public Object queryService(Class klass)
   {
-    return uid;
+    if (klass==UserContext.class)
+      return ((UserContext)this);
+    if (klass==PropertyProvider.class)
+      return ((PropertyProvider)this);
+    throw new NoSuchServiceException("UserContext",klass);
 
-  } // end realUID
+  } // end queryService
 
-  public int realBaseLevel()
+  public Object queryService(Class klass, String serviceid)
   {
-    return level;
+    return this.queryService(klass);
 
-  } // end realBaseLevel
+  } // end queryService
 
-  public String userRemoteAddress()
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Implementations from interface PropertyProvider
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  public String propGet(String identifier)
   {
-    return remote_addr;
+    try
+    { // these properties have to be retrieved specially
+      if (identifier.equals("fullname"))
+      { // get the full name of the user
+	if (full_name==null)
+	  getContactInfo();
+	return full_name;
 
-  } // end userRemoteAddress
+      } // end if
+      else if (identifier.equals("email"))
+      { // get the E-mail address
+	if (my_email==null)
+	  getContactInfo();
+	return my_email;
 
-  public String userDefaultPseud() throws DataException
+      } // end else if
+      else if (identifier.equals("default.pseud"))
+      { // get the default pseud
+	if (my_pseud==null)
+	  getContactInfo();
+	return my_pseud;
+
+      } // end else if
+
+    } // end try
+    catch (DataException de)
+    { // if we hit a DataException, return an erroneous value
+      logger.error("DataException in propGet()",de);
+      return "<<error>>";
+
+    } // end catch
+
+    if (identifier.equals("id"))
+      return String.valueOf(uid);
+    else if (identifier.equals("name"))
+      return username;
+    else if (identifier.equals("ip.address"))
+      return remote_addr;
+    else if (identifier.equals("base.level"))
+      return String.valueOf(level);
+    else if (identifier.equals("is.anonymous"))
+      return String.valueOf(is_anon);
+
+    throw new PropertyNotFoundException("UserContext",identifier);
+
+  } // end propGet
+
+  public int propGetInt(String identifier)
   {
-    if (logger.isDebugEnabled())
-      logger.debug("userDefaultPseud() for UID " + uid);
-    if (my_pseud==null)
-      getContactInfo();
-    return my_pseud;
+    if (identifier.equals("id"))
+      return uid;
+    else if (identifier.equals("base.level"))
+      return level;
+    throw new PropertyNotFoundException("UserContext",identifier);
 
-  } // end userDefaultPseud
+  } // end propGetInt
 
-  public boolean userIsAnonymous()
+  public boolean propGetBoolean(String identifier)
   {
-    return is_anon;
+    if (identifier.equals("is.anonymous"))
+      return is_anon;
+    throw new PropertyNotFoundException("UserContext",identifier);
 
-  } // end userIsAnonymous
+  } // end propGetBoolean
 
-  public String realUserName()
-  {
-    return username;
-
-  } // end realUserName
-
-  public String realEmailAddress() throws DataException
-  {
-    if (my_email==null)
-      getContactInfo();
-    return my_email;
-
-  } // end realEmailAddress
-
-  public String realFullName() throws DataException
-  {
-    if (full_name==null)
-      getContactInfo();
-    return full_name;
-
-  } // end realFullName
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Implementations from interface UserBackend
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
 
   public void saveMRU(String tag, Object data)
   {
@@ -1695,7 +1735,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
     try
     { // retrieve a connection from the data pool
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       stmt = conn.createStatement();
       ResultSet rs = stmt.executeQuery("SELECT * FROM users WHERE is_anon = 1;");
       if (!(rs.next()))
@@ -1749,7 +1789,7 @@ class UserContextImpl implements UserContext, UserBackend
 
     try
     { // get a database connection and call the internal function
-      conn = env.getConnection();
+      conn = globalsite.getConnection(null);
       autoJoinCommunities(conn);
 
     } // end try
diff --git a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/UserProfileImpl.java b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/UserProfileImpl.java
index 98eda80..2918899 100644
--- a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/UserProfileImpl.java
+++ b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/UserProfileImpl.java
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ class UserProfileImpl implements UserProfile
       ResultSet rs = stmt.executeQuery(sql.toString());
       if (rs.next())
       { // load all the record data
-	boolean me_anon = env.getUser().userIsAnonymous();
+	boolean me_anon = env.isAnonymous();
 	given_name = rs.getString("given_name");
 	family_name = rs.getString("family_name");
 	String blort = rs.getString("middle_init");
@@ -437,7 +437,7 @@ class UserProfileImpl implements UserProfile
 
   public boolean canSendQuickEmail()
   {
-    return !is_anon && !(env.getUser().userIsAnonymous());
+    return !is_anon && !(env.isAnonymous());
 
