29 files changed, 183 insertions, 200 deletions
diff --git a/include/Contact.php b/include/Contact.php
index 4c80f5d6a..66062c279 100644
--- a/include/Contact.php
+++ b/include/Contact.php
@@ -98,10 +98,10 @@ function vcard_from_xchan($xchan, $observer = null, $mode = '') {
 
 // FIXME - show connect button to observer if appropriate
 	$connect = false;
-	if(local_user()) {
+	if(local_channel()) {
 		$r = q("select * from abook where abook_xchan = '%s' and abook_channel = %d limit 1",
 			dbesc($xchan['xchan_hash']),
-			intval(local_user())
+			intval(local_channel())
 		);
 		if(! $r)
 			$connect = t('Connect');
@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ function channel_remove($channel_id, $local = true, $unset_session=true) {
 
 	proc_run('php','include/directory.php',$channel_id);
 
-	if($channel_id == local_user() && $unset_session) {
+	if($channel_id == local_channel() && $unset_session) {
 		unset($_SESSION['authenticated']);
 		unset($_SESSION['uid']);
 		goaway($a->get_baseurl());
diff --git a/include/ConversationObject.php b/include/ConversationObject.php
index 7dc4c8c19..af0bb8d2c 100644
--- a/include/ConversationObject.php
+++ b/include/ConversationObject.php
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class Conversation extends BaseObject {
 		$this->set_mode($mode);
 		$this->preview = $preview;
 		$this->prepared_item = $prepared_item;
-		$c = ((local_user()) ? get_pconfig(local_user(),'system','default_cipher') : '');
+		$c = ((local_channel()) ? get_pconfig(local_channel(),'system','default_cipher') : '');
 		if($c)
 			$this->cipher = $c;
 	}
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ class Conversation extends BaseObject {
 //					$this->writable = false;
 //				}
 //				else {
-					$this->profile_owner = local_user();
+					$this->profile_owner = local_channel();
 					$this->writable = true;
 //				}
 				break;
diff --git a/include/ItemObject.php b/include/ItemObject.php
index 82a321732..344664fd2 100644
--- a/include/ItemObject.php
+++ b/include/ItemObject.php
@@ -84,11 +84,11 @@ class Item extends BaseObject {
 		$conv = $this->get_conversation();
 		$observer = $conv->get_observer();
 
-		$lock = ((($item['item_private'] == 1) || (($item['uid'] == local_user()) && (strlen($item['allow_cid']) || strlen($item['allow_gid']) 
+		$lock = ((($item['item_private'] == 1) || (($item['uid'] == local_channel()) && (strlen($item['allow_cid']) || strlen($item['allow_gid']) 
 			|| strlen($item['deny_cid']) || strlen($item['deny_gid']))))
 			? t('Private Message')
 			: false);
-		$shareable = ((($conv->get_profile_owner() == local_user() && local_user()) && ($item['item_private'] != 1)) ? true : false);
+		$shareable = ((($conv->get_profile_owner() == local_channel() && local_channel()) && ($item['item_private'] != 1)) ? true : false);
 
 		// allow an exemption for sharing stuff from your private feeds
 		if($item['author']['xchan_network'] === 'rss')
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ class Item extends BaseObject {
 
 		$mode = $conv->get_mode();
 
-		if(local_user() && $observer['xchan_hash'] === $item['author_xchan'])
+		if(local_channel() && $observer['xchan_hash'] === $item['author_xchan'])
 			$edpost = array($a->get_baseurl($ssl_state)."/editpost/".$item['id'], t("Edit"));
 		else
 			$edpost = false;
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ class Item extends BaseObject {
 
 		if($observer['xchan_hash'] == $this->get_data_value('author_xchan') 
 			|| $observer['xchan_hash'] == $this->get_data_value('owner_xchan') 
-			|| $this->get_data_value('uid') == local_user())
+			|| $this->get_data_value('uid') == local_channel())
 			$dropping = true;
 
 
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ class Item extends BaseObject {
 			);
 		}
 
-		$filer = ((($conv->get_profile_owner() == local_user()) && (! array_key_exists('real_uid',$item))) ? t("Save to Folder") : false);
+		$filer = ((($conv->get_profile_owner() == local_channel()) && (! array_key_exists('real_uid',$item))) ? t("Save to Folder") : false);
 
 		$profile_avatar = $item['author']['xchan_photo_m'];
 		$profile_link   = chanlink_url($item['author']['xchan_url']);
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ class Item extends BaseObject {
 		
 		if($this->is_toplevel()) {
 			// FIXME check this permission
-			if(($conv->get_profile_owner() == local_user()) && (! array_key_exists('real_uid',$item))) {
+			if(($conv->get_profile_owner() == local_channel()) && (! array_key_exists('real_uid',$item))) {
 
 // FIXME we don't need all this stuff, some can be done in the template
 
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ class Item extends BaseObject {
 
 
 		// FIXME - check this permission
-		if($conv->get_profile_owner() == local_user()) {
+		if($conv->get_profile_owner() == local_channel()) {
 			$tagger = array(
 				'tagit' => t("Add Tag"),
 				'classtagger' => "",
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ class Item extends BaseObject {
 		}
 
 		$has_event = false;
-		if(($item['obj_type'] === ACTIVITY_OBJ_EVENT) && $conv->get_profile_owner() == local_user())
+		if(($item['obj_type'] === ACTIVITY_OBJ_EVENT) && $conv->get_profile_owner() == local_channel())
 			$has_event = true;
 
 		if($this->is_commentable()) {
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ class Item extends BaseObject {
 			'star'      => ((feature_enabled($conv->get_profile_owner(),'star_posts')) ? $star : ''),
 			'tagger'    => ((feature_enabled($conv->get_profile_owner(),'commtag')) ? $tagger : ''),
 			'filer'     => ((feature_enabled($conv->get_profile_owner(),'filing')) ? $filer : ''),
-			'bookmark'  => (($conv->get_profile_owner() == local_user() && local_user() && $has_bookmarks) ? t('Save Bookmarks') : ''),
+			'bookmark'  => (($conv->get_profile_owner() == local_channel() && local_channel() && $has_bookmarks) ? t('Save Bookmarks') : ''),
 			'addtocal'  => (($has_event) ? t('Add to Calendar') : ''),
 			'drop'      => $drop,
 			'multidrop' => ((feature_enabled($conv->get_profile_owner(),'multi_delete')) ? $multidrop : ''),
@@ -610,7 +610,7 @@ class Item extends BaseObject {
 		$a = $this->get_app();
 		$observer = $conv->get_observer();
 
-		$qc = ((local_user()) ? get_pconfig(local_user(),'system','qcomment') : null);
+		$qc = ((local_channel()) ? get_pconfig(local_channel(),'system','qcomment') : null);
 		$qcomment = (($qc) ? explode("\n",$qc) : null);
 
 		$comment_box = replace_macros($template,array(
diff --git a/include/RedDAV/RedBrowser.php b/include/RedDAV/RedBrowser.php
index 8093aebc9..e651562ec 100644
--- a/include/RedDAV/RedBrowser.php
+++ b/include/RedDAV/RedBrowser.php
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ class RedBrowser extends DAV\Browser\Plugin {
 	 */
 	public function generateDirectoryIndex($path) {
 		// (owner_id = channel_id) is visitor owner of this directory?
-		$is_owner = ((local_user() && $this->auth->owner_id == local_user()) ? true : false);
+		$is_owner = ((local_channel() && $this->auth->owner_id == local_channel()) ? true : false);
 
 		if ($this->auth->getTimezone())
 			date_default_timezone_set($this->auth->getTimezone());
diff --git a/include/account.php b/include/account.php
index 88036e2ef..19c13d5bd 100644
--- a/include/account.php
+++ b/include/account.php
@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ function downgrade_accounts() {
 
 function service_class_allows($uid,$property,$usage = false) {
 	$a = get_app();
-	if($uid == local_user()) {
+	if($uid == local_channel()) {
 		$service_class = $a->account['account_service_class'];
 	}
 	else {
@@ -619,7 +619,7 @@ function account_service_class_allows($aid,$property,$usage = false) {
 
 function service_class_fetch($uid,$property) {
 	$a = get_app();
-	if($uid == local_user()) {
+	if($uid == local_channel()) {
 		$service_class = $a->account['account_service_class'];
 	}
 	else {
diff --git a/include/acl_selectors.php b/include/acl_selectors.php
index 243e7a549..ae740b281 100644
--- a/include/acl_selectors.php
+++ b/include/acl_selectors.php
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ function group_select($selname,$selclass,$preselected = false,$size = 4) {
 	$o .= "<select name=\"{$selname}[]\" id=\"$selclass\" class=\"$selclass\" multiple=\"multiple\" size=\"$size\" >\r\n";
 
