diff --git a/direct/src/controls/ControlManager.py b/direct/src/controls/ControlManager.py
index 04339e738f..13f0d6b9a9 100755
--- a/direct/src/controls/ControlManager.py
+++ b/direct/src/controls/ControlManager.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ CollisionHandlerRayStart = 4000.0 # This is a hack, it may be better to use a li
 
 class ControlManager:
     notify = DirectNotifyGlobal.directNotify.newCategory("ControlManager")
-    wantWASD = ConfigVariableBool('want-WASD', True)
+    wantWASD = ConfigVariableBool('want-WASD', False)
 
     def __init__(self, enable=True, passMessagesThrough = False):
         assert self.notify.debug("init control manager %s" % (passMessagesThrough))
diff --git a/direct/src/controls/DevWalker.py b/direct/src/controls/DevWalker.py
index 4fa9bb38e4..ae450bc68d 100755
--- a/direct/src/controls/DevWalker.py
+++ b/direct/src/controls/DevWalker.py
@@ -18,13 +18,14 @@ from direct.showbase.InputStateGlobal import inputState
 from direct.directnotify import DirectNotifyGlobal
 from direct.showbase import DirectObject
 from direct.task.Task import Task
-from pandac.PandaModules import *
+from panda3d.core import *
+
 
 class DevWalker(DirectObject.DirectObject):
 
     notify = DirectNotifyGlobal.directNotify.newCategory("DevWalker")
-    wantDebugIndicator = base.config.GetBool('want-avatar-physics-indicator', 0)
-    runMultiplier = base.config.GetFloat('dev-run-multiplier', 4.0)
+    wantDebugIndicator = ConfigVariableBool('want-avatar-physics-indicator', False)
+    runMultiplier = ConfigVariableDouble('dev-run-multiplier', 4.0)
 
     # Ghost mode overrides this:
     slideName = "slide-is-disabled"
@@ -109,7 +110,7 @@ class DevWalker(DirectObject.DirectObject):
         slideRight = inputState.isSet("slideRight")
         levitateUp = inputState.isSet("levitateUp")
         levitateDown = inputState.isSet("levitateDown")
-        run = inputState.isSet("run") and self.runMultiplier or 1.0
+        run = inputState.isSet("run") and self.runMultiplier.getValue() or 1.0
 
         # Check for Auto-Run
         if base.localAvatar.getAutoRun():
diff --git a/direct/src/controls/GhostWalker.py b/direct/src/controls/GhostWalker.py
index 2e6151c910..8dd36f2450 100755
--- a/direct/src/controls/GhostWalker.py
+++ b/direct/src/controls/GhostWalker.py
@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@ although it does send messeges that allow a listener to play sounds or
 animations based on walker events.
 """
 
-from direct.showbase.ShowBaseGlobal import *
-
 from direct.directnotify import DirectNotifyGlobal
 import NonPhysicsWalker
 
diff --git a/direct/src/controls/NonPhysicsWalker.py b/direct/src/controls/NonPhysicsWalker.py
index c587383161..09b5ce77d3 100755
--- a/direct/src/controls/NonPhysicsWalker.py
+++ b/direct/src/controls/NonPhysicsWalker.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ from pandac.PandaModules import *
 
 class NonPhysicsWalker(DirectObject.DirectObject):
     notify = DirectNotifyGlobal.directNotify.newCategory("NonPhysicsWalker")
-    wantDebugIndicator = base.config.GetBool('want-avatar-physics-indicator', 0)
+    wantDebugIndicator = ConfigVariableBool('want-avatar-physics-indicator', False)
 
     # Ghost mode overrides this:
     slideName = "slide-is-disabled"
diff --git a/direct/src/controls/ObserverWalker.py b/direct/src/controls/ObserverWalker.py
index 1a032f864c..efc9c4b0f9 100755
--- a/direct/src/controls/ObserverWalker.py
+++ b/direct/src/controls/ObserverWalker.py
@@ -14,8 +14,7 @@ although it does send messeges that allow a listener to play sounds or
 animations based on walker events.
 """
 
-from direct.showbase.ShowBaseGlobal import *
-from pandac.PandaModules import *
+from panda3d.core import *
 from direct.directnotify import DirectNotifyGlobal
 import NonPhysicsWalker
 
diff --git a/direct/src/controls/TwoDWalker.py b/direct/src/controls/TwoDWalker.py
index 573eaf9df9..0ca3033af9 100644
--- a/direct/src/controls/TwoDWalker.py
+++ b/direct/src/controls/TwoDWalker.py
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ TwoDWalker.py is for controling the avatars in a 2D Scroller game environment.
 """
 
 from GravityWalker import *
+from panda3d.core import ConfigVariableBool
+
 
 class TwoDWalker(GravityWalker):
     """
@@ -14,9 +16,9 @@ class TwoDWalker(GravityWalker):
     customizable input list.
     """
     notify = directNotify.newCategory("TwoDWalker")
-    wantDebugIndicator = base.config.GetBool('want-avatar-physics-indicator', 0)
-    wantFloorSphere = base.config.GetBool('want-floor-sphere', 0)
-    earlyEventSphere = base.config.GetBool('early-event-sphere', 0)
+    wantDebugIndicator = ConfigVariableBool('want-avatar-physics-indicator', False)
+    wantFloorSphere = ConfigVariableBool('want-floor-sphere', False)
+    earlyEventSphere = ConfigVariableBool('early-event-sphere', False)
 
