diff --git a/source/src/bot/ac_bot.h b/source/src/bot/ac_bot.h
index 858874f5..16d88f23 100644
--- a/source/src/bot/ac_bot.h
+++ b/source/src/bot/ac_bot.h
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ public:
      virtual void Spawn(void);
 };
 
-inline void AddScreenText(char *t, ...) {}; // UNDONE
-inline void AddDebugText(char *t, ...) {}; // UNDONE
+inline void AddScreenText(const char *t, ...) {}; // UNDONE
+inline void AddDebugText(const char *t, ...) {}; // UNDONE
 
 #endif
 
diff --git a/source/src/bot/bot.h b/source/src/bot/bot.h
index 01ecce78..033d87c3 100644
--- a/source/src/bot/bot.h
+++ b/source/src/bot/bot.h
@@ -348,9 +348,9 @@ class CBotManager
      float m_fReAddBotDelay;
      
      void LoadBotNamesFile(void);
-     char *GetBotName(void);
+     const char *GetBotName(void);
      void LoadBotTeamsFile(void);
-     char *GetBotTeam(void);
+     const char *GetBotTeam(void);
      void CreateSkillData(void);
      void InitSkillData(void);
      void InitBotItems(void);
@@ -376,7 +376,7 @@ public:
      void ClearStoredBots(void) { while(!m_StoredBots.Empty()) delete m_StoredBots.Pop(); }
      void ReAddBot(CStoredBot *bot) { CreateBot(bot->m_szTeam, SkillNrToSkillName(bot->m_sSkillNr), bot->m_szName); };
      void EndMap(void);
-     void BeginMap(char *szMapName);
+     void BeginMap(const char *szMapName);
      int GetBotIndex(botent *m);
      void LetBotsUpdateStats(void);
      void LetBotsHear(int n, vec *loc);
diff --git a/source/src/bot/bot_util.cpp b/source/src/bot/bot_util.cpp
index 5f86759e..bc1facb9 100644
--- a/source/src/bot/bot_util.cpp
+++ b/source/src/bot/bot_util.cpp
@@ -449,7 +449,7 @@ float GetCubeHeight(int x, int y)
      return ceil;
 }
 
-char *SkillNrToSkillName(short skillnr)
+const char *SkillNrToSkillName(short skillnr)
 {
      if (skillnr == 0) return "best";
      else if (skillnr == 1) return "good";
diff --git a/source/src/bot/bot_util.h b/source/src/bot/bot_util.h
index fe1a41a8..2f4b5d42 100644
--- a/source/src/bot/bot_util.h
+++ b/source/src/bot/bot_util.h
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ vec CrossProduct(const vec &a, const vec &b);
 int GetDirection(const vec &angles, const vec &v1, const vec &v2);
 float GetCubeFloor(int x, int y);
 float GetCubeHeight(int x, int y);
-char *SkillNrToSkillName(short skillnr);
+const char *SkillNrToSkillName(short skillnr);
 bool IsInGame(dynent *d);
 
 // ==================================================================
diff --git a/source/src/bot/bot_waypoint.h b/source/src/bot/bot_waypoint.h
index ce447878..d96f80de 100644
--- a/source/src/bot/bot_waypoint.h
+++ b/source/src/bot/bot_waypoint.h
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ public:
      void SaveWaypoints(void);
      bool LoadWPExpFile(void);
      void SaveWPExpFile(void);
-     void SetMapName(char *map) { strcpy(m_szMapName, map); };
+     void SetMapName(const char *map) { strcpy(m_szMapName, map); };
 
      void SetWaypointsVisible(bool Visible) { m_bDrawWaypoints = Visible; };
      void SetPathsVisible(bool Visible) { m_bDrawWPPaths = Visible; };
diff --git a/source/src/bot/botmanager.cpp b/source/src/bot/botmanager.cpp
index c0fabb06..39ab890a 100644
--- a/source/src/bot/botmanager.cpp
+++ b/source/src/bot/botmanager.cpp
@@ -175,10 +175,10 @@ void CBotManager::LoadBotNamesFile()
      fclose(fp);
 }
      
-char *CBotManager::GetBotName()
+const char *CBotManager::GetBotName()
 {
-     char *szOutput = NULL;
-     TMultiChoice<char *> BotNameChoices;
+     const char *szOutput = NULL;
+     TMultiChoice<const char *> BotNameChoices;
      short ChoiceVal;
      
      for(int j=0;j<m_sBotNameCount;j++)
@@ -267,10 +267,10 @@ void CBotManager::LoadBotTeamsFile()
      fclose(fp);
 }
 
-char *CBotManager::GetBotTeam()
+const char *CBotManager::GetBotTeam()
 {
-     char *szOutput = NULL;
-     TMultiChoice<char *> BotTeamChoices;
+     const char *szOutput = NULL;
+     TMultiChoice<const char *> BotTeamChoices;
      short ChoiceVal;
      
      for(int j=0;j<m_sBotTeamCount;j++)
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ void CBotManager::EndMap()
      //if(ishost()) WaypointClass.SaveWPExpFile(); //UNDONE
 }
 
-void CBotManager::BeginMap(char *szMapName)
+void CBotManager::BeginMap(const char *szMapName)
 {
      EndMap(); // End previous map
      
@@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ void CBotManager::DelWaypoint(node_s *pNode)
 
 void CBotManager::MakeBotFileName(const char *szFileName, const char *szDir1, const char *szDir2, char *szOutput)
 {
-     char *DirSeperator;
+     const char *DirSeperator;
 
