diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 2719fc7e..ff14d3a8 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-AC_INIT(rtorrent, 0.4.2, jaris@ifi.uio.no)
+AC_INIT(rtorrent, 0.4.3, jaris@ifi.uio.no)
 
 AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE
 AM_CONFIG_HEADER(config.h)
diff --git a/rak/functional.h b/rak/functional.h
index 85d9ff2d..278c942f 100644
--- a/rak/functional.h
+++ b/rak/functional.h
@@ -321,14 +321,10 @@ bind1st(const Operation& op, const Type& val) {
 template <typename Operation>
 class bind2nd_t : public std::unary_function<typename Operation::first_argument_type,
 					     typename Operation::result_type> {
-protected:
+public:
   typedef typename reference_fix<typename Operation::first_argument_type>::type argument_type;
   typedef typename reference_fix<typename Operation::second_argument_type>::type value_type;
 
-  Operation  m_op;
-  value_type m_value;
-
-public:
   bind2nd_t(const Operation& op, const value_type v) :
     m_op(op), m_value(v) {}
 
@@ -336,6 +332,11 @@ public:
   operator () (const argument_type arg) {
     return m_op(arg, m_value);
   }
+
+protected:
+  Operation  m_op;
+  value_type m_value;
+
 };	    
 
 template <typename Operation, typename Type>
diff --git a/rak/functional_fun.h b/rak/functional_fun.h
index ab1fd748..8b62fc6d 100644
--- a/rak/functional_fun.h
+++ b/rak/functional_fun.h
@@ -180,6 +180,20 @@ private:
   const Arg1 m_arg1;
 };
 
+template <typename Result, typename Arg1>
+class ptr_fn1_t : public function_base1<Result, Arg1> {
+public:
+  typedef Result (*Func)(Arg1);
+
+  ptr_fn1_t(Func func) : m_func(func) {}
+  virtual ~ptr_fn1_t() {}
+  
+  virtual Result operator () (Arg1 arg1) { return m_func(arg1); }
+
+private:
+  Func    m_func;
+};
+
 template <typename Result, typename Arg1, typename Arg2>
 class ptr_fn1_b1_t : public function_base1<Result, Arg2> {
 public:
@@ -225,6 +239,12 @@ bind_mem_fn(Object* object, Result (Object::*func)(Arg1), const Arg1 arg1) {
   return new mem_fn0_b1_t<Object, Result, Arg1>(object, func, arg1);
 }
 
+template <typename Result, typename Arg1>
+function_base1<Result, Arg1>*
+ptr_fn(Result (*func)(Arg1)) {
+  return new ptr_fn1_t<Result, Arg1>(func);
+}
+
 template <typename Result, typename Arg1, typename Arg2>
 function_base1<Result, Arg2>*
 bind_ptr_fn(Result (*func)(Arg1, Arg2), const Arg1 arg1) {
diff --git a/src/core/download.cc b/src/core/download.cc
index 0c594076..b759b8c2 100644
--- a/src/core/download.cc
+++ b/src/core/download.cc
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@
 #include <sigc++/signal.h>
 #include <torrent/exceptions.h>
 
+#include "utils/variable_generic.h"
+
 #include "download.h"
 
 namespace core {
@@ -49,15 +51,25 @@ namespace core {
 Download::Download(torrent::Download d) :
   m_download(d),
 
-  m_chunksFailed(0),
-  m_connectionLeech(torrent::Download::CONNECTION_LEECH),
-  m_connectionSeed(torrent::Download::CONNECTION_SEED) {
+  m_chunksFailed(0) {
 
   m_connTrackerSucceded = m_download.signal_tracker_succeded(sigc::bind(sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Download::receive_tracker_msg), ""));
   m_connTrackerFailed = m_download.signal_tracker_failed(sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Download::receive_tracker_msg));
   m_connStorageError = m_download.signal_storage_error(sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Download::receive_storage_error));
 