     # special methods
     def __init__(self, gravity = -32.1740, standableGround=0.707,
@@ -55,4 +57,4 @@ class TwoDWalker(GravityWalker):
                     self.lifter.addVelocity(self.avatarControlJumpForce)
                     messenger.send("jumpStart")
                     self.isAirborne = 1
-                    assert self.debugPrint("isAirborne 1 due to jump")
\ No newline at end of file
+                    assert self.debugPrint("isAirborne 1 due to jump")
diff --git a/direct/src/directdevices/DirectDeviceManager.py b/direct/src/directdevices/DirectDeviceManager.py
index 1c0c89ca88..9744d05bdf 100644
--- a/direct/src/directdevices/DirectDeviceManager.py
+++ b/direct/src/directdevices/DirectDeviceManager.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ class DirectDeviceManager(VrpnClient, DirectObject):
             self.server = server
         else:
             # Check config file, if that fails, use default
-            self.server = myBase.config.GetString('vrpn-server', 'spacedyne')
+            self.server = ConfigVariableString('vrpn-server', 'spacedyne').getValue()
 
         # Create a vrpn client
         VrpnClient.__init__(self, self.server)
diff --git a/direct/src/directtools/DirectLights.py b/direct/src/directtools/DirectLights.py
index b1a40b24e3..af6dfdbc8c 100644
--- a/direct/src/directtools/DirectLights.py
+++ b/direct/src/directtools/DirectLights.py
@@ -18,7 +18,10 @@ class DirectLight(NodePath):
         return self.light
 
 class DirectLights(NodePath):
-    def __init__(self, parent = render):
+    def __init__(self, parent = None):
+        if parent is None:
+            parent = base.render
+
         # Initialize the superclass
         NodePath.__init__(self)
         # Create a node for the lights
diff --git a/direct/src/directtools/DirectSession.py b/direct/src/directtools/DirectSession.py
index 312d805134..55c47a2775 100644
--- a/direct/src/directtools/DirectSession.py
+++ b/direct/src/directtools/DirectSession.py
@@ -907,8 +907,11 @@ class DirectSession(DirectObject):
     def removeAllSelected(self):
         self.selected.removeAll()
 
-    def showAllDescendants(self, nodePath = render):
+    def showAllDescendants(self, nodePath = None):
         """ Show the level and its descendants """
+        if nodePath is None:
+            nodePath = base.render
+
         if not isinstance(nodePath, CollisionNode):
             nodePath.show()
 
diff --git a/direct/src/distributed/AsyncRequest.py b/direct/src/distributed/AsyncRequest.py
index bf76680909..dc3c6bf4d6 100755
--- a/direct/src/distributed/AsyncRequest.py
+++ b/direct/src/distributed/AsyncRequest.py
@@ -1,16 +1,17 @@
-from otp.ai.AIBaseGlobal import *
+#from otp.ai.AIBaseGlobal import *
 from direct.directnotify import DirectNotifyGlobal
 from direct.showbase.DirectObject import DirectObject
 from ConnectionRepository import *
+from panda3d.core import ConfigVariableDouble, ConfigVariableInt, ConfigVariableBool
 
 ASYNC_REQUEST_DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_IN_SECONDS = 8.0
 ASYNC_REQUEST_INFINITE_RETRIES = -1
 ASYNC_REQUEST_DEFAULT_NUM_RETRIES = 0
 
 if __debug__:
-    _overrideTimeoutTimeForAllAsyncRequests = config.GetFloat("async-request-timeout", -1.0)
-    _overrideNumRetriesForAllAsyncRequests = config.GetInt("async-request-num-retries", -1)
-    _breakOnTimeout = config.GetBool("async-request-break-on-timeout", False)
+    _overrideTimeoutTimeForAllAsyncRequests = ConfigVariableDouble("async-request-timeout", -1.0)
+    _overrideNumRetriesForAllAsyncRequests = ConfigVariableInt("async-request-num-retries", -1)
+    _breakOnTimeout = ConfigVariableBool("async-request-break-on-timeout", False)
 
 class AsyncRequest(DirectObject):
     """
@@ -51,10 +52,10 @@ class AsyncRequest(DirectObject):
         """
         assert AsyncRequest.notify.debugCall()
         if __debug__:
-            if _overrideTimeoutTimeForAllAsyncRequests >= 0.0:
-                timeoutTime = _overrideTimeoutTimeForAllAsyncRequests
-            if _overrideNumRetriesForAllAsyncRequests >= 0:
-                numRetries = _overrideNumRetriesForAllAsyncRequests
+            if _overrideTimeoutTimeForAllAsyncRequests.getValue() >= 0.0:
+                timeoutTime = _overrideTimeoutTimeForAllAsyncRequests.getValue()
+            if _overrideNumRetriesForAllAsyncRequests.getValue() >= 0:
+                numRetries = _overrideNumRetriesForAllAsyncRequests.getValue()
         AsyncRequest._asyncRequests[id(self)] = self
         self.deletingMessage = "AsyncRequest-deleting-%s"%(id(self,))
         self.air = air
diff --git a/direct/src/distributed/CRCache.py b/direct/src/distributed/CRCache.py
index 947609decf..2c3d966778 100644
--- a/direct/src/distributed/CRCache.py
+++ b/direct/src/distributed/CRCache.py
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ class CRCache:
     def checkCache(self):
         # For debugging; this verifies that the cache is sensible and
         # returns true if so.
-        from pandac.PandaModules import NodePath
+        from panda3d.core import NodePath
         for obj in self.dict.values():
             if isinstance(obj, NodePath):
                 assert not obj.isEmpty() and obj.getTopNode() != render.node()
diff --git a/direct/src/distributed/CRDataCache.py b/direct/src/distributed/CRDataCache.py
index 835378d8da..09a85daf97 100755
--- a/direct/src/distributed/CRDataCache.py
+++ b/direct/src/distributed/CRDataCache.py
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 from direct.distributed.CachedDOData import CachedDOData
+from panda3d.core import ConfigVariableInt
+
 