 #ifdef WIN32
      DirSeperator = "\\";
@@ -768,7 +768,7 @@ void CBotManager::InitSkillData()
     
 void CBotManager::ChangeBotSkill(short Skill, botent *bot)
 {
-     static char *SkillNames[5] = { "best", "good", "medium", "worse", "bad" };
+     static const char *SkillNames[5] = { "best", "good", "medium", "worse", "bad" };
      
      if (bot && bot->pBot)
      {
diff --git a/source/src/clientgame.cpp b/source/src/clientgame.cpp
index 39665efd..02f76aa2 100644
--- a/source/src/clientgame.cpp
+++ b/source/src/clientgame.cpp
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ bool duplicatename(playerent *d, char *name = NULL)
     return false;
 }
 
-char *colorname(playerent *d, int num, char *name, char *prefix)
+char *colorname(playerent *d, int num, char *name, const char *prefix)
 {
     if(!name) name = d->name;
     if(name[0] && !duplicatename(d, name)) return name;
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ char *colorping(int ping)
     return cping;
 }
 
-void newname(char *name) 
+void newname(const char *name) 
 {
     if(name[0])
     {
@@ -507,7 +507,7 @@ void preparectf(bool cleanonly=false)
 
 int suicided = -1;
 
-void startmap(char *name)   // called just after a map load
+void startmap(const char *name)   // called just after a map load
 {
     clearminimap();
     senditemstoserver = true;
@@ -612,8 +612,8 @@ votedisplayinfo *newvotedisplayinfo(playerent *owner, int type, char *arg1, char
     v->owner = owner;
     v->type = type;
     v->millis = lastmillis + (30+10)*1000;
-    char *msgs[] = { "kick player %s", "ban player %s", "remove all bans", "set mastermode to %s", "%s autoteam", "force player %s to the enemy team", "give master to player %s", "load map %s in mode %s", "%s demo recording for the next match", "stop demo recording", "clear all demos"};
-    char *msg = msgs[type];
+    const char *msgs[] = { "kick player %s", "ban player %s", "remove all bans", "set mastermode to %s", "%s autoteam", "force player %s to the enemy team", "give master to player %s", "load map %s in mode %s", "%s demo recording for the next match", "stop demo recording", "clear all demos"};
+    const char *msg = msgs[type];
     switch(v->type)
     {
         case SA_KICK:
@@ -712,7 +712,7 @@ void callvotesuc()
 void callvoteerr(int e)
 {
     if(e < 0 || e >= VOTEE_NUM) return;
-    char *verr[VOTEE_NUM] = { "voting is currently disabled", "there is already a vote pending", "you have already voted", "you can't vote that often", "this vote is only available in multiplayer" };
+    const char *verr[VOTEE_NUM] = { "voting is currently disabled", "there is already a vote pending", "you have already voted", "you can't vote that often", "this vote is only available in multiplayer" };
     conoutf("\f3could not vote: %s", verr[e]);
     DELETEP(calledvote);
 }
@@ -756,7 +756,7 @@ void setadmin(char *claim, char *password)
 COMMAND(setmaster, ARG_1INT);
 COMMAND(setadmin, ARG_2STR);
 
-void changemap(char *name)                      // silently request map change, server may ignore
+void changemap(const char *name)                      // silently request map change, server may ignore
 {
     ENetPacket *packet = enet_packet_create(NULL, MAXTRANS, ENET_PACKET_FLAG_RELIABLE);
     ucharbuf p(packet->data, packet->dataLength);
diff --git a/source/src/clients2c.cpp b/source/src/clients2c.cpp
index b2934b58..e721bc0c 100644
--- a/source/src/clients2c.cpp
+++ b/source/src/clients2c.cpp
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 extern bool c2sinit, senditemstoserver;
 extern string clientpassword;
 
-void neterr(char *s)
+void neterr(const char *s)
 {
     conoutf("\f3illegal network message (%s)", s);
     disconnect();
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ void parsemessages(int cn, playerent *d, ucharbuf &p)
         {
             getint(p);
             s_sprintfd(nextmapalias)("nextmap_%s", getclientmap());
-            char *map = getalias(nextmapalias);     // look up map in the cycle
+            const char *map = getalias(nextmapalias);     // look up map in the cycle
             changemap(map ? map : getclientmap());
             break;
         }
diff --git a/source/src/command.cpp b/source/src/command.cpp
index e8ad58a9..6f944323 100644
--- a/source/src/command.cpp
+++ b/source/src/command.cpp
@@ -8,18 +8,17 @@ char *exchangestr(char *o, char *n) { delete[] o; return newstring(n); }
 
 int execcontext = IEXC_CORE;
 
-hashtable<char *, ident> *idents = NULL;        // contains ALL vars/commands/aliases
+hashtable<const char *, ident> *idents = NULL;        // contains ALL vars/commands/aliases
 
 bool persistidents = true;
 
-void alias(char *name, char *action)
+void alias(const char *name, const char *action)
 {
     ident *b = idents->access(name);
     if(!b)
     {
-        name = newstring(name);
-        ident b = { ID_ALIAS, name, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, newstring(action), 0, persistidents, execcontext };
-        idents->access(name, &b);
+        ident b = { ID_ALIAS, newstring(name), 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, newstring(action), 0, persistidents, execcontext };
+        idents->access(b.name, &b);
     }
     else if(b->type==ID_ALIAS)
     {
@@ -34,36 +33,36 @@ COMMAND(alias, ARG_2STR);
 
