diff --git a/src/Att.cpp b/src/Att.cpp
index 515dd7b4f..466af6e1a 100644
--- a/src/Att.cpp
+++ b/src/Att.cpp
@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ bool Att::validNameValue (
   {
     // Validate and convert to epoch.
     if (value != "")
-      value = Date (value, context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y")).toEpochString ();
+      value = Date (value, context.config.get ("dateformat")).toEpochString ();
   }
 
   else if (name == "recur")
@@ -571,7 +571,7 @@ bool Att::match (const Att& other) const
     }
     else if (which == "date")
     {
-      Date literal (mValue.c_str (), context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+      Date literal (mValue.c_str (), context.config.get ("dateformat"));
       Date variable ((time_t)atoi (other.mValue.c_str ()));
       if (other.mValue == "" || ! (variable < literal))
         return false;
@@ -601,7 +601,7 @@ bool Att::match (const Att& other) const
     }
     else if (which == "date")
     {
-      Date literal (mValue.c_str (), context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+      Date literal (mValue.c_str (), context.config.get ("dateformat"));
       Date variable ((time_t)atoi (other.mValue.c_str ()));
       if (! (variable > literal))
         return false;
diff --git a/src/Config.cpp b/src/Config.cpp
index f75691251..2255f3255 100644
--- a/src/Config.cpp
+++ b/src/Config.cpp
@@ -371,23 +371,6 @@ void Config::clear ()
   std::map <std::string, std::string>::clear ();
 }
 
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-// Return the configuration value given the specified key.
-const std::string Config::get (const char* key)
-{
-  return this->get (std::string (key));
-}
-
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-// Return the configuration value given the specified key.  If a default_value
-// is present, it will be the returned value in the event of a missing key.
-const std::string Config::get (
-  const char* key,
-  const char* default_value)
-{
-  return this->get (std::string (key), std::string (default_value));
-}
-
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 // Return the configuration value given the specified key.
 const std::string Config::get (const std::string& key)
@@ -396,20 +379,25 @@ const std::string Config::get (const std::string& key)
 }
 
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-// Return the configuration value given the specified key.  If a default_value
-// is present, it will be the returned value in the event of a missing key.
-const std::string Config::get (
-  const std::string& key,
-  const std::string& default_value)
+const int Config::getInteger (const std::string& key)
 {
   if ((*this).find (key) != (*this).end ())
-    return (*this)[key];
+    return atoi ((*this)[key].c_str ());
 
-  return default_value;
+  return 0;
 }
 
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-bool Config::get (const std::string& key, const bool default_value)
+const double Config::getReal (const std::string& key)
+{
+  if ((*this).find (key) != (*this).end ())
+    return atof ((*this)[key].c_str ());
+
+  return 0.0;
+}
+
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+const bool Config::getBoolean (const std::string& key)
 {
   if ((*this).find (key) != (*this).end ())
   {
@@ -424,29 +412,9 @@ bool Config::get (const std::string& key, const bool default_value)
         value == "enable" ||  // TODO i18n
         value == "enabled")   // TODO i18n
       return true;
-
-    return false;
   }
 
-  return default_value;
-}
-
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-int Config::get (const std::string& key, const int default_value)
-{
-  if ((*this).find (key) != (*this).end ())
-    return atoi ((*this)[key].c_str ());
-
-  return default_value;
-}
-
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-double Config::get (const std::string& key, const double default_value)
-{
-  if ((*this).find (key) != (*this).end ())
-    return atof ((*this)[key].c_str ());
-
-  return default_value;
+  return false;
 }
 
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
diff --git a/src/Config.h b/src/Config.h
index c08a91c39..866ee5450 100644
--- a/src/Config.h
+++ b/src/Config.h
@@ -48,21 +48,10 @@ public:
   void setDefaults ();
   void clear ();
 
-/*
   const std::string get        (const std::string&);
-  const std::string getInteger (const std::string&);
-  const std::string getReal    (const std::string&);
-  const std::string getBoolean (const std::string&);
-*/
-// <OBSOLETE>
-  const std::string get (const char*);
-  const std::string get (const char*, const char*);
-  const std::string get (const std::string&);
-  const std::string get (const std::string&, const std::string&);
-  bool get (const std::string&, const bool);
-  int get (const std::string&, const int);
-  double get (const std::string&, const double);
-// </OBSOLETE>
+  const int         getInteger (const std::string&);
+  const double      getReal    (const std::string&);
+  const bool        getBoolean (const std::string&);
 
   void set (const std::string&, const int);
   void set (const std::string&, const double);
diff --git a/src/Context.cpp b/src/Context.cpp
index 192acd0d2..71028b4db 100644
--- a/src/Context.cpp
+++ b/src/Context.cpp
@@ -98,11 +98,11 @@ void Context::initialize ()
   {
     config.set ("curses", "off");
 
-    if (! config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+    if (! config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
       config.set ("color",  "off");
   }
 
-  if (config.get ("color", true))
+  if (config.getBoolean ("color"))
     initializeColorRules ();
 
   // Load appropriate stringtable as soon after the config file as possible, to
@@ -154,16 +154,16 @@ int Context::run ()
   }
 
   // Dump all debug messages.
-  if (config.get (std::string ("debug"), false))
+  if (config.getBoolean ("debug"))
     foreach (d, debugMessages)
-      if (config.get ("color", true) || config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+      if (config.getBoolean ("color") || config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
         std::cout << colorizeDebug (*d) << std::endl;
       else
         std::cout << *d << std::endl;
 
   // Dump all headers.
   foreach (h, headers)
-    if (config.get ("color", true) || config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+    if (config.getBoolean ("color") || config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
       std::cout << colorizeHeader (*h) << std::endl;
     else
       std::cout << *h << std::endl;
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ int Context::run ()
 
   // Dump all footnotes.
   foreach (f, footnotes)
-    if (config.get ("color", true) || config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+    if (config.getBoolean ("color") || config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
       std::cout << colorizeFootnote (*f) << std::endl;
     else
       std::cout << *f << std::endl;
@@ -268,8 +268,10 @@ void Context::shadow ()
 
     // Run report.  Use shadow.command, using default.command as a fallback
     // with "list" as a default.
-    std::string command = config.get ("shadow.command",
-                            config.get ("default.command", "list"));
+    std::string command = config.get ("shadow.command");
+    if (command == "")
+      command = config.get ("default.command");
+
     split (args, command, ' ');
 
     initialize ();
@@ -292,7 +294,7 @@ void Context::shadow ()
     config.set ("color",  oldColor);
 