 class CRDataCache:
     # Stores cached data for DistributedObjects between instantiations on the client
@@ -6,7 +8,7 @@ class CRDataCache:
     def __init__(self):
         self._doId2name2data = {}
         # maximum # of objects we will cache data for
-        self._size = config.GetInt('crdatacache-size', 10)
+        self._size = ConfigVariableInt('crdatacache-size', 10).getValue()
         assert self._size > 0
         # used to preserve the cache size
         self._junkIndex = 0
diff --git a/direct/src/distributed/ClientRepository.py b/direct/src/distributed/ClientRepository.py
index fef18fea80..4483633be5 100644
--- a/direct/src/distributed/ClientRepository.py
+++ b/direct/src/distributed/ClientRepository.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from direct.directnotify import DirectNotifyGlobal
 from MsgTypesCMU import *
 from PyDatagram import PyDatagram
 from PyDatagramIterator import PyDatagramIterator
-from pandac.PandaModules import UniqueIdAllocator
+from panda3d.core import UniqueIdAllocator
 import types
 
 class ClientRepository(ClientRepositoryBase):
diff --git a/direct/src/distributed/ConnectionRepository.py b/direct/src/distributed/ConnectionRepository.py
index c13ed03d21..48ef67c266 100644
--- a/direct/src/distributed/ConnectionRepository.py
+++ b/direct/src/distributed/ConnectionRepository.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from pandac.PandaModules import *
 from direct.task import Task
-from direct.directnotify import DirectNotifyGlobal
+from direct.directnotify.DirectNotifyGlobal import directNotify
 from direct.distributed.DoInterestManager import DoInterestManager
 from direct.distributed.DoCollectionManager import DoCollectionManager
 from direct.showbase import GarbageReport
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ class ConnectionRepository(
     connection (and exchange datagrams) with a gameserver.  This
     includes ClientRepository and AIRepository.
     """
-    notify = DirectNotifyGlobal.directNotify.newCategory("ConnectionRepository")
+    notify = directNotify.newCategory("ConnectionRepository")
     taskPriority = -30
     taskChain = None
 
diff --git a/direct/src/distributed/DistributedCartesianGrid.py b/direct/src/distributed/DistributedCartesianGrid.py
index ea88ebaf56..f4a645eaab 100755
--- a/direct/src/distributed/DistributedCartesianGrid.py
+++ b/direct/src/distributed/DistributedCartesianGrid.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 
 from pandac.PandaModules import *
 from direct.interval.IntervalGlobal import *
+from direct.directnotify.DirectNotifyGlobal import directNotify
 
 from direct.distributed.DistributedNode import DistributedNode
 from direct.task import Task
@@ -24,7 +25,7 @@ class DistributedCartesianGrid(DistributedNode, CartesianGridBase):
     notify = directNotify.newCategory("DistributedCartesianGrid")
     notify.setDebug(0)
     
-    VisualizeGrid = config.GetBool("visualize-cartesian-grid", 0)
+    VisualizeGrid = ConfigVariableBool("visualize-cartesian-grid", False)
 
     RuleSeparator = ":"
 
diff --git a/direct/src/distributed/DistributedCartesianGridAI.py b/direct/src/distributed/DistributedCartesianGridAI.py
index 647d8153fd..ea9e12616e 100755
--- a/direct/src/distributed/DistributedCartesianGridAI.py
+++ b/direct/src/distributed/DistributedCartesianGridAI.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 
 from pandac.PandaModules import *
-
+from direct.directnotify.DirectNotifyGlobal import directNotify
 from direct.task import Task
 from DistributedNodeAI import DistributedNodeAI
 from CartesianGridBase import CartesianGridBase
diff --git a/direct/src/distributed/DistributedNode.py b/direct/src/distributed/DistributedNode.py
index 353b001cc2..590a58eeb4 100644
--- a/direct/src/distributed/DistributedNode.py
+++ b/direct/src/distributed/DistributedNode.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 """DistributedNode module: contains the DistributedNode class"""
 