 // variable's and commands are registered through globals, see cube.h
 
-int variable(char *name, int min, int cur, int max, int *storage, void (*fun)(), bool persist)
+int variable(const char *name, int min, int cur, int max, int *storage, void (*fun)(), bool persist)
 {
-    if(!idents) idents = new hashtable<char *, ident>;
+    if(!idents) idents = new hashtable<const char *, ident>;
     ident v = { ID_VAR, name, min, max, storage, fun, 0, 0, 0, persist, IEXC_CORE };
     idents->access(name, &v);
     return cur;
 }
 
-void setvar(char *name, int i) { *idents->access(name)->storage = i; }
-int getvar(char *name) { return *idents->access(name)->storage; }
-bool identexists(char *name) { return idents->access(name)!=NULL; }
+void setvar(const char *name, int i) { *idents->access(name)->storage = i; }
+int getvar(const char *name) { return *idents->access(name)->storage; }
+bool identexists(const char *name) { return idents->access(name)!=NULL; }
 
-char *getalias(char *name)
+const char *getalias(const char *name)
 {
     ident *i = idents->access(name);
     return i && i->type==ID_ALIAS ? i->action : NULL;
 }
 
-bool addcommand(char *name, void (*fun)(), int narg)
+bool addcommand(const char *name, void (*fun)(), int narg)
 {
-    if(!idents) idents = new hashtable<char *, ident>;
+    if(!idents) idents = new hashtable<const char *, ident>;
     ident c = { ID_COMMAND, name, 0, 0, 0, fun, narg, 0, 0, false, IEXC_CORE };
     idents->access(name, &c);
     return false;
 }
 
-char *parseexp(char *&p, int right)             // parse any nested set of () or []
+char *parseexp(const char *&p, int right)             // parse any nested set of () or []
 {
     int left = *p++;
-    char *word = p;
+    const char *word = p;
     for(int brak = 1; brak; )
     {
         int c = *p++;
@@ -81,14 +80,14 @@ char *parseexp(char *&p, int right)             // parse any nested set of () or
     return s;
 }
 
-char *parseword(char *&p)                       // parse single argument, including expressions
+char *parseword(const char *&p)                       // parse single argument, including expressions
 {
     p += strspn(p, " \t\r");
     if(p[0]=='/' && p[1]=='/') p += strcspn(p, "\n\0");  
     if(*p=='\"')
     {
         p++;
-        char *word = p;
+        const char *word = p;
         p += strcspn(p, "\"\r\n\0");
         char *s = newstring(word, p-word);
         if(*p=='\"') p++;
@@ -96,7 +95,7 @@ char *parseword(char *&p)                       // parse single argument, includ
     }
     if(*p=='(') return parseexp(p, ')');
     if(*p=='[') return parseexp(p, ']');
-    char *word = p;
+    const char *word = p;
     p += strcspn(p, "; \t\r\n\0");
     if(p-word==0) return NULL;
     return newstring(word, p-word);
@@ -114,7 +113,7 @@ char *lookup(char *n)                           // find value of ident reference
     return n;
 }
 
-int execute(char *p)                            // all evaluation happens here, recursively
+int execute(const char *p)                            // all evaluation happens here, recursively
 {
     const int MAXWORDS = 25;                    // limit, remove
     char *w[MAXWORDS];
@@ -124,10 +123,10 @@ int execute(char *p)                            // all evaluation happens here,
         int numargs = MAXWORDS;
         loopi(MAXWORDS)                         // collect all argument values
         {
-            w[i] = "";
+            w[i] = (char *)"";
             if(i>numargs) continue;
             char *s = parseword(p);             // parse and evaluate exps
-            if(!s) { numargs = i; s = ""; }
+            if(!s) { numargs = i; s = (char *)""; }
             if(*s=='$') s = lookup(s);          // substitute variables
             w[i] = s;
         }
@@ -257,7 +256,7 @@ void complete(char *s)
     if(completeidx>=idx) completeidx = 0;
 }
 
-bool execfile(char *cfgfile)
+bool execfile(const char *cfgfile)
 {
     string s;
     s_strcpy(s, cfgfile);
@@ -268,7 +267,7 @@ bool execfile(char *cfgfile)
     return true;
 }
 
-void exec(char *cfgfile)
+void exec(const char *cfgfile)
 {
     if(!execfile(cfgfile)) conoutf("could not read \"%s\"", cfgfile);
 }
@@ -276,7 +275,7 @@ void exec(char *cfgfile)
 // below the commands that implement a small imperative language. thanks to the semantics of
 // () and [] expressions, any control construct can be defined trivially.
 
-void intset(char *name, int v) { string b; itoa(b, v); alias(name, b); }
+void intset(const char *name, int v) { string b; itoa(b, v); alias(name, b); }
 
 void ifthen(char *cond, char *thenp, char *elsep) { execute(cond[0]!='0' ? thenp : elsep); }
 void loopa(char *times, char *body) { int t = atoi(times); loopi(t) { intset("i", i); execute(body); } }
@@ -365,7 +364,7 @@ void writecfg()
 
 COMMAND(writecfg, ARG_NONE);
 
-void identnames(vector<char *> &names, bool builtinonly)
+void identnames(vector<const char *> &names, bool builtinonly)
 {
     enumerateht(*idents) if(!builtinonly || idents->enumc->data.type != ID_ALIAS) names.add(idents->enumc->key);
 }
diff --git a/source/src/command.h b/source/src/command.h
index 41a7bdb6..ada872a2 100644
--- a/source/src/command.h
+++ b/source/src/command.h
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ enum { ID_VAR, ID_COMMAND, ID_ALIAS };
 struct ident
 {
     int type;           // one of ID_* above
-    char *name;
+    const char *name;
     int min, max;       // ID_VAR
     int *storage;       // ID_VAR
     void (*fun)();      // ID_VAR, ID_COMMAND
diff --git a/source/src/console.cpp b/source/src/console.cpp
index 871ff663..af9497f0 100644
--- a/source/src/console.cpp
+++ b/source/src/console.cpp
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ struct releaseaction
 };
 vector<releaseaction> releaseactions;
 