   m_download.signal_chunk_failed(sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Download::receive_chunk_failed));
+
+  m_variables.insert("connection_current", new utils::VariableSlotString<const char*, const std::string&>(rak::mem_fn(this, &Download::connection_current),
+													  rak::mem_fn(this, &Download::set_connection_current)));
+  m_variables.insert("connection_leech",   new utils::VariableValue(connection_type_to_string(torrent::Download::CONNECTION_LEECH)));
+  m_variables.insert("connection_seed",    new utils::VariableValue(connection_type_to_string(torrent::Download::CONNECTION_SEED)));
+  m_variables.insert("directory",          new utils::VariableSlotString<std::string, const std::string&>(NULL,
+													  rak::mem_fn(this, &Download::set_root_directory)));
+  m_variables.insert("tied_to_file",       new utils::VariableBencode(&m_download.bencode(), "tied_to_file", torrent::Bencode::TYPE_STRING));
+
+  m_variables.insert("peers_min",          new utils::VariableSlotValue<uint32_t, uint32_t>(rak::mem_fn(&m_download, &torrent::Download::peers_min),
+											    rak::mem_fn(&m_download, &torrent::Download::set_peers_min),
+											    "%u"));
 }
 
 Download::~Download() {
@@ -74,23 +86,16 @@ Download::~Download() {
 void
 Download::start() {
   if (is_done()) {
-    m_download.set_connection_type(m_connectionSeed);
+    m_download.set_connection_type(string_to_connection_type(m_variables.get("connection_seed").as_string()));
     torrent::download_set_priority(m_download, 2);
   } else {
-    m_download.set_connection_type(m_connectionLeech);
+    m_download.set_connection_type(string_to_connection_type(m_variables.get("connection_leech").as_string()));
     torrent::download_set_priority(m_download, 4);
   }
 
   m_download.start();
 }
 
-void
-Download::set_root_directory(const std::string& d) {
-  m_download.set_root_dir(d +
-			  (!d.empty() && *d.rbegin() != '/' ? "/" : "") +
-			  (m_download.size_file_entries() > 1 ? m_download.name() : ""));
-}
-
 void
 Download::enable_udp_trackers(bool state) {
   for (int i = 0, last = m_download.size_trackers(); i < last; ++i)
@@ -103,7 +108,7 @@ Download::enable_udp_trackers(bool state) {
 
 void
 Download::receive_finished() {
-  m_download.set_connection_type(m_connectionSeed);
+  m_download.set_connection_type(string_to_connection_type(m_variables.get("connection_seed").as_string()));
   torrent::download_set_priority(m_download, 2);
 }
 
@@ -148,4 +153,15 @@ Download::receive_chunk_failed(uint32_t idx) {
   m_chunksFailed++;
 }
 
+// Clean up.
+void
+Download::set_root_directory(const std::string& d) {
+  if (d.empty())
+    m_download.set_root_dir("./" + (m_download.size_file_entries() > 1 ? m_download.name() : std::string()));
+  else
+    m_download.set_root_dir(d +
+			    (*d.rbegin() != '/' ? "/" : "") +
+			    (m_download.size_file_entries() > 1 ? m_download.name() : ""));
+}
+
 }
diff --git a/src/core/download.h b/src/core/download.h
index 8cb4591e..6b4d4327 100644
--- a/src/core/download.h
+++ b/src/core/download.h
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@
 #include <torrent/download.h>
 #include <torrent/torrent.h>
 
+#include "utils/variable_map.h"
+
 namespace core {
 
 class Download {
@@ -55,6 +57,9 @@ public:
 
   void               start();
 
+  utils::VariableMap* variables()                                  { return &m_variables; }
+  std::string        variable_string(const std::string& key)       { return m_variables.get_string(key); }
+
   torrent::Download& get_download()                  { return m_download; }
   const torrent::Download& get_download() const      { return m_download; }
   std::string        get_hash()                      { return m_download.info_hash(); }
@@ -64,18 +69,6 @@ public:
 
   uint32_t           chunks_failed() const                         { return m_chunksFailed; }
 
