diff --git a/lib/libalpm/add.c b/lib/libalpm/add.c
index f4b79572..d101f635 100644
--- a/lib/libalpm/add.c
+++ b/lib/libalpm/add.c
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ int SYMHIDDEN _alpm_add_loadtarget(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db, char *name)
 		return(add_faketarget(trans, name));
 	}
 
-	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("loading target '%s'"), name);
+	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("loading target '%s'"), name);
 
 	/* TODO FS#5120 we need a better way to check if a package is a valid package,
 	 * and read the metadata instead of relying on the filename for package name
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ int SYMHIDDEN _alpm_add_loadtarget(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db, char *name)
 		}
 	}
 
-	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("reading '%s' metadata"), pkgname);
+	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("reading '%s' metadata"), pkgname);
 	info = _alpm_pkg_load(name);
 	if(info == NULL) {
 		/* pm_errno is already set by pkg_load() */
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ int _alpm_add_prepare(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db, alpm_list_t **data)
 		EVENT(trans, PM_TRANS_EVT_CHECKDEPS_START, NULL, NULL);
 
 		/* look for unsatisfied dependencies */
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("looking for unsatisfied dependencies"));
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("looking for unsatisfied dependencies"));
 		lp = _alpm_checkdeps(trans, db, trans->type, trans->packages);
 		if(lp != NULL) {
 			if(data) {
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ int _alpm_add_prepare(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db, alpm_list_t **data)
 		}
 
 		/* no unsatisfied deps, so look for conflicts */
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("looking for conflicts"));
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("looking for conflicts"));
 		lp = _alpm_checkconflicts(db, trans->packages);
 		for(i = lp; i; i = i->next) {
 			int skip_this = 0;
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ int _alpm_add_prepare(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db, alpm_list_t **data)
 		}
 
 		/* re-order w.r.t. dependencies */
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("sorting by dependencies"));
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("sorting by dependencies"));
 		lp = _alpm_sortbydeps(trans->packages, PM_TRANS_TYPE_ADD);
 		/* free the old alltargs */
 		FREELISTPTR(trans->packages);
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ int _alpm_add_prepare(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db, alpm_list_t **data)
 	/* Cleaning up
 	 */
 	EVENT(trans, PM_TRANS_EVT_CLEANUP_START, NULL, NULL);
-	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("cleaning up"));
+	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("cleaning up"));
 	for (lp=trans->packages; lp!=NULL; lp=lp->next) {
 		info=(pmpkg_t *)lp->data;
 		for (rmlist=info->removes; rmlist!=NULL; rmlist=rmlist->next) {
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ int _alpm_add_prepare(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db, alpm_list_t **data)
 
 		EVENT(trans, PM_TRANS_EVT_FILECONFLICTS_START, NULL, NULL);
 
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("looking for file conflicts"));
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("looking for file conflicts"));
 		lp = _alpm_db_find_conflicts(db, trans, handle->root, &skiplist);
 		if(lp != NULL) {
 			if(data) {
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ int _alpm_add_commit(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db)
 			if(local) {
 				EVENT(trans, PM_TRANS_EVT_UPGRADE_START, info, NULL);
 				cb_state = PM_TRANS_PROGRESS_UPGRADE_START;
-				_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("upgrading package %s-%s"), info->name, info->version);
+				_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("upgrading package %s-%s"), info->name, info->version);
 				if((what = (char *)malloc(strlen(info->name)+1)) == NULL) {
 					RET_ERR(PM_ERR_MEMORY, -1);
 				}
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ int _alpm_add_commit(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db)
 
 				if(oldpkg) {
 					pmtrans_t *tr;
-					_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("removing old package first (%s-%s)"), oldpkg->name, oldpkg->version);
+					_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("removing old package first (%s-%s)"), oldpkg->name, oldpkg->version);
 					tr = _alpm_trans_new();
 					if(tr == NULL) {
 						RET_ERR(PM_ERR_TRANS_ABORT, -1);
@@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ int _alpm_add_commit(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db)
 		if(!pmo_upgrade) {
 			EVENT(trans, PM_TRANS_EVT_ADD_START, info, NULL);
 			cb_state = PM_TRANS_PROGRESS_ADD_START;
-			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("adding package %s-%s"), info->name, info->version);
+			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("adding package %s-%s"), info->name, info->version);
 			if((what = (char *)malloc(strlen(info->name)+1)) == NULL) {
 				RET_ERR(PM_ERR_MEMORY, -1);
 			}
@@ -461,11 +461,11 @@ int _alpm_add_commit(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db)
 				_alpm_runscriptlet(handle->root, info->data, "pre_install", info->version, NULL, trans);
 			}
 		} else {
-			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("adding new package %s-%s"), info->name, info->version);
+			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("adding new package %s-%s"), info->name, info->version);
 		}
 
 		if(!(trans->flags & PM_TRANS_FLAG_DBONLY)) {
-			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("extracting files"));
+			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("extracting files"));
 
 			/* Extract the package */
 			if ((archive = archive_read_new ()) == NULL)
@@ -685,7 +685,7 @@ int _alpm_add_commit(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db)
 						}
 
 						if(installnew) {
-							_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("extracting %s"), pathname);
+							_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("extracting %s"), pathname);
 							if(_alpm_copyfile(temp, expath)) {
 								_alpm_log(PM_LOG_ERROR, _("could not copy %s to %s (%s)"), temp, pathname, strerror(errno));
 								errors++;
@@ -705,9 +705,9 @@ int _alpm_add_commit(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db)
 					close(fd);
 				} else {
 					if(!notouch) {
-						_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("extracting %s"), pathname);
+						_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("extracting %s"), pathname);
 					} else {
-						_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("%s is in NoUpgrade -- skipping"), pathname);
+						_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("%s is in NoUpgrade -- skipping"), pathname);
 						strncat(expath, ".pacnew", PATH_MAX);
 						_alpm_log(PM_LOG_WARNING, _("extracting %s as %s.pacnew"), pathname, pathname);
 						alpm_logaction(_("warning: extracting %s%s as %s"), handle->root, pathname, expath);
@@ -800,8 +800,8 @@ int _alpm_add_commit(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db)
 		/* remove the extra line feed appended by asctime() */
 		info->installdate[strlen(info->installdate)-1] = 0;
 