-from pandac.PandaModules import NodePath
-from direct.showbase.ShowBaseGlobal import *
+from panda3d.core import NodePath
 from direct.task import Task
 import GridParent
 import DistributedObject
diff --git a/direct/src/distributed/DistributedNodeUD.py b/direct/src/distributed/DistributedNodeUD.py
index 5b0a82be9a..1924a03420 100755
--- a/direct/src/distributed/DistributedNodeUD.py
+++ b/direct/src/distributed/DistributedNodeUD.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from otp.ai.AIBaseGlobal import *
+#from otp.ai.AIBaseGlobal import *
 from DistributedObjectUD import DistributedObjectUD
 
 class DistributedNodeUD(DistributedObjectUD):
diff --git a/direct/src/distributed/DistributedObjectBase.py b/direct/src/distributed/DistributedObjectBase.py
index 15c8ee1b7e..70a7c567ca 100755
--- a/direct/src/distributed/DistributedObjectBase.py
+++ b/direct/src/distributed/DistributedObjectBase.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 
 from direct.showbase.DirectObject import DirectObject
-#from direct.directnotify.DirectNotifyGlobal import directNotify
+from direct.directnotify.DirectNotifyGlobal import directNotify
 
 class DistributedObjectBase(DirectObject):
     """
diff --git a/direct/src/distributed/DoInterestManager.py b/direct/src/distributed/DoInterestManager.py
index 6bf73494fd..f7bd1b0723 100755
--- a/direct/src/distributed/DoInterestManager.py
+++ b/direct/src/distributed/DoInterestManager.py
@@ -78,12 +78,7 @@ class DoInterestManager(DirectObject.DirectObject):
     Top level Interest Manager
     """
     notify = directNotify.newCategory("DoInterestManager")
-    try:
-        tempbase = base
-    except:
-        tempbase = simbase
-    InterestDebug = tempbase.config.GetBool('interest-debug', False)
-    del tempbase
+    InterestDebug = ConfigVariableBool('interest-debug', False)
 
     # 'handle' is a number that represents a single interest set that the
     # client has requested; the interest set may be modified
diff --git a/direct/src/distributed/TimeManager.py b/direct/src/distributed/TimeManager.py
index 46e7c72af1..36a9027028 100644
--- a/direct/src/distributed/TimeManager.py
+++ b/direct/src/distributed/TimeManager.py
@@ -21,29 +21,29 @@ class TimeManager(DistributedObject.DistributedObject):
     # The number of seconds to wait between automatic
     # synchronizations.  Set to 0 to disable auto sync after
     # startup.
-    updateFreq = base.config.GetFloat('time-manager-freq', 1800)
+    updateFreq = ConfigVariableDouble('time-manager-freq', 1800).getValue()
 
     # The minimum number of seconds to wait between two unrelated
     # synchronization attempts.  Increasing this number cuts down
     # on frivolous synchronizations.
-    minWait = base.config.GetFloat('time-manager-min-wait', 10)
+    minWait = ConfigVariableDouble('time-manager-min-wait', 10).getValue()
 
     # The maximum number of seconds of uncertainty to tolerate in
     # the clock delta without trying again.
-    maxUncertainty = base.config.GetFloat('time-manager-max-uncertainty', 1)
+    maxUncertainty = ConfigVariableDouble('time-manager-max-uncertainty', 1).getValue()
 
     # The maximum number of attempts to try to get a low-latency
     # time measurement before giving up and accepting whatever we
     # get.
-    maxAttempts = base.config.GetInt('time-manager-max-attempts', 5)
+    maxAttempts = ConfigVariableInt('time-manager-max-attempts', 5).getValue()
 
     # A simulated clock skew for debugging, in seconds.
-    extraSkew = base.config.GetInt('time-manager-extra-skew', 0)
+    extraSkew = ConfigVariableInt('time-manager-extra-skew', 0).getValue()
 
     if extraSkew != 0:
         notify.info("Simulating clock skew of %0.3f s" % extraSkew)
 
-    reportFrameRateInterval = base.config.GetDouble('report-frame-rate-interval', 300.0)
+    reportFrameRateInterval = ConfigVariableDouble('report-frame-rate-interval', 300.0).getValue()
 
     def __init__(self, cr):
         DistributedObject.DistributedObject.__init__(self, cr)
diff --git a/direct/src/fsm/StatePush.py b/direct/src/fsm/StatePush.py
index 10820b175b..9b0dd5fbb7 100755
--- a/direct/src/fsm/StatePush.py
+++ b/direct/src/fsm/StatePush.py
@@ -382,24 +382,6 @@ class EventPulse(Pulse, DirectObject):
         self.ignoreAll()
         Pulse.destroy(self)
 
-if __debug__:
-    l = []
-    def handler(value, l=l):
-        l.append(value)
-    ep = EventPulse('testEvent')
-    fc = FunctionCall(handler, ep)
-    assert l == []
-    messenger.send('testEvent')
-    assert l == [True, False, ]
-    messenger.send('testEvent')
-    assert l == [True, False, True, False, ]
-    fc.destroy()
-    ep.destroy()
-    del fc
-    del ep
-    del l
-    del handler
-    
 class EventArgument(PushesStateChanges, DirectObject):
     # tracks a particular argument to a particular messenger event
     def __init__(self, event, index=0):
@@ -415,25 +397,6 @@ class EventArgument(PushesStateChanges, DirectObject):
     def _handleEvent(self, *args):
         self._handlePotentialStateChange(args[self._index])
 