   } // end canSendQuickEmail
 
@@ -446,7 +446,7 @@ class UserProfileImpl implements UserProfile
     if (logger.isDebugEnabled())
       logger.debug("Send Quick E-Mail (from uid " + env.getUserID() + " to uid " + uid + ")");
 
-    if (env.getUser().userIsAnonymous())
+    if (env.isAnonymous())
     { // we can't send quick emails if we're anonymous!
       logger.error("sending user is not logged in.");
       throw new AccessError("You must be logged in to send a quick E-mail message.");
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ class UserProfileImpl implements UserProfile
     } // end if
 
     // create the emailer object, fill it in, and send it
-    MailSend msend = new PersonalMailSend(env.getMailSender(),env.getGlobalSite(),env.getUser());
+    MailSend msend = new PersonalMailSend(env.getMailSender(),env.getGlobalSite(),env.getUserProps());
     msend.addRecipient(MailSend.RECIP_TO,real_email);
     msend.setSubject(subject);
     msend.setText(text + "\n");
diff --git a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/VeniceEngineImpl.java b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/VeniceEngineImpl.java
index daf2688..6449ba8 100644
--- a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/VeniceEngineImpl.java
+++ b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/impl/VeniceEngineImpl.java
@@ -650,7 +650,7 @@ public class VeniceEngineImpl implements VeniceEngine, EngineBackend
   public UserContext createUserContext(String remote_addr) throws DataException
   {
     checkInitialized();
-    UserContextImpl uci = new UserContextImpl(env);
+    UserContextImpl uci = new UserContextImpl(globalsite,env);
     uci.loadAnonymous(remote_addr);
     if (logger.isDebugEnabled())
       logger.debug("createUserContext(): context loaded :-)");
@@ -875,7 +875,7 @@ public class VeniceEngineImpl implements VeniceEngine, EngineBackend
 						      false,confirm_num,new_role,null);
 
     // create a new context for the user (they're now effectively logged in)
-    UserContextImpl rc = new UserContextImpl(env);
+    UserContextImpl rc = new UserContextImpl(globalsite,env);
     rc.loadNewUser(remote_addr,rnu.getUserID(),new_role.getLevel(),username,confirm_num,rnu.getCreationDate(),
 		   rnu.getCreationDate());
     rc.autoJoinCommunities();  // EJB 4/14/2001
diff --git a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/internals/EnvCommunity.java b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/internals/EnvCommunity.java
index b14dcee..dbe3571 100644
--- a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/internals/EnvCommunity.java
+++ b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/internals/EnvCommunity.java
@@ -86,34 +86,32 @@ public class EnvCommunity extends EnvUser
 
   public AuditRecord newAudit(int type, String data1, String data2, String data3, String data4)
   {
-    return new AuditRecord(type,super.getUserID(),super.getUser().userRemoteAddress(),getCommunityID(),data1,
-			   data2,data3,data4);
+    return new AuditRecord(type,super.getUserID(),super.getRemoteAddress(),getCommunityID(),data1,data2,
+			   data3,data4);
 
   } // end newAudit
 
   public AuditRecord newAudit(int type, String data1, String data2, String data3)
   {
-    return new AuditRecord(type,super.getUserID(),super.getUser().userRemoteAddress(),getCommunityID(),data1,
-			   data2,data3);
+    return new AuditRecord(type,super.getUserID(),super.getRemoteAddress(),getCommunityID(),data1,data2,data3);
 
   } // end newAudit
 
   public AuditRecord newAudit(int type, String data1, String data2)
   {
-    return new AuditRecord(type,super.getUserID(),super.getUser().userRemoteAddress(),getCommunityID(),data1,
-			   data2);
+    return new AuditRecord(type,super.getUserID(),super.getRemoteAddress(),getCommunityID(),data1,data2);
 