-  void               set_root_directory(const std::string& d);
-
-  ConnType           get_connection_current() const                { return m_download.connection_type(); }
-  ConnType           get_connection_leech() const                  { return m_connectionLeech; }
-  ConnType           get_connection_seed() const                   { return m_connectionSeed; }
-
-  void               set_connection_leech(const std::string& name) { m_connectionLeech = string_to_connection_type(name); }
-  void               set_connection_seed(const std::string& name)  { m_connectionSeed = string_to_connection_type(name); }
-
-  const std::string& tied_to_file() const                          { return m_tiedToFile; }
-  void               set_tied_to_file(const std::string& str)      { m_tiedToFile = str; }
-
   void               enable_udp_trackers(bool state);
 
   // Helper functions for calling functions in torrent::Download
@@ -94,24 +87,29 @@ public:
   static const char* connection_type_to_string(ConnType t);
 
 private:
+  Download(const Download&);
+  void operator () (const Download&);
+
   void               receive_tracker_msg(std::string msg);
   void               receive_storage_error(std::string msg);
 
   void               receive_chunk_failed(uint32_t idx);
 
+  const char*        connection_current() const                    { return connection_type_to_string(m_download.connection_type()); }
+  void               set_connection_current(const std::string& t)  { return m_download.set_connection_type(string_to_connection_type(t.c_str())); }
+
+  void               set_root_directory(const std::string& d);
+
   torrent::Download  m_download;
 
   std::string        m_message;
   uint32_t           m_chunksFailed;
 
-  ConnType           m_connectionLeech;
-  ConnType           m_connectionSeed;
-
-  std::string        m_tiedToFile;
-
   sigc::connection   m_connTrackerSucceded;
   sigc::connection   m_connTrackerFailed;
   sigc::connection   m_connStorageError;
+
+  utils::VariableMap  m_variables;
 };
 
 inline bool
diff --git a/src/core/download_factory.cc b/src/core/download_factory.cc
index 669371eb..6d5af71f 100644
--- a/src/core/download_factory.cc
+++ b/src/core/download_factory.cc
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@
 #include <torrent/bencode.h>
 #include <torrent/exceptions.h>
 
+#include "utils/variable_generic.h"
+
 #include "curl_get.h"
 #include "http_queue.h"
 #include "globals.h"
@@ -60,12 +62,16 @@ DownloadFactory::DownloadFactory(const std::string& uri, Manager* m) :
   m_uri(uri),
   m_session(false),
   m_start(false),
-  m_printLog(true),
-  m_tiedToFile(false) {
+  m_printLog(true) {
 
   m_taskLoad.set_slot(rak::mem_fn(this, &DownloadFactory::receive_load));
   m_taskCommit.set_slot(rak::mem_fn(this, &DownloadFactory::receive_commit));
-}  
+
+  m_variables.insert("connection_leech", new utils::VariableValue(control->variables()->get("connection_leech")));
+  m_variables.insert("connection_seed",  new utils::VariableValue(control->variables()->get("connection_seed")));
+  m_variables.insert("directory",        new utils::VariableValue(control->variables()->get("directory")));
+  m_variables.insert("tied_to_file",     new utils::VariableBool(false));
+}
 
 DownloadFactory::~DownloadFactory() {
   priority_queue_erase(&taskScheduler, &m_taskLoad);
@@ -98,7 +104,7 @@ DownloadFactory::receive_load() {
     (*itr)->signal_done().slots().push_front(sigc::mem_fun(*this, &DownloadFactory::receive_loaded));
     (*itr)->signal_failed().slots().push_front(sigc::mem_fun(*this, &DownloadFactory::receive_failed));
 
-    m_tiedToFile = false;
+    m_variables.set("tied_to_file", (int64_t)false);
 
   } else {
     m_stream = new std::fstream(m_uri.c_str(), std::ios::in);
@@ -140,6 +146,14 @@ DownloadFactory::receive_success() {
     return;
   }
 
+  // Move to 'rtorrent'.
+  (*itr)->variables()->set("connection_leech", m_variables.get("connection_leech"));
+  (*itr)->variables()->set("connection_seed",  m_variables.get("connection_seed"));
+  (*itr)->variables()->set("directory",        m_variables.get("directory"));
+
+//   if (control->variables()->get("peers_min")
+//   (*itr)->variables()->set("peers_min",        m_variables.get("directory"));
+
   torrent::Bencode& bencode = (*itr)->get_bencode();
 
   if (m_session) {
@@ -147,18 +161,16 @@ DownloadFactory::receive_success() {
     if (bencode.get_key("rtorrent").get_key("state").as_string() == "started")
       m_manager->start(*itr, m_printLog);
 
-    if (bencode.get_key("rtorrent").has_key("tied") &&
-	bencode.get_key("rtorrent").get_key("tied").is_string())
-      (*itr)->set_tied_to_file(bencode.get_key("rtorrent").get_key("tied").as_string());
+    // Consider adding an empty 'tied_to_file' here if not present.
 