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("updating database"));
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("adding database entry '%s'"), info->name);
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("updating database"));
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("adding database entry '%s'"), info->name);
 		if(_alpm_db_write(db, info, INFRQ_ALL)) {
 			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_ERROR, _("could not update database entry %s-%s"),
 			          info->name, info->version);
@@ -815,7 +815,7 @@ int _alpm_add_commit(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db)
 		/* XXX: This is copy-pasta from remove.c - refactor */
 		/* update dependency packages' REQUIREDBY fields */
 		if(info->depends) {
-			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("updating dependency packages 'requiredby' fields"));
+			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("updating dependency packages 'requiredby' fields"));
 		}
 		for(lp = info->depends; lp; lp = lp->next) {
 			pmpkg_t *depinfo;
@@ -875,7 +875,7 @@ int _alpm_add_commit(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db)
 
 	/* run ldconfig if it exists */
 	if(handle->trans->state != STATE_INTERRUPTED) {
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("running \"ldconfig -r %s\""), handle->root);
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("running \"ldconfig -r %s\""), handle->root);
 		_alpm_ldconfig(handle->root);
 	}
 
diff --git a/lib/libalpm/alpm.c b/lib/libalpm/alpm.c
index 77c8f91b..de89fb21 100644
--- a/lib/libalpm/alpm.c
+++ b/lib/libalpm/alpm.c
@@ -72,13 +72,10 @@ enum _pmerrno_t pm_errno SYMEXPORT;
 
 /** Initializes the library.  This must be called before any other
  * functions are called.
- * @param root the full path of the root we'll be installing to (usually /)
  * @return 0 on success, -1 on error (pm_errno is set accordingly)
  */
-int SYMEXPORT alpm_initialize(const char *root)
+int SYMEXPORT alpm_initialize()
 {
-	char str[PATH_MAX];
-
 	ASSERT(handle == NULL, RET_ERR(PM_ERR_HANDLE_NOT_NULL, -1));
 
 	handle = _alpm_handle_new();
@@ -86,13 +83,6 @@ int SYMEXPORT alpm_initialize(const char *root)
 		RET_ERR(PM_ERR_MEMORY, -1);
 	}
 
-	STRNCPY(str, (root) ? root : PM_ROOT, PATH_MAX);
-	/* add a trailing '/' if there isn't one */
-	if(str[strlen(str)-1] != '/') {
-		strcat(str, "/");
-	}
-	handle->root = strdup(str);
-
 	return(0);
 }
 
@@ -185,7 +175,7 @@ int alpm_db_unregister(pmdb_t *db)
 		RET_ERR(PM_ERR_DB_NOT_FOUND, -1);
 	}
 
-	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("unregistering database '%s'"), db->treename);
+	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("unregistering database '%s'"), db->treename);
 
 	/* Cleanup */
 	_alpm_db_free_pkgcache(db);
@@ -236,11 +226,11 @@ int alpm_db_setserver(pmdb_t *db, const char *url)
 			return(-1);
 		}
 		db->servers = alpm_list_add(db->servers, server);
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("adding new server to database '%s': protocol '%s', server '%s', path '%s'"),
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("adding new server to database '%s': protocol '%s', server '%s', path '%s'"),
 				db->treename, server->s_url->scheme, server->s_url->host, server->s_url->doc);
 	} else {
 		FREELIST(db->servers);
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("serverlist flushed for '%s'"), db->treename);
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("serverlist flushed for '%s'"), db->treename);
 	}
 
 	return(0);
@@ -312,7 +302,7 @@ int SYMEXPORT alpm_db_update(int force, pmdb_t *db)
 		snprintf(path, PATH_MAX, "%s%s/%s" PM_EXT_DB, handle->root, handle->dbpath, db->treename);
 
 		/* remove the old dir */
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("flushing database %s/%s"), handle->dbpath, db->treename);
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("flushing database %s/%s"), handle->dbpath, db->treename);
 		for(lp = _alpm_db_get_pkgcache(db, INFRQ_NONE); lp; lp = lp->next) {
 			if(_alpm_db_remove(db, lp->data) == -1) {
 				if(lp->data) {
@@ -497,7 +487,7 @@ int alpm_pkg_checksha1sum(pmpkg_t *pkg)
 		}
 
 		if(strcmp(sha1sum, pkg->sha1sum) == 0) {
-			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("checksums for package %s-%s are matching"),
+			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("checksums for package %s-%s are matching"),
 			                        pkg->name, pkg->version);
 		} else {
 			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_ERROR, _("sha1sums do not match for package %s-%s"),
@@ -546,7 +536,7 @@ int alpm_pkg_checkmd5sum(pmpkg_t *pkg)
 		}
 
 		if(strcmp(md5sum, pkg->md5sum) == 0) {
-			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("checksums for package %s-%s are matching"),
+			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("checksums for package %s-%s are matching"),
 			                        pkg->name, pkg->version);
 		} else {
 			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_ERROR, _("md5sums do not match for package %s-%s"),
diff --git a/lib/libalpm/alpm.h b/lib/libalpm/alpm.h
index cff38311..15af82b1 100644
--- a/lib/libalpm/alpm.h
+++ b/lib/libalpm/alpm.h
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ typedef struct __pmconflict_t pmconflict_t;
  * Library
  */
 