 	$r = q("SELECT * FROM `groups` WHERE `deleted` = 0 AND `uid` = %d ORDER BY `name` ASC",
-		intval(local_user())
+		intval(local_channel())
 	);
 
 
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ function contact_selector($selname, $selclass, $preselected = false, $options) {
 		WHERE `uid` = %d AND `self` = 0 AND `blocked` = 0 AND `pending` = 0 AND `archive` = 0 AND `notify` != ''
 		$sql_extra
 		ORDER BY `name` ASC ",
-		intval(local_user())
+		intval(local_channel())
 	);
 
 
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ function contact_select($selname, $selclass, $preselected = false, $size = 4, $p
 		$sql_extra
 		ORDER BY xchan_name ASC ",
 		intval(ABOOK_FLAG_SELF),
-		intval(local_user())
+		intval(local_channel())
 	);
 
 
diff --git a/include/activities.php b/include/activities.php
index d770ccb23..ca8863e51 100644
--- a/include/activities.php
+++ b/include/activities.php
@@ -3,10 +3,10 @@
 function profile_activity($changed, $value) {
 	$a = get_app();
 
-	if(! local_user() || ! is_array($changed) || ! count($changed))
+	if(! local_channel() || ! is_array($changed) || ! count($changed))
 		return;
 
-	if(! get_pconfig(local_user(),'system','post_profilechange'))
+	if(! get_pconfig(local_channel(),'system','post_profilechange'))
 		return;
 
 	require_once('include/items.php');
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ function profile_activity($changed, $value) {
 
 	$arr = array();
 	$arr['mid']         = $arr['parent_mid'] = item_message_id();
-	$arr['uid']         = local_user();
+	$arr['uid']         = local_channel();
 	$arr['aid']         = $self['channel_account_id'];
 	$arr['owner_xchan'] = $arr['author_xchan'] = $self['xchan_hash'];
 	$arr['item_flags']  = ITEM_WALL|ITEM_ORIGIN|ITEM_THREAD_TOP;
diff --git a/include/api.php b/include/api.php
index 51de412cf..d00cdcf8a 100644
--- a/include/api.php
+++ b/include/api.php
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ require_once('include/items.php');
 			}
 		}			
 		if ($_SESSION["allow_api"])
-			return local_user();
+			return local_channel();
 		return false;
 	}
 
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ require_once('include/items.php');
 				api_login($a); 
 				return False;
 			} else {
-				$user = local_user();
+				$user = local_channel();
 				$extra_query = " AND abook_channel = %d AND (abook_flags & " . ABOOK_FLAG_SELF . " )>0 ";
 			}
 			
diff --git a/include/apps.php b/include/apps.php
index e08e6a6f5..504641102 100644
--- a/include/apps.php
+++ b/include/apps.php
@@ -88,15 +88,15 @@ function parse_app_description($f) {
 			$require = trim(strtolower($require));
 			switch($require) {
 				case 'nologin':
-					if(local_user())
+					if(local_channel())
 						unset($ret);
 					break;
 				case 'admin':
 					if(! is_site_admin())
 						unset($ret);
 					break;
-				case 'local_user':
-					if(! local_user())
+				case 'local_channel':
+					if(! local_channel())
 						unset($ret);
 					break;
 				case 'public_profile':
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ function parse_app_description($f) {
 						unset($ret);
 					break;
 				default:
-					if(! (local_user() && feature_enabled(local_user(),$require)))
+					if(! (local_channel() && feature_enabled(local_channel(),$require)))
 						unset($ret);
 					break;
 
@@ -196,15 +196,15 @@ function app_render($papp,$mode = 'view') {
 				$require = trim(strtolower($require));
 				switch($require) {
 					case 'nologin':
-						if(local_user())
+						if(local_channel())
 							return '';
 						break;
 					case 'admin':
 						if(! is_site_admin())
 							return '';
 						break;
-					case 'local_user':
-						if(! local_user())
+					case 'local_channel':
+						if(! local_channel())
 							return '';
 						break;
 					case 'public_profile':
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ function app_render($papp,$mode = 'view') {
 							return '';
 						break;
 					default:
-						if(! (local_user() && feature_enabled(local_user(),$require)))
+						if(! (local_channel() && feature_enabled(local_channel(),$require)))
 							return '';
 						break;
 
@@ -229,11 +229,11 @@ function app_render($papp,$mode = 'view') {
 
 	$hosturl = '';
 
-	if(local_user()) {
-		$installed = app_installed(local_user(),$papp);
+	if(local_channel()) {
+		$installed = app_installed(local_channel(),$papp);
 		$hosturl = z_root() . '/';
 	}
-	elseif(remote_user()) {
+	elseif(remote_channel()) {
 		$observer = get_app()->get_observer();
 		if($observer && $observer['xchan_network'] === 'zot') {
 			// some folks might have xchan_url redirected offsite, use the connurl
@@ -251,8 +251,8 @@ function app_render($papp,$mode = 'view') {
 		'$hosturl' => $hosturl,
 		'$purchase' => (($papp['page'] && (! $installed)) ? t('Purchase') : ''),
 		'$install' => (($hosturl && $mode == 'view') ? $install_action : ''),
-		'$edit' => ((local_user() && $installed && $mode == 'edit') ? t('Edit') : ''),
-		'$delete' => ((local_user() && $installed && $mode == 'edit') ? t('Delete') : '')
+		'$edit' => ((local_channel() && $installed && $mode == 'edit') ? t('Edit') : ''),
+		'$delete' => ((local_channel() && $installed && $mode == 'edit') ? t('Delete') : '')
 	));
 }
 
diff --git a/include/attach.php b/include/attach.php
index c7216df7a..155ddbc96 100644
--- a/include/attach.php
+++ b/include/attach.php
@@ -985,7 +985,7 @@ function file_activity($channel_id, $object, $allow_cid, $allow_gid, $deny_cid,
 		dbesc(ACTIVITY_POST),
 		dbesc($objtype),
 		dbesc($object['hash']),
-		intval(local_user())
+		intval(local_channel())
 	);
 
 	if($y) {
diff --git a/include/auth.php b/include/auth.php
index c4bbaf546..6c9c33861 100644
--- a/include/auth.php
+++ b/include/auth.php
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ if((isset($_SESSION)) && (x($_SESSION, 'authenticated')) &&
 
 	if(((x($_POST, 'auth-params')) && ($_POST['auth-params'] === 'logout')) || ($a->module === 'logout')) {
 		// process logout request
-		$args = array('channel_id' => local_user());
+		$args = array('channel_id' => local_channel());
 		call_hooks('logging_out', $args);
 		nuke_session();
 		info( t('Logged out.') . EOL);
diff --git a/include/chat.php b/include/chat.php
index 533c03dde..b19d495bb 100644
--- a/include/chat.php
+++ b/include/chat.php
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ function chatroom_list($uid) {
 	require_once('include/security.php');
 	$sql_extra = permissions_sql($uid);
 
-	$r = q("select cr_name, cr_id, count(cp_id) as cr_inroom from chatroom left join chatpresence on cr_id = cp_room where cr_uid = %d $sql_extra group by cr_name order by cr_name",
+	$r = q("select cr_name, cr_id, count(cp_id) as cr_inroom from chatroom left join chatpresence on cr_id = cp_room where cr_uid = %d $sql_extra group by cr_name, cr_id order by cr_name",
 		intval($uid)
 	);
 
diff --git a/include/comanche.php b/include/comanche.php
index b0eac475d..b181d415a 100644
--- a/include/comanche.php
+++ b/include/comanche.php
@@ -113,14 +113,14 @@ function comanche_replace_region($match) {
 