   } else {
     // Remove the settings if this isn't a session torrent.
     //bencode.erase_key("rtorrent");
 
-    if (m_tiedToFile) {
-      (*itr)->set_tied_to_file(m_uri);
-      bencode.get_key("rtorrent").insert_key("tied", m_uri);
-    }
+    if (m_variables.get("tied_to_file").as_value())
+      (*itr)->variables()->set("tied_to_file", m_uri);
+    else
+      (*itr)->variables()->set("tied_to_file", std::string());
 
     if (m_start)
       m_manager->start(*itr, m_printLog);
diff --git a/src/core/download_factory.h b/src/core/download_factory.h
index 688f216a..bdc6d4a0 100644
--- a/src/core/download_factory.h
+++ b/src/core/download_factory.h
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@
 #include <sigc++/slot.h>
 #include <rak/priority_queue_default.h>
 
+#include "utils/variable_map.h"
+
 #include "http_queue.h"
 
 namespace core {
@@ -65,6 +67,8 @@ public:
   void                load();
   void                commit();
 
+  utils::VariableMap* variables()              { return &m_variables; }
+
   bool                get_session() const   { return m_session; }
   void                set_session(bool v)   { m_session = v; }
 
@@ -74,9 +78,6 @@ public:
   bool                print_log() const        { return m_printLog; }
   void                set_print_log(bool v)    { m_printLog = v; }
 
-  bool                tied_to_file() const     { return m_tiedToFile; }
-  void                set_tied_to_file(bool v) { m_tiedToFile = v; }
-
   void                slot_finished(Slot s) { m_slotFinished = s; }
 
 private:
@@ -96,7 +97,8 @@ private:
   bool                m_session;
   bool                m_start;
   bool                m_printLog;
-  bool                m_tiedToFile;
+
+  utils::VariableMap  m_variables;
 
   Slot                m_slotFinished;
   rak::priority_item  m_taskLoad;
diff --git a/src/core/manager.cc b/src/core/manager.cc
index ccafede6..8ef17881 100644
--- a/src/core/manager.cc
+++ b/src/core/manager.cc
@@ -80,10 +80,12 @@ connect_signal_storage_log(Download* d, torrent::Download::SlotString s) {
 // Hmm... find some better place for all this.
 static void
 delete_tied(Download* d) {
+  const std::string tie = d->variables()->get("tied_to_file").as_string();
+
   // This should be configurable, need to wait for the variable
   // thingie to be implemented.
-  if (!d->tied_to_file().empty())
-    ::unlink(d->tied_to_file().c_str());
+  if (!tie.empty())
+    ::unlink(tie.c_str());
 }
 
 Manager::Manager() :
@@ -338,9 +340,10 @@ Manager::try_create_download(const std::string& uri, bool start, bool printLog,
   // Adding download.
   DownloadFactory* f = new DownloadFactory(uri, this);
 
+  f->variables()->set("tied_to_file", tied ? "yes" : "no");
+
   f->set_start(start);
   f->set_print_log(printLog);
-  f->set_tied_to_file(tied);
   f->slot_finished(sigc::bind(sigc::ptr_fun(&rak::call_delete_func<core::DownloadFactory>), f));
   f->load();
   f->commit();
@@ -402,7 +405,7 @@ Manager::try_create_download_expand(const std::string& uri, bool start, bool pri
   if (tied)
     for (std::vector<std::string>::iterator itr = paths.begin(); itr != paths.end(); )
       if (std::find_if(m_downloadList.begin(), m_downloadList.end(),
-		       rak::equal(*itr, std::mem_fun(&Download::tied_to_file))) != m_downloadList.end())
+		       rak::equal(*itr, rak::bind2nd(std::mem_fun(&Download::variable_string), "tied_to_file"))) != m_downloadList.end())
 	itr = paths.erase(itr);
       else
 	itr++;
diff --git a/src/display/window_peer_info.cc b/src/display/window_peer_info.cc
index 5438c5fc..e9dbe9da 100644
--- a/src/display/window_peer_info.cc
+++ b/src/display/window_peer_info.cc
@@ -80,11 +80,11 @@ WindowPeerInfo::redraw() {
   y++;
 