-int alpm_initialize(const char *root);
+int alpm_initialize();
 int alpm_release(void);
 
 /*
@@ -72,13 +72,11 @@ int alpm_release(void);
 
 /* Levels */
 typedef enum _pmloglevel_t {
-	PM_LOG_DEBUG = 0x01,
-	PM_LOG_ERROR = 0x02,
-	PM_LOG_WARNING = 0x04,
-	PM_LOG_FLOW1 = 0x08,
-	PM_LOG_FLOW2 = 0x10,
-	PM_LOG_FUNCTION = 0x20,
-	PM_LOG_DOWNLOAD = 0x40
+	PM_LOG_ERROR    = 0x01,
+	PM_LOG_WARNING  = 0x02,
+	PM_LOG_DEBUG    = 0x04,
+	PM_LOG_DOWNLOAD = 0x08,
+	PM_LOG_FUNCTION = 0x10
 } pmloglevel_t;
 
 typedef void (*alpm_cb_log)(unsigned short, char *);
diff --git a/lib/libalpm/be_files.c b/lib/libalpm/be_files.c
index 986d9189..5b54c79c 100644
--- a/lib/libalpm/be_files.c
+++ b/lib/libalpm/be_files.c
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ int _alpm_db_install(pmdb_t *db, const char *dbfile)
 	/* ORE
 		 we should not simply unpack the archive, but better parse it and 
 		 db_write each entry (see sync_load_dbarchive to get archive content) */
-	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("unpacking database '%s'"), dbfile);
+	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("unpacking database '%s'"), dbfile);
 
 	if(_alpm_unpack(dbfile, db->path, NULL)) {
 		RET_ERR(PM_ERR_SYSTEM, -1);
diff --git a/lib/libalpm/db.c b/lib/libalpm/db.c
index a4c5e198..3d2d1c8a 100644
--- a/lib/libalpm/db.c
+++ b/lib/libalpm/db.c
@@ -174,12 +174,12 @@ pmdb_t *_alpm_db_register(char *treename, alpm_cb_db_register callback)
 		}
 	}
 	
-	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("registering database '%s'"), treename);
+	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("registering database '%s'"), treename);
 
 	/* make sure the database directory exists */
 	snprintf(path, PATH_MAX, "%s%s/%s", handle->root, handle->dbpath, treename);
 	if(stat(path, &buf) != 0 || !S_ISDIR(buf.st_mode)) {
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("database directory '%s' does not exist -- try creating it"), path);
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("database directory '%s' does not exist -- try creating it"), path);
 		if(_alpm_makepath(path) != 0) {
 			RET_ERR(PM_ERR_SYSTEM, NULL);
 		}
diff --git a/lib/libalpm/deps.c b/lib/libalpm/deps.c
index 285031e7..c907ab69 100644
--- a/lib/libalpm/deps.c
+++ b/lib/libalpm/deps.c
@@ -495,7 +495,7 @@ alpm_list_t *_alpm_removedeps(pmdb_t *db, alpm_list_t *targs)
 
 			/* see if it was explicitly installed */
 			if(dep->reason == PM_PKG_REASON_EXPLICIT) {
-				_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("excluding %s -- explicitly installed"), dep->name);
+				_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("excluding %s -- explicitly installed"), dep->name);
 				needed = 1;
 			}
 
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ alpm_list_t *_alpm_removedeps(pmdb_t *db, alpm_list_t *targs)
 				_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("loading ALL info for '%s'"), pkg->name);
 				_alpm_db_read(db, INFRQ_ALL, pkg);
 				newtargs = alpm_list_add(newtargs, pkg);
-				_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("adding '%s' to the targets"), pkg->name);
+				_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("adding '%s' to the targets"), pkg->name);
 				newtargs = _alpm_removedeps(db, newtargs);
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/lib/libalpm/handle.c b/lib/libalpm/handle.c
index 140fe328..8407a237 100644
--- a/lib/libalpm/handle.c
+++ b/lib/libalpm/handle.c
@@ -77,8 +77,10 @@ pmhandle_t *_alpm_handle_new()
 	handle->access = PM_ACCESS_RW;
 #endif
 
+  handle->root = strdup(PM_ROOT);
 	handle->dbpath = strdup(PM_DBPATH);
 	handle->cachedir = strdup(PM_CACHEDIR);
+  handle->logmask = PM_LOG_ERROR | PM_LOG_WARNING;
 
 	return(handle);
 }
diff --git a/lib/libalpm/remove.c b/lib/libalpm/remove.c
index 85e2043b..afe5532b 100644
--- a/lib/libalpm/remove.c
+++ b/lib/libalpm/remove.c
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ int _alpm_remove_loadtarget(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db, char *name)
 		}
 	}
 
-	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("adding %s in the targets list"), info->name);
+	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("adding %s in the targets list"), info->name);
 	trans->packages = alpm_list_add(trans->packages, info);
 
 	return(0);
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ int _alpm_remove_prepare(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db, alpm_list_t **data)
 	if(!(trans->flags & (PM_TRANS_FLAG_NODEPS)) && (trans->type != PM_TRANS_TYPE_UPGRADE)) {
 		EVENT(trans, PM_TRANS_EVT_CHECKDEPS_START, NULL, NULL);
 