     // Optionally display a notification that the shadow file was updated.
-    if (config.get (std::string ("shadow.notify"), false))
+    if (config.getBoolean ("shadow.notify"))
       footnote (std::string ("[Shadow file '") + shadowFile + "' updated]");
 
     inShadow = false;
diff --git a/src/Date.cpp b/src/Date.cpp
index 65bb47dbb..d096852eb 100644
--- a/src/Date.cpp
+++ b/src/Date.cpp
@@ -322,18 +322,18 @@ const std::string Date::toString (const std::string& format /*= "m/d/Y" */) cons
     char c = localFormat[i];
     switch (c)
     {
-    case 'm': sprintf (buffer, "%d",   this->month ());                      break;
-    case 'M': sprintf (buffer, "%02d", this->month ());                      break;
-    case 'd': sprintf (buffer, "%d",   this->day ());                        break;
-    case 'D': sprintf (buffer, "%02d", this->day ());                        break;
-    case 'y': sprintf (buffer, "%02d", this->year () % 100);                 break;
-    case 'Y': sprintf (buffer, "%d",   this->year ());                       break;
-    case 'a': sprintf (buffer, "%.3s", Date::dayName(dayOfWeek()).c_str() ); break;
-    case 'A': sprintf (buffer, "%s",   Date::dayName(dayOfWeek()).c_str() ); break;
-    case 'b': sprintf (buffer, "%.3s", Date::monthName(month()).c_str() );   break;
-    case 'B': sprintf (buffer, "%.9s", Date::monthName(month()).c_str() );   break;
-    case 'V': sprintf (buffer, "%02d", Date::weekOfYear(Date::dayOfWeek(context.config.get ("weekstart", "Sunday")))); break;
-    default:  sprintf (buffer, "%c",   c);                                   break;
+    case 'm': sprintf (buffer, "%d",   this->month ());                        break;
+    case 'M': sprintf (buffer, "%02d", this->month ());                        break;
+    case 'd': sprintf (buffer, "%d",   this->day ());                          break;
+    case 'D': sprintf (buffer, "%02d", this->day ());                          break;
+    case 'y': sprintf (buffer, "%02d", this->year () % 100);                   break;
+    case 'Y': sprintf (buffer, "%d",   this->year ());                         break;
+    case 'a': sprintf (buffer, "%.3s", Date::dayName (dayOfWeek ()).c_str ()); break;
+    case 'A': sprintf (buffer, "%s",   Date::dayName (dayOfWeek ()).c_str ()); break;
+    case 'b': sprintf (buffer, "%.3s", Date::monthName (month ()).c_str ());   break;
+    case 'B': sprintf (buffer, "%.9s", Date::monthName (month ()).c_str ());   break;
+    case 'V': sprintf (buffer, "%02d", Date::weekOfYear (Date::dayOfWeek (context.config.get ("weekstart")))); break;
+    default:  sprintf (buffer, "%c",   c);                                     break;
     }
 
     formatted += buffer;
diff --git a/src/Permission.cpp b/src/Permission.cpp
index ec61a1916..7e2520f28 100644
--- a/src/Permission.cpp
+++ b/src/Permission.cpp
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ Permission::Permission ()
 , quit (false)
 {
   // Turning confirmations off is the same as entering "all".
-  if (context.config.get ("confirmation", true) == false)
+  if (context.config.getBoolean ("confirmation") == false)
     allConfirmed = true;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/Table.cpp b/src/Table.cpp
index fd81db490..060b5e84b 100644
--- a/src/Table.cpp
+++ b/src/Table.cpp
@@ -881,10 +881,12 @@ void Table::sort (std::vector <int>& order)
 
               else
               {
-                Date dl ((std::string)*left,  context.config.get("reportdateformat",
-                                                                 context.config.get("dateformat","m/d/Y")));
-                Date dr ((std::string)*right, context.config.get("reportdateformat",
-                                                                 context.config.get("dateformat","m/d/Y")));
+                std::string format = context.config.get ("reportdateformat");
+                if (format == "")
+                  format = context.config.get ("dateformat");
+
+                Date dl ((std::string)*left,  format);
+                Date dr ((std::string)*right, format);
                 if (dl > dr)
                   SWAP
               }
@@ -901,10 +903,12 @@ void Table::sort (std::vector <int>& order)
 
               else
               {
-                Date dl ((std::string)*left,  context.config.get("reportdateformat",
-                                                                 context.config.get("dateformat","m/d/Y")));
-                Date dr ((std::string)*right, context.config.get("reportdateformat",
-                                                                 context.config.get("dateformat","m/d/Y")));
+                std::string format = context.config.get ("reportdateformat");
+                if (format == "")
+                  format = context.config.get ("dateformat");
+
+                Date dl ((std::string)*left,  format);
+                Date dr ((std::string)*right, format);
                 if (dl < dr)
                   SWAP
               }
diff --git a/src/command.cpp b/src/command.cpp
index 00963cc08..3e9eca531 100644
--- a/src/command.cpp
+++ b/src/command.cpp
@@ -70,12 +70,12 @@ int handleAdd (std::string &outs)
 
   // Override with default.project, if not specified.
   if (context.task.get ("project") == "")
-    context.task.set ("project", context.config.get ("default.project", ""));
+    context.task.set ("project", context.config.get ("default.project"));
 
   // Override with default.priority, if not specified.
   if (context.task.get ("priority") == "")
   {
-    std::string defaultPriority = context.config.get ("default.priority", "");
+    std::string defaultPriority = context.config.get ("default.priority");
     if (Att::validNameValue ("priority", "", defaultPriority))
       context.task.set ("priority", defaultPriority);
   }
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ int handleAdd (std::string &outs)
   // Only valid tasks can be added.
   context.task.validate ();
 
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   context.tdb.add (context.task);
 
 #ifdef FEATURE_NEW_ID
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ int handleProjects (std::string &outs)
   context.filter.push_back (Att ("status", "pending"));
 
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   int quantity = context.tdb.loadPending (tasks, context.filter);
   context.tdb.commit ();
   context.tdb.unlock ();
@@ -161,8 +161,8 @@ int handleProjects (std::string &outs)
     table.addColumn ("Pri:M");
     table.addColumn ("Pri:H");
 
-    if (context.config.get ("color", true) ||
-        context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+    if (context.config.getBoolean ("color") ||
+        context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
     {
       table.setColumnUnderline (0);
       table.setColumnUnderline (1);
@@ -211,10 +211,10 @@ int handleProjects (std::string &outs)
 int handleCompletionProjects (std::string &outs)
 {
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
 
   Filter filter;
-  if (context.config.get (std::string ("complete.all.projects"), false))
+  if (context.config.getBoolean ("complete.all.projects"))
     context.tdb.load (tasks, filter);
   else
     context.tdb.loadPending (tasks, filter);
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ int handleTags (std::string &outs)
   context.filter.push_back (Att ("status", "pending"));
 
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   int quantity = context.tdb.loadPending (tasks, context.filter);
   context.tdb.commit ();
   context.tdb.unlock ();
@@ -273,8 +273,8 @@ int handleTags (std::string &outs)
     table.addColumn ("Tag");
     table.addColumn ("Count");
 
-    if (context.config.get ("color", true) ||
-        context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+    if (context.config.getBoolean ("color") ||
+        context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
     {
       table.setColumnUnderline (0);
       table.setColumnUnderline (1);
@@ -312,10 +312,10 @@ int handleTags (std::string &outs)
 int handleCompletionTags (std::string &outs)
 {
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
 
