diff --git a/src/org/yaaic/model/Settings.java b/src/org/yaaic/model/Settings.java
new file mode 100644
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+++ b/src/org/yaaic/model/Settings.java
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+/*
+Yaaic - Yet Another Android IRC Client
+
+Copyright 2009-2010 Sebastian Kaspari
+
+This file is part of Yaaic.
+
+Yaaic is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+(at your option) any later version.
+
+Yaaic is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+along with Yaaic.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+package org.yaaic.model;
+
+import org.yaaic.R;
+
+import android.content.Context;
+import android.content.SharedPreferences;
+import android.content.res.Resources;
+import android.preference.PreferenceManager;
+
+/**
+ * The settings class is a helper class to access the different preferences via
+ * small and simple methods.
+ * 
+ * Note: As this class carries a Context instace as private member, instances of
+ * 		 this class should be thrown away not later than when the Context should
+ * 		 be gone. Otherwise this could leak memory. 
+ * 
+ * @author Sebastian Kaspari <sebastian@yaaic.org>
+ *
+ */
+public class Settings
+{
+	private SharedPreferences preferences;
+	private Resources resources;
+	
+	/**
+	 * Create a new Settings instance
+	 * 
+	 * @param context
+	 */
+	public Settings(Context context)
+	{
+		this.preferences = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(context);
+		this.resources = context.getApplicationContext().getResources();
+	}
+	
+	/**
+	 * Prefix all messages with a timestamp?
+	 * 
+	 * @return
+	 */
+	public boolean showTimestamp()
+	{
+		return preferences.getBoolean(
+			resources.getString(R.string.key_show_timestamp),
+			Boolean.parseBoolean(resources.getString(R.string.default_show_timestamp))
+		);
+	}
+	
+	/**
+	 * Show icons to highlight special events
+	 * 
+	 * @return
+	 */
+	public boolean showIcons()
+	{
+		return preferences.getBoolean(
+				
+			resources.getString(R.string.key_show_icons),
+			Boolean.parseBoolean(resources.getString(R.string.default_show_icons))
+		);
+	}
+	
+	/**
+	 * Show colors to highlight special events?
+	 * 
+	 * @return
+	 */
+	public boolean showColors()
+	{
+		return preferences.getBoolean(
+			resources.getString(R.string.key_show_colors),
+			Boolean.parseBoolean(resources.getString(R.string.default_show_colors))
+		);
+	}
+}