-if __debug__:
-    l = []
-    def handler(value, l=l):
-        l.append(value)
-    ea = EventArgument('testEvent', index=1)
-    fc = FunctionCall(handler, ea)
-    assert l == []
-    fc.pushCurrentState()
-    assert l == [None, ]
-    messenger.send('testEvent', ['a', 'b'])
-    assert l == [None, 'b', ]
-    messenger.send('testEvent', [1, 2, 3, ])
-    assert l == [None, 'b', 2, ]
-    fc.destroy()
-    ea.destroy()
-    del fc
-    del ea
-    del l
-
 class AttrSetter(StateChangeNode):
     def __init__(self, source, object, attrName):
         self._object = object
diff --git a/direct/src/gui/DirectGuiTest.py b/direct/src/gui/DirectGuiTest.py
index 46edc3dd09..6172aef04d 100644
--- a/direct/src/gui/DirectGuiTest.py
+++ b/direct/src/gui/DirectGuiTest.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ __all__ = []
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     from direct.showbase.ShowBase import ShowBase
+    import DirectGuiGlobals
     from DirectGui import *
     #from whrandom import *
     from random import *
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
         db.component('geom0').setScale(db.component('geom2').getScale()[0])
         db.component('geom1').setScale(db.component('geom2').getScale()[0])
         db['text2_text'] = 'Ouch!'
-        db['geom2_color'] = Vec4(1, 0, 0, 1)
+        db['geom2_color'] = (1, 0, 0, 1)
         newX = -1.0 + random() * 2.0
         newZ = -1.0 + random() * 2.0
         db.lerpPos(Point3(newX, 0, newZ), 1.0, task = 'runAway',
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
                           text = ('Hi!', 'Ouch!', 'Bye!', 'ZZZZ!'),
                           scale = .15, relief = 'raised',
                           # Here we set an option for a component of the button
-                          geom1_color = Vec4(1, 0, 0, 1),
+                          geom1_color = (1, 0, 0, 1),
                           # Here is an example of a component group option
                           text_pos = (.6, -.8),
                           # Set audio characteristics
@@ -140,4 +141,4 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     print 'HEIGHT:', de1.getHeight()
     print 'CENTER:', de1.getCenter()
 
-    run()
+    base.run()
diff --git a/direct/src/leveleditor/LevelEditorStart.py b/direct/src/leveleditor/LevelEditorStart.py
index 3ea17da91f..e9bccd920a 100644
--- a/direct/src/leveleditor/LevelEditorStart.py
+++ b/direct/src/leveleditor/LevelEditorStart.py
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 import LevelEditor
 
-base.le = LevelEditor.LevelEditor()
-# You should define LevelEditor instance as
-# base.le so it can be reached in global scope
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    base.le = LevelEditor.LevelEditor()
+    # You should define LevelEditor instance as
+    # base.le so it can be reached in global scope
 
-run()
+    base.run()
diff --git a/direct/src/particles/ParticleTest.py b/direct/src/particles/ParticleTest.py
index 7937bfec2b..c409a3df9f 100644
--- a/direct/src/particles/ParticleTest.py
+++ b/direct/src/particles/ParticleTest.py
@@ -30,4 +30,4 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     # Particle Panel
     pp = ParticlePanel.ParticlePanel(pe)
 
-    run()
+    base.run()
diff --git a/direct/src/physics/FallTest.py b/direct/src/physics/FallTest.py
index a99b9cd182..833269c984 100644
--- a/direct/src/physics/FallTest.py
+++ b/direct/src/physics/FallTest.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+from panda3d.core import NodePath
+from panda3d.physics import *
 
 class FallTest(NodePath):
     def __init__(self):
@@ -79,7 +81,7 @@ class FallTest(NodePath):
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     from direct.directbase.ThreeUpStart import *
     test=FallTest()
-    test.reparentTo(render)
+    test.reparentTo(base.render)
     test.setup()
-    camera.setY(-10.0)
-    run()
+    base.camera.setY(-10.0)
+    base.run()
diff --git a/direct/src/physics/RotationTest.py b/direct/src/physics/RotationTest.py
index fa852999c2..b32a1195f5 100644
--- a/direct/src/physics/RotationTest.py
+++ b/direct/src/physics/RotationTest.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+from panda3d.core import NodePath
+from panda3d.physics import *
 
 class RotationTest(NodePath):
     def __init__(self):
@@ -89,7 +91,7 @@ class RotationTest(NodePath):
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     from direct.directbase.ThreeUpStart import *
     test=RotationTest()
-    test.reparentTo(render)
+    test.reparentTo(base.render)
     test.setup()
-    camera.setY(-10.0)
-    run()
+    base.camera.setY(-10.0)
+    base.run()
diff --git a/direct/src/showbase/DistancePhasedNode.py b/direct/src/showbase/DistancePhasedNode.py
index 02b3fd7a24..368209806e 100755
--- a/direct/src/showbase/DistancePhasedNode.py
+++ b/direct/src/showbase/DistancePhasedNode.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 from direct.showbase.DirectObject import DirectObject
+from direct.directnotify.DirectNotifyGlobal import directNotify
 from panda3d.core import *
 from PhasedObject import PhasedObject
 