 /**
  * @function comanche_get_channel_id()
- *    Returns the channel_id of the profile owner of the page, or the local_user if there is no profile owner.
+ *    Returns the channel_id of the profile owner of the page, or the local_channel if there is no profile owner.
  * Otherwise returns 0
  */ 
 
 function comanche_get_channel_id() {
 	$channel_id = ((is_array(get_app()->profile)) ? get_app()->profile['profile_uid'] : 0);
-	if((! $channel_id) && (local_user()))
-		$channel_id = local_user();
+	if((! $channel_id) && (local_channel()))
+		$channel_id = local_channel();
 	return $channel_id;
 }
 
diff --git a/include/config.php b/include/config.php
index 87b91e51a..b459e2c7d 100644
--- a/include/config.php
+++ b/include/config.php
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
  * - <b>pconfig</b> is used for channel specific configurations and takes a
  * <i>channel_id</i> as identifier. It stores for example which features are
  * enabled per channel. The storage is of size MEDIUMTEXT.
- * @code $var = get_pconfig(local_user(), 'category', 'key');@endcode
+ * @code $var = get_pconfig(local_channel(), 'category', 'key');@endcode
  * - <b>xconfig</b> is the same as pconfig, except that it uses <i>xchan</i> as
  * an identifier. This is for example for people who do not have a local account.
  * The storage is of size MEDIUMTEXT.
diff --git a/include/contact_widgets.php b/include/contact_widgets.php
index ee9394e95..a02fea523 100644
--- a/include/contact_widgets.php
+++ b/include/contact_widgets.php
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ function findpeople_widget() {
 	$a = get_app();
 
 	if(get_config('system','invitation_only')) {
-		$x = get_pconfig(local_user(),'system','invites_remaining');
+		$x = get_pconfig(local_channel(),'system','invites_remaining');
 		if($x || is_site_admin()) {
 			$a->page['aside'] .= '<div class="side-link" id="side-invite-remain">' 
 			. sprintf( tt('%d invitation available','%d invitations available',$x), $x) 
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ function findpeople_widget() {
 		}
 	}
 
-	$advanced_search = ((local_user() && get_pconfig(local_user(),'feature','expert')) ? t('Advanced') : false);
+	$advanced_search = ((local_channel() && get_pconfig(local_channel(),'feature','expert')) ? t('Advanced') : false);
  
 	return replace_macros(get_markup_template('peoplefind.tpl'),array(
 		'$findpeople' => t('Find Channels'),
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ function findpeople_widget() {
 		'$inv' => t('Invite Friends'),
 		'$advanced_search' => $advanced_search,
 		'$advanced_hint' => "\r\n" . t('Advanced example: name=fred and country=iceland'),
-		'$loggedin' => local_user()
+		'$loggedin' => local_channel()
 	));
 
 }
@@ -39,12 +39,12 @@ function findpeople_widget() {
 function fileas_widget($baseurl,$selected = '') {
 	$a = get_app();
 
-	if(! local_user())
+	if(! local_channel())
 		return '';
 
 	$terms = array();
 	$r = q("select distinct(term) from term where uid = %d and type = %d order by term asc",
-		intval(local_user()),
+		intval(local_channel()),
 		intval(TERM_FILE)
 	);
 	if(! $r)
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ function common_friends_visitor_widget($profile_uid) {
 
 	$a = get_app();
 
-	if(local_user() == $profile_uid)
+	if(local_channel() == $profile_uid)
 		return;
 
 	$observer_hash = get_observer_hash();
diff --git a/include/conversation.php b/include/conversation.php
index 25c844fef..9429af754 100644
--- a/include/conversation.php
+++ b/include/conversation.php
@@ -430,16 +430,16 @@ function conversation(&$a, $items, $mode, $update, $page_mode = 'traditional', $
 
 	require_once('bbcode.php');
 
-	$ssl_state = ((local_user()) ? true : false);
+	$ssl_state = ((local_channel()) ? true : false);
 
-	if(local_user())
-		load_pconfig(local_user(),'');
+	if(local_channel())
+		load_pconfig(local_channel(),'');
 
 	$arr_blocked = null;
 
-	if(local_user()) 
-		$str_blocked = get_pconfig(local_user(),'system','blocked');
-	if(! local_user() && ($mode == 'network')) {
+	if(local_channel()) 
+		$str_blocked = get_pconfig(local_channel(),'system','blocked');
+	if(! local_channel() && ($mode == 'network')) {
 		$sys = get_sys_channel();
 		$id = $sys['channel_id'];
  		$str_blocked = get_pconfig($id,'system','blocked');
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ function conversation(&$a, $items, $mode, $update, $page_mode = 'traditional', $
 
 	if($mode === 'network') {
 
-		$profile_owner = local_user();
+		$profile_owner = local_channel();
 		$page_writeable = true;
 
 		if(!$update) {
@@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ function conversation(&$a, $items, $mode, $update, $page_mode = 'traditional', $
 
 	elseif($mode === 'channel') {
 		$profile_owner = $a->profile['profile_uid'];
-		$page_writeable = ($profile_owner == local_user());
+		$page_writeable = ($profile_owner == local_channel());
 
 		if(!$update) {
 			$tab = notags(trim($_GET['tab']));
@@ -508,14 +508,14 @@ function conversation(&$a, $items, $mode, $update, $page_mode = 'traditional', $
 	}
 
 	elseif($mode === 'display') {
-		$profile_owner = local_user();
+		$profile_owner = local_channel();
 		$page_writeable = false;
 		$live_update_div = '<div id="live-display"></div>' . "\r\n";
 	}
 
 	elseif($mode === 'page') {
 		$profile_owner = $a->profile['uid'];
-		$page_writeable = ($profile_owner == local_user());
+		$page_writeable = ($profile_owner == local_channel());
 		$live_update_div = '<div id="live-page"></div>' . "\r\n";
 	}
 
@@ -525,13 +525,13 @@ function conversation(&$a, $items, $mode, $update, $page_mode = 'traditional', $
 
 	elseif($mode === 'photos') {
 		$profile_onwer = $a->profile['profile_uid'];
-		$page_writeable = ($profile_owner == local_user());
+		$page_writeable = ($profile_owner == local_channel());
 		$live_update_div = '<div id="live-photos"></div>' . "\r\n";
 		// for photos we've already formatted the top-level item (the photo)
 		$content_html = $a->data['photo_html'];
 	}
 
-	$page_dropping = ((local_user() && local_user() == $profile_owner) ? true : false);
+	$page_dropping = ((local_channel() && local_channel() == $profile_owner) ? true : false);
 
 	if(! feature_enabled($profile_owner,'multi_delete'))
 		$page_dropping = false;
@@ -545,7 +545,7 @@ function conversation(&$a, $items, $mode, $update, $page_mode = 'traditional', $
 	else
 		$return_url = $_SESSION['return_url'] = $a->query_string;
 
-	load_contact_links(local_user());
+	load_contact_links(local_channel());
 
 	$cb = array('items' => $items, 'mode' => $mode, 'update' => $update, 'preview' => $preview);
 	call_hooks('conversation_start',$cb);
@@ -863,7 +863,7 @@ function best_link_url($item) {
 
 	$clean_url = normalise_link($item['author-link']);
 
-	if((local_user()) && (local_user() == $item['uid'])) {
+	if((local_channel()) && (local_channel() == $item['uid'])) {
 		if(isset($a->contacts) && x($a->contacts,$clean_url)) {
 			if($a->contacts[$clean_url]['network'] === NETWORK_DFRN) {
 				$best_url = $a->get_baseurl($ssl_state) . '/redir/' . $a->contacts[$clean_url]['id'];
@@ -899,17 +899,17 @@ function item_photo_menu($item){
 	$follow_url = "";
 
 
-	$local_user = local_user();
+	$local_channel = local_channel();
 
-	if($local_user) {
+	if($local_channel) {
 		$ssl_state = true;
 		if(! count($a->contacts))
-			load_contact_links($local_user);
+			load_contact_links($local_channel);
 		$channel = $a->get_channel();
 		$channel_hash = (($channel) ? $channel['channel_hash'] : '');
 	}
 
-	if(($local_user) && $local_user == $item['uid']) {
+	if(($local_channel) && $local_channel == $item['uid']) {
 		$vsrc_link = 'javascript:viewsrc(' . $item['id'] . '); return false;';
 		if($item['parent'] == $item['id'] && $channel && ($channel_hash != $item['author_xchan'])) {
 			$sub_link = 'javascript:dosubthread(' . $item['id'] . '); return false;';
@@ -923,7 +923,7 @@ function item_photo_menu($item){
 	if($a->contacts && array_key_exists($item['author_xchan'],$a->contacts))
 		$contact = $a->contacts[$item['author_xchan']];
 	else
-		if($local_user && $item['author']['xchan_addr'])
+		if($local_channel && $item['author']['xchan_addr'])
 			$follow_url = z_root() . '/follow/?f=&url=' . $item['author']['xchan_addr'];
 
 	if($contact) {
@@ -1075,7 +1075,7 @@ function status_editor($a,$x,$popup=false) {
 
 	$plaintext = true;
 
-//	if(feature_enabled(local_user(),'richtext'))
+//	if(feature_enabled(local_channel(),'richtext'))
 //		$plaintext = false;
 
 	$mimeselect = '';
@@ -1467,7 +1467,7 @@ function network_tabs() {
 		'title' => t('Sort by Post Date'),
 	);
 