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("looking for unsatisfied dependencies"));
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("looking for unsatisfied dependencies"));
 		lp = _alpm_checkdeps(trans, db, trans->type, trans->packages);
 		if(lp != NULL) {
 			if(trans->flags & PM_TRANS_FLAG_CASCADE) {
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ int _alpm_remove_prepare(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db, alpm_list_t **data)
 						pmdepmissing_t *miss = (pmdepmissing_t *)i->data;
 						pmpkg_t *info = _alpm_db_scan(db, miss->depend.name, INFRQ_ALL);
 						if(info) {
-							_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("pulling %s in the targets list"), info->name);
+							_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("pulling %s in the targets list"), info->name);
 							trans->packages = alpm_list_add(trans->packages, info);
 						} else {
 							_alpm_log(PM_LOG_ERROR, _("could not find %s in database -- skipping"),
@@ -138,12 +138,12 @@ int _alpm_remove_prepare(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db, alpm_list_t **data)
 		}
 
 		if(trans->flags & PM_TRANS_FLAG_RECURSE) {
-			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("finding removable dependencies"));
+			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("finding removable dependencies"));
 			trans->packages = _alpm_removedeps(db, trans->packages);
 		}
 
 		/* re-order w.r.t. dependencies */ 
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("sorting by dependencies"));
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("sorting by dependencies"));
 		lp = _alpm_sortbydeps(trans->packages, PM_TRANS_TYPE_REMOVE);
 		/* free the old alltargs */
 		FREELISTPTR(trans->packages);
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ static void unlink_file(pmpkg_t *info, alpm_list_t *lp, alpm_list_t *targ,
 			}
 		}
 		if ( skipit ) {
-			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("skipping removal of %s as it has moved to another package"),
+			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("skipping removal of %s as it has moved to another package"),
 								line);
 		} else {
 			/* if the file is flagged, back it up to .pacsave */
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ static void unlink_file(pmpkg_t *info, alpm_list_t *lp, alpm_list_t *targ,
 					}
 				}
 			} else {
-				_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("unlinking %s"), line);
+				_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("unlinking %s"), line);
 				int list_count = alpm_list_count(trans->packages); /* this way we don't have to call alpm_list_count twice during PROGRESS */
 				PROGRESS(trans, PM_TRANS_PROGRESS_REMOVE_START, info->name, (double)(percent * 100), list_count, (list_count - alpm_list_count(targ) + 1));
 				++(*position);
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ int _alpm_remove_commit(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db)
 
 		if(trans->type != PM_TRANS_TYPE_UPGRADE) {
 			EVENT(trans, PM_TRANS_EVT_REMOVE_START, info, NULL);
-			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("removing package %s-%s"), info->name, info->version);
+			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("removing package %s-%s"), info->name, info->version);
 
 			/* run the pre-remove scriptlet if it exists  */
 			if(info->scriptlet && !(trans->flags & PM_TRANS_FLAG_NOSCRIPTLET)) {
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ int _alpm_remove_commit(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db)
 
 		if(!(trans->flags & PM_TRANS_FLAG_DBONLY)) {
 			int filenum = alpm_list_count(info->files);
-			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("removing files"));
+			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("removing files"));
 
 			/* iterate through the list backwards, unlinking files */
 			for(lp = alpm_list_last(info->files); lp; lp = lp->prev) {
@@ -290,8 +290,8 @@ int _alpm_remove_commit(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db)
 		}
 
 		/* remove the package from the database */
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("updating database"));
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("removing database entry '%s'"), info->name);
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("updating database"));
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("removing database entry '%s'"), info->name);
 		if(_alpm_db_remove(db, info) == -1) {
 			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_ERROR, _("could not remove database entry %s-%s"), info->name, info->version);
 		}
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ int _alpm_remove_commit(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db)
 		}
 
 		/* update dependency packages' REQUIREDBY fields */
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("updating dependency packages 'requiredby' fields"));
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("updating dependency packages 'requiredby' fields"));
 		for(lp = info->depends; lp; lp = lp->next) {
 			pmpkg_t *depinfo = NULL;
 			pmdepend_t depend;
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ int _alpm_remove_commit(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db)
 
 	/* run ldconfig if it exists */
 	if((trans->type != PM_TRANS_TYPE_UPGRADE) && (handle->trans->state != STATE_INTERRUPTED)) {
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("running \"ldconfig -r %s\""), handle->root);
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("running \"ldconfig -r %s\""), handle->root);
 		_alpm_ldconfig(handle->root);
 	}
 
diff --git a/lib/libalpm/sync.c b/lib/libalpm/sync.c
index 763a2087..5e4d5f60 100644
--- a/lib/libalpm/sync.c
+++ b/lib/libalpm/sync.c
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ static int find_replacements(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local,
 	ALPM_LOG_FUNC;
 
 	/* check for "recommended" package replacements */
-	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("checking for package replacements"));
+	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("checking for package replacements"));
 	for(i = dbs_sync; i; i = i->next) {
 		for(j = _alpm_db_get_pkgcache(i->data, INFRQ_DESC); j; j = j->next) {
 			pmpkg_t *spkg = j->data;
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ static int find_replacements(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local,
 									sync->data = alpm_list_add(NULL, dummy);
 									trans->packages = alpm_list_add(trans->packages, sync);
 								}
-								_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("%s-%s elected for upgrade (to be replaced by %s-%s)"),
+								_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("%s-%s elected for upgrade (to be replaced by %s-%s)"),
 								          lpkg->name, lpkg->version, spkg->name, spkg->version);
 							}
 						}
@@ -205,10 +205,10 @@ int _alpm_sync_sysupgrade(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local, alpm_list_t *dbs_s
 	ALPM_LOG_FUNC;
 