diff --git a/direct/src/showbase/ExcelHandler.py b/direct/src/showbase/ExcelHandler.py
deleted file mode 100755
index 01f932b1de..0000000000
--- a/direct/src/showbase/ExcelHandler.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,66 +0,0 @@
-"""Undocumented Module"""
-
-__all__ = ['ExcelHandler']
-
-"""
-A simple XML parser for Excel XML data. Built on top of xml.sax
-
-Example use:
-e=ExcelHandler()
-parse('myData.xml', e)
-print e.tables
-
-"""
-
-from xml.sax import saxutils
-
-class ExcelHandler(saxutils.DefaultHandler):
-    def __init__(self):
-        self.chars=[]
-        self.isNumber = 0
-        self.cells=[]
-        self.rows=[]
-        self.tables=[]
-        
-    def characters(self, content):
-        self.chars.append(content)
-        
-    def startElement(self, name, attrs):
-        if name=="Data":
-            if attrs.get('ss:Type') == "Number":
-                self.isNumber = 1
-            else:
-                self.isNumber = 0
-        elif name=="Cell":
-            self.chars=[]
-        elif name=="Row":
-            self.cells=[]
-        elif name=="Table":
-            self.rows=[]
-            
-    def endElement(self, name):
-        if name=="Data":
-            pass
-        elif name=="Cell":
-            s = ''.join(self.chars)
-            if s:
-                if self.isNumber:
-                    # Determine if it is an int or float and use
-                    # return the best fit
-                    floatVersion = float(s)
-                    intVersion = int(floatVersion)
-                    if floatVersion == intVersion:
-                        # If the float is equal to the int, it must be an int
-                        s = intVersion
-                    else:
-                        # Keep the precision and return a float
-                        s = floatVersion
-                # Convert the string "None" to the python object None
-                elif s == "None":
-                    s = None
-                self.cells.append(s)
-        elif name=="Row":
-            self.rows.append(self.cells)
-        elif name=="Table":
-            self.tables.append(self.rows)
-
diff --git a/direct/src/showbase/LazySort.py b/direct/src/showbase/LazySort.py
deleted file mode 100755
index 85ac166c00..0000000000
--- a/direct/src/showbase/LazySort.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,201 +0,0 @@
-from itertools import tee
-
-def itersorted(iterable, cmp = cmp, key = lambda x: x, reverse = False):
-    """
-    This function returns a generator object that yields sorted items from
-    'iterable'.
-
-    It implements a form of lazy sorting that's most useful in two cases:
-    1) When you only need the first few values in the sorted data.
-    2) When you want to amortize the cost of the sort over the time
-       you use the data.
-
-    It is to be considered a 'stable sort', where values with equivalent
-    sorting criteria maintain their relative order as it is in the input
-    data set.
-
-    'cmp' MUST return values in [-1,0,1]. Otherwise, behavior is
-    undefined, and will most likely be very incorrect.
-    """
-
-    # Notes:
-    # Understanding the concepts of 'left' and 'right' here is important.
-    # 'left' values are those that are yielded earlier in the sort. So
-    # each subsequent value yielded is 'to the right' of the previous one.
-    # A stack is used to maintain sets of values who share the same key
-    # value.  Each layer corresponds to one key.  During the traversals of
-    # the input data, values are added to each layer in such a way that
-    # they maintain their relative position (to others in the same layer)
-    # from the original data.  This ensures a 'stable sort'.
-    
-    # Create our working structures
-    stack = []      # holds a stack of 'layers'.
-                    # 'left' value layers are above 'right' ones.
-    layer = ()      # A 3-tuple of the form:
-                    # (key, data iterator, [values])
-    init = True     # Is set to true for the first pass through
-                    # the data.
-    if reverse:     # Use this to easily switch the direction of the sort.
-        rev = -1
-    else:
-        rev = 1
-
-    # Create the base iterator that will track our
-    # main progress through the data.
-    a = ((key(x),x) for x in iterable)
-        
-    # Begin the main loop
-    while 1:
-        # If the stack is empty, we must now seed it.
-        # Advance the base iterator until we find a value 'to the right' of
-        # anything we've yielded so far. (All values 'to the left' have
-        # already been yielded)
-        if not stack:
-            # pull next value off the base iterator
-            k,val = a.next()
-
-            # If init, get the first value and stop.
-            # Otherwise, find the first value 'to the right'
-            # of the most recently yielded value.
-            while (not init) and (cmp(k,lLimit) != rev):
-                k,val = a.next()
-                pass
-
-            # Place the found value as the initial stack value
-            # (and store its iteration progress as well).
-            a,b = tee(a)
-            stack.append([k, b, [val]])
-            pass
-
-
-        # We now iterate through the data, starting where the value
-        # at the top of the stack left off.
-        layer = stack[-1]
-        b = layer[1]
-        for k,val in b:
-            # If the next data element is 'to the left' of (or equal to)