-	if(feature_enabled(local_user(),'personal_tab')) {
+	if(feature_enabled(local_channel(),'personal_tab')) {
 		$tabs[] = array(
 			'label' => t('Personal'),
 			'url' => z_root() . '/' . $cmd . '?f=' . ((x($_GET,'cid')) ? '&cid=' . $_GET['cid'] : '') . '&conv=1',
@@ -1476,7 +1476,7 @@ function network_tabs() {
 		);
 	}
 
-	if(feature_enabled(local_user(),'new_tab')) { 
+	if(feature_enabled(local_channel(),'new_tab')) { 
 		$tabs[] = array(
 			'label' => t('New'),
 			'url' => z_root() . '/' . $cmd . '?f=' . ((x($_GET,'cid')) ? '&cid=' . $_GET['cid'] : '') . '&new=1' . ((x($_GET,'gid')) ? '&gid=' . $_GET['gid'] : ''),
@@ -1485,7 +1485,7 @@ function network_tabs() {
 		);
 	}
 
-	if(feature_enabled(local_user(),'star_posts')) {
+	if(feature_enabled(local_channel(),'star_posts')) {
 		$tabs[] = array(
 			'label' => t('Starred'),
 			'url'=>z_root() . '/' . $cmd . ((x($_GET,'cid')) ? '/?f=&cid=' . $_GET['cid'] : '') . '&star=1',
@@ -1495,7 +1495,7 @@ function network_tabs() {
 	}
 	// Not yet implemented
 
-	if(feature_enabled(local_user(),'spam_filter')) {
+	if(feature_enabled(local_channel(),'spam_filter')) {
 		$tabs[] = array(
 			'label' => t('Spam'),
 			'url'=> z_root() . '/network?f=&spam=1',
@@ -1527,7 +1527,7 @@ function profile_tabs($a, $is_owner=False, $nickname=Null){
 	if (is_null($nickname))
 		$nickname  = $channel['channel_address'];
 
-	$uid = (($a->profile['profile_uid']) ? $a->profile['profile_uid'] : local_user());
+	$uid = (($a->profile['profile_uid']) ? $a->profile['profile_uid'] : local_channel());
 	
 	if (get_pconfig($uid,'system','noprofiletabs'))
 		return;
@@ -1593,7 +1593,7 @@ function profile_tabs($a, $is_owner=False, $nickname=Null){
 	}
 
 	require_once('include/menu.php');
-	$has_bookmarks = menu_list_count(local_user(),'',MENU_BOOKMARK) + menu_list_count(local_user(),'',MENU_SYSTEM|MENU_BOOKMARK);
+	$has_bookmarks = menu_list_count(local_channel(),'',MENU_BOOKMARK) + menu_list_count(local_channel(),'',MENU_SYSTEM|MENU_BOOKMARK);
 	if($is_owner && $has_bookmarks) {
 		$tabs[] = array(
 			'label' => t('Bookmarks'),
diff --git a/include/diaspora.php b/include/diaspora.php
index 767758164..8f2f93209 100755
--- a/include/diaspora.php
+++ b/include/diaspora.php
@@ -2168,8 +2168,7 @@ function diaspora_profile($importer,$xml,$msg) {
 	if($name === '') {
 		$name = $handle_parts[0];
 	}
-	
-	 
+		 
 	if( preg_match("|^https?://|", $image_url) === 0) {
 		$image_url = "http://" . $handle_parts[1] . $image_url;
 	}
@@ -2190,32 +2189,16 @@ function diaspora_profile($importer,$xml,$msg) {
 	if(substr($birthday,5) === substr($contact['bd'],5))
 		$birthday = $contact['bd'];
 
-	// TODO: update name on item['author-name'] if the name changed. See consume_feed()
-	// Not doing this currently because D* protocol is scheduled for revision soon. 
-
-/*	$r = q("UPDATE `contact` SET `name` = '%s', `name-date` = '%s', `photo` = '%s', `thumb` = '%s', `micro` = '%s', `avatar-date` = '%s' , `bd` = '%s' WHERE `id` = %d AND `uid` = %d",
+	$r = q("update xchan set xchan_name = '%s', xchan_name_date = '%s', xchan_photo_l = '%s', xchan_photo_m = '%s', xchan_photo_s = '%s', xchan_photo_mimetype = '%s' where xchan_hash = '%s' ",
 		dbesc($name),
 		dbesc(datetime_convert()),
 		dbesc($images[0]),
 		dbesc($images[1]),
 		dbesc($images[2]),
+		dbesc($images[3]),
 		dbesc(datetime_convert()),
-		dbesc($birthday),
-		intval($contact['id']),
-		intval($importer['channel_id'])
+		intval($contact['xchan_hash'])
 	); 
-*/
-/*	if($r) {
-		if($oldphotos) {
-			foreach($oldphotos as $ph) {
-				q("DELETE FROM `photo` WHERE `uid` = %d AND `contact-id` = %d AND `album` = 'Contact Photos' AND `resource-id` = '%s' ",
-					intval($importer['channel_id']),
-					intval($contact['id']),
-					dbesc($ph['resource-id'])
-				);
-			}
-		}
-	}	*/
 
 	return;
 
diff --git a/include/follow.php b/include/follow.php
index 06c0c5c62..2d6791420 100644
--- a/include/follow.php
+++ b/include/follow.php
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ function new_contact($uid,$url,$channel,$interactive = false, $confirm = false)
 		return $result;
 	}
 
-	if((local_user()) && $uid == local_user()) {
+	if((local_channel()) && $uid == local_channel()) {
 		$aid = get_account_id();
 		$hash = get_observer_hash();
 		$ch = $a->get_channel();
diff --git a/include/group.php b/include/group.php
index 28cf5d80d..be19f6efe 100644
--- a/include/group.php
+++ b/include/group.php
@@ -202,8 +202,8 @@ function group_get_members($gid) {
 			LEFT JOIN abook ON abook_xchan = `group_member`.`xchan` left join xchan on xchan_hash = abook_xchan
 			WHERE `gid` = %d AND abook_channel = %d and `group_member`.`uid` = %d and not ( xchan_flags & %d )>0 and not ( abook_flags & %d )>0 and not ( abook_flags & %d )>0 ORDER BY xchan_name ASC ",
 			intval($gid),
-			intval(local_user()),
-			intval(local_user()),
+			intval(local_channel()),
+			intval(local_channel()),
 			intval(XCHAN_FLAGS_DELETED),
 			intval(ABOOK_FLAG_BLOCKED),
 			intval(ABOOK_FLAG_PENDING)
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ function group_side($every="connections",$each="group",$edit = false, $group_id
 
 	$o = '';
 
-	if(! local_user())
+	if(! local_channel())
 		return '';
 
 	$groups = array();
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ function group_side($every="connections",$each="group",$edit = false, $group_id
 	);
 	$member_of = array();
 	if($cid) {
-		$member_of = groups_containing(local_user(),$cid);
+		$member_of = groups_containing(local_channel(),$cid);
 	} 
 
 	if(count($r)) {
diff --git a/include/identity.php b/include/identity.php
index d98f39cb7..2fc183368 100644
--- a/include/identity.php
+++ b/include/identity.php
@@ -705,7 +705,7 @@ function profile_load(&$a, $nickname, $profile = '') {
 		$profile_fields_basic    = get_profile_fields_basic();
 		$profile_fields_advanced = get_profile_fields_advanced();
 
-		$advanced = ((feature_enabled(local_user(),'advanced_profiles')) ? true : false);
+		$advanced = ((feature_enabled(local_channel(),'advanced_profiles')) ? true : false);
 		if($advanced)
 			$fields = $profile_fields_advanced;
 		else
@@ -760,8 +760,8 @@ function profile_load(&$a, $nickname, $profile = '') {
 
 	}
 
-	if(local_user()) {
-		$a->profile['channel_mobile_theme'] = get_pconfig(local_user(),'system', 'mobile_theme');
+	if(local_channel()) {
+		$a->profile['channel_mobile_theme'] = get_pconfig(local_channel(),'system', 'mobile_theme');
 		$_SESSION['mobile_theme'] = $a->profile['channel_mobile_theme'];
 	}
 
@@ -783,7 +783,7 @@ function profile_load(&$a, $nickname, $profile = '') {
 
 function profile_create_sidebar(&$a,$connect = true) {
 
-	$block = (((get_config('system','block_public')) && (! local_user()) && (! remote_user())) ? true : false);
+	$block = (((get_config('system','block_public')) && (! local_channel()) && (! remote_channel())) ? true : false);
 
 	$a->set_widget('profile',profile_sidebar($a->profile, $block, $connect));
 	return;
@@ -824,7 +824,7 @@ function profile_sidebar($profile, $block = 0, $show_connect = true) {
 
 	head_set_icon($profile['thumb']);
 