 	/* check for "recommended" package replacements */
-	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("checking for package replacements"));
+	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("checking for package replacements"));
 	if( find_replacements(trans, db_local, dbs_sync) == 0 ) {
 		/* match installed packages with the sync dbs and compare versions */
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("checking for package upgrades"));
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("checking for package upgrades"));
 		for(i = _alpm_db_get_pkgcache(db_local, INFRQ_NONE); i; i = i->next) {
 			int cmp;
 			int replace=0;
@@ -254,11 +254,11 @@ int _alpm_sync_sysupgrade(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local, alpm_list_t *dbs_s
 									local->name, local->version, spkg->version);
 			} else if(istoonew(spkg)) {
 				/* package too new (UpgradeDelay) */
-				_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("%s-%s: delaying upgrade of package (%s)"),
+				_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("%s-%s: delaying upgrade of package (%s)"),
 									local->name, local->version, spkg->version);
 				/* check if spkg->name is already in the packages list. */
 			} else {
-				_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("%s-%s elected for upgrade (%s => %s)"),
+				_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("%s-%s elected for upgrade (%s => %s)"),
 									local->name, local->version, local->version, spkg->version);
 				if(!find_pkginsync(spkg->name, trans->packages)) {
 					pmpkg_t *dummy = _alpm_pkg_new(local->name, local->version);
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ int _alpm_sync_addtarget(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local, alpm_list_t *dbs_sy
 				if(spkg == NULL) {
 					/* Search provides */
 					alpm_list_t *p;
-					_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("target '%s' not found -- looking for provisions"), targ);
+					_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("target '%s' not found -- looking for provisions"), targ);
 					p = _alpm_db_whatprovides(dbs, targ);
 					if(p == NULL) {
 						RET_ERR(PM_ERR_PKG_NOT_FOUND, -1);
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ int _alpm_sync_addtarget(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local, alpm_list_t *dbs_sy
 		}
 		if(spkg == NULL) {
 			/* Search provides */
-			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("target '%s' not found -- looking for provisions"), targ);
+			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("target '%s' not found -- looking for provisions"), targ);
 			for(j = dbs_sync; j && !spkg; j = j->next) {
 				pmdb_t *dbs = j->data;
 				alpm_list_t *p = _alpm_db_whatprovides(dbs, targ);
@@ -389,7 +389,7 @@ int _alpm_sync_addtarget(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local, alpm_list_t *dbs_sy
 			FREEPKG(dummy);
 			RET_ERR(PM_ERR_MEMORY, -1);
 		}
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("adding target '%s' to the transaction set"), spkg->name);
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("adding target '%s' to the transaction set"), spkg->name);
 		trans->packages = alpm_list_add(trans->packages, sync);
 	}
 
@@ -437,7 +437,7 @@ int _alpm_sync_prepare(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local, alpm_list_t *dbs_sync
 
 		/* Resolve targets dependencies */
 		EVENT(trans, PM_TRANS_EVT_RESOLVEDEPS_START, NULL, NULL);
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("resolving target's dependencies"));
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("resolving target's dependencies"));
 		for(i = trans->packages; i; i = i->next) {
 			pmpkg_t *spkg = ((pmsyncpkg_t *)i->data)->pkg;
 			if(_alpm_resolvedeps(db_local, dbs_sync, spkg, list, trail, trans, data) == -1) {
@@ -457,7 +457,7 @@ int _alpm_sync_prepare(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local, alpm_list_t *dbs_sync
 					goto cleanup;
 				}
 				trans->packages = alpm_list_add(trans->packages, sync);
-				_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("adding package %s-%s to the transaction targets"),
+				_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("adding package %s-%s to the transaction targets"),
 						spkg->name, spkg->version);
 			} else {
 				/* remove the original targets from the list if requested */
@@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ int _alpm_sync_prepare(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local, alpm_list_t *dbs_sync
 
 		EVENT(trans, PM_TRANS_EVT_RESOLVEDEPS_DONE, NULL, NULL);
 
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("looking for unresolvable dependencies"));
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("looking for unresolvable dependencies"));
 		deps = _alpm_checkdeps(trans, db_local, PM_TRANS_TYPE_UPGRADE, list);
 		if(deps) {
 			if(data) {
@@ -512,7 +512,7 @@ int _alpm_sync_prepare(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local, alpm_list_t *dbs_sync
 		/* check for inter-conflicts and whatnot */
 		EVENT(trans, PM_TRANS_EVT_INTERCONFLICTS_START, NULL, NULL);
 
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("looking for conflicts"));
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("looking for conflicts"));
 		deps = _alpm_checkconflicts(db_local, list);
 		if(deps) {
 			int errorout = 0;
@@ -523,7 +523,7 @@ int _alpm_sync_prepare(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local, alpm_list_t *dbs_sync
 				pmsyncpkg_t *sync;
 				pmpkg_t *local;
 
-				_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("package '%s' is conflicting with '%s'"),
+				_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("package '%s' is conflicting with '%s'"),
 				          miss->target, miss->depend.name);
 
