diff --git a/SConstruct b/SConstruct
index b860bb58e..5b10da417 100644
--- a/SConstruct
+++ b/SConstruct
@@ -1411,7 +1411,9 @@ if not preconfigured:
             pthread = '-pthread'
         
         # Common debugging flags.
+        # http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/devel/2010-November/144952.html
         debug_flags  = '-g -fno-omit-frame-pointer -DDEBUG -DMAPNIK_DEBUG'
+        
         ndebug_flags = '-DNDEBUG'
        
         
diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik/__init__.py b/bindings/python/mapnik/__init__.py
index 9fa035211..7d7a93d2c 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik/__init__.py
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik/__init__.py
@@ -682,6 +682,7 @@ __all__ = [
     'SQLite',
     'Osm',
     'Kismet',
+    'Geos',
     #   version and environment
     'mapnik_version_string',
     'mapnik_version',
diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik_map.cpp b/bindings/python/mapnik_map.cpp
index ab89de292..9e1287420 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik_map.cpp
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik_map.cpp
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ struct map_pickle_suite : boost::python::pickle_suite
         Map::const_style_iterator end = m.styles().end();
         for (; it != end; ++it)
         {
-            const std::string & name = it->first;
+            std::string const& name = it->first;
             const mapnik::feature_type_style & style = it->second;
             boost::python::tuple style_pair = boost::python::make_tuple(name,style);
             s.append(style_pair);
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ bool has_metawriter(mapnik::Map const& m)
 
 // returns empty shared_ptr when the metawriter isn't found, or is
 // of the wrong type. empty pointers make it back to Python as a None.
-mapnik::metawriter_inmem_ptr find_inmem_metawriter(const mapnik::Map &m, const std::string &name) {
+mapnik::metawriter_inmem_ptr find_inmem_metawriter(const mapnik::Map &m, std::string const&name) {
     mapnik::metawriter_ptr metawriter = m.find_metawriter(name);
     mapnik::metawriter_inmem_ptr inmem;
 
diff --git a/docs/contributing.markdown b/docs/contributing.markdown
index b3fba320a..6bc272f18 100644
--- a/docs/contributing.markdown
+++ b/docs/contributing.markdown
@@ -95,6 +95,18 @@ If you see bits of code around that do not follow these please don't hesitate to
     
     (int)value; // no
 
+#### Use const keyword after the type
+
+    std::string const& variable_name // preferred, for consistency
+
+    const std::string & variable_name // no
+
+#### Pass built-in types by value, all others by const&
+
+    void my_function(int double val); // if int, char, double, etc pass by value
+
+    void my_function(std::string const& val); // if std::string or user type, pass by const&
+
 #### Shared pointers should be created with [boost::make_shared](http://www.boost.org/doc/libs/1_47_0/libs/smart_ptr/make_shared.html) where possible
 
 #### Function definitions should not be separated from their arguments:
diff --git a/include/mapnik/agg_renderer.hpp b/include/mapnik/agg_renderer.hpp
index 41fb52932..592105ef1 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/agg_renderer.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/agg_renderer.hpp
@@ -29,10 +29,6 @@
 #include <mapnik/font_engine_freetype.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/label_collision_detector.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/map.hpp>
-//#include <mapnik/marker.hpp>
-
-// agg
-//#include "agg_trans_affine.h"
 
 // boost
 #include <boost/utility.hpp>
diff --git a/include/mapnik/char_info.hpp b/include/mapnik/char_info.hpp
index a1417735f..12da2bf31 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/char_info.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/char_info.hpp
@@ -31,11 +31,24 @@ struct char_properties;
 class char_info {
 public:
     char_info(unsigned c_, double width_, double ymax_, double ymin_, double line_height_)
-        :  c(c_), width(width_), line_height(line_height_), ymin(ymin_), ymax(ymax_)
+        :  c(c_),
+           width(width_),
+           line_height(line_height_),
+           ymin(ymin_),
+           ymax(ymax_),
+           avg_height(ymax_-ymin_),
+           format()
     {
     }
+
     char_info()
-        : c(0), width(0), line_height(0), ymin(0), ymax(0)
+        :  c(0),
+           width(0),
+           line_height(0),
+           ymin(0),
+           ymax(0),
+           avg_height(0),
+           format()
     {
     }
 