-	$is_owner = (($profile['uid'] == local_user()) ? true : false);
+	$is_owner = (($profile['uid'] == local_channel()) ? true : false);
 
 	$profile['picdate'] = urlencode($profile['picdate']);
 
@@ -856,7 +856,7 @@ function profile_sidebar($profile, $block = 0, $show_connect = true) {
 		);
 
 
-		$multi_profiles = feature_enabled(local_user(), 'multi_profiles');
+		$multi_profiles = feature_enabled(local_channel(), 'multi_profiles');
 		if($multi_profiles) {
 			$profile['edit'] = array($a->get_baseurl(). '/profiles', t('Profiles'),"", t('Manage/edit profiles'));
 			$profile['menu']['cr_new'] = t('Create New Profile');
@@ -865,7 +865,7 @@ function profile_sidebar($profile, $block = 0, $show_connect = true) {
 			$profile['edit'] = array($a->get_baseurl() . '/profiles/' . $profile['id'], t('Edit Profile'),'',t('Edit Profile'));
 						
 		$r = q("SELECT * FROM `profile` WHERE `uid` = %d",
-				local_user());
+				local_channel());
 		
 
 		if($r) {
@@ -905,7 +905,7 @@ logger('online: ' . $profile['online']);
 		$block = true;
 	}
 
-	if(($profile['hidewall'] && (! local_user()) && (! remote_user())) || $block ) {
+	if(($profile['hidewall'] && (! local_channel()) && (! remote_channel())) || $block ) {
 		$location = $pdesc = $gender = $marital = $homepage = $online = False;
 	}
 
@@ -973,7 +973,7 @@ logger('online: ' . $profile['online']);
 		$a = get_app();
 		$o = '';
 
-		if(! local_user())
+		if(! local_channel())
 			return $o;
 
 		$bd_format = t('g A l F d') ; // 8 AM Friday January 18
@@ -983,7 +983,7 @@ logger('online: ' . $profile['online']);
 				LEFT JOIN `contact` ON `contact`.`id` = `event`.`cid`
 				WHERE `event`.`uid` = %d AND `type` = 'birthday' AND `start` < '%s' AND `finish` > '%s'
 				ORDER BY `start` ASC ",
-				intval(local_user()),
+				intval(local_channel()),
 				dbesc(datetime_convert('UTC','UTC','now + 6 days')),
 				dbesc(datetime_convert('UTC','UTC','now'))
 		);
@@ -1053,7 +1053,7 @@ logger('online: ' . $profile['online']);
 
 		$a = get_app();
 
-		if(! local_user())
+		if(! local_channel())
 			return $o;
 
 		$bd_format = t('g A l F d') ; // 8 AM Friday January 18
@@ -1062,7 +1062,7 @@ logger('online: ' . $profile['online']);
 		$r = q("SELECT `event`.* FROM `event`
 				WHERE `event`.`uid` = %d AND `type` != 'birthday' AND `start` < '%s' AND `start` > '%s'
 				ORDER BY `start` ASC ",
-				intval(local_user()),
+				intval(local_channel()),
 				dbesc(datetime_convert('UTC','UTC','now + 6 days')),
 				dbesc(datetime_convert('UTC','UTC','now - 1 days'))
 		);
@@ -1286,11 +1286,11 @@ function zid_init(&$a) {
 		proc_run('php','include/gprobe.php',bin2hex($tmp_str));
 		$arr = array('zid' => $tmp_str, 'url' => $a->cmd);
 		call_hooks('zid_init',$arr);		
-		if(! local_user()) {
+		if(! local_channel()) {
 			$r = q("select * from hubloc where hubloc_addr = '%s' order by hubloc_connected desc limit 1",
 				dbesc($tmp_str)
 			);
-			if($r && remote_user() && remote_user() === $r[0]['hubloc_hash'])
+			if($r && remote_channel() && remote_channel() === $r[0]['hubloc_hash'])
 				return;
 			logger('zid_init: not authenticated. Invoking reverse magic-auth for ' . $tmp_str);
 			// try to avoid recursion - but send them home to do a proper magic auth
@@ -1356,9 +1356,9 @@ function zid($s,$address = '') {
 
 function get_theme_uid() {
 	$uid = (($_REQUEST['puid']) ? intval($_REQUEST['puid']) : 0);
-	if(local_user()) {
-		if((get_pconfig(local_user(),'system','always_my_theme')) || (! $uid))
-			return local_user();
+	if(local_channel()) {
+		if((get_pconfig(local_channel(),'system','always_my_theme')) || (! $uid))
+			return local_channel();
 	}
 	if(! $uid) {
 		$x = get_sys_channel();
@@ -1421,7 +1421,7 @@ function get_online_status($nick) {
 
 	$ret = array('result' => false);
 
-	if(get_config('system','block_public') && ! local_user() && ! remote_user())
+	if(get_config('system','block_public') && ! local_channel() && ! remote_channel())
 		return $ret;
 
 	$r = q("select channel_id, channel_hash from channel where channel_address = '%s' limit 1",
@@ -1474,7 +1474,7 @@ function get_channel_by_nick($nick) {
 
 
 function identity_selector() {
-	if(local_user()) {
+	if(local_channel()) {
 		$r = q("select channel.*, xchan.* from channel left join xchan on channel.channel_hash = xchan.xchan_hash where channel.channel_account_id = %d and (channel_pageflags & %d) = 0 order by channel_name ",
 			intval(get_account_id()),
 			intval(PAGE_REMOVED)
@@ -1484,7 +1484,7 @@ function identity_selector() {
 			$account = get_app()->get_account();
 			$o = replace_macros(get_markup_template('channel_id_select.tpl'),array(
 				'$channels' => $r,
-				'$selected' => local_user()
+				'$selected' => local_channel()
 			));
 			return $o;
 		}
@@ -1495,7 +1495,7 @@ function identity_selector() {
 
 
 function is_public_profile() {
-	if(! local_user())
+	if(! local_channel())
 		return false;
 	if(intval(get_config('system','block_public')))
 		return false;
diff --git a/include/items.php b/include/items.php
index 756625d85..c34e694ac 100755
--- a/include/items.php
+++ b/include/items.php
@@ -1967,7 +1967,7 @@ function item_store($arr,$allow_exec = false) {
 		$arr['body'] = z_input_filter($arr['uid'],$arr['body'],$arr['mimetype']);
 
 
-		if(local_user() && (! $arr['sig'])) {
+		if(local_channel() && (! $arr['sig'])) {
 			$channel = get_app()->get_channel();
 			if($channel['channel_hash'] === $arr['author_xchan']) {
 				$arr['sig'] = base64url_encode(rsa_sign($arr['body'],$channel['channel_prvkey']));
@@ -2355,7 +2355,7 @@ function item_store_update($arr,$allow_exec = false) {
         // apply the input filter here - if it is obscured it has been filtered already
         $arr['body'] = z_input_filter($arr['uid'],$arr['body'],$arr['mimetype']);
 
-        if(local_user() && (! $arr['sig'])) {
+        if(local_channel() && (! $arr['sig'])) {
             $channel = get_app()->get_channel();
             if($channel['channel_hash'] === $arr['author_xchan']) {
                 $arr['sig'] = base64url_encode(rsa_sign($arr['body'],$channel['channel_prvkey']));
@@ -3949,7 +3949,7 @@ function retain_item($id) {
 function drop_items($items) {
 	$uid = 0;
 
-	if(! local_user() && ! remote_user())
+	if(! local_channel() && ! remote_channel())
 		return;
 
 	if(count($items)) {
@@ -4005,7 +4005,7 @@ function drop_item($id,$interactive = true,$stage = DROPITEM_NORMAL,$force = fal
 		$ok_to_delete = true;
 
 	// owner deletion
-	if(local_user() && local_user() == $item['uid'])
+	if(local_channel() && local_channel() == $item['uid'])
 		$ok_to_delete = true;
 
 	// author deletion
@@ -4472,7 +4472,7 @@ function items_fetch($arr,$channel = null,$observer_hash = null,$client_mode = C
 
         $r = q("SELECT abook.*, xchan.* from abook left join xchan on abook_xchan = xchan_hash where abook_id = %d and abook_channel = %d and not ( abook_flags & " . intval(ABOOK_FLAG_BLOCKED) . ")>0 limit 1",
 			intval($arr['cid']),
-			intval(local_user())
+			intval(local_channel())
         );
         if($r) {
             $sql_extra = " AND item.parent IN ( SELECT DISTINCT parent FROM item WHERE true $sql_options AND uid = " . intval($arr['uid']) . " AND ( author_xchan = '" . dbesc($r[0]['abook_xchan']) . "' or owner_xchan = '" . dbesc($r[0]['abook_xchan']) . "' ) and item_restrict = 0 ) ";
diff --git a/include/menu.php b/include/menu.php
index 9dc236605..81e986132 100644
--- a/include/menu.php
+++ b/include/menu.php
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ function menu_add_item($menu_id, $uid, $arr) {
 	$mitem_order = intval($arr['mitem_order']);	
 	$mitem_flags = intval($arr['mitem_flags']);
 