 				/* check if the conflicting package is one that's about to be removed/replaced.
@@ -596,7 +596,7 @@ int _alpm_sync_prepare(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local, alpm_list_t *dbs_sync
 						if(rmpkg) {
 							pmsyncpkg_t *rsync = find_pkginsync(rmpkg, trans->packages);
 							void *vpkg;
-							_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("removing '%s' from target list"), rmpkg);
+							_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("removing '%s' from target list"), rmpkg);
 							trans->packages = alpm_list_remove(trans->packages, rsync, pkg_cmp, &vpkg);
 							FREESYNC(vpkg);
 							continue;
@@ -628,12 +628,12 @@ int _alpm_sync_prepare(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local, alpm_list_t *dbs_sync
 								FREEPKG(sync->data);
 							}
 							/* append to the replaces list */
-							_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("electing '%s' for removal"), miss->depend.name);
+							_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("electing '%s' for removal"), miss->depend.name);
 							sync->data = alpm_list_add(sync->data, q);
 							if(rsync) {
 								/* remove it from the target list */
 								void *vpkg;
-								_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("removing '%s' from target list"), miss->depend.name);
+								_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("removing '%s' from target list"), miss->depend.name);
 								trans->packages = alpm_list_remove(trans->packages, rsync, pkg_cmp, &vpkg);
 								FREESYNC(vpkg);
 							}
@@ -707,7 +707,7 @@ int _alpm_sync_prepare(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local, alpm_list_t *dbs_sync
 			}
 		}
 		if(list) {
-			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("checking dependencies of packages designated for removal"));
+			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("checking dependencies of packages designated for removal"));
 			deps = _alpm_checkdeps(trans, db_local, PM_TRANS_TYPE_REMOVE, list);
 			if(deps) {
 				int errorout = 0;
@@ -740,7 +740,7 @@ int _alpm_sync_prepare(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local, alpm_list_t *dbs_sync
 										for(o = sp->pkg->provides; o && !pfound; o = o->next) {
 											if(!strcmp(m->data, o->data)) {
 												/* found matching provisio -- we're good to go */
-												_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("found '%s' as a provision for '%s' -- conflict aborted"),
+												_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("found '%s' as a provision for '%s' -- conflict aborted"),
 														sp->pkg->name, (char *)o->data);
 												pfound = 1;
 											}
@@ -970,7 +970,7 @@ int _alpm_sync_commit(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local, alpm_list_t **data)
 		}
 	}
 	if(replaces) {
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("removing conflicting and to-be-replaced packages"));
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("removing conflicting and to-be-replaced packages"));
 		if(_alpm_trans_prepare(tr, data) == -1) {
 			_alpm_log(PM_LOG_ERROR, _("could not prepare removal transaction"));
 			goto error;
@@ -985,7 +985,7 @@ int _alpm_sync_commit(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local, alpm_list_t **data)
 	FREETRANS(tr);
 
 	/* install targets */
-	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("installing packages"));
+	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("installing packages"));
 	tr = _alpm_trans_new();
 	if(tr == NULL) {
 		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_ERROR, _("could not create transaction"));
@@ -1028,7 +1028,7 @@ int _alpm_sync_commit(pmtrans_t *trans, pmdb_t *db_local, alpm_list_t **data)
 
 	/* propagate replaced packages' requiredby fields to their new owners */
 	if(replaces) {
-		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW1, _("updating database for replaced packages' dependencies"));
+		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("updating database for replaced packages' dependencies"));
 		for(i = trans->packages; i; i = i->next) {
 			pmsyncpkg_t *sync = i->data;
 			if(sync->type == PM_SYNC_TYPE_REPLACE) {
diff --git a/lib/libalpm/util.c b/lib/libalpm/util.c
index e9d0cbe0..7049af67 100644
--- a/lib/libalpm/util.c
+++ b/lib/libalpm/util.c
@@ -468,7 +468,7 @@ int _alpm_runscriptlet(char *root, char *installfn, char *script, char *ver, cha
 		_alpm_log(PM_LOG_ERROR, _("could not change directory to %s (%s)"), root, strerror(errno));
 	}
 
-	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_FLOW2, _("executing %s script..."), script);
+	_alpm_log(PM_LOG_DEBUG, _("executing %s script..."), script);
 
 	if(oldver) {
 		snprintf(cmdline, PATH_MAX, "source %s %s %s %s",
diff --git a/src/pacman/add.c b/src/pacman/add.c
index 111ea9de..6572b8fc 100644
--- a/src/pacman/add.c
+++ b/src/pacman/add.c
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ int pacman_add(alpm_list_t *targets)
 		ERR(NL, "%s\n", alpm_strerror(pm_errno));
 		if(pm_errno == PM_ERR_HANDLE_LOCK) {
 			MSG(NL, _("       if you're sure a package manager is not already running,\n"
-						    "       you can remove %s%s\n"), config->root, PM_LOCK);
+						    "       you can remove %s%s\n"), alpm_option_get_root(), PM_LOCK);
 		}
 		return(1);
 	}
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ int pacman_add(alpm_list_t *targets)
 					switch(alpm_conflict_get_type(conflict)) {
 						case PM_CONFLICT_TYPE_TARGET:
 							MSG(NL, _("%s%s exists in \"%s\" (target) and \"%s\" (target)"),
-											config->root,
+											alpm_option_get_root(),
 							        alpm_conflict_get_file(conflict),
 							        alpm_conflict_get_target(conflict),
 							        alpm_conflict_get_ctarget(conflict));
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ int pacman_add(alpm_list_t *targets)
 						case PM_CONFLICT_TYPE_FILE:
 							MSG(NL, _("%s: %s%s exists in filesystem"),
 							        alpm_conflict_get_target(conflict),
-											config->root,
+											alpm_option_get_root(),
 							        alpm_conflict_get_file(conflict));
 						break;
 					}
diff --git a/src/pacman/conf.c b/src/pacman/conf.c
index 185372e0..4c0381cf 100644
--- a/src/pacman/conf.c
+++ b/src/pacman/conf.c
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@
 #include <libintl.h>
 
 #include <alpm.h>
-#include <alpm_list.h>
 /* pacman */
 #include "util.h"
 #include "log.h"
@@ -51,9 +50,7 @@ int config_free(config_t *config)
 		return(-1);
 	}
 