-            # the top off the stack and 'to the right' of the last element
-            # yielded, add it to the stack.
-            if cmp(k,layer[0]) != rev and (init or cmp(k,lLimit) == rev):
-                # If it's 'to the left' of the current stack value,
-                # make a new layer and add it to the top of the stack.
-                # Otherwise, it's equivalent so we'll just append it
-                # to the values in the top layer of the stack.
-                if cmp(k,layer[0]) == -rev:
-                    b,layer[1] = tee(b)
-                    stack.append([k, b, []])
-                    layer = stack[-1]
-                    pass
-                layer[2].append(val)
-                pass
-            pass
-        # Remove the initialization condition to enable lLimit checking.
-        init = False
-
-        # Whatever values that are on the top stack at this point are
-        # the 'left-most' we've found that we haven't yet yielded. Yield
-        # them in the order that we discovered them in the source data.
-        # Define lLimit as the right-most limit for values that have not
-        # yet been yielded.  This will allow us to ignore these values
-        # on future iterations.
-        lLimit, b, vals = stack.pop()
-        for val in vals:
-            yield val
-            pass
-
-if __debug__:
-    def P(i):
-        for x in reversed(i):
-            print x
-
-    def test():
-        from itertools import islice
-
-        control = sorted(data, key = lambda x: x[0])
-        variable = itersorted(data, key = lambda x: x[0])
-        
-        print control[:10] == [x for x in islice(variable,10)]
-        print data
-        print control
-
-        variable = itersorted(data, key = lambda x: x[0])
-        print [x for x in islice(variable,10)]
-
-    from unittest import TestCase, main
-    from random import shuffle
-    from itertools import islice
-    
-    class LazySortTest(TestCase):
-        """
-        Run these tests with:
-        > python LazySort.py
-        """
-        
-        TESTLEN = 10
-        RANGELEN = max(TESTLEN, 10)
-
-        a = range(RANGELEN/2)*2
-        b = range(RANGELEN/2)*2
-        shuffle(a)
-        shuffle(b)
-        DATA = zip(a,b)
-        shuffle(DATA)
-        del a
-        del b
-        
-        def testRange(self):
-            control = sorted(self.DATA)
-            variable = itersorted(self.DATA)
-            self.assertEqual(control[:10], [x for x in islice(variable, self.TESTLEN)])
-            
-        def testRangeCompare(self):
-            control = sorted(self.DATA, cmp = lambda a,b: -cmp(a,b))
-            variable = itersorted(self.DATA, cmp = lambda a,b: -cmp(a,b))
-            self.assertEqual(control[:10], [x for x in islice(variable, self.TESTLEN)])
-
-        def testRangeKey(self):
-            control = sorted(self.DATA, key = lambda x: x[0])
-            variable = itersorted(self.DATA, key = lambda x: x[0])
-            self.assertEqual(control[:10], [x for x in islice(variable, self.TESTLEN)])
-        
-        def testRangeReverse(self):
-            control = sorted(self.DATA, reverse = True)
-            variable = itersorted(self.DATA, reverse = True)
-            self.assertEqual(control[:10], [x for x in islice(variable, self.TESTLEN)])
-
-        def testRangeCompareKey(self):
-            control = sorted(self.DATA, cmp = lambda a,b: -cmp(a,b),
-                             key = lambda x: x[0])
-            variable = itersorted(self.DATA, cmp = lambda a,b: -cmp(a,b),
-                                  key = lambda x: x[0])
-            self.assertEqual(control[:10], [x for x in islice(variable, self.TESTLEN)])
-        
-        def testRangeCompareReverse(self):
-            control = sorted(self.DATA, cmp = lambda a,b: -cmp(a,b),
-                             reverse = True)
-            variable = itersorted(self.DATA, cmp = lambda a,b: -cmp(a,b),
-                                  reverse = True)
-            self.assertEqual(control[:10], [x for x in islice(variable, self.TESTLEN)])
-            
-        def testRangeKeyReverse(self):
-            control = sorted(self.DATA, key = lambda x: x[0], reverse = True)
-            variable = itersorted(self.DATA, key = lambda x: x[0], reverse = True)
-            self.assertEqual(control[:10], [x for x in islice(variable, self.TESTLEN)])
-            
-            control = sorted(self.DATA, key = lambda x: x[1], reverse = True)
-            variable = itersorted(self.DATA, key = lambda x: x[1], reverse = True)
-            self.assertEqual(control[:10], [x for x in islice(variable, self.TESTLEN)])
-
-        def testRangeCompareKeyReverse(self):
-            control = sorted(self.DATA, cmp = lambda a,b: -cmp(a,b),
-                             key = lambda x: x[0],
-                             reverse = True)
-            variable = itersorted(self.DATA, cmp = lambda a,b: -cmp(a,b),
-                                  key = lambda x: x[0],
-                                  reverse = True)
-            self.assertEqual(control[:10], [x for x in islice(variable, self.TESTLEN)])
-        
-
-    if __name__ == '__main__':
-        main() # unittest.main
-    
diff --git a/direct/src/showbase/PythonUtil.py b/direct/src/showbase/PythonUtil.py
index 1abd3cd4e5..e4527d4829 100644
--- a/direct/src/showbase/PythonUtil.py
+++ b/direct/src/showbase/PythonUtil.py
@@ -1303,7 +1303,7 @@ class Enum:
         _checkValidIdentifier = staticmethod(_checkValidIdentifier)
 