   m_canvas->print(0, y++, "Connection Type: %s ( %s / %s )",
-		  core::Download::connection_type_to_string(m_download->get_connection_current()),
-		  core::Download::connection_type_to_string(m_download->get_connection_leech()),
-		  core::Download::connection_type_to_string(m_download->get_connection_seed()));
-  m_canvas->print(0, y++, "Tied to file: %s",
-		  m_download->tied_to_file().c_str());
+		  m_download->variables()->get("connection_current").as_string().c_str(),
+		  m_download->variables()->get("connection_seed").as_string().c_str(),
+		  m_download->variables()->get("connection_leech").as_string().c_str());
+
+  m_canvas->print(0, y++, "Tied to file: %s", m_download->variable_string("tied_to_file").c_str());
 
   y++;
 
diff --git a/src/option_handler_rules.cc b/src/option_handler_rules.cc
index a8872f1d..c828e08d 100644
--- a/src/option_handler_rules.cc
+++ b/src/option_handler_rules.cc
@@ -103,26 +103,6 @@ apply_download_max_uploads(Control* m, int arg) {
   m->core()->get_download_list().slot_map_insert()["1_max_uploads"] = sigc::bind(sigc::mem_fun(&core::Download::call<void, uint32_t, &torrent::Download::set_uploads_max>), arg);
 }
 
-void
-apply_download_directory(Control* m, const std::string& arg) {
-  if (!arg.empty())
-    m->core()->get_download_list().slot_map_insert()["1_directory"] = sigc::bind(sigc::mem_fun(&core::Download::set_root_directory), arg);
-  else
-    m->core()->get_download_list().slot_map_insert().erase("1_directory");
-}
-
-void
-apply_connection_leech(Control* m, const std::string& arg) {
-  core::Download::string_to_connection_type(arg);
-  m->core()->get_download_list().slot_map_insert()["1_connection_leech"] = sigc::bind(sigc::mem_fun(&core::Download::set_connection_leech), arg);
-}
-
-void
-apply_connection_seed(Control* m, const std::string& arg) {
-  core::Download::string_to_connection_type(arg);
-  m->core()->get_download_list().slot_map_insert()["1_connection_seed"] = sigc::bind(sigc::mem_fun(&core::Download::set_connection_seed), arg);
-}
-
 void
 apply_global_download_rate(Control* m, int arg) {
   m->ui()->set_down_throttle(arg);
@@ -134,7 +114,7 @@ apply_global_upload_rate(Control* m, int arg) {
 }
 
 void
-apply_umask(Control* m, int arg) {
+apply_umask(int arg) {
   umask(arg);
 }
 
@@ -163,11 +143,6 @@ apply_max_open_sockets(Control* m, int arg) {
   torrent::set_max_open_sockets(arg);
 }
 
-void
-apply_ip(Control* m, const std::string& arg) {
-  torrent::set_local_address(arg);
-}
-
 // The arg string *must* have been checked with validate_port_range
 // first.
 void
@@ -215,14 +190,13 @@ apply_stop_untied(Control* m, const std::string& arg) {
   core::Manager::DListItr itr = m->core()->get_download_list().begin();
 
   while ((itr = std::find_if(itr, m->core()->get_download_list().end(),
-			     rak::on(std::mem_fun(&core::Download::tied_to_file), std::not1(std::mem_fun_ref(&std::string::empty)))))
+			     rak::on(rak::bind2nd(std::mem_fun(&core::Download::variable_string), "tied_to_file"),
+				     std::not1(std::mem_fun_ref(&std::string::empty)))))
 	 != m->core()->get_download_list().end()) {
     rak::file_stat fs;
 