-	FREE(config->root);
 	FREE(config->configfile);
-	FREELIST(config->op_s_ignore);
 	free(config);
 
 	return(0);
diff --git a/src/pacman/conf.h b/src/pacman/conf.h
index 65e0f23e..ddd20ffc 100644
--- a/src/pacman/conf.h
+++ b/src/pacman/conf.h
@@ -25,9 +25,6 @@
 
 typedef struct __config_t {
 	/* command line options */
-	char *root;
-	const char *dbpath;
-	const char *cachedir;
 	char *configfile;
 	unsigned short op;
 	unsigned short verbose;
@@ -49,14 +46,12 @@ typedef struct __config_t {
 	unsigned short op_s_clean;
 	unsigned short op_s_dependsonly;
 	unsigned short op_s_downloadonly;
-	alpm_list_t *op_s_ignore;
 	unsigned short op_s_info;
 	unsigned short op_s_sync;
 	unsigned short op_s_search;
 	unsigned short op_s_upgrade;
 	unsigned short group;
 	unsigned int flags;
-	unsigned short debug;
 	unsigned short noask;
 	unsigned int ask;
 } config_t;
diff --git a/src/pacman/deptest.c b/src/pacman/deptest.c
index e37f4791..c04ecb0c 100644
--- a/src/pacman/deptest.c
+++ b/src/pacman/deptest.c
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ int pacman_deptest(alpm_list_t *targets)
 		ERR(NL, "%s", alpm_strerror(pm_errno));
 		if(pm_errno == PM_ERR_HANDLE_LOCK) {
 			MSG(NL, _("       if you're sure a package manager is not already running,\n"
-			  			"       you can remove %s%s\n"), config->root, PM_LOCK);
+			  			"       you can remove %s%s\n"), alpm_option_get_root(), PM_LOCK);
 		}
 		return(1);
 	}
diff --git a/src/pacman/log.c b/src/pacman/log.c
index d4db9848..ccdd9a66 100644
--- a/src/pacman/log.c
+++ b/src/pacman/log.c
@@ -66,13 +66,10 @@ void cb_log(unsigned short level, char *msg)
 		case PM_LOG_WARNING:
 			sprintf(str, _("warning"));
 		break;
-		case PM_LOG_FLOW1:
-			sprintf(str, _("flow1"));
-		break;
-		case PM_LOG_FLOW2:
-			sprintf(str, _("flow2"));
-		break;
 		case PM_LOG_FUNCTION:
+		  /* TODO we should increase the indent level when this occurs so we can see
+			 * program flow easier.  It'll be fun
+			 */
 			sprintf(str, _("function"));
 		break;
 		default:
@@ -82,7 +79,7 @@ void cb_log(unsigned short level, char *msg)
 
 #ifdef PACMAN_DEBUG
 	/* If debug is on, we'll timestamp the output */
-  if(config->debug&PM_LOG_DEBUG) {
+  if(alpm_option_get_logmask() & PM_LOG_DEBUG) {
 		time_t t;
 		struct tm *tmp;
 		char timestr[10] = {0};
diff --git a/src/pacman/pacman.c b/src/pacman/pacman.c
index 808d8ad1..7f6f4192 100644
--- a/src/pacman/pacman.c
+++ b/src/pacman/pacman.c
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ static int parseargs(int argc, char *argv[])
 		{"noconfirm",  no_argument,       0, 1000},
 		{"config",     required_argument, 0, 1001},
 		{"ignore",     required_argument, 0, 1002},
-		{"debug",      required_argument, 0, 1003},
+		{"debug",      optional_argument, 0, 1003},
 		{"noprogressbar",  no_argument,   0, 1004},
 		{"noscriptlet", no_argument,      0, 1005},
 		{"ask",        required_argument, 0, 1006},
@@ -259,6 +259,7 @@ static int parseargs(int argc, char *argv[])
 	};
 	char root[PATH_MAX];
 	struct stat st;
+	unsigned short logmask;
 
 	while((opt = getopt_long(argc, argv, "ARUFQSTDYr:b:vkhscVfmnoldepiuwyg", opts, &option_index))) {
 		if(opt < 0) {
@@ -277,8 +278,32 @@ static int parseargs(int argc, char *argv[])
 				config->configfile = strndup(optarg, PATH_MAX);
 				#endif
 				break;
-			case 1002: config->op_s_ignore = alpm_list_add(config->op_s_ignore, strdup(optarg)); break;
-			case 1003: config->debug = atoi(optarg); break;
+			case 1002: alpm_option_add_ignorepkg(strdup(optarg)); break;
+			case 1003:
+				/* debug levels are made more 'human readable' than using a raw logmask
+				 * here, we will ALWAYS set error and warning for now, though perhaps a
+				 * --quiet option will remove these later */
+				logmask = PM_LOG_ERROR | PM_LOG_WARNING;
+
+				if(optarg) {
+					unsigned short debug = atoi(optarg);
+					printf("setting logmask to %s\n", optarg);
+					switch(debug) {
+						case 3: logmask |= PM_LOG_FUNCTION; /* fall through */
+						case 2: logmask |= PM_LOG_DOWNLOAD; /*fall through */
+						case 1: logmask |= PM_LOG_DEBUG; break;
+						default:
+						  pm_fprintf(stderr, NL, _("error: '%s' is not a valid debug level"), optarg);
+							return(1);
+					}
+					printf("logmask = %d\n", logmask);
+				} else {
+					logmask |= PM_LOG_DEBUG;
+				}
+				/* progress bars get wonky with debug on, shut them off */
+				config->noprogressbar = 1;
+				alpm_option_set_logmask(logmask);
+				break;
 			case 1004: config->noprogressbar = 1; break;
 			case 1005: config->flags |= PM_TRANS_FLAG_NOSCRIPTLET; break;
 			case 1006: config->noask = 1; config->ask = atoi(optarg); break;
@@ -305,10 +330,9 @@ static int parseargs(int argc, char *argv[])
 			case 'b':
 			  if(stat(optarg, &st) == -1 || !S_ISDIR(st.st_mode)) {
 					pm_fprintf(stderr, NL, _("error: '%s' is not a valid db path\n"), optarg);
-					exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
+					return(1);
 				}
 				alpm_option_set_dbpath(optarg);
-				config->dbpath = alpm_option_get_dbpath(optarg);
 				break;
 			case 'c':
 				(config->op_s_clean)++;
@@ -334,12 +358,11 @@ static int parseargs(int argc, char *argv[])
 				config->flags |= PM_TRANS_FLAG_PRINTURIS;
 				break;
 			case 'r':
-			  printf("setting root path=%s\n", optarg);
 				if(realpath(optarg, root) == NULL) {
-					perror(_("bad root path"));
+					pm_fprintf(stderr, NL, _("error: '%s' is not a valid root path\n"), optarg);
 					return(1);
 				}
-				config->root = strdup(root);
+				alpm_option_set_root(strdup(root));
 				break;
 			case 's':
 				config->op_s_search = 1;
@@ -416,13 +439,17 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	/* init config data */
 	config = config_new();
 	config->op = PM_OP_MAIN;
-	config->debug |= PM_LOG_ERROR;
-	config->debug |= PM_LOG_WARNING;
 	/* disable progressbar if the output is redirected */
 	if(!isatty(1)) {
 		config->noprogressbar = 1;
 	}
 