   } // end newAudit
 
   public AuditRecord newAudit(int type, String data1)
   {
-    return new AuditRecord(type,super.getUserID(),super.getUser().userRemoteAddress(),getCommunityID(),data1);
+    return new AuditRecord(type,super.getUserID(),super.getRemoteAddress(),getCommunityID(),data1);
 
   } // end newAudit
 
   public AuditRecord newAudit(int type)
   {
-    return new AuditRecord(type,super.getUserID(),super.getUser().userRemoteAddress(),getCommunityID());
+    return new AuditRecord(type,super.getUserID(),super.getRemoteAddress(),getCommunityID());
 
   } // end newAudit
 
diff --git a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/internals/EnvUser.java b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/internals/EnvUser.java
index 8527d00..2aeb348 100644
--- a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/internals/EnvUser.java
+++ b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/internals/EnvUser.java
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ import com.silverwrist.venice.except.AccessError;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.security.AuditRecord;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.security.Role;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.security.SecurityMonitor;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.util.PropertyProvider;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.util.ServiceProvider;
 
 public class EnvUser extends EnvEngine
 {
@@ -48,17 +50,21 @@ public class EnvUser extends EnvEngine
    *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    */
 
-  private UserBackend user;    // the user backend object
-  private SecurityMonitor sm;  // security monitor at this level
+  private ServiceProvider usersvc;     // the user service provider
+  private PropertyProvider userprops;  // the user property provider
+  private UserBackend user;            // the user backend object
+  private SecurityMonitor sm;          // security monitor at this level
 
   /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    * Constructors
    *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    */
 
-  public EnvUser(EnvEngine parent, UserBackend user)
+  public EnvUser(EnvEngine parent, ServiceProvider usersvc, UserBackend user)
   {
     super(parent);
+    this.usersvc = usersvc;
+    this.userprops = (PropertyProvider)(usersvc.queryService(PropertyProvider.class));
     this.user = user;
     this.sm = (SecurityMonitor)(getGlobalSite().queryService(SecurityMonitor.class));
 
@@ -67,6 +73,8 @@ public class EnvUser extends EnvEngine
   protected EnvUser(EnvUser other)
   {
     super(other);
+    this.usersvc = other.usersvc;
+    this.userprops = other.userprops;
     this.user = other.user;
     this.sm = other.sm;
 
@@ -82,7 +90,7 @@ public class EnvUser extends EnvEngine
     if (symbol.equals(PERM_CREATECOMMUNITY))
     { // the Create Community permission test
       Role r = getEngine().getParamRole(EngineBackend.ROLEP_CREATECOMMUNITY);
-      if (r.isSatisfiedBy(user.realBaseLevel()))
+      if (r.isSatisfiedBy(userprops.propGetInt("base.level")))
 	return true;
       logger.error("testPermission() fail for permission " + PERM_CREATECOMMUNITY);
       if (errormsg==null)
@@ -100,7 +108,7 @@ public class EnvUser extends EnvEngine
     if (symbol.equals(PERM_CREATECOMMUNITY))
     { // do the "Create Community" test here
       Role r = getEngine().getParamRole(EngineBackend.ROLEP_CREATECOMMUNITY);
-      return r.isSatisfiedBy(user.realBaseLevel());
+      return r.isSatisfiedBy(userprops.propGetInt("base.level"));
 
     } // end if
 
@@ -110,8 +118,9 @@ public class EnvUser extends EnvEngine
 
   protected int levelSelf()
   {
-    return user.realBaseLevel();
-  }
+    return userprops.propGetInt("base.level");
+
+  } // end levelSelf
 
   /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    * External operations
@@ -120,31 +129,31 @@ public class EnvUser extends EnvEngine
 
   public AuditRecord newAudit(int type, String data1, String data2, String data3, String data4)
   {
-    return new AuditRecord(type,getUserID(),user.userRemoteAddress(),data1,data2,data3,data4);
+    return new AuditRecord(type,getUserID(),userprops.propGet("ip.address"),data1,data2,data3,data4);
 
   } // end newAudit
 
   public AuditRecord newAudit(int type, String data1, String data2, String data3)
   {
-    return new AuditRecord(type,getUserID(),user.userRemoteAddress(),data1,data2,data3);
+    return new AuditRecord(type,getUserID(),userprops.propGet("ip.address"),data1,data2,data3);
 