-	if(local_user() == $uid) {
+	if(local_channel() == $uid) {
 		$channel = get_app()->get_channel();	
 	}
 
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ function menu_edit_item($menu_id, $uid, $arr) {
 	$mitem_flags = intval($arr['mitem_flags']);
 
 
-	if(local_user() == $uid) {
+	if(local_channel() == $uid) {
 		$channel = get_app()->get_channel();	
 	}
 
diff --git a/include/message.php b/include/message.php
index 49278f273..34fa2cd8d 100644
--- a/include/message.php
+++ b/include/message.php
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ function send_message($uid = 0, $recipient='', $body='', $subject='', $replyto='
 
 	if(strlen($replyto)) {
 		$r = q("select convid from mail where channel_id = %d and ( mid = '%s' or parent_mid = '%s' ) limit 1",
-			intval(local_user()),
+			intval(local_channel()),
 			dbesc($replyto),
 			dbesc($replyto)
 		);
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ function send_message($uid = 0, $recipient='', $body='', $subject='', $replyto='
 		$handles = $recip_handle . ';' . $sender_handle;
 
 		$r = q("insert into conv (uid,guid,creator,created,updated,subject,recips) values(%d, '%s', '%s', '%s', '%s', '%s', '%s') ",
-			intval(local_user()),
+			intval(local_channel()),
 			dbesc($conv_guid),
 			dbesc($sender_handle),
 			dbesc(datetime_convert()),
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ function send_message($uid = 0, $recipient='', $body='', $subject='', $replyto='
 
 		$r = q("select * from conv where guid = '%s' and uid = %d limit 1",
 			dbesc($conv_guid),
-			intval(local_user())
+			intval(local_channel())
 		);
 		if($r)
 			$convid = $r[0]['id'];
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ function private_messages_list($uid, $mailbox = '', $start = 0, $numitems = 0) {
 	// inside this function or having some preset sorts, but don't wish to limit app developers. 
 		
 	$r = q("SELECT * from mail WHERE channel_id = %d $where order by created desc $limit",
-		intval(local_user())
+		intval(local_channel())
 	);
 	if(! $r) {
 		return array();
diff --git a/include/nav.php b/include/nav.php
index a567f83c5..5e8317cfa 100644
--- a/include/nav.php
+++ b/include/nav.php
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ EOT;
 
 
 
-	if(local_user()) {
+	if(local_channel()) {
 		$channel = $a->get_channel();
 		$observer = $a->get_observer();
 		$prof = q("select id from profile where uid = %d and is_default = 1",
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ EOT;
 
 
 	}
-	elseif(remote_user())
+	elseif(remote_channel())
 		$observer = $a->get_observer();
 	
 
@@ -78,10 +78,10 @@ EOT;
 	$userinfo = null;
 	$nav['loginmenu']=array();
 
-	if(local_user()) {
+	if(local_channel()) {
 
 
-		if($chans && count($chans) > 1 && feature_enabled(local_user(),'nav_channel_select'))
+		if($chans && count($chans) > 1 && feature_enabled(local_channel(),'nav_channel_select'))
 			$nav['channels'] = $chans;
 
 		$nav['logout'] = Array('logout',t('Logout'), "", t('End this session'),'logout_nav_btn');
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ EOT;
 		// user menu
 		$nav['usermenu'][] = Array('channel/' . $channel['channel_address'], t('Home'), "", t('Your posts and conversations'),'channel_nav_btn');
 		$nav['usermenu'][] = Array('profile/' . $channel['channel_address'], t('View Profile'), "", t('Your profile page'),'profile_nav_btn');
-		if(feature_enabled(local_user(),'multi_profiles'))
+		if(feature_enabled(local_channel(),'multi_profiles'))
 			$nav['usermenu'][]   = Array('profiles', t('Edit Profiles'),"", t('Manage/Edit profiles'),'profiles_nav_btn');
 		else
 			$nav['usermenu'][]   = Array('profiles/' . $prof[0]['id'], t('Edit Profile'),"", t('Edit your profile'),'profiles_nav_btn');
@@ -98,13 +98,13 @@ EOT;
 		$nav['usermenu'][] = Array('cloud/' . $channel['channel_address'],t('Files'),"",t('Your files'),'cloud_nav_btn');
 
 		require_once('include/chat.php');
-		$has_chats = chatroom_list_count(local_user());
+		$has_chats = chatroom_list_count(local_channel());
 		if($has_chats) {
 			$nav['usermenu'][] = Array('chat/' . $channel['channel_address'],t('Chat'),"",t('Your chatrooms'),'chat_nav_btn');
 		}
 
 		require_once('include/menu.php');
-		$has_bookmarks = menu_list_count(local_user(),'',MENU_BOOKMARK) + menu_list_count(local_user(),'',MENU_SYSTEM|MENU_BOOKMARK);
+		$has_bookmarks = menu_list_count(local_channel(),'',MENU_BOOKMARK) + menu_list_count(local_channel(),'',MENU_SYSTEM|MENU_BOOKMARK);
 		if($has_bookmarks) {
 			$nav['usermenu'][] = Array('bookmarks', t('Bookmarks'), "", t('Your bookmarks'),'bookmarks_nav_btn');
 		}
@@ -147,11 +147,11 @@ EOT;
 		$homelink = (($observer) ? $observer['xchan_url'] : '');
 	}
 
-	if(($a->module != 'home') && (! (local_user()))) 
+	if(($a->module != 'home') && (! (local_channel()))) 
 		$nav['home'] = array($homelink, t('Home'), "", t('Home Page'),'home_nav_btn');
 
 
-	if(($a->config['system']['register_policy'] == REGISTER_OPEN) && (! local_user()) && (! remote_user()))
+	if(($a->config['system']['register_policy'] == REGISTER_OPEN) && (! local_channel()) && (! remote_channel()))
 		$nav['register'] = array('register',t('Register'), "", t('Create an account'),'register_nav_btn');
 
 	$help_url = z_root() . '/help?f=&cmd=' . $a->cmd;
@@ -174,9 +174,9 @@ EOT;
 	 *
 	 */
 
-	if(local_user()) {
+	if(local_channel()) {
 
-		$network_options = get_pconfig(local_user(),'system','network_page_default');
+		$network_options = get_pconfig(local_channel(),'system','network_page_default');
 	
 		$nav['network'] = array('network' . (($network_options) ? '?f=&' . $network_options : ''), 
 			t('Matrix'), "", t('Your matrix'),'network_nav_btn');
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ $powered_by = '';
 		'$banner' =>  $banner,
 		'$emptynotifications' => t('Loading...'),
 		'$userinfo' => $x['usermenu'],
-		'$localuser' => local_user(),
+		'$localuser' => local_channel(),
 		'$sel' => 	$a->nav_sel,
 		'$powered_by' => $powered_by,
 		'$help' => t('@name, #tag, content'),
diff --git a/include/security.php b/include/security.php
index 07b6a96aa..216299099 100644
--- a/include/security.php
+++ b/include/security.php
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ function change_channel($change_channel) {
 			$_SESSION['uid'] = intval($r[0]['channel_id']);
 			get_app()->set_channel($r[0]);
 			$_SESSION['theme'] = $r[0]['channel_theme'];
-			$_SESSION['mobile_theme'] = get_pconfig(local_user(),'system', 'mobile_theme');
+			$_SESSION['mobile_theme'] = get_pconfig(local_channel(),'system', 'mobile_theme');
 			date_default_timezone_set($r[0]['channel_timezone']);
 			$ret = $r[0];
 		}
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ function change_channel($change_channel) {
 			$_SESSION['my_address'] = $r[0]['channel_address'] . '@' . substr(get_app()->get_baseurl(), strpos(get_app()->get_baseurl(), '://') + 3);
 
 			get_app()->set_observer($x[0]);
-			get_app()->set_perms(get_all_perms(local_user(), $hash));
+			get_app()->set_perms(get_all_perms(local_channel(), $hash));
 		}
 		if(! is_dir('store/' . $r[0]['channel_address']))
 			@os_mkdir('store/' . $r[0]['channel_address'], STORAGE_DEFAULT_PERMISSIONS,true);
@@ -153,8 +153,8 @@ function permissions_sql($owner_id, $remote_verified = false, $groups = null) {
 	if(defined('STATUSNET_PRIVACY_COMPATIBILITY'))
 		return '';
 