   Filter filter;
-  if (context.config.get (std::string ("complete.all.tags"), false))
+  if (context.config.getBoolean ("complete.all.tags"))
     context.tdb.load (tasks, filter);
   else
     context.tdb.loadPending (tasks, filter);
@@ -387,7 +387,7 @@ int handleCompletionVersion (std::string &outs)
 int handleCompletionIDs (std::string &outs)
 {
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   Filter filter;
   context.tdb.loadPending (tasks, filter);
   context.tdb.commit ();
@@ -414,7 +414,7 @@ void handleUndo ()
 {
   context.disallowModification ();
 
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   context.tdb.undo ();
   context.tdb.unlock ();
 }
@@ -449,11 +449,11 @@ int handleVersion (std::string &outs)
   Color bold ("bold");
 
   out << std::endl
-      << ((context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+      << ((context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
            ? bold.colorize (PACKAGE)
            : PACKAGE)
       << " "
-      << ((context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+      << ((context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
            ? bold.colorize (VERSION)
            : VERSION)
       << " built for "
@@ -512,11 +512,11 @@ int handleConfig (std::string &outs)
   // Create a table for output.
   Table table;
   table.setTableWidth (width);
-  table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+  table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
   table.addColumn ("Config variable");
   table.addColumn ("Value");
 
-  if (context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+  if (context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
   {
     table.setColumnUnderline (0);
     table.setColumnUnderline (1);
@@ -643,7 +643,7 @@ int handleDelete (std::string &outs)
   context.disallowModification ();
 
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   Filter filter;
   context.tdb.loadPending (tasks, filter);
 
@@ -664,7 +664,7 @@ int handleDelete (std::string &outs)
              << task->get ("description")
              << "'?";
 
-    if (!context.config.get (std::string ("confirmation"), false) || confirm (question.str ()))
+    if (!context.config.getBoolean ("confirmation") || confirm (question.str ()))
     {
       // Check for the more complex case of a recurring task.  If this is a
       // recurring task, get confirmation to delete them all.
@@ -684,7 +684,7 @@ int handleDelete (std::string &outs)
               sibling->set ("end", endTime);
               context.tdb.update (*sibling);
 
-              if (context.config.get ("echo.command", true))
+              if (context.config.getBoolean ("echo.command"))
                 out << "Deleting recurring task "
                     << sibling->id
                     << " '"
@@ -717,7 +717,7 @@ int handleDelete (std::string &outs)
         task->set ("end", endTime);
         context.tdb.update (*task);
 
-        if (context.config.get ("echo.command", true))
+        if (context.config.getBoolean ("echo.command"))
           out << "Deleting task "
               << task->id
               << " '"
@@ -748,7 +748,7 @@ int handleStart (std::string &outs)
   context.disallowModification ();
 
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   Filter filter;
   context.tdb.loadPending (tasks, filter);
 
@@ -766,7 +766,7 @@ int handleStart (std::string &outs)
 
       context.tdb.update (*task);
 
-      if (context.config.get ("echo.command", true))
+      if (context.config.getBoolean ("echo.command"))
         out << "Started "
             << task->id
             << " '"
@@ -804,7 +804,7 @@ int handleStop (std::string &outs)
   context.disallowModification ();
 
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   Filter filter;
   context.tdb.loadPending (tasks, filter);
 
@@ -818,7 +818,7 @@ int handleStop (std::string &outs)
       task->remove ("start");
       context.tdb.update (*task);
 
-      if (context.config.get ("echo.command", true))
+      if (context.config.getBoolean ("echo.command"))
         out << "Stopped "
             << task->id
             << " '"
@@ -853,7 +853,7 @@ int handleDone (std::string &outs)
   std::stringstream out;
 
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   Filter filter;
   context.tdb.loadPending (tasks, filter);
 
@@ -862,7 +862,7 @@ int handleDone (std::string &outs)
   context.filter.applySequence (tasks, context.sequence);
 
   Permission permission;
-  if (context.sequence.size () > (size_t) context.config.get ("bulk", 2))
+  if (context.sequence.size () > (size_t) context.config.getInteger ("bulk"))
     permission.bigSequence ();
 
   bool nagged = false;
@@ -894,7 +894,7 @@ int handleDone (std::string &outs)
         {
           context.tdb.update (*task);
 
-          if (context.config.get ("echo.command", true))
+          if (context.config.getBoolean ("echo.command"))
             out << "Completed "
                 << task->id
                 << " '"
@@ -923,7 +923,7 @@ int handleDone (std::string &outs)
   context.tdb.commit ();
   context.tdb.unlock ();
 
-  if (context.config.get ("echo.command", true))
+  if (context.config.getBoolean ("echo.command"))
     out << "Marked "
         << count
         << " task"
@@ -960,7 +960,7 @@ int handleExport (std::string &outs)
 
   // Get all the tasks.
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   handleRecurrence ();
   context.tdb.load (tasks, context.filter);
   context.tdb.commit ();
@@ -986,7 +986,7 @@ int handleModify (std::string &outs)
   std::stringstream out;
 
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   Filter filter;
   context.tdb.loadPending (tasks, filter);
 
@@ -995,7 +995,7 @@ int handleModify (std::string &outs)
   context.filter.applySequence (tasks, context.sequence);
 
   Permission permission;
-  if (context.sequence.size () > (size_t) context.config.get ("bulk", 2))
+  if (context.sequence.size () > (size_t) context.config.getInteger ("bulk"))
     permission.bigSequence ();
 
   foreach (task, tasks)
@@ -1066,7 +1066,7 @@ int handleModify (std::string &outs)
   context.tdb.commit ();
   context.tdb.unlock ();
 
-  if (context.config.get ("echo.command", true))
+  if (context.config.getBoolean ("echo.command"))
     out << "Modified " << count << " task" << (count == 1 ? "" : "s") << std::endl;
 
   outs = out.str ();
@@ -1080,7 +1080,7 @@ int handleAppend (std::string &outs)
   std::stringstream out;
 
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   Filter filter;
   context.tdb.loadPending (tasks, filter);
 
@@ -1089,7 +1089,7 @@ int handleAppend (std::string &outs)
   context.filter.applySequence (tasks, context.sequence);
 
   Permission permission;
-  if (context.sequence.size () > (size_t) context.config.get ("bulk", 2))
+  if (context.sequence.size () > (size_t) context.config.getInteger ("bulk"))
     permission.bigSequence ();
 
   foreach (task, tasks)
@@ -1117,7 +1117,7 @@ int handleAppend (std::string &outs)
           {
             context.tdb.update (*other);
 
-            if (context.config.get ("echo.command", true))
+            if (context.config.getBoolean ("echo.command"))
               out << "Appended '"
                   << context.task.get ("description")
                   << "' to task "
@@ -1134,7 +1134,7 @@ int handleAppend (std::string &outs)
   context.tdb.commit ();
   context.tdb.unlock ();
 
-  if (context.config.get ("echo.command", true))
+  if (context.config.getBoolean ("echo.command"))
     out << "Appended " << count << " task" << (count == 1 ? "" : "s") << std::endl;
 
   outs = out.str ();
@@ -1148,7 +1148,7 @@ int handlePrepend (std::string &outs)
   std::stringstream out;
 
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   Filter filter;
   context.tdb.loadPending (tasks, filter);
 