-    if (!fs.update((*itr)->tied_to_file())) {
-      (*itr)->set_tied_to_file(std::string());
-      (*itr)->get_bencode().get_key("rtorrent").erase_key("tied");
-
+    if (!fs.update((*itr)->variable_string("tied_to_file"))) {
+      (*itr)->variables()->set("tied_to_file", std::string());
       m->core()->stop(*itr);
     }
 
@@ -235,14 +209,13 @@ apply_remove_untied(Control* m, const std::string& arg) {
   core::Manager::DListItr itr = m->core()->get_download_list().begin();
 
   while ((itr = std::find_if(itr, m->core()->get_download_list().end(),
-			     rak::on(std::mem_fun(&core::Download::tied_to_file), std::not1(std::mem_fun_ref(&std::string::empty)))))
+			     rak::on(rak::bind2nd(std::mem_fun(&core::Download::variable_string), "tied_to_file"),
+				     std::not1(std::mem_fun_ref(&std::string::empty)))))
 	 != m->core()->get_download_list().end()) {
     rak::file_stat fs;
 
-    if (!fs.update((*itr)->tied_to_file())) {
-      (*itr)->set_tied_to_file(std::string());
-      (*itr)->get_bencode().get_key("rtorrent").erase_key("tied");
-
+    if (!fs.update((*itr)->variable_string("tied_to_file"))) {
+      (*itr)->variables()->set("tied_to_file", std::string());
       m->core()->stop(*itr);
       itr = m->core()->erase(itr);
 
@@ -294,15 +267,18 @@ initialize_option_handler(Control* c) {
   variables->insert("port_random",         new utils::VariableValue("yes"));
   variables->insert("session",             new utils::VariableSlotString<>(NULL, rak::mem_fn(&control->core()->get_download_store(), &core::DownloadStore::use)));
 
+  variables->insert("connection_leech",    new utils::VariableValue("leech"));
+  variables->insert("connection_seed",     new utils::VariableValue("seed"));
+
+  variables->insert("directory",           new utils::VariableValue(std::string()));
+  variables->insert("ip",                  new utils::VariableSlotString<>(NULL, rak::ptr_fn(&torrent::set_local_address)));
+
   // Old.
   variables->insert("bind",                new utils::VariableSlotString<>(NULL, rak::mem_fn(control->core(), &core::Manager::bind)));
-
-  variables->insert("ip",                  new utils::VariableSlotString<>(NULL, rak::bind_ptr_fn(&apply_ip, c)));
   variables->insert("port_range",          new utils::VariableSlotString<>(NULL, rak::bind_ptr_fn(&apply_port_range, c)));
 
-  variables->insert("directory",           new utils::VariableSlotString<>(NULL, rak::bind_ptr_fn(&apply_download_directory, c)));
-
   variables->insert("max_peers",           new utils::VariableSlotValue<int, int>(NULL, rak::bind_ptr_fn(&apply_download_max_peers, c), "%i"));
+
   variables->insert("min_peers",           new utils::VariableSlotValue<int, int>(NULL, rak::bind_ptr_fn(&apply_download_min_peers, c), "%i"));
   variables->insert("max_uploads",         new utils::VariableSlotValue<int, int>(NULL, rak::bind_ptr_fn(&apply_download_max_uploads, c), "%i"));
 
@@ -315,10 +291,7 @@ initialize_option_handler(Control* c) {
   variables->insert("max_open_files",      new utils::VariableSlotValue<int, int>(NULL, rak::bind_ptr_fn(&apply_max_open_files, c), "%i"));
   variables->insert("max_open_sockets",    new utils::VariableSlotValue<int, int>(NULL, rak::bind_ptr_fn(&apply_max_open_sockets, c), "%i"));
 