-char *addreleaseaction(char *s)
+char *addreleaseaction(const char *s)
 {
     if(!keypressed) return NULL;
     releaseaction &ra = releaseactions.add();
@@ -152,8 +152,7 @@ void saycommand(char *init)                         // turns input to the comman
     SDL_EnableUNICODE(saycommandon = (init!=NULL));
 	setscope(false);
     if(!editmode) keyrepeat(saycommandon);
-    if(!init) init = "";
-    s_strcpy(commandbuf, init);
+    s_strcpy(commandbuf, init ? init : "");
     commandpos = -1;
     player1->stopmoving(); // prevent situations where player presses direction key, open command line, then releases key
 }
diff --git a/source/src/docs.cpp b/source/src/docs.cpp
index c8a35fa2..4f5983fc 100644
--- a/source/src/docs.cpp
+++ b/source/src/docs.cpp
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ struct docsection
 };
 
 vector<docsection> sections;
-hashtable<char *, docident> docidents; // manage globally instead of a section tree to ensure uniqueness
+hashtable<const char *, docident> docidents; // manage globally instead of a section tree to ensure uniqueness
 docsection *lastsection = NULL;
 docident *lastident = NULL;
 
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ COMMANDN(dockey, adddockey, ARG_3STR);
 
 int stringsort(const char **a, const char **b) { return strcmp(*a, *b); }
 
-char *cvecstr(vector<char *> &cvec, char *substr, int *rline = NULL)
+char *cvecstr(vector<char *> &cvec, const char *substr, int *rline = NULL)
 {
     char *r = NULL;
     loopv(cvec) if(cvec[i]) if((r = strstr(cvec[i], substr)) != NULL) 
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ char *cvecstr(vector<char *> &cvec, char *substr, int *rline = NULL)
 
 void docundone(int allidents)
 {
-    cvector inames;
+    vector<const char *> inames;
     identnames(inames, !(allidents > 0));
     inames.sort(stringsort);
     loopv(inames)
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ void docundone(int allidents)
 
 void docinvalid()
 {
-    cvector inames;
+    vector<const char *> inames;
     identnames(inames, true);
     inames.sort(stringsort);
     enumerateht(docidents) if(!strchr(docidents.enumc->data.name, ' ') && !identexists(docidents.enumc->data.name)) 
diff --git a/source/src/entities.cpp b/source/src/entities.cpp
index c4fcacbd..e0676632 100644
--- a/source/src/entities.cpp
+++ b/source/src/entities.cpp
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 vector<entity> ents;
 
-char *entnames[] =
+const char *entnames[] =
 {   
     "none?", "light", "playerstart",
     "clips", "ammobox","grenades",
@@ -14,13 +14,13 @@ char *entnames[] =
     "ladder", "ctf-flag", "sound", "?", "?",
 };
 
-char *entmdlnames[] = 
+const char *entmdlnames[] = 
 {
 //FIXME : fix the "pickups" infront
 	"pickups/pistolclips", "pickups/ammobox", "pickups/nades", "pickups/health", "pickups/kevlar", "pickups/akimbo",
 };
 
-void renderent(entity &e, char *mdlname, float z, float yaw, int anim = ANIM_MAPMODEL|ANIM_LOOP, int basetime = 0, float speed = 0)
+void renderent(entity &e, const char *mdlname, float z, float yaw, int anim = ANIM_MAPMODEL|ANIM_LOOP, int basetime = 0, float speed = 0)
 {
 	rendermodel(mdlname, anim, 0, 1.1f, vec(e.x, e.y, z+S(e.x, e.y)->floor), yaw, 0, speed, basetime);
 }
diff --git a/source/src/main.cpp b/source/src/main.cpp
index 14719c3a..024e7f23 100644
--- a/source/src/main.cpp
+++ b/source/src/main.cpp
@@ -35,10 +35,11 @@ void quit()                     // normal exit
 	exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
 }
 
-void fatal(char *s, char *o)    // failure exit
+void fatal(const char *s, ...)    // failure exit
 {
-    s_sprintfd(msg)("%s%s (%s)\n", s, o, SDL_GetError());
-    cleanup(msg);
+    s_sprintfdlv(msg,s,s);
+    s_sprintfd(msgerr)("%s (%s)\n", msg, SDL_GetError());
+    cleanup(msgerr);
 	exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
 }
 
@@ -219,7 +220,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 {    
     bool dedicated = false;
     int fs = SDL_FULLSCREEN, par = 0, uprate = 0, maxcl = DEFAULTCLIENTS, scthreshold = -5, port = 0;
-    char *sdesc = "", *ip = "", *master = NULL, *passwd = "", *maprot = NULL, *adminpwd = NULL, *srvmsg = NULL;
+    const char *sdesc = "", *ip = "", *master = NULL, *passwd = "", *maprot = NULL, *adminpwd = NULL, *srvmsg = NULL;
 