diff --git a/include/mapnik/config_error.hpp b/include/mapnik/config_error.hpp
index b25ae07f1..ad06fba58 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/config_error.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/config_error.hpp
@@ -31,9 +31,10 @@ namespace mapnik {
 class config_error : public std::exception
 {
 public:
-    config_error() {}
+    config_error():
+        what_() {}
 
-    config_error( const std::string & what ) :
+    config_error( std::string const& what ) :
         what_( what )
     {
     }
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ public:
         return what_.c_str();
     }
 
-    void append_context(const std::string & ctx) const
+    void append_context(std::string const& ctx) const
     {
         what_ += " " + ctx;
     }
diff --git a/include/mapnik/ctrans.hpp b/include/mapnik/ctrans.hpp
index ba1e939fb..014073906 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/ctrans.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/ctrans.hpp
@@ -380,20 +380,27 @@ class CoordTransform
 private:
     int width_;
     int height_;
-    double sx_;
-    double sy_;
     box2d<double> extent_;
     double offset_x_;
     double offset_y_;
+    double sx_;
+    double sy_;
 
 public:
     CoordTransform(int width, int height, const box2d<double>& extent,
                    double offset_x = 0, double offset_y = 0)
-        : width_(width), height_(height), extent_(extent),
-          offset_x_(offset_x), offset_y_(offset_y)
+        : width_(width),
+          height_(height),
+          extent_(extent),
+          offset_x_(offset_x),
+          offset_y_(offset_y),
+          sx_(1.0),
+          sy_(1.0)
     {
-        sx_ = static_cast<double>(width_) / extent_.width();
-        sy_ = static_cast<double>(height_) / extent_.height();
+        if (extent_.width())
+            sx_ = static_cast<double>(width_) / extent_.width();
+        if (extent_.height())
+            sy_ = static_cast<double>(height_) / extent_.height();
     }
 
     inline int width() const
diff --git a/include/mapnik/enumeration.hpp b/include/mapnik/enumeration.hpp
index 0e069e4f1..b3c00dfa0 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/enumeration.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/enumeration.hpp
@@ -37,9 +37,10 @@ namespace mapnik {
 class illegal_enum_value : public std::exception
 {
 public:
-    illegal_enum_value() {}
+    illegal_enum_value():
+        what_() {}
 
-    illegal_enum_value( const std::string & what ) :
+    illegal_enum_value( std::string const& what ) :
         what_( what )
     {
     }
@@ -138,7 +139,8 @@ template <class ENUM, int THE_MAX>
 class MAPNIK_DECL enumeration {
 public:
     typedef ENUM native_type;
-    enumeration() {};
+    enumeration():
+        value_() {};
     enumeration( ENUM v ) : value_(v) {}
     enumeration( const enumeration & other ) : value_(other.value_) {}
 
@@ -171,7 +173,7 @@ public:
     /** Converts @p str to an enum.
      * @throw illegal_enum_value @p str is not a legal identifier.
      * */
-    void from_string(const std::string & str)
+    void from_string(std::string const& str)
     {
         for (unsigned i = 0; i < THE_MAX; ++i)
         {
@@ -267,7 +269,7 @@ public:
         }
         return true;
     }
-    static const std::string & get_full_qualified_name()
+    static std::string const& get_full_qualified_name()
     {
         return our_name_;
     }
diff --git a/include/mapnik/feature.hpp b/include/mapnik/feature.hpp
index 3b627d418..9b636824d 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/feature.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/feature.hpp
@@ -100,7 +100,9 @@ public:
     feature_impl(context_ptr const& ctx, int id)
         : id_(id),
           ctx_(ctx),
-          data_(ctx_->mapping_.size())
+          data_(ctx_->mapping_.size()),
+          geom_cont_(),
+          raster_()
     {}
 