@@ -1157,7 +1157,7 @@ int handlePrepend (std::string &outs)
   context.filter.applySequence (tasks, context.sequence);
 
   Permission permission;
-  if (context.sequence.size () > (size_t) context.config.get ("bulk", 2))
+  if (context.sequence.size () > (size_t) context.config.getInteger ("bulk"))
     permission.bigSequence ();
 
   foreach (task, tasks)
@@ -1185,7 +1185,7 @@ int handlePrepend (std::string &outs)
           {
             context.tdb.update (*other);
 
-            if (context.config.get ("echo.command", true))
+            if (context.config.getBoolean ("echo.command"))
               out << "Prepended '"
                   << context.task.get ("description")
                   << "' to task "
@@ -1202,7 +1202,7 @@ int handlePrepend (std::string &outs)
   context.tdb.commit ();
   context.tdb.unlock ();
 
-  if (context.config.get ("echo.command", true))
+  if (context.config.getBoolean ("echo.command"))
     out << "Prepended " << count << " task" << (count == 1 ? "" : "s") << std::endl;
 
   outs = out.str ();
@@ -1216,7 +1216,7 @@ int handleDuplicate (std::string &outs)
   int count = 0;
 
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   Filter filter;
   context.tdb.loadPending (tasks, filter);
 
@@ -1259,7 +1259,7 @@ int handleDuplicate (std::string &outs)
 
     context.tdb.add (dup);
 
-    if (context.config.get ("echo.command", true))
+    if (context.config.getBoolean ("echo.command"))
       out << "Duplicated "
           << task->id
           << " '"
@@ -1269,7 +1269,7 @@ int handleDuplicate (std::string &outs)
     ++count;
   }
 
-  if (context.config.get ("echo.command", true))
+  if (context.config.getBoolean ("echo.command"))
   {
     out << "Duplicated " << count << " task" << (count == 1 ? "" : "s") << std::endl;
 #ifdef FEATURE_NEW_ID
@@ -1294,7 +1294,7 @@ void handleShell ()
 {
   // Display some kind of welcome message.
   Color bold (Color::nocolor, Color::nocolor, false, true, false);
-  std::cout << ((context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+  std::cout << ((context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
                  ? bold.colorize (PACKAGE_STRING)
                  : PACKAGE_STRING)
             << " shell"
@@ -1318,7 +1318,7 @@ void handleShell ()
 
   do
   {
-    std::cout << context.config.get ("shell.prompt", "task>") << " ";
+    std::cout << context.config.get ("shell.prompt") << " ";
 
     command = "";
     std::getline (std::cin, command);
@@ -1370,7 +1370,7 @@ int handleColor (std::string &outs)
   int rc = 0;
   std::stringstream out;
 
-  if (context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+  if (context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
   {
     // If there is something in the description, then assume that is a color,
     // and display it as a sample.
@@ -1515,7 +1515,7 @@ int handleAnnotate (std::string &outs)
   std::stringstream out;
 
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   Filter filter;
   context.tdb.loadPending (tasks, filter);
 
@@ -1523,7 +1523,7 @@ int handleAnnotate (std::string &outs)
   context.filter.applySequence (tasks, context.sequence);
 
   Permission permission;
-  if (context.sequence.size () > (size_t) context.config.get ("bulk", 2))
+  if (context.sequence.size () > (size_t) context.config.getInteger ("bulk"))
     permission.bigSequence ();
 
   foreach (task, tasks)
@@ -1537,7 +1537,7 @@ int handleAnnotate (std::string &outs)
       {
         context.tdb.update (*task);
 
-        if (context.config.get ("echo.command", true))
+        if (context.config.getBoolean ("echo.command"))
           out << "Annotated "
               << task->id
               << " with '"
diff --git a/src/custom.cpp b/src/custom.cpp
index a4da90208..1de5b6149 100644
--- a/src/custom.cpp
+++ b/src/custom.cpp
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ int handleCustomReport (const std::string& report, std::string &outs)
 
   // Get all the tasks.
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   handleRecurrence ();
   context.tdb.load (tasks, context.filter);
   context.tdb.commit ();
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ int runCustomReport (
 
   Table table;
   table.setTableWidth (context.getWidth ());
-  table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+  table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
 
   foreach (task, tasks)
     table.addRow ();
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ int runCustomReport (
         if (entered.length ())
         {
           Date dt (::atoi (entered.c_str ()));
-          entered = dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+          entered = dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
           table.addCell (row, columnCount, entered);
         }
       }
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ int runCustomReport (
         if (entered.length ())
         {
           Date dt (::atoi (entered.c_str ()));
-          entered = dt.toStringWithTime (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+          entered = dt.toStringWithTime (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
           table.addCell (row, columnCount, entered);
         }
       }
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ int runCustomReport (
         if (started.length ())
         {
           Date dt (::atoi (started.c_str ()));
-          started = dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+          started = dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
           table.addCell (row, columnCount, started);
         }
       }
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ int runCustomReport (
         if (started.length ())
         {
           Date dt (::atoi (started.c_str ()));
-          started = dt.toStringWithTime (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+          started = dt.toStringWithTime (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
           table.addCell (row, columnCount, started);
         }
       }
@@ -327,7 +327,7 @@ int runCustomReport (
         if (started.length ())
         {
           Date dt (::atoi (started.c_str ()));
-          started = dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+          started = dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
           table.addCell (row, columnCount, started);
         }
       }
@@ -339,6 +339,8 @@ int runCustomReport (
       table.setColumnWidth (columnCount, Table::minimum);
       table.setColumnJustification (columnCount, Table::right);
 
+      std::string format = context.config.get ("dateformat");
+
       std::string started;
       for (unsigned int row = 0; row < tasks.size(); ++row)
       {
@@ -346,7 +348,7 @@ int runCustomReport (
         if (started.length ())
         {
           Date dt (::atoi (started.c_str ()));
-          started = dt.toStringWithTime (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+          started = dt.toStringWithTime (format);
           table.addCell (row, columnCount, started);
         }
       }
@@ -358,13 +360,14 @@ int runCustomReport (
       table.setColumnWidth (columnCount, Table::minimum);
       table.setColumnJustification (columnCount, Table::left);
 
+      std::string format = context.config.get ("reportdateformat");
+      if (format == "")
+        format = context.config.get ("dateformat");
+
       int row = 0;
       std::string due;
       foreach (task, tasks)
-        table.addCell (row++, columnCount,
-                              getDueDate (*task,
-                                          context.config.get ("reportdateformat",
-                                                              context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"))));
+        table.addCell (row++, columnCount, getDueDate (*task, format));
 
       dueColumn = columnCount;
     }
@@ -511,7 +514,7 @@ int runCustomReport (
         if (wait != "")
         {
           Date dt (::atoi (wait.c_str ()));
-          wait = dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+          wait = dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
           table.addCell (row++, columnCount, wait);
         }
       }
@@ -519,8 +522,8 @@ int runCustomReport (
 