     #define initlog(s) puts("init: " s)
     initlog("sdl");
@@ -332,7 +333,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
         screen = SDL_SetVideoMode(scr_w, scr_h, hasbpp ? colorbits : 0, SDL_OPENGL|resize|fs);
         if(screen) break;
     }
-    if(!screen) fatal("Unable to create OpenGL screen: ", SDL_GetError());
+    if(!screen) fatal("Unable to create OpenGL screen");
     else
     {
         if(!hasbpp) conoutf("%d bit color buffer not supported - disabling", colorbits);
diff --git a/source/src/menus.cpp b/source/src/menus.cpp
index b3e47361..9a714cd2 100644
--- a/source/src/menus.cpp
+++ b/source/src/menus.cpp
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 #include "pch.h"
 #include "cube.h"
 
-hashtable<char *, gmenu> menus;
+hashtable<const char *, gmenu> menus;
 gmenu *curmenu = NULL, *lastmenu = NULL;
 
 vector<gmenu *> menustack;
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ void rendermenu()
         m.inited = true;
         if(m.menusel>=m.items.length()) m.menusel = max(m.items.length()-1, 0);
     }
-    char *title = m.title;
+    const char *title = m.title;
     if(!title) { static string buf; s_sprintf(buf)("[ %s menu ]", m.name); title = buf; }
     int hitems = (m.header ? 2 : 0) + (m.footer ? 2 : 0),
         pagesize = MAXMENU - hitems,
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ void rendermenumdl()
     glPopMatrix();
 }
 
-void *addmenu(char *name, char *title, bool allowinput, void (__cdecl *refreshfunc)(void *, bool))
+void *addmenu(const char *name, const char *title, bool allowinput, void (__cdecl *refreshfunc)(void *, bool))
 {
     name = newstring(name);
     gmenu &menu = menus[name];
diff --git a/source/src/protos.h b/source/src/protos.h
index 541c7d05..0d101ae8 100644
--- a/source/src/protos.h
+++ b/source/src/protos.h
@@ -21,20 +21,20 @@ struct color
 
 // command
 extern bool persistidents;
-extern int variable(char *name, int min, int cur, int max, int *storage, void (*fun)(), bool persist);
-extern void setvar(char *name, int i);
-extern int getvar(char *name);
-extern bool identexists(char *name);
-extern bool addcommand(char *name, void (*fun)(), int narg);
-extern int execute(char *p);
-extern void exec(char *cfgfile);
-extern bool execfile(char *cfgfile);
+extern int variable(const char *name, int min, int cur, int max, int *storage, void (*fun)(), bool persist);
+extern void setvar(const char *name, int i);
+extern int getvar(const char *name);
+extern bool identexists(const char *name);
+extern bool addcommand(const char *name, void (*fun)(), int narg);
+extern int execute(const char *p);
+extern void exec(const char *cfgfile);
+extern bool execfile(const char *cfgfile);
 extern void resetcomplete();
 extern void complete(char *s);
-extern void alias(char *name, char *action);
-extern char *getalias(char *name);
+extern void alias(const char *name, const char *action);
+extern const char *getalias(const char *name);
 extern void writecfg();
-extern void identnames(vector<char *> &names, bool builtinonly);
+extern void identnames(vector<const char *> &names, bool builtinonly);
 extern void changescriptcontext(int newcontext);
 
 // console
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ extern void keypress(int code, bool isdown, int cooked);
 extern void rendercommand(int x, int y);
 extern void renderconsole();
 extern char *getcurcommand();
-extern char *addreleaseaction(char *s);
+extern char *addreleaseaction(const char *s);
 extern void writebinds(FILE *f);
 extern void conoutf(const char *s, ...);
 
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ extern bool menuvisible();
 extern void menumanual(void *menu, int n, char *text, char *action = NULL, color *bgcolor = NULL);
 extern void menuheader(void *menu, char *header = NULL, char *footer = NULL);
 extern bool menukey(int code, bool isdown);
-extern void *addmenu(char *name, char *title = NULL, bool allowinput = true, void (__cdecl *refreshfunc)(void *, bool) = NULL);
+extern void *addmenu(const char *name, const char *title = NULL, bool allowinput = true, void (__cdecl *refreshfunc)(void *, bool) = NULL);
 extern void rendermenumdl();
 extern void menuset(void *m);
 extern void menuselect(void *menu, int sel);
@@ -66,11 +66,11 @@ struct mitem
 
 struct gmenu
 {
-    char *name, *title, *header, *footer;
+    const char *name, *title, *header, *footer;
     vector<mitem> items;
     int mwidth;
     int menusel;
-    char *mdl; // (optional) md2 mdl
+    const char *mdl; // (optional) md2 mdl
     int anim, rotspeed, scale;
     bool allowinput, inited;
     void (__cdecl *refreshfunc)(void *, bool);
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ struct gmenu
 extern void addserver(char *servername, char *serverport);
 extern char *getservername(int n);
 extern bool resolverwait(const char *name, ENetAddress *address);
-extern int connectwithtimeout(ENetSocket sock, char *hostname, ENetAddress &remoteaddress);
+extern int connectwithtimeout(ENetSocket sock, const char *hostname, ENetAddress &remoteaddress);
 extern void writeservercfg();
 extern void refreshservers(void *menu, bool init);
 