   } // end newAudit
 
   public AuditRecord newAudit(int type, String data1, String data2)
   {
-    return new AuditRecord(type,getUserID(),user.userRemoteAddress(),data1,data2);
+    return new AuditRecord(type,getUserID(),userprops.propGet("ip.address"),data1,data2);
 
   } // end newAudit
 
   public AuditRecord newAudit(int type, String data1)
   {
-    return new AuditRecord(type,getUserID(),user.userRemoteAddress(),data1);
+    return new AuditRecord(type,getUserID(),userprops.propGet("ip.address"),data1);
 
   } // end newAudit
 
   public AuditRecord newAudit(int type)
   {
-    return new AuditRecord(type,getUserID(),user.userRemoteAddress());
+    return new AuditRecord(type,getUserID(),userprops.propGet("ip.address"));
 
   } // end newAudit
 
@@ -152,10 +161,11 @@ public class EnvUser extends EnvEngine
   {
     if (testPermissionDynamic(symbol,errormsg))
       return true;
+    int my_level = userprops.propGetInt("base.level");
     if (symbol.equals(PERM_CREATECOMMUNITY))
     { // the Create Community permission test
       Role r = getEngine().getParamRole(EngineBackend.ROLEP_CREATECOMMUNITY);
-      if (r.isSatisfiedBy(user.realBaseLevel()))
+      if (r.isSatisfiedBy(my_level))
 	return true;
       logger.error("testPermission() fail for permission " + PERM_CREATECOMMUNITY);
       if (errormsg==null)
@@ -164,29 +174,36 @@ public class EnvUser extends EnvEngine
 
     } // end if
 
-    return sm.testPermission(symbol,user.realBaseLevel(),errormsg);
+    return sm.testPermission(symbol,my_level,errormsg);
 
   } // end testPermission
 
   public boolean testPermission(String symbol)
   {
+    int my_level = userprops.propGetInt("base.level");
     if (symbol.equals(PERM_CREATECOMMUNITY))
     { // do the "Create Community" test here
       Role r = getEngine().getParamRole(EngineBackend.ROLEP_CREATECOMMUNITY);
-      return r.isSatisfiedBy(user.realBaseLevel());
+      return r.isSatisfiedBy(my_level);
 
     } // end if
 
-    return sm.testPermission(symbol,user.realBaseLevel());
+    return sm.testPermission(symbol,my_level);
 
   } // end testPermission
 
   public boolean satisfy(Role role)
   {
-    return role.isSatisfiedBy(user.realBaseLevel());
+    return role.isSatisfiedBy(userprops.propGetInt("base.level"));
 
   } // end satisfy
 
+  public final PropertyProvider getUserProps()
+  {
+    return userprops;
+
+  } // end getProps
+
   public final UserBackend getUser()
   {
     return user;
@@ -195,20 +212,32 @@ public class EnvUser extends EnvEngine
 
   public final int getUserID()
   {
-    return user.realUID();
+    return userprops.propGetInt("id");
 
   } // end getUserID
 
   public final String getUserName()
   {
-    return user.realUserName();
+    return userprops.propGet("name");
 
   } // end getUserName
 
   public final int getUserBaseLevel()
   {
-    return user.realBaseLevel();
+    return userprops.propGetInt("base.level");
 
   } // end getUserBaseLevel
 
+  public final String getRemoteAddress()
+  {
+    return userprops.propGet("ip.address");
+
+  } // end getRemoteAddress
+
+  public final boolean isAnonymous()
+  {
+    return userprops.propGetBoolean("is.anonymous");
+
+  } // end isAnonymous
+
 } // end class EnvUser
diff --git a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/internals/UserBackend.java b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/internals/UserBackend.java
index 624fc5c..22739e0 100644
--- a/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/internals/UserBackend.java
+++ b/src/com/silverwrist/venice/core/internals/UserBackend.java
@@ -21,22 +21,6 @@ import com.silverwrist.venice.except.DataException;
 
 public interface UserBackend
 {
-  public abstract int realUID();
-
-  public abstract int realBaseLevel();
-
-  public abstract String userRemoteAddress();
-
-  public abstract String userDefaultPseud() throws DataException;
-
-  public abstract boolean userIsAnonymous();
-
-  public abstract String realUserName();
-
-  public abstract String realEmailAddress() throws DataException;
-
-  public abstract String realFullName() throws DataException;
-
   public abstract void saveMRU(String tag, Object data);
 
 } // end interface UserBackend