     // Common to all columns.
     // Add underline.
-    if ((context.config.get (std::string ("color"), true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false)) &&
-        context.config.get (std::string ("fontunderline"), "true"))
+    if ((context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor")) &&
+        context.config.getBoolean ("fontunderline"))
       table.setColumnUnderline (columnCount);
     else
       table.setTableDashedUnderline ();
@@ -581,8 +584,8 @@ int runCustomReport (
 
   // Now auto colorize all rows.
   std::string due;
-  Color color_due     (context.config.get ("color.due",     "green"));
-  Color color_overdue (context.config.get ("color.overdue", "red"));
+  Color color_due     (context.config.get ("color.due"));
+  Color color_overdue (context.config.get ("color.overdue"));
 
   bool imminent;
   bool overdue;
@@ -602,7 +605,7 @@ int runCustomReport (
       }
     }
 
-    if (context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+    if (context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
     {
       Color c (tasks[row].get ("fg") + " " + tasks[row].get ("bg"));
       autoColorize (tasks[row], c);
@@ -617,15 +620,15 @@ int runCustomReport (
   }
 
   // If an alternating row color is specified, notify the table.
-  if (context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+  if (context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
   {
-    Color alternate (context.config.get ("color.alternate", ""));
+    Color alternate (context.config.get ("color.alternate"));
     if (alternate.nontrivial ())
       table.setTableAlternateColor (alternate);
   }
 
   // Limit the number of rows according to the report definition.
-  int maximum = context.config.get (std::string ("report.") + report + ".limit", (int)0);
+  int maximum = context.config.getInteger (std::string ("report.") + report + ".limit");
 
   // If the custom report has a defined limit, then allow a numeric override.
   // This is an integer specified as a filter (limit:10).
diff --git a/src/edit.cpp b/src/edit.cpp
index 82ceea1a5..b61e81aa3 100644
--- a/src/edit.cpp
+++ b/src/edit.cpp
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ static std::string findDate (
 
       if (value != "")
       {
-        Date dt (value, context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+        Date dt (value, context.config.get ("dateformat"));
         char epoch [16];
         sprintf (epoch, "%d", (int)dt.toEpoch ());
         return std::string (epoch);
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ static std::string formatDate (
   if (value.length ())
   {
     Date dt (::atoi (value.c_str ()));
-    value = dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+    value = dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
   }
 
   return value;
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ static std::string formatTask (Task task)
   foreach (anno, annotations)
   {
     Date dt (::atoi (anno->name ().substr (11).c_str ()));
-    before << "  Annotation:        " << dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"))
+    before << "  Annotation:        " << dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat"))
            << " "                     << anno->value ()                                 << std::endl;
   }
 
@@ -499,7 +499,7 @@ static void parseTask (Task& task, const std::string& after)
       std::string::size_type gap = value.find (" ");
       if (gap != std::string::npos)
       {
-        Date when (value.substr (0, gap), context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+        Date when (value.substr (0, gap), context.config.get ("dateformat"));
 
         // This guarantees that if more than one annotation has the same date,
         // that the seconds will be different, thus unique, thus not squashed.
@@ -534,7 +534,7 @@ void editFile (Task& task)
   spit (file.str (), before);
 
   // Determine correct editor: .taskrc:editor > $VISUAL > $EDITOR > vi
-  std::string editor = context.config.get ("editor", "");
+  std::string editor = context.config.get ("editor");
   char* peditor = getenv ("VISUAL");
   if (editor == "" && peditor) editor = std::string (peditor);
   peditor = getenv ("EDITOR");
@@ -604,7 +604,7 @@ int handleEdit (std::string &outs)
   std::stringstream out;
 
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   handleRecurrence ();
   Filter filter;
   context.tdb.loadPending (tasks, filter);
diff --git a/src/import.cpp b/src/import.cpp
index 2bba5e69f..926fe135e 100644
--- a/src/import.cpp
+++ b/src/import.cpp
@@ -168,12 +168,12 @@ static void decorateTask (Task& task)
   task.setStatus (Task::pending);
 
   // Override with default.project, if not specified.
-  std::string defaultProject = context.config.get ("default.project", "");
+  std::string defaultProject = context.config.get ("default.project");
   if (!task.has ("project") && defaultProject  != "")
     task.set ("project", defaultProject);
 
   // Override with default.priority, if not specified.
-  std::string defaultPriority = context.config.get ("default.priority", "");
+  std::string defaultPriority = context.config.get ("default.priority");
   if (!task.has ("priority") &&
       defaultPriority != "" &&
       Att::validNameValue ("priority", "", defaultPriority))
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ static std::string importTask_1_4_3 (const std::vector <std::string>& lines)
 {
   std::vector <std::string> failed;
 
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
 
   std::vector <std::string>::const_iterator it;
   for (it = lines.begin (); it != lines.end (); ++it)
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ static std::string importTask_1_5_0 (const std::vector <std::string>& lines)
 {
   std::vector <std::string> failed;
 
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
 
   std::vector <std::string>::const_iterator it;
   for (it = lines.begin (); it != lines.end (); ++it)
@@ -504,7 +504,7 @@ static std::string importTask_1_6_0 (const std::vector <std::string>& lines)
 {
   std::vector <std::string> failed;
 
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
 
   std::vector <std::string>::const_iterator it;
   for (it = lines.begin (); it != lines.end (); ++it)
@@ -715,7 +715,7 @@ static std::string importTodoSh_2_0 (const std::vector <std::string>& lines)
 {
   std::vector <std::string> failed;
 
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
 
   std::vector <std::string>::const_iterator it;
   for (it = lines.begin (); it != lines.end (); ++it)
@@ -840,7 +840,7 @@ static std::string importText (const std::vector <std::string>& lines)
   std::vector <std::string> failed;
   int count = 0;
 
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
 
   std::vector <std::string>::const_iterator it;
   for (it = lines.begin (); it != lines.end (); ++it)
@@ -904,7 +904,7 @@ static std::string importCSV (const std::vector <std::string>& lines)
 {
   std::vector <std::string> failed;
 
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
 
   // Set up mappings.  Assume no fields match.
   std::map <std::string, int> mapping;
diff --git a/src/interactive.cpp b/src/interactive.cpp
index 3f3b44c8a..241f9cecd 100644
--- a/src/interactive.cpp
+++ b/src/interactive.cpp
@@ -137,10 +137,10 @@ int Context::interactive ()
 int Context::getWidth ()
 {
   // Determine window size, and set table accordingly.
-  int width = config.get ("defaultwidth", (int) 80);
+  int width = config.getInteger ("defaultwidth");
 
 #ifdef HAVE_LIBNCURSES
-  if (config.get ("curses", true))
+  if (config.getBoolean ("curses"))
   {
 #ifdef FEATURE_NCURSES_COLS
     initscr ();
diff --git a/src/recur.cpp b/src/recur.cpp
index db4025b15..e4d31ac6f 100644
--- a/src/recur.cpp
+++ b/src/recur.cpp
@@ -390,7 +390,7 @@ int getDueState (const std::string& due)
     if (dt < thisDay)
       return 2;
 