-	$local_user = local_user();
-	$remote_user = remote_user();
+	$local_channel = local_channel();
+	$remote_channel = remote_channel();
 
 	/**
 	 * Construct permissions
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ function permissions_sql($owner_id, $remote_verified = false, $groups = null) {
 	 * Profile owner - everything is visible
 	 */
 
-	if(($local_user) && ($local_user == $owner_id)) {
+	if(($local_channel) && ($local_channel == $owner_id)) {
 		$sql = ''; 
 	}
 
@@ -226,8 +226,8 @@ function item_permissions_sql($owner_id, $remote_verified = false, $groups = nul
 	if(defined('STATUSNET_PRIVACY_COMPATIBILITY'))
 		return '';
 
-	$local_user = local_user();
-	$remote_user = remote_user();
+	$local_channel = local_channel();
+	$remote_channel = remote_channel();
 
 	/**
 	 * Construct permissions
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ function item_permissions_sql($owner_id, $remote_verified = false, $groups = nul
 	 * Profile owner - everything is visible
 	 */
 
-	if(($local_user) && ($local_user == $owner_id)) {
+	if(($local_channel) && ($local_channel == $owner_id)) {
 		$sql = ''; 
 	}
 
@@ -408,8 +408,8 @@ function stream_perms_api_uids($perms = NULL ) {
 	$perms = is_null($perms) ? (PERMS_SITE|PERMS_NETWORK|PERMS_PUBLIC) : $perms;
 
 	$ret = array();
-	if(local_user())
-		$ret[] = local_user();
+	if(local_channel())
+		$ret[] = local_channel();
 	$r = q("select channel_id from channel where channel_r_stream > 0 and (channel_r_stream & %d)>0 and not (channel_pageflags & %d)>0",
 		intval($perms),
 		intval(PAGE_ADULT|PAGE_CENSORED|PAGE_SYSTEM|PAGE_REMOVED)
@@ -437,7 +437,7 @@ function stream_perms_xchans($perms = NULL ) {
 	$perms = is_null($perms) ? (PERMS_SITE|PERMS_NETWORK|PERMS_PUBLIC) : $perms;
 
 	$ret = array();
-	if(local_user())
+	if(local_channel())
 		$ret[] = get_observer_hash();
 
 	$r = q("select channel_hash from channel where channel_r_stream > 0 and (channel_r_stream & %d)>0 and not (channel_pageflags & %d)>0",
diff --git a/include/socgraph.php b/include/socgraph.php
index 542ec7074..13957e814 100644
--- a/include/socgraph.php
+++ b/include/socgraph.php
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ function poco($a,$extended = false) {
 
 	$system_mode = false;
 
-	if(intval(get_config('system','block_public')) && (! local_user()) && (! remote_user())) {
+	if(intval(get_config('system','block_public')) && (! local_channel()) && (! remote_channel())) {
 		logger('mod_poco: block_public');
 		http_status_exit(401);
 	}
diff --git a/include/text.php b/include/text.php
index cfe87991c..5c8242e79 100644
--- a/include/text.php
+++ b/include/text.php
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ function z_input_filter($channel_id,$s,$type = 'text/bbcode') {
 		intval($channel_id)
 	);
 	if($r && (($r[0]['account_roles'] & ACCOUNT_ROLE_ALLOWCODE) || ($r[0]['channel_pageflags'] & PAGE_ALLOWCODE))) {
-		if(local_user() && (get_account_id() == $r[0]['account_id'])) {
+		if(local_channel() && (get_account_id() == $r[0]['account_id'])) {
 			return $s;
 		}
 	}
@@ -727,7 +727,7 @@ function contact_block() {
 	if($shown == 0)
 		return;
 
-	$is_owner = ((local_user() && local_user() == $a->profile['uid']) ? true : false);
+	$is_owner = ((local_channel() && local_channel() == $a->profile['uid']) ? true : false);
 
 	$abook_flags = ABOOK_FLAG_PENDING|ABOOK_FLAG_SELF;
 	$xchan_flags = XCHAN_FLAGS_ORPHAN|XCHAN_FLAGS_DELETED;
@@ -835,7 +835,7 @@ function search($s,$id='search-box',$url='/search',$save = false) {
 		'$action_url' => $a->get_baseurl((stristr($url,'network')) ? true : false) . $url,
 		'$search_label' => t('Search'),
 		'$save_label' => t('Save'),
-		'$savedsearch' => feature_enabled(local_user(),'savedsearch')
+		'$savedsearch' => feature_enabled(local_channel(),'savedsearch')
 	));
 }
 
@@ -847,7 +847,7 @@ function searchbox($s,$id='search-box',$url='/search',$save = false) {
 		'$action_url' => z_root() . '/' . $url,
 		'$search_label' => t('Search'),
 		'$save_label' => t('Save'),
-		'$savedsearch' => feature_enabled(local_user(),'savedsearch')
+		'$savedsearch' => feature_enabled(local_channel(),'savedsearch')
 	));
 }
 
@@ -1063,7 +1063,7 @@ function smilies($s, $sample = false) {
 	$a = get_app();
 
 	if(intval(get_config('system','no_smilies')) 
-		|| (local_user() && intval(get_pconfig(local_user(),'system','no_smilies'))))
+		|| (local_channel() && intval(get_pconfig(local_channel(),'system','no_smilies'))))
 		return $s;
 
 	$s = preg_replace_callback('{<(pre|code)>.*?</\1>}ism','smile_shield',$s);
@@ -1359,7 +1359,7 @@ function prepare_body(&$item,$attach = false) {
 
 	$s .= format_categories($item,$writeable);
 
-	if(local_user() == $item['uid'])
+	if(local_channel() == $item['uid'])
 		$s .= format_filer($item);
 
 	$s = sslify($s);
@@ -1466,14 +1466,14 @@ function prepare_text($text,$content_type = 'text/bbcode') {
 
 
 function zidify_callback($match) {
-	$is_zid = ((feature_enabled(local_user(),'sendzid')) || (strpos($match[1],'zrl')) ? true : false);
+	$is_zid = ((feature_enabled(local_channel(),'sendzid')) || (strpos($match[1],'zrl')) ? true : false);
 	$replace = '<a' . $match[1] . ' href="' . (($is_zid) ? zid($match[2]) : $match[2]) . '"';			
 	$x = str_replace($match[0],$replace,$match[0]);
 	return $x;
 }
 
 function zidify_img_callback($match) {
-	$is_zid = ((feature_enabled(local_user(),'sendzid')) || (strpos($match[1],'zrl')) ? true : false);
+	$is_zid = ((feature_enabled(local_channel(),'sendzid')) || (strpos($match[1],'zrl')) ? true : false);
 	$replace = '<img' . $match[1] . ' src="' . (($is_zid) ? zid($match[2]) : $match[2]) . '"';
 
 	$x = str_replace($match[0],$replace,$match[0]);
@@ -1586,7 +1586,7 @@ function mimetype_select($channel_id, $current = 'text/bbcode') {
 
 	if($r) {
 		if(($r[0]['account_roles'] & ACCOUNT_ROLE_ALLOWCODE) || ($r[0]['channel_pageflags'] & PAGE_ALLOWCODE)) {
-			if(local_user() && get_account_id() == $r[0]['account_id'])
+			if(local_channel() && get_account_id() == $r[0]['account_id'])
 				$x[] = 'application/x-php';
 		}
 	}
@@ -2304,7 +2304,7 @@ function handle_tag($a, &$body, &$access_tag, &$str_tags, $profile_uid, $tag) {
 			// access control. The link points to out own channel just so it doesn't look
 			// weird - as all the other tags are linked to something. 
 