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ extern void render_flat(int tex, int x, int y, int size, int h, sqr *l1, sqr *l2
 extern void render_flatdelta(int wtex, int x, int y, int size, float h1, float h2, float h3, float h4, sqr *l1, sqr *l2, sqr *l3, sqr *l4, bool isceil);
 extern void render_square(int wtex, float floor1, float floor2, float ceil1, float ceil2, int x1, int y1, int x2, int y2, int size, sqr *l1, sqr *l2, bool topleft);
 extern void render_tris(int x, int y, int size, bool topleft, sqr *h1, sqr *h2, sqr *s, sqr *t, sqr *u, sqr *v);
-extern void setwatercolor(char *r = "", char *g = "", char *b = "", char *a = "");
+extern void setwatercolor(const char *r = "", const char *g = "", const char *b = "", const char *a = "");
 extern void addwaterquad(int x, int y, int size);
 extern int renderwater(float hf, GLuint reflecttex, GLuint refracttex);
 extern void resetcubes();
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ extern void sendpackettoserv(int chan, ENetPacket *packet);
 extern void gets2c();
 extern void c2sinfo(playerent *d);
 extern void c2skeepalive();
-extern void neterr(char *s);
+extern void neterr(const char *s);
 extern int getclientnum();
 extern void changemapserv(char *name, int mode);
 extern void changeteam(int team, bool respawn = true);
@@ -172,8 +172,8 @@ extern void listdemos();
 extern flaginfo flaginfos[2];
 extern bool autoteambalance;
 extern void updateworld(int curtime, int lastmillis);
-extern void startmap(char *name);
-extern void changemap(char *name);
+extern void startmap(const char *name);
+extern void changemap(const char *name);
 extern void initclient();
 extern void deathstate(playerent *pl);
 extern void spawnplayer(playerent *d);
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ extern bool tryrespawn();
 extern void findplayerstart(playerent *d);
 extern void serveropcommand(int cmd, int arg1);
 extern void refreshsopmenu(void *menu, bool init);
-extern char *colorname(playerent *d, int num = 0, char *name = NULL, char *prefix = "");
+extern char *colorname(playerent *d, int num = 0, char *name = NULL, const char *prefix = "");
 extern char *colorping(int ping);
 extern void toggledeathcam();
 extern void followplayer(int i = 1);
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ struct font
 extern int VIRTW; // virtual screen size for text & HUD
 extern font *curfont;
 
-extern bool setfont(char *name);
+extern bool setfont(const char *name);
 extern void draw_text(const char *str, int left, int top);
 extern void draw_textf(const char *fstr, int left, int top, ...);
 extern int char_width(int c, int x = 0);
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ extern void music(char *name, char *cmd);
 extern void clearmapsounds();
 
 // rendermodel
-extern void rendermodel(char *mdl, int anim, int tex, float rad, const vec &o, float yaw, float pitch, float speed = 0, int basetime = 0, playerent *d = NULL, char *vwepmdl = NULL, float scale = 1.0f);
+extern void rendermodel(const char *mdl, int anim, int tex, float rad, const vec &o, float yaw, float pitch, float speed = 0, int basetime = 0, playerent *d = NULL, const char *vwepmdl = NULL, float scale = 1.0f);
 extern void startmodelbatches();
 extern void endmodelbatches();
 extern mapmodelinfo &getmminfo(int i);
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ extern void preload_hudguns();
 extern void preload_mapmodels();
 extern void renderclients();
 extern void renderclient(playerent *d);
-extern void renderclient(playerent *d, char *mdlname, char *vwepname, int tex = 0);
+extern void renderclient(playerent *d, const char *mdlname, const char *vwepname, int tex = 0);
 
 // weapon
 extern bool scoped;
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ extern void tryreload(playerent *p);
 extern void checkakimbo();
 
 // entities
-extern char *entnames[];
+extern const char *entnames[];
 
 extern void putitems(ucharbuf &p);
 extern void pickupeffects(int n, playerent *d);
@@ -416,8 +416,8 @@ extern void scrolldoc(int i);
 // server
 extern void localservertoclient(int chan, uchar *buf, int len);
 extern const char *modestr(int n);
-extern void fatal(char *s, char *o = "");
-extern void initserver(bool dedicated, int uprate, char *sdesc, char *ip, int port, char *master, char *passwd, int maxcl, char *maprot, char *adminpwd, char *srvmsg, int scthreshold);
+extern void fatal(const char *s, ...);
+extern void initserver(bool dedicated, int uprate, const char *sdesc, const char *ip, int port, const char *master, const char *passwd, int maxcl, const char *maprot, const char *adminpwd, const char *srvmsg, int scthreshold);
 extern void cleanupserver();
 extern void localconnect();
 extern void localdisconnect();
@@ -435,7 +435,7 @@ extern void restoreserverstate(vector<entity> &ents);
 extern uchar *retrieveservers(uchar *buf, int buflen);
 extern char msgsizelookup(int msg);
 extern void serverms(int mode, int numplayers, int minremain, char *smapname, int millis, int serverport);
-extern void servermsinit(const char *master, char *ip, int serverport, char *sdesc, bool listen);
+extern void servermsinit(const char *master, const char *ip, int serverport, const char *sdesc, bool listen);
 extern bool serverpickup(int i, int sender);
 extern bool valid_client(int cn);
 extern void extinfo_cnbuf(ucharbuf &p, int cn);
diff --git a/source/src/rendercubes.cpp b/source/src/rendercubes.cpp
index 4131e86b..1a07b36b 100644
--- a/source/src/rendercubes.cpp
+++ b/source/src/rendercubes.cpp
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ int wx1, wy1, wx2, wy2;
 VARP(watersubdiv, 1, 4, 64);
 VARF(waterlevel, -128, -128, 127, if(!noteditmode()) hdr.waterlevel = waterlevel);
 
-void setwatercolor(char *r, char *g, char *b, char *a)
+void setwatercolor(const char *r, const char *g, const char *b, const char *a)
 {
     if(r[0])
     {
diff --git a/source/src/rendermodel.cpp b/source/src/rendermodel.cpp
index 954a18af..d5810256 100644
--- a/source/src/rendermodel.cpp
+++ b/source/src/rendermodel.cpp
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ void endmodelbatches()
     numbatches = -1;
 }
 