-    int imminentperiod = context.config.get ("due", 7);
+    int imminentperiod = context.config.getInteger ("due");
 
     if (imminentperiod == 0)
       return 1;
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ int getDueState (const std::string& due)
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 bool nag (Task& task)
 {
-  std::string nagMessage = context.config.get ("nag", "");
+  std::string nagMessage = context.config.get ("nag");
   if (nagMessage != "")
   {
     // Load all pending tasks.
diff --git a/src/report.cpp b/src/report.cpp
index 1b87f2645..9e0598d4f 100644
--- a/src/report.cpp
+++ b/src/report.cpp
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ int shortUsage (std::string &outs)
   table.setColumnWidth (1, Table::minimum);
   table.setColumnWidth (2, Table::flexible);
   table.setTableWidth (context.getWidth ());
-  table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+  table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
 
   int row = table.addRow ();
   table.addCell (row, 0, "Usage:");
@@ -199,8 +199,9 @@ int shortUsage (std::string &outs)
   foreach (report, all)
   {
     std::string command = std::string ("task ") + *report + std::string (" [tags] [attrs] desc...");
-    std::string description = context.config.get (
-      std::string ("report.") + *report + ".description", std::string ("(missing description)"));
+    std::string description = context.config.get (std::string ("report.") + *report + ".description");
+    if (description == "")
+      description = "(missing description)";
 
     row = table.addRow ();
     table.addCell (row, 1, command);
@@ -300,7 +301,7 @@ int handleInfo (std::string &outs)
   int rc = 0;
   // Get all the tasks.
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   handleRecurrence ();
   context.tdb.loadPending (tasks, context.filter);
   context.tdb.commit ();
@@ -315,13 +316,13 @@ int handleInfo (std::string &outs)
   {
     Table table;
     table.setTableWidth (context.getWidth ());
-    table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+    table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
 
     table.addColumn ("Name");
     table.addColumn ("Value");
 
-    if ((context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false)) &&
-        context.config.get (std::string ("fontunderline"), "true"))
+    if ((context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor")) &&
+        context.config.getBoolean ("fontunderline"))
     {
       table.setColumnUnderline (0);
       table.setColumnUnderline (1);
@@ -412,20 +413,24 @@ int handleInfo (std::string &outs)
       table.addCell (row, 0, "Due");
 
       Date dt (atoi (task->get ("due").c_str ()));
-      std::string due = getDueDate (*task, context.config.get("reportdateformat", context.config.get("dateformat","m/d/Y")));
+      std::string format = context.config.get ("reportdateformat");
+      if (format == "")
+        format = context.config.get ("dateformat");
+
+      std::string due = getDueDate (*task, format);
       table.addCell (row, 1, due);
 
       overdue = (dt < now) ? true : false;
-      int imminentperiod = context.config.get ("due", 7);
+      int imminentperiod = context.config.getInteger ("due");
       Date imminentDay = now + imminentperiod * 86400;
       imminent = dt < imminentDay ? true : false;
 
-      if (context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+      if (context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
       {
         if (overdue)
-          table.setCellColor (row, 1, Color (context.config.get ("color.overdue", "red")));
+          table.setCellColor (row, 1, Color (context.config.get ("color.overdue")));
         else if (imminent)
-          table.setCellColor (row, 1, Color (context.config.get ("color.due", "green")));
+          table.setCellColor (row, 1, Color (context.config.get ("color.due")));
       }
     }
 
@@ -435,7 +440,7 @@ int handleInfo (std::string &outs)
       row = table.addRow ();
       table.addCell (row, 0, "Waiting until");
       Date dt (atoi (task->get ("wait").c_str ()));
-      table.addCell (row, 1, dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y")));
+      table.addCell (row, 1, dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat")));
     }
 
     // start
@@ -444,7 +449,7 @@ int handleInfo (std::string &outs)
       row = table.addRow ();
       table.addCell (row, 0, "Start");
       Date dt (atoi (task->get ("start").c_str ()));
-      table.addCell (row, 1, dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y")));
+      table.addCell (row, 1, dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat")));
     }
 
     // end
@@ -453,7 +458,7 @@ int handleInfo (std::string &outs)
       row = table.addRow ();
       table.addCell (row, 0, "End");
       Date dt (atoi (task->get ("end").c_str ()));
-      table.addCell (row, 1, dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y")));
+      table.addCell (row, 1, dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat")));
     }
 
     // tags ...
@@ -478,7 +483,7 @@ int handleInfo (std::string &outs)
     row = table.addRow ();
     table.addCell (row, 0, "Entered");
     Date dt (atoi (task->get ("entry").c_str ()));
-    std::string entry = dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+    std::string entry = dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
 
     std::string age;
     std::string created = task->get ("entry");
@@ -531,7 +536,7 @@ int handleReportSummary (std::string &outs)
   int rc = 0;
   // Scan the pending tasks.
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   handleRecurrence ();
   context.tdb.load (tasks, context.filter);
   context.tdb.commit ();
@@ -594,8 +599,8 @@ int handleReportSummary (std::string &outs)
   table.addColumn ("Complete");
   table.addColumn ("0%                        100%");
 
-  if ((context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false)) &&
-      context.config.get (std::string ("fontunderline"), "true"))
+  if ((context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor")) &&
+      context.config.getBoolean ("fontunderline"))
   {
     table.setColumnUnderline (0);
     table.setColumnUnderline (1);
@@ -610,7 +615,7 @@ int handleReportSummary (std::string &outs)
   table.setColumnJustification (3, Table::right);
 
   table.sortOn (0, Table::ascendingCharacter);
-  table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+  table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
 
   int barWidth = 30;
   foreach (i, allProjects)
@@ -632,7 +637,7 @@ int handleReportSummary (std::string &outs)
       int completedBar = (c * barWidth) / (c + p);
 
       std::string bar;
-      if (context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+      if (context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
       {
         bar = "\033[42m";
         for (int b = 0; b < completedBar; ++b)
@@ -726,7 +731,7 @@ int handleReportNext (std::string &outs)
 
   // Get all the tasks.
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   handleRecurrence ();
   context.tdb.load (tasks, context.filter);
   context.tdb.commit ();
@@ -778,7 +783,7 @@ int handleReportHistory (std::string &outs)
 
   // Scan the pending tasks.
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   handleRecurrence ();
   context.tdb.load (tasks, context.filter);
   context.tdb.commit ();
@@ -822,7 +827,7 @@ int handleReportHistory (std::string &outs)
 
   // Now build the table.
   Table table;
-  table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+  table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
   table.addColumn ("Year");
   table.addColumn ("Month");
   table.addColumn ("Added");
@@ -830,8 +835,8 @@ int handleReportHistory (std::string &outs)
   table.addColumn ("Deleted");
   table.addColumn ("Net");
 