     inline int id() const { return id_;}
@@ -280,9 +282,9 @@ public:
 private:
     int id_;
     context_ptr ctx_;
+    cont_type data_;
     boost::ptr_vector<geometry_type> geom_cont_;
     raster_ptr raster_;
-    cont_type data_;
 };
 
 
diff --git a/include/mapnik/font_engine_freetype.hpp b/include/mapnik/font_engine_freetype.hpp
index 12eb518bf..b8b91ea7b 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/font_engine_freetype.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/font_engine_freetype.hpp
@@ -152,7 +152,8 @@ class MAPNIK_DECL font_face_set : private boost::noncopyable
 {
 public:
     font_face_set(void)
-        : faces_() {}
+        : faces_(),
+          dimension_cache_() {}
 
     void add(face_ptr face)
     {
diff --git a/include/mapnik/image_util.hpp b/include/mapnik/image_util.hpp
index efbed9eea..4ff3a08b2 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/image_util.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/image_util.hpp
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ inline boost::optional<std::string> type_from_filename(std::string const& filena
     return result_type();
 }
 
-inline std::string guess_type( const std::string & filename )
+inline std::string guess_type( std::string const& filename )
 {
     std::string::size_type idx = filename.find_last_of(".");
     if ( idx != std::string::npos ) {
diff --git a/include/mapnik/load_map.hpp b/include/mapnik/load_map.hpp
index 3dbba801f..7858c9395 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/load_map.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/load_map.hpp
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
 namespace mapnik
 {
 MAPNIK_DECL void load_map(Map & map, std::string const& filename, bool strict = false);
-MAPNIK_DECL void load_map_string(Map & map, std::string const& str, bool strict = false, std::string const& base_path="");
+MAPNIK_DECL void load_map_string(Map & map, std::string const& str, bool strict = false, std::string base_path="");
 }
 
 #endif // MAPNIK_LOAD_MAP_HPP
diff --git a/include/mapnik/marker_cache.hpp b/include/mapnik/marker_cache.hpp
index 5b56770b0..8f5fb8a0d 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/marker_cache.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/marker_cache.hpp
@@ -25,14 +25,7 @@
 
 // mapnik
 #include <mapnik/utils.hpp>
-#include <mapnik/marker.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/config.hpp>
-#include <mapnik/svg/svg_path_attributes.hpp>
-#include <mapnik/svg/svg_storage.hpp>
-#include <mapnik/svg/svg_path_adapter.hpp>
-
-// agg
-#include "agg_path_storage.h"
 
 // boost
 #include <boost/utility.hpp>
@@ -43,7 +36,7 @@
 namespace mapnik
 {
 
-using namespace mapnik::svg;
+class marker;
 
 typedef boost::shared_ptr<marker> marker_ptr;
 
diff --git a/include/mapnik/placement_finder.hpp b/include/mapnik/placement_finder.hpp
index 90561eaf1..662078238 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/placement_finder.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/placement_finder.hpp
@@ -92,14 +92,14 @@ private:
     //             otherwise it will autodetect the orientation.
     //             If >= 50% of the characters end up upside down, it will be retried the other way.
     //             RETURN: 1/-1 depending which way up the string ends up being.
-    std::auto_ptr<text_path> get_placement_offset(const std::vector<vertex2d> & path_positions,
-                                                  const std::vector<double> & path_distances,
+    std::auto_ptr<text_path> get_placement_offset(std::vector<vertex2d> const& path_positions,
+                                                  std::vector<double> const& path_distances,
                                                   int & orientation, unsigned index, double distance);
 