-  variables->insert("umask",               new utils::VariableSlotValue<int, int>(NULL, rak::bind_ptr_fn(&apply_umask, c), "%o"));
-
-  variables->insert("connection_leech",    new utils::VariableSlotString<>(NULL, rak::bind_ptr_fn(&apply_connection_leech, c)));
-  variables->insert("connection_seed",     new utils::VariableSlotString<>(NULL, rak::bind_ptr_fn(&apply_connection_seed, c)));
+  variables->insert("umask",               new utils::VariableSlotValue<int, int>(NULL, rak::ptr_fn(&apply_umask), "%o"));
 
   variables->insert("load",                new utils::VariableSlotString<>(NULL, rak::bind_ptr_fn(&apply_load, c)));
   variables->insert("load_start",          new utils::VariableSlotString<>(NULL, rak::bind_ptr_fn(&apply_load_start, c)));
diff --git a/src/utils/variable_generic.cc b/src/utils/variable_generic.cc
index 469164ae..604fd993 100644
--- a/src/utils/variable_generic.cc
+++ b/src/utils/variable_generic.cc
@@ -53,4 +53,65 @@ VariableValue::set(const torrent::Bencode& arg) {
   m_variable = arg;
 }
 
+VariableBool::~VariableBool() {
+}
+
+const torrent::Bencode&
+VariableBool::get() {
+  return m_variable;
+}
+
+void
+VariableBool::set(const torrent::Bencode& arg) {
+  if (arg.is_value()) {
+    m_variable = arg.as_value() ? (int64_t)1 : (int64_t)0;
+
+  } else if (arg.is_string()) {
+
+    if (arg.as_string() == "yes" ||
+	arg.as_string() == "true")
+      m_variable = (int64_t)1;
+
+    else if (arg.as_string() == "no" ||
+	     arg.as_string() == "false")
+      m_variable = (int64_t)0;
+
+    else
+      throw torrent::input_error("String does not parse as a boolean.");
+
+  } else {
+    throw torrent::input_error("Input is not a boolean.");
+  }
+}
+
+VariableBencode::~VariableBencode() {
+}
+
+const torrent::Bencode&
+VariableBencode::get() {
+  return m_bencode->get_key(m_key);
+}
+
+void
+VariableBencode::set(const torrent::Bencode& arg) {
+  // Consider removing if TYPE_NONE.
+
+  switch (m_type) {
+  case torrent::Bencode::TYPE_NONE:
+    m_bencode->insert_key(m_key, arg);
+    break;
+
+  case torrent::Bencode::TYPE_STRING:
+    if (arg.get_type() == torrent::Bencode::TYPE_STRING)
+      m_bencode->insert_key(m_key, arg);
+    else
+      throw torrent::input_error("VariableBencode could not convert to string.");
+      
+    break;
+
+  default:
+    throw torrent::input_error("VariableBencode unsupported type restriction.");
+  }
+}
+
 }
diff --git a/src/utils/variable_generic.h b/src/utils/variable_generic.h
index 040b9656..ecda2c7c 100644
--- a/src/utils/variable_generic.h
+++ b/src/utils/variable_generic.h
@@ -61,6 +61,36 @@ private:
   torrent::Bencode    m_variable;
 };
 
+class VariableBool : public Variable {
+public:
+  VariableBool(bool state) : m_variable(state ? (int64_t)1 : (int64_t)0) {}
+  VariableBool(const torrent::Bencode& v = torrent::Bencode((int64_t)0)) { set(v); }
+  virtual ~VariableBool();
+
+  virtual const torrent::Bencode& get();
+  virtual void        set(const torrent::Bencode& arg);
+
+private:
+  torrent::Bencode    m_variable;
+};
+
+class VariableBencode : public Variable {
+public:
+  typedef torrent::Bencode::Type Type;
+
+  VariableBencode(torrent::Bencode* b, const std::string& key, Type t = torrent::Bencode::TYPE_NONE) :
+    m_bencode(b), m_key(key), m_type(t) {}
+  virtual ~VariableBencode();
+
+  virtual const torrent::Bencode& get();
+  virtual void        set(const torrent::Bencode& arg);
+
+private:
+  torrent::Bencode*   m_bencode;
+  std::string         m_key;
+  Type                m_type;
+};
+
 template <typename Get = std::string, typename Set = const std::string&>
 class VariableSlotString : public Variable {
 public:
diff --git a/src/utils/variable_map.cc b/src/utils/variable_map.cc
index 0589a26e..6d941ae3 100644
--- a/src/utils/variable_map.cc
+++ b/src/utils/variable_map.cc
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ VariableMap::insert(const std::string& key, Variable* v) {
   base_type::insert(itr, value_type(key, v));
 }
 