-  if ((context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false)) &&
-      context.config.get (std::string ("fontunderline"), "true"))
+  if ((context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor")) &&
+      context.config.getBoolean ("fontunderline"))
   {
     table.setColumnUnderline (0);
     table.setColumnUnderline (1);
@@ -894,7 +899,7 @@ int handleReportHistory (std::string &outs)
     }
 
     table.addCell (row, 5, net);
-    if ((context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false)) && net)
+    if ((context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor")) && net)
       table.setCellColor (row, 5, net > 0 ? Color (Color::red) :
                                             Color (Color::green));
   }
@@ -905,7 +910,7 @@ int handleReportHistory (std::string &outs)
     row = table.addRow ();
 
     table.addCell (row, 1, "Average");
-    if (context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+    if (context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
       table.setRowColor (row, Color (Color::nocolor, Color::nocolor, false, true, false));
     table.addCell (row, 2, totalAdded     / (table.rowCount () - 2));
     table.addCell (row, 3, totalCompleted / (table.rowCount () - 2));
@@ -938,7 +943,7 @@ int handleReportGHistory (std::string &outs)
 
   // Scan the pending tasks.
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   handleRecurrence ();
   context.tdb.load (tasks, context.filter);
   context.tdb.commit ();
@@ -984,13 +989,13 @@ int handleReportGHistory (std::string &outs)
 
   // Now build the table.
   Table table;
-  table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+  table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
   table.addColumn ("Year");
   table.addColumn ("Month");
   table.addColumn ("Number Added/Completed/Deleted");
 
-  if ((context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false)) &&
-      context.config.get (std::string ("fontunderline"), "true"))
+  if ((context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor")) &&
+      context.config.getBoolean ("fontunderline"))
   {
     table.setColumnUnderline (0);
     table.setColumnUnderline (1);
@@ -1049,7 +1054,7 @@ int handleReportGHistory (std::string &outs)
       unsigned int deletedBar   = (widthOfBar *   deletedGroup[i->first]) / maxLine;
 
       std::string bar = "";
-      if (context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+      if (context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
       {
         char number[24];
         std::string aBar = "";
@@ -1109,7 +1114,7 @@ int handleReportGHistory (std::string &outs)
         << table.render ()
         << std::endl;
 
-    if (context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+    if (context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
       out << "Legend: "
           << color_added.colorize ("added")
           << ", "
@@ -1135,7 +1140,7 @@ int handleReportTimesheet (std::string &outs)
 {
   // Scan the pending tasks.
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   handleRecurrence ();
   context.tdb.load (tasks, context.filter);
   context.tdb.commit ();
@@ -1145,7 +1150,7 @@ int handleReportTimesheet (std::string &outs)
   int width = context.getWidth ();
 
   // What day of the week does the user consider the first?
-  int weekStart = Date::dayOfWeek (context.config.get ("weekstart", "Sunday"));
+  int weekStart = Date::dayOfWeek (context.config.get ("weekstart"));
   if (weekStart != 0 && weekStart != 1)
     throw std::string ("The 'weekstart' configuration variable may "
                        "only contain 'Sunday' or 'Monday'.");
@@ -1164,7 +1169,7 @@ int handleReportTimesheet (std::string &outs)
   if (context.sequence.size () == 1)
     quantity = context.sequence[0];
 
-  bool color = context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false);
+  bool color = context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor");
 
   std::stringstream out;
   for (int week = 0; week < quantity; ++week)
@@ -1172,9 +1177,9 @@ int handleReportTimesheet (std::string &outs)
     Date endString (end);
     endString -= 86400;
 
-    std::string title = start.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"))
+    std::string title = start.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat"))
                         + " - "
-                        + endString.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+                        + endString.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
 
     Color bold (Color::nocolor, Color::nocolor, false, true, false);
     out << std::endl
@@ -1189,7 +1194,7 @@ int handleReportTimesheet (std::string &outs)
     completed.addColumn ("Due");
     completed.addColumn ("Description");
 
-    if (color && context.config.get (std::string ("fontunderline"), "true"))
+    if (color && context.config.getBoolean ("fontunderline"))
     {
       completed.setColumnUnderline (1);
       completed.setColumnUnderline (2);
@@ -1218,7 +1223,7 @@ int handleReportTimesheet (std::string &outs)
         {
           int row = completed.addRow ();
           completed.addCell (row, 1, task->get ("project"));
-          completed.addCell (row, 2, getDueDate (*task,context.config.get("dateformat","m/d/Y")));
+          completed.addCell (row, 2, getDueDate (*task, context.config.get("dateformat")));
           completed.addCell (row, 3, getFullDescription (*task));
 
           if (color)
@@ -1245,7 +1250,7 @@ int handleReportTimesheet (std::string &outs)
     started.addColumn ("Due");
     started.addColumn ("Description");
 
-    if (color && context.config.get (std::string ("fontunderline"), "true"))
+    if (color && context.config.getBoolean ("fontunderline"))
     {
       completed.setColumnUnderline (1);
       completed.setColumnUnderline (2);
@@ -1274,7 +1279,7 @@ int handleReportTimesheet (std::string &outs)
         {
           int row = started.addRow ();
           started.addCell (row, 1, task->get ("project"));
-          started.addCell (row, 2, getDueDate (*task,context.config.get("dateformat","m/d/Y")));
+          started.addCell (row, 2, getDueDate (*task, context.config.get ("dateformat")));
           started.addCell (row, 3, getFullDescription (*task));
 
           if (color)
@@ -1312,10 +1317,10 @@ std::string renderMonths (
   int monthsPerLine)
 {
   Table table;
-  table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+  table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
 
   // What day of the week does the user consider the first?
-  int weekStart = Date::dayOfWeek (context.config.get ("weekstart", "Sunday"));
+  int weekStart = Date::dayOfWeek (context.config.get ("weekstart"));
   if (weekStart != 0 && weekStart != 1)
     throw std::string ("The 'weekstart' configuration variable may "
                        "only contain 'Sunday' or 'Monday'.");
@@ -1346,8 +1351,8 @@ std::string renderMonths (
       table.addColumn ("Sa");
     }
 
-    if ((context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false)) &&
-        context.config.get (std::string ("fontunderline"), "true"))
+    if ((context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor")) &&
+        context.config.getBoolean ("fontunderline"))
     {
       table.setColumnUnderline (i + 1);
       table.setColumnUnderline (i + 2);
@@ -1418,7 +1423,7 @@ std::string renderMonths (
       int dow = temp.dayOfWeek ();
       int woy = temp.weekOfYear (weekStart);
 
-      if (context.config.get ("displayweeknumber", true))
+      if (context.config.getBoolean ("displayweeknumber"))
         table.addCell (row, (8 * mpl), woy);
 
       // Calculate column id.
@@ -1431,12 +1436,12 @@ std::string renderMonths (
 
       table.addCell (row, thisCol, d);
 
-      Color color_today   (context.config.get ("color.calendar.today",   "black on cyan"));
-      Color color_due     (context.config.get ("color.calendar.due",     "black on green"));
-      Color color_overdue (context.config.get ("color.calendar.overdue", "black on red"));
-      Color color_weekend (context.config.get ("color.calendar.weekend", "black on white"));
+      Color color_today   (context.config.get ("color.calendar.today"));
+      Color color_due     (context.config.get ("color.calendar.due"));
+      Color color_overdue (context.config.get ("color.calendar.overdue"));
+      Color color_weekend (context.config.get ("color.calendar.weekend"));
 