     def __init__(self, items, start=0):
-        if type(items) == types.StringType:
+        if isinstance(items, str):
             items = items.split(',')
 
         self._stringTable = {}
diff --git a/direct/src/showbase/ShowBase.py b/direct/src/showbase/ShowBase.py
index 82155713af..89168d57d6 100644
--- a/direct/src/showbase/ShowBase.py
+++ b/direct/src/showbase/ShowBase.py
@@ -1641,6 +1641,7 @@ class ShowBase(DirectObject.DirectObject):
 
     def addAngularIntegrator(self):
         if not self.physicsMgrAngular:
+            from panda3d.physics import AngularEulerIntegrator
             self.physicsMgrAngular = 1
             integrator = AngularEulerIntegrator()
             self.physicsMgr.attachAngularIntegrator(integrator)
diff --git a/direct/src/showbase/ThreeUpShow.py b/direct/src/showbase/ThreeUpShow.py
index c0d2721597..5d32153ede 100644
--- a/direct/src/showbase/ThreeUpShow.py
+++ b/direct/src/showbase/ThreeUpShow.py
@@ -9,9 +9,11 @@ class ThreeUpShow(ShowBase.ShowBase):
     def __init__(self):
         ShowBase.ShowBase.__init__(self)
 
-    def makeCamera(self, win, chan = None, layer = None, layerSort = 0,
-                   scene = None,
-                   displayRegion = (0, 1, 0, 1), aspectRatio = None):
+    def makeCamera(self, win, sort = 0, scene = None,
+                   displayRegion = (0, 1, 0, 1), stereo = None,
+                   aspectRatio = None, clearDepth = 0, clearColor = None,
+                   lens = None, camName = 'cam', mask = None,
+                   useCamera = None):
         self.camRS=ShowBase.ShowBase.makeCamera(
                 self, win, displayRegion = (.5, 1, 0, 1), aspectRatio=.67, camName='camRS')
         self.camLL=ShowBase.ShowBase.makeCamera(
diff --git a/direct/src/task/TaskTester.py b/direct/src/task/TaskTester.py
index e70a138e94..25437f9b6b 100755
--- a/direct/src/task/TaskTester.py
+++ b/direct/src/task/TaskTester.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 __all__ = []
 
 from direct.task.TaskManagerGlobal import *
-import direct.task.Task
+from direct.task import Task
 import random
 
 numTasks = 10000
diff --git a/direct/src/tkpanels/ParticlePanel.py b/direct/src/tkpanels/ParticlePanel.py
index addd503191..b2daba120c 100644
--- a/direct/src/tkpanels/ParticlePanel.py
+++ b/direct/src/tkpanels/ParticlePanel.py
@@ -11,11 +11,12 @@ from direct.tkwidgets import Dial
 from direct.tkwidgets import Floater
 from direct.tkwidgets import Slider
 from direct.tkwidgets import VectorWidgets
+from direct.tkpanels import Placer
 from direct.particles import ForceGroup
 from direct.particles import Particles
 from direct.particles import ParticleEffect
 from Tkinter import *
-import Pmw, os,Placer
+import Pmw, os
 
 from panda3d.core import *
 from panda3d.physics import *
@@ -2789,4 +2790,4 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
     base.pp=pp
     #ve = VectorEntry(Toplevel(), relief = GROOVE)
     #ve.pack()
-    run()
+    base.run()
diff --git a/direct/src/tkwidgets/MemoryExplorer.py b/direct/src/tkwidgets/MemoryExplorer.py
index 3257bbeea8..d0c5df6270 100755
--- a/direct/src/tkwidgets/MemoryExplorer.py
+++ b/direct/src/tkwidgets/MemoryExplorer.py
@@ -15,7 +15,10 @@ class MemoryExplorer(Pmw.MegaWidget, DirectObject):
     #--------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Init
     #--------------------------------------------------------------------------    
-    def __init__(self, parent = None, nodePath = render, **kw):
+    def __init__(self, parent = None, nodePath = None, **kw):
+        if nodePath is None:
+            nodePath = render
+
         optiondefs = (('menuItems',   [],   Pmw.INITOPT),)
         self.defineoptions(kw, optiondefs)
         Pmw.MegaWidget.__init__(self, parent)
diff --git a/direct/src/tkwidgets/SceneGraphExplorer.py b/direct/src/tkwidgets/SceneGraphExplorer.py
index f07b24b496..a26f78e172 100644
--- a/direct/src/tkwidgets/SceneGraphExplorer.py
+++ b/direct/src/tkwidgets/SceneGraphExplorer.py
@@ -27,7 +27,10 @@ DEFAULT_MENU_ITEMS = [
 
 class SceneGraphExplorer(Pmw.MegaWidget, DirectObject):
     "Graphical display of a scene graph"
-    def __init__(self, parent = None, nodePath = render, isItemEditable = True, **kw):
+    def __init__(self, parent = None, nodePath = None, isItemEditable = True, **kw):
+        if nodePath is None:
+            nodePath = base.render
+
         # Define the megawidget options.
         optiondefs = (
             ('menuItems',   [],   Pmw.INITOPT),
@@ -188,7 +191,10 @@ class SceneGraphExplorerItem(TreeItem):
         messenger.send('SGE_' + command, [self.nodePath])
 
 
-def explore(nodePath = render):
+def explore(nodePath = None):
+    if nodePath is None:
+        nodePath = base.render
+
     tl = Toplevel()
     tl.title('Explore: ' + nodePath.getName())
     sge = SceneGraphExplorer(parent = tl, nodePath = nodePath)