-const torrent::Bencode&
+const VariableMap::mapped_type&
 VariableMap::get(const std::string& key) {
   iterator itr = base_type::find(key);
 
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ VariableMap::get(const std::string& key) {
 }
 
 void
-VariableMap::set(const std::string& key, const torrent::Bencode& arg) {
+VariableMap::set(const std::string& key, const mapped_type& arg) {
   iterator itr = base_type::find(key);
 
   // Later, allow the user to create new variables. Have a slot to
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ parse_name(std::string::const_iterator first, std::string::const_iterator last,
 }
 
 std::string::const_iterator
-parse_unknown(std::string::const_iterator first, std::string::const_iterator last, torrent::Bencode* dest) {
+parse_unknown(std::string::const_iterator first, std::string::const_iterator last, VariableMap::mapped_type* dest) {
   if (*first == '"') {
     std::string::const_iterator next = std::find_if(++first, last, std::bind2nd(std::equal_to<char>(), '"'));
     
@@ -116,11 +116,11 @@ parse_unknown(std::string::const_iterator first, std::string::const_iterator las
 }
 
 std::string::const_iterator
-parse_args(std::string::const_iterator first, std::string::const_iterator last, torrent::Bencode::List* dest) {
+parse_args(std::string::const_iterator first, std::string::const_iterator last, VariableMap::mapped_type::List* dest) {
   first = std::find_if(first, last, std::not1(std::ptr_fun(&std::isspace)));
 
   while (first != last) {
-    dest->push_back(torrent::Bencode());
+    dest->push_back(VariableMap::mapped_type());
 
     first = parse_unknown(first, last, &dest->back());
     first = std::find_if(first, last, std::not1(std::ptr_fun(&std::isspace)));
@@ -148,11 +148,11 @@ VariableMap::process_command(const std::string& command) {
   if (pos == command.end() || *pos != '=')
     throw torrent::input_error("Could not find '='.");
 
-  torrent::Bencode args(torrent::Bencode::TYPE_LIST);
+  mapped_type args(mapped_type::TYPE_LIST);
   parse_args(pos + 1, command.end(), &args.as_list());
 
   if (args.as_list().empty())
-    set(key, torrent::Bencode());
+    set(key, mapped_type());
 
   else if (++args.as_list().begin() == args.as_list().end())
     set(key, *args.as_list().begin());
diff --git a/src/utils/variable_map.h b/src/utils/variable_map.h
index fe95e65e..cfc7ca2d 100644
--- a/src/utils/variable_map.h
+++ b/src/utils/variable_map.h
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ class Variable;
 class VariableMap : public std::map<std::string, Variable*> {
 public:
   typedef std::map<std::string, Variable*> base_type;
+  typedef torrent::Bencode                 mapped_type;
 
   using base_type::iterator;
   using base_type::value_type;
@@ -59,10 +60,11 @@ public:
 
   // Consider taking char* start and finish instead of std::string to
   // avoid copying. Or make a view class.
-  const torrent::Bencode& get(const std::string& key);
+  const mapped_type&  get(const std::string& key);
+  std::string         get_string(const std::string& key);
 
-  void                set(const std::string& key, const torrent::Bencode& arg);
-  void                set_string(const std::string& key, const std::string& arg) { set(key, torrent::Bencode(arg)); }
+  void                set(const std::string& key, const mapped_type& arg);
+  void                set_string(const std::string& key, const std::string& arg) { set(key, mapped_type(arg)); }
 
   // Temporary.
   void                process_command(const std::string& command);
@@ -72,6 +74,16 @@ private:
   void operator = (const VariableMap&);
 };
 
+inline std::string
+VariableMap::get_string(const std::string& key) {
+  const mapped_type& v = get(key);
+
+  if (v.get_type() == mapped_type::TYPE_NONE)
+    return std::string();
+  else
+    return v.as_string();
+}
+
 }
 
 #endif