-      if (context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+      if (context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
       {
         if (dow == 0 || dow == 6)
           table.setCellColor (row, thisCol, color_weekend);
@@ -1454,7 +1459,7 @@ std::string renderMonths (
         {
           Date due (atoi (task->get ("due").c_str ()));
 
-          if ((context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false)) &&
+          if ((context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor")) &&
               due.day ()   == d               &&
               due.month () == months[mpl] &&
               due.year ()  == years[mpl])
@@ -1480,7 +1485,7 @@ int handleReportCalendar (std::string &outs)
   // Each month requires 28 text columns width.  See how many will actually
   // fit.  But if a preference is specified, and it fits, use it.
   int width = context.getWidth ();
-  int preferredMonthsPerLine = (context.config.get (std::string ("monthsperline"), 0));
+  int preferredMonthsPerLine = (context.config.getInteger ("monthsperline"));
   int monthsThatFit = width / 26;
 
   int monthsPerLine = monthsThatFit;
@@ -1490,7 +1495,7 @@ int handleReportCalendar (std::string &outs)
   // Get all the tasks.
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
   Filter filter;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   handleRecurrence ();
   context.tdb.loadPending (tasks, filter);
   context.tdb.commit ();
@@ -1640,12 +1645,12 @@ int handleReportCalendar (std::string &outs)
     }
   }
 
-  Color color_today   (context.config.get ("color.calendar.today",   "black on cyan"));
-  Color color_due     (context.config.get ("color.calendar.due",     "black on green"));
-  Color color_overdue (context.config.get ("color.calendar.overdue", "black on red"));
-  Color color_weekend (context.config.get ("color.calendar.weekend", "black on white"));
+  Color color_today   (context.config.get ("color.calendar.today"));
+  Color color_due     (context.config.get ("color.calendar.due"));
+  Color color_overdue (context.config.get ("color.calendar.overdue"));
+  Color color_weekend (context.config.get ("color.calendar.weekend"));
 
-  if (context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false))
+  if (context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor"))
     out << "Legend: "
         << color_today.colorize ("today")
         << ", "
@@ -1658,7 +1663,7 @@ int handleReportCalendar (std::string &outs)
         << optionalBlankLine ()
         << std::endl;
 
-  if (context.config.get (std::string ("calendar.details"), false))
+  if (context.config.getBoolean ("calendar.details"))
   {
     --details_mFrom;
     if (details_mFrom == 0)
@@ -1676,12 +1681,12 @@ int handleReportCalendar (std::string &outs)
     }
 
     Date date_after (details_mFrom, details_dFrom, details_yFrom);
-    std::string after = date_after.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
-    
-    Date date_before (mTo, 1, yTo);
-    std::string before = date_before.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+    std::string after = date_after.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
 
-    std::string report = context.config.get ("calendar.details.report", "list");
+    Date date_before (mTo, 1, yTo);
+    std::string before = date_before.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
+
+    std::string report = context.config.get ("calendar.details.report");
     std::string report_filter = context.config.get ("report." + report + ".filter");
 
     report_filter += " due.after:" + after + " due.before:" + before;
@@ -1734,7 +1739,7 @@ int handleReportStats (std::string &outs)
 
   // Get all the tasks.
   std::vector <Task> tasks;
-  context.tdb.lock (context.config.get ("locking", true));
+  context.tdb.lock (context.config.getBoolean ("locking"));
   handleRecurrence ();
   context.tdb.load (tasks, context.filter);
   context.tdb.commit ();
@@ -1801,12 +1806,12 @@ int handleReportStats (std::string &outs)
   Table table;
   table.setTableWidth (context.getWidth ());
   table.setTableIntraPadding (2);
-  table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+  table.setDateFormat (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
   table.addColumn ("Category");
   table.addColumn ("Data");
 
-  if ((context.config.get ("color", true) || context.config.get (std::string ("_forcecolor"), false)) &&
-      context.config.get (std::string ("fontunderline"), "true"))
+  if ((context.config.getBoolean ("color") || context.config.getBoolean ("_forcecolor")) &&
+      context.config.getBoolean ("fontunderline"))
   {
     table.setColumnUnderline (0);
     table.setColumnUnderline (1);
@@ -1879,12 +1884,12 @@ int handleReportStats (std::string &outs)
     Date e (earliest);
     row = table.addRow ();
     table.addCell (row, 0, "Oldest task");
-    table.addCell (row, 1, e.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y")));
+    table.addCell (row, 1, e.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat")));
 
     Date l (latest);
     row = table.addRow ();
     table.addCell (row, 0, "Newest task");
-    table.addCell (row, 1, l.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y")));
+    table.addCell (row, 1, l.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat")));
 
     row = table.addRow ();
     table.addCell (row, 0, "Task used for");
@@ -1946,7 +1951,7 @@ void gatherNextTasks (std::vector <Task>& tasks)
   Date now;
 
   // How many items per project?  Default 2.
-  int limit = context.config.get ("next", 2);
+  int limit = context.config.getInteger ("next");
 
   // due:< 1wk, pri:*
   foreach (task, tasks)
@@ -2115,7 +2120,7 @@ std::string getFullDescription (Task& task)
   task.getAnnotations (annotations);
 
   if (annotations.size () != 0)
-    switch (context.config.get("annotation.details",2))
+    switch (context.config.getInteger ("annotation.details"))
     {
     case 0:
       desc = "+" + desc;
@@ -2126,7 +2131,7 @@ std::string getFullDescription (Task& task)
           desc = "+" + desc;
         Att anno (annotations.back());
         Date dt (atoi (anno.name ().substr (11).c_str ()));
-        std::string when = dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+        std::string when = dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
         desc += "\n" + when + " " + anno.value ();
       }
       break;
@@ -2134,7 +2139,7 @@ std::string getFullDescription (Task& task)
       foreach (anno, annotations)
       {
         Date dt (atoi (anno->name ().substr (11).c_str ()));
-        std::string when = dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+        std::string when = dt.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
         desc += "\n" + when + " " + anno->value ();
       }
       break; 
@@ -2151,8 +2156,6 @@ std::string getDueDate (Task& task, const std::string& format)
   {
     Date d (atoi (due.c_str ()));
     due = d.toString (format);
-    //due = d.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
-    //due = d.toString (context.config.get ("reportdateformat", context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y")));
   }
 
   return due;
diff --git a/src/text.cpp b/src/text.cpp
index 5388888a5..1da58de17 100644
--- a/src/text.cpp
+++ b/src/text.cpp
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ std::string ucFirst (const std::string& input)
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 const char* optionalBlankLine ()
 {
-  if (context.config.get ("blanklines", true) == true) // no i18n
+  if (context.config.getBoolean ("blanklines") == true) // no i18n
     return newline;
 
   return noline;
diff --git a/src/util.cpp b/src/util.cpp
index f0e3ee543..28bff6d2b 100644
--- a/src/util.cpp
+++ b/src/util.cpp
@@ -589,7 +589,7 @@ std::string renderAttribute (const std::string& name, const std::string& value)
   if (a.type (name) == "date")
   {
     Date d ((time_t)::atoi (value.c_str ()));
-    return d.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat", "m/d/Y"));
+    return d.toString (context.config.get ("dateformat"));
   }
 
   return value;