-void rendermodel(char *mdl, int anim, int tex, float rad, const vec &o, float yaw, float pitch, float speed, int basetime, playerent *d, char *vwepmdl, float scale)
+void rendermodel(const char *mdl, int anim, int tex, float rad, const vec &o, float yaw, float pitch, float speed, int basetime, playerent *d, const char *vwepmdl, float scale)
 {
     model *m = loadmodel(mdl);
     if(!m) return;
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ void preload_entmodels()
         model *mdl = loadmodel(entmdlnames[i]);
         if(dynshadow && mdl) mdl->genshadows(8.0f, 2.0f);
     }
-    static char *bouncemdlnames[] = { "misc/gib01", "misc/gib02", "misc/gib03", "weapons/grenade/static" };
+    static const char *bouncemdlnames[] = { "misc/gib01", "misc/gib02", "misc/gib03", "weapons/grenade/static" };
     loopi(sizeof(bouncemdlnames)/sizeof(bouncemdlnames[0]))
     {
         model *mdl = loadmodel(bouncemdlnames[i]);
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ void preload_mapmodels()
     }
 }
 
-void renderclient(playerent *d, char *mdlname, char *vwepname, int tex)
+void renderclient(playerent *d, const char *mdlname, const char *vwepname, int tex)
 {
     int varseed = (int)(size_t)d;
     int anim = ANIM_IDLE|ANIM_LOOP;
diff --git a/source/src/rendertext.cpp b/source/src/rendertext.cpp
index 99f9e44d..b8a712c3 100644
--- a/source/src/rendertext.cpp
+++ b/source/src/rendertext.cpp
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 int VIRTW;
 
-static hashtable<char *, font> fonts;
+static hashtable<const char *, font> fonts;
 static font *fontdef = NULL;
 
 font *curfont = NULL;
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ void fontchar(int x, int y, int w, int h)
 COMMANDN(font, newfont, ARG_8STR);
 COMMANDN(fontchar, fontchar, ARG_4INT);
 
-bool setfont(char *name)
+bool setfont(const char *name)
 {
     font *f = fonts.access(name);
     if(!f) return false;
diff --git a/source/src/server.cpp b/source/src/server.cpp
index 95a94896..3d80e4d3 100644
--- a/source/src/server.cpp
+++ b/source/src/server.cpp
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ bool buildworldstate()
 int maxclients = DEFAULTCLIENTS, scorethreshold = -5;
 string smapname;
 
-char *adminpasswd = NULL, *motd = NULL;
+const char *adminpasswd = NULL, *motd = NULL;
 
 int countclients(int type, bool exclude = false)
 {
@@ -504,7 +504,7 @@ void sendf(int cn, int chan, const char *format, ...)
     if(packet->referenceCount==0) enet_packet_destroy(packet);
 }
 
-void sendservmsg(char *msg, int client=-1)
+void sendservmsg(const char *msg, int client=-1)
 {
     sendf(client, 1, "ris", SV_SERVMSG, msg);
 }
@@ -938,7 +938,7 @@ void sendteamtext(char *text, int sender)
 
 const char *disc_reason(int reason)
 {
-    static char *disc_reasons[] = { "normal", "end of packet", "client num", "kicked by server operator", "banned by server operator", "tag type", "connection refused due to ban", "wrong password", "failed admin login", "server FULL - maxclients", "server mastermode is \"private\"", "auto kick - did your score drop below the threshold?" };
+    static const char *disc_reasons[] = { "normal", "end of packet", "client num", "kicked by server operator", "banned by server operator", "tag type", "connection refused due to ban", "wrong password", "failed admin login", "server FULL - maxclients", "server mastermode is \"private\"", "auto kick - did your score drop below the threshold?" };
     return reason >= 0 && (size_t)reason < sizeof(disc_reasons)/sizeof(disc_reasons[0]) ? disc_reasons[reason] : "unknown";
 }
 
@@ -2331,7 +2331,7 @@ void localconnect()
 }
 #endif
 
-void initserver(bool dedicated, int uprate, char *sdesc, char *ip, int serverport, char *master, char *passwd, int maxcl, char *maprot, char *adminpwd, char *srvmsg, int scthreshold)
+void initserver(bool dedicated, int uprate, const char *sdesc, const char *ip, int serverport, const char *master, const char *passwd, int maxcl, const char *maprot, const char *adminpwd, const char *srvmsg, int scthreshold)
 {
     if(passwd) s_strcpy(serverpassword, passwd);
     maxclients = maxcl > 0 ? min(maxcl, MAXCLIENTS) : DEFAULTCLIENTS;
@@ -2345,7 +2345,7 @@ void initserver(bool dedicated, int uprate, char *sdesc, char *ip, int serverpor
         if(!serverhost) fatal("could not create server host\n");
         loopi(maxclients) serverhost->peers[i].data = (void *)-1;
 		if(!maprot || !maprot[0]) maprot = newstring("config/maprot.cfg");
-        readscfg(path(maprot));
+        readscfg(path(maprot, true));
         if(adminpwd && adminpwd[0]) adminpasswd = adminpwd;
         if(srvmsg && srvmsg[0]) motd = srvmsg;
         scorethreshold = min(-1, scthreshold);
@@ -2368,12 +2368,18 @@ void initserver(bool dedicated, int uprate, char *sdesc, char *ip, int serverpor
 #ifdef STANDALONE
 