+	/* initialize pm library */
+	if(alpm_initialize() == -1) {
+		ERR(NL, _("failed to initilize alpm library (%s)\n"), alpm_strerror(pm_errno));
+		cleanup(1);
+	}
+
 	/* parse the command line */
 	ret = parseargs(argc, argv);
 	if(ret != 0) {
@@ -447,7 +474,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 					(config->op_s_search || config->group || config->op_q_list || config->op_q_info
 					 || config->flags & PM_TRANS_FLAG_PRINTURIS))
 				 || (config->op == PM_OP_DEPTEST && !config->op_d_resolve)
-				 || (config->root != NULL)) {
+				 || (strcmp(alpm_option_get_root(), PM_ROOT) != 0)) {
 				/* special case: PM_OP_SYNC can be used w/ config->op_s_search by any user */
 				/* special case: ignore root user check if -r is specified, fall back on
 				 * normal FS checking */
@@ -460,18 +487,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	}
 #endif
 
-	if(config->root == NULL) {
-		config->root = strdup(PM_ROOT);
-	}
-
-	/* initialize pm library */
-	if(alpm_initialize(config->root) == -1) {
-		ERR(NL, _("failed to initilize alpm library (%s)\n"), alpm_strerror(pm_errno));
-		cleanup(1);
-	}
-
 	/* Setup logging as soon as possible, to print out maximum debugging info */
-	alpm_option_set_logmask(config->debug);
 	alpm_option_set_logcb(cb_log);
 
 	if(config->configfile == NULL) {
@@ -486,17 +502,9 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	/* set library parameters */
 	alpm_option_set_dlcb(log_progress);
 
-	config->dbpath = alpm_option_get_dbpath();
-	config->cachedir = alpm_option_get_cachedir();
-
-	alpm_list_t *i;
-	for(i = config->op_s_ignore; i; i = alpm_list_next(i)) {
-		alpm_option_add_ignorepkg(alpm_list_getdata(i));
-	}
-	
 	if(config->verbose > 0) {
-		printf("Root  : %s\n", config->root);
-		printf("DBPath: %s\n", config->dbpath);
+		printf("Root  : %s\n", alpm_option_get_root());
+		printf("DBPath: %s\n", alpm_option_get_dbpath());
 		list_display(_("Targets:"), pm_targets);
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/pacman/query.c b/src/pacman/query.c
index 62e7ef10..1b47a9b0 100644
--- a/src/pacman/query.c
+++ b/src/pacman/query.c
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ int pacman_query(alpm_list_t *targets)
 				if(config->op_q_changelog) {
 					char changelog[PATH_MAX];
 					snprintf(changelog, PATH_MAX, "%s%s/%s/%s-%s/changelog",
-						config->root, alpm_option_get_dbpath(),
+						alpm_option_get_root(), alpm_option_get_dbpath(),
 						alpm_db_get_name(db_local),
 						alpm_pkg_get_name(info),
 						alpm_pkg_get_version(info));
diff --git a/src/pacman/remove.c b/src/pacman/remove.c
index 77e29d68..28f7411d 100644
--- a/src/pacman/remove.c
+++ b/src/pacman/remove.c
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ int pacman_remove(alpm_list_t *targets)
 		ERR(NL, _("failed to init transaction (%s)\n"), alpm_strerror(pm_errno));
 		if(pm_errno == PM_ERR_HANDLE_LOCK) {
 			MSG(NL, _("       if you're sure a package manager is not already running,\n"
-			  			"       you can remove %s%s\n"), config->root, PM_LOCK);
+			  			"       you can remove %s%s\n"), alpm_option_get_root(), PM_LOCK);
 		}
 		FREELIST(finaltargs);
 		return(1);
diff --git a/src/pacman/sync.c b/src/pacman/sync.c
index bbedb9ac..9d62da22 100644
--- a/src/pacman/sync.c
+++ b/src/pacman/sync.c
@@ -439,7 +439,7 @@ int pacman_sync(alpm_list_t *targets)
 		ERR(NL, _("failed to init transaction (%s)\n"), alpm_strerror(pm_errno));
 		if(pm_errno == PM_ERR_HANDLE_LOCK) {
 			MSG(NL, _("       if you're sure a package manager is not already running,\n"
-			        "       you can remove %s%s\n"), config->root, PM_LOCK);
+			        "       you can remove %s%s\n"), alpm_option_get_root(), PM_LOCK);
 		}
 		return(1);
 	}
@@ -488,7 +488,7 @@ int pacman_sync(alpm_list_t *targets)
 						ERR(NL, _("failed to init transaction (%s)\n"), alpm_strerror(pm_errno));
 						if(pm_errno == PM_ERR_HANDLE_LOCK) {
 							MSG(NL, _("       if you're sure a package manager is not already running,\n"
-			        				"       you can remove %s%s\n"), config->root, PM_LOCK);
+			        				"       you can remove %s%s\n"), alpm_option_get_root(), PM_LOCK);
 						}
 						return(1);
 					}