-			if(local_user() && local_user() == $profile_uid) {
+			if(local_channel() && local_channel() == $profile_uid) {
 				require_once('include/group.php');
 				$grp = group_byname($profile_uid,$name);
 
diff --git a/include/widgets.php b/include/widgets.php
index 9f9268055..523318850 100644
--- a/include/widgets.php
+++ b/include/widgets.php
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ require_once('include/contact_widgets.php');
 
 function widget_profile($args) {
 	$a = get_app();
-	$block = (((get_config('system', 'block_public')) && (! local_user()) && (! remote_user())) ? true : false);
+	$block = (((get_config('system', 'block_public')) && (! local_channel()) && (! remote_channel())) ? true : false);
 	return profile_sidebar($a->profile, $block, true);
 }
 
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ function widget_appselect($arr) {
 	return replace_macros(get_markup_template('app_select.tpl'),array(
 		'$title' => t('Apps'),
 		'$system' => t('System'),
-		'$authed' => ((local_user()) ? true : false),
+		'$authed' => ((local_channel()) ? true : false),
 		'$personal' => t('Personal'),
 		'$new' => t('Create Personal App'),
 		'$edit' => t('Edit Personal App')
@@ -100,12 +100,12 @@ function widget_appselect($arr) {
 
 function widget_suggestions($arr) {
 
-	if((! local_user()) || (! feature_enabled(local_user(),'suggest')))
+	if((! local_channel()) || (! feature_enabled(local_channel(),'suggest')))
 		return '';
 
 	require_once('include/socgraph.php');
 
-	$r = suggestion_query(local_user(),get_observer_hash(),0,20);
+	$r = suggestion_query(local_channel(),get_observer_hash(),0,20);
 
 	if(! $r) {
 		return;
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ function widget_suggestions($arr) {
 
 
 function widget_follow($args) {
-	if(! local_user())
+	if(! local_channel())
 		return '';
 
 	$a = get_app();
@@ -179,12 +179,12 @@ function widget_follow($args) {
 
 
 function widget_notes($arr) {
-	if(! local_user())
+	if(! local_channel())
 		return '';
-	if(! feature_enabled(local_user(),'private_notes'))
+	if(! feature_enabled(local_channel(),'private_notes'))
 		return '';
 
-	$text = get_pconfig(local_user(),'notes','text');
+	$text = get_pconfig(local_channel(),'notes','text');
 
 	$o = replace_macros(get_markup_template('notes.tpl'), array(
 		'$banner' => t('Notes'),
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ function widget_notes($arr) {
 
 
 function widget_savedsearch($arr) {
-	if((! local_user()) || (! feature_enabled(local_user(),'savedsearch')))
+	if((! local_channel()) || (! feature_enabled(local_channel(),'savedsearch')))
 		return '';
 
 	$a = get_app();
@@ -206,13 +206,13 @@ function widget_savedsearch($arr) {
 	
 	if(x($_GET,'searchsave') && $search) {
 		$r = q("select * from `term` where `uid` = %d and `type` = %d and `term` = '%s' limit 1",
-			intval(local_user()),
+			intval(local_channel()),
 			intval(TERM_SAVEDSEARCH),
 			dbesc($search)
 		);
 		if(! $r) {
 			q("insert into `term` ( `uid`,`type`,`term` ) values ( %d, %d, '%s') ",
-				intval(local_user()),
+				intval(local_channel()),
 				intval(TERM_SAVEDSEARCH),
 				dbesc($search)
 			);
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ function widget_savedsearch($arr) {
 
 	if(x($_GET,'searchremove') && $search) {
 		q("delete from `term` where `uid` = %d and `type` = %d and `term` = '%s'",
-			intval(local_user()),
+			intval(local_channel()),
 			intval(TERM_SAVEDSEARCH),
 			dbesc($search)
 		);
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ function widget_savedsearch($arr) {
 	$o = '';
 
 	$r = q("select `tid`,`term` from `term` WHERE `uid` = %d and `type` = %d ",
-		intval(local_user()),
+		intval(local_channel()),
 		intval(TERM_SAVEDSEARCH)
 	);
 
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ function widget_savedsearch($arr) {
 
 
 function widget_filer($arr) {
-	if(! local_user())
+	if(! local_channel())
 		return '';
 
 	$a = get_app();
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ function widget_filer($arr) {
 
 	$terms = array();
 	$r = q("select distinct(term) from term where uid = %d and type = %d order by term asc",
-		intval(local_user()),
+		intval(local_channel()),
 		intval(TERM_FILE)
 	);
 	if(! $r)
@@ -362,7 +362,7 @@ function widget_fullprofile($arr) {
 	if(! $a->profile['profile_uid'])
 		return;
 
-	$block = (((get_config('system', 'block_public')) && (! local_user()) && (! remote_user())) ? true : false);
+	$block = (((get_config('system', 'block_public')) && (! local_channel()) && (! remote_channel())) ? true : false);
 
 	return profile_sidebar($a->profile, $block);
 }
@@ -412,13 +412,13 @@ function widget_catcloud_wall($arr) {
 
 function widget_affinity($arr) {
 
-	if(! local_user())
+	if(! local_channel())
 		return '';
 
 	$cmin = ((x($_REQUEST,'cmin')) ? intval($_REQUEST['cmin']) : 0);
 	$cmax = ((x($_REQUEST,'cmax')) ? intval($_REQUEST['cmax']) : 99);
 
-	if(feature_enabled(local_user(),'affinity')) {
+	if(feature_enabled(local_channel(),'affinity')) {
 		$tpl = get_markup_template('main_slider.tpl');
 		$x = replace_macros($tpl,array(
 			'$val' => $cmin . ',' . $cmax,
@@ -442,7 +442,7 @@ function widget_affinity($arr) {
 
 function widget_settings_menu($arr) {
 
-	if(! local_user())
+	if(! local_channel())
 		return;
 
 	$a = get_app();
@@ -452,10 +452,10 @@ function widget_settings_menu($arr) {
 
 	// Retrieve the 'self' address book entry for use in the auto-permissions link
 
-	$role = get_pconfig(local_user(),'system','permissions_role');
+	$role = get_pconfig(local_channel(),'system','permissions_role');
 
 	$abk = q("select abook_id from abook where abook_channel = %d and ( abook_flags & %d )>0 limit 1",
-		intval(local_user()),
+		intval(local_channel()),
 		intval(ABOOK_FLAG_SELF)
 	);
 	if($abk)
@@ -514,7 +514,7 @@ function widget_settings_menu($arr) {
 		);
 	}
 
-	if(feature_enabled(local_user(),'premium_channel')) {
+	if(feature_enabled(local_channel(),'premium_channel')) {
 		$tabs[] = array(
 			'label' => t('Premium Channel Settings'),
 			'url' => $a->get_baseurl(true) . '/connect/' . $channel['channel_address'],
@@ -522,7 +522,7 @@ function widget_settings_menu($arr) {
 		);
 	}
 
-	if(feature_enabled(local_user(),'channel_sources')) {
+	if(feature_enabled(local_channel(),'channel_sources')) {
 		$tabs[] = array(
 			'label' => t('Channel Sources'),
 			'url' => $a->get_baseurl(true) . '/sources',
@@ -540,7 +540,7 @@ function widget_settings_menu($arr) {
 
 
 function widget_mailmenu($arr) {
-	if (! local_user())
+	if (! local_channel())
 		return;
 
 	$a = get_app();
@@ -564,13 +564,13 @@ function widget_design_tools($arr) {
 	$a = get_app();
 
 	// mod menu doesn't load a profile. For any modules which load a profile, check it.
-	// otherwise local_user() is sufficient for permissions.
+	// otherwise local_channel() is sufficient for permissions.
 
 	if($a->profile['profile_uid']) 
-		if(($a->profile['profile_uid'] != local_user()) && (! $a->is_sys))
+		if(($a->profile['profile_uid'] != local_channel()) && (! $a->is_sys))
 			return '';
  
-	if(! local_user())
+	if(! local_channel())
 		return '';
 
 	return design_tools();
@@ -642,7 +642,7 @@ function widget_bookmarkedchats($arr) {
 	$h = get_observer_hash();
 	if(! $h)
 		return;
-	$r = q("select * from xchat where xchat_xchan = '%s' group by xchat_url order by xchat_desc",
+	$r = q("select xchat_url, xchat_desc from xchat where xchat_xchan = '%s' order by xchat_desc",
 		dbesc($h)
 	);
 	if($r) {
@@ -664,7 +664,7 @@ function widget_suggestedchats($arr) {
 	$h = get_observer_hash();
 	if(! $h)
 		return;
-	$r = q("select *, count(xchat_url) as total from xchat group by xchat_url order by total desc, xchat_desc limit 24");
+	$r = q("select xchat_url, xchat_desc, count(xchat_xchan) as total from xchat group by xchat_url, xchat_desc order by total desc, xchat_desc limit 24");
 	if($r) {
 		for($x = 0; $x < count($r); $x ++) {
 			$r[$x]['xchat_url'] = zid($r[$x]['xchat_url']);
diff --git a/include/zot.php b/include/zot.php
index 33ac16abf..f3933d030 100644
--- a/include/zot.php
+++ b/include/zot.php
@@ -2438,7 +2438,7 @@ function build_sync_packet($uid = 0, $packet = null, $groups_changed = false) {
 		logger('packet: ' . print_r($packet,true),LOGGER_DATA);
 
 	if(! $uid)
-		$uid = local_user();
+		$uid = local_channel();
 
 	if(! $uid)
 		return;