 void localservertoclient(int chan, uchar *buf, int len) {}
-void fatal(char *s, char *o) { cleanupserver(); printf("fatal: %s\n", s); exit(EXIT_FAILURE); }
+void fatal(const char *s, ...) 
+{ 
+    cleanupserver(); 
+    s_sprintfdlv(msg,s,s);
+    printf("fatal: %s\n", msg); 
+    exit(EXIT_FAILURE); 
+}
 
 int main(int argc, char **argv)
 {   
     int uprate = 0, maxcl = DEFAULTCLIENTS, scthreshold = -5, port = 0;
-    char *sdesc = "", *ip = "", *master = NULL, *passwd = "", *maprot = "", *adminpasswd = NULL, *srvmsg = NULL, *service = NULL;
+    const char *sdesc = "", *ip = "", *master = NULL, *passwd = "", *maprot = "", *adminpasswd = NULL, *srvmsg = NULL, *service = NULL;
 
     for(int i = 1; i<argc; i++)
     {
diff --git a/source/src/serverbrowser.cpp b/source/src/serverbrowser.cpp
index dcaab123..06449752 100644
--- a/source/src/serverbrowser.cpp
+++ b/source/src/serverbrowser.cpp
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ int connectthread(void *data)
 
 #define CONNLIMIT 20000
 
-int connectwithtimeout(ENetSocket sock, char *hostname, ENetAddress &address)
+int connectwithtimeout(ENetSocket sock, const char *hostname, ENetAddress &address)
 {   
     if(isdedicated)
     {
diff --git a/source/src/serverms.cpp b/source/src/serverms.cpp
index 9bc207aa..601d8a55 100644
--- a/source/src/serverms.cpp
+++ b/source/src/serverms.cpp
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ bool resolverwait(const char *name, ENetAddress *address)
     return enet_address_set_host(address, name) >= 0;
 }
 
-int connectwithtimeout(ENetSocket sock, char *hostname, ENetAddress &remoteaddress)
+int connectwithtimeout(ENetSocket sock, const char *hostname, ENetAddress &remoteaddress)
 {
     int result = enet_socket_connect(sock, &remoteaddress);
     if(result<0) enet_socket_destroy(sock);
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ int connectwithtimeout(ENetSocket sock, char *hostname, ENetAddress &remoteaddre
 }
 #endif
 
-ENetSocket httpgetsend(ENetAddress &remoteaddress, char *hostname, char *req, char *ref, char *agent, ENetAddress *localaddress = NULL)
+ENetSocket httpgetsend(ENetAddress &remoteaddress, const char *hostname, const char *req, const char *ref, const char *agent, ENetAddress *localaddress = NULL)
 {
     if(remoteaddress.host==ENET_HOST_ANY)
     {
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ void serverms(int mode, int numplayers, int minremain, char *smapname, int milli
     }
 }
 
-void servermsinit(const char *master, char *ip, int infoport, char *sdesc, bool listen)
+void servermsinit(const char *master, const char *ip, int infoport, const char *sdesc, bool listen)
 {
 	const char *mid = strstr(master, "/");
     if(mid) s_strncpy(masterbase, master, mid-master+1);
@@ -250,3 +250,4 @@ void servermsinit(const char *master, char *ip, int infoport, char *sdesc, bool
         else enet_socket_set_option(pongsock, ENET_SOCKOPT_NONBLOCK, 1);
 	}
 }
+
diff --git a/source/src/texture.cpp b/source/src/texture.cpp
index b7b8323c..adf7dc9c 100644
--- a/source/src/texture.cpp
+++ b/source/src/texture.cpp
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ Texture *sky[6] = {NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL};
 
 void loadsky(char *basename)
 {
-    char *side[] = { "ft", "bk", "lf", "rt", "dn", "up" };
+    const char *side[] = { "ft", "bk", "lf", "rt", "dn", "up" };
     loopi(6)
     {
         s_sprintfd(name)("packages/%s_%s.jpg", basename, side[i]);
diff --git a/source/src/tools.cpp b/source/src/tools.cpp
index fb8369e2..6a88ee28 100644
--- a/source/src/tools.cpp
+++ b/source/src/tools.cpp
@@ -15,14 +15,8 @@
 string homedir = "";
 vector<char *> packagedirs;
 
-char *path(char *s, bool copy)
+char *path(char *s)
 {
-    if(copy)
-    {
-        static string tmp;
-        s_strcpy(tmp, s);
-        s = tmp;
-    }
     for(char *t = s; (t = strpbrk(t, "/\\")); *t++ = PATHDIV);
     for(char *prevdir = NULL, *curdir = s;;)
     {
@@ -44,6 +38,14 @@ char *path(char *s, bool copy)
     return s;
 }
 
+char *path(const char *s, bool copy)
+{
+    static string tmp;
+    s_strcpy(tmp, s);
+    path(tmp);
+    return tmp;
+}
+
 const char *parentdir(const char *directory)
 {
     const char *p = strrchr(directory, '/');
diff --git a/source/src/tools.h b/source/src/tools.h
index 6af5482f..3a24f94f 100644
--- a/source/src/tools.h
+++ b/source/src/tools.h
@@ -468,7 +468,8 @@ inline char *newstring(const char *s, size_t l) { return s_strncpy(newstring(l),
 inline char *newstring(const char *s)           { return newstring(s, strlen(s)); }
 inline char *newstringbuf(const char *s)        { return newstring(s, _MAXDEFSTR-1); }
 
-extern char *path(char *s, bool copy = false);
+extern char *path(char *s);
+extern char *path(const char *s, bool copy);
 extern const char *parentdir(const char *directory);
 extern bool fileexists(const char *path, const char *mode);
 extern bool createdir(const char *path);