-    ///Tests wether the given text_path be placed without a collision
+    ///Tests whether the given text_path be placed without a collision
     // Returns true if it can
     // NOTE: This edits p.envelopes so it can be used afterwards (you must clear it otherwise)
-    bool test_placement(const std::auto_ptr<text_path> & current_placement, const int & orientation);
+    bool test_placement(std::auto_ptr<text_path> const& current_placement, int orientation);
 
     ///Does a line-circle intersect calculation
     // NOTE: Follow the strict pre conditions
@@ -107,14 +107,14 @@ private:
     //                 This means there is exactly one intersect point
     // Result is returned in ix, iy
     void find_line_circle_intersection(
-        const double &cx, const double &cy, const double &radius,
-        const double &x1, const double &y1, const double &x2, const double &y2,
-        double &ix, double &iy);
+        double cx, double cy, double radius,
+        double x1, double y1, double x2, double y2,
+        double & ix, double & iy);
 
     void find_line_breaks();
     void init_string_size();
     void init_alignment();
-    void adjust_position(text_path *current_placement, double label_x, double label_y);
+    void adjust_position(text_path *current_placement);
     void add_line(double width, double height, bool first_line);
 
     ///General Internals
diff --git a/include/mapnik/ptree_helpers.hpp b/include/mapnik/ptree_helpers.hpp
index 811317312..0c3e8bf63 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/ptree_helpers.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/ptree_helpers.hpp
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ operator << ( std::basic_ostream<charT, traits> & s, mapnik::color const& c )
 /** Helper for class bool */
 class boolean {
 public:
-    boolean() {}
+    boolean() : b_(false) {}
     boolean(bool b) : b_(b) {}
     boolean(boolean const& b) : b_(b.b_) {}
 
@@ -211,7 +211,15 @@ struct name_trait< mapnik::enumeration<ENUM, MAX> >
 template <typename T>
 inline boost::optional<T> fast_cast(std::string const& value)
 {
-    return boost::lexical_cast<T>( value );
+    try
+    {
+        return boost::lexical_cast<T>( value );
+    }
+    catch (boost::bad_lexical_cast const& ex)
+    {
+        return boost::optional<T>();
+    }
+
 }
 
 template <>
diff --git a/include/mapnik/shield_symbolizer.hpp b/include/mapnik/shield_symbolizer.hpp
index d31305664..85322f48e 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/shield_symbolizer.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/shield_symbolizer.hpp
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ struct MAPNIK_DECL shield_symbolizer : public text_symbolizer,
 
     bool get_unlock_image() const;              // image is not locked to the text placement
     void set_unlock_image(bool unlock_image);
-    void set_shield_displacement(double shield_dx,double shield_dy);
+    void set_shield_displacement(double shield_dx, double shield_dy);
     position const& get_shield_displacement() const;
 
 private:
diff --git a/include/mapnik/symbolizer_helpers.hpp b/include/mapnik/symbolizer_helpers.hpp
index 8cd0554e1..d0eb0f014 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/symbolizer_helpers.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/symbolizer_helpers.hpp
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ public:
                            unsigned width,
                            unsigned height,
                            double scale_factor,
-                           CoordTransform const &t,
+                           CoordTransform const& t,
                            FaceManagerT &font_manager,
                            DetectorT &detector,
                            box2d<double> const& query_extent)
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ public:
     bool next();
 
     /** Get current placement. next() has to be called before! */
-    placements_type &placements() const;
+    placements_type & placements() const;
 protected:
     bool next_point_placement();
     bool next_line_placement();
@@ -98,8 +98,8 @@ protected:
     Feature const& feature_;
     proj_transform const& prj_trans_;
     CoordTransform const& t_;
-    FaceManagerT &font_manager_;
-    DetectorT &detector_;
+    FaceManagerT & font_manager_;
+    DetectorT & detector_;
     metawriter_with_properties writer_;
     box2d<double> dims_;
     box2d<double> const& query_extent_;
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ public:
 
     bool next();
     pixel_position get_marker_position(text_path const& p);
-    marker &get_marker() const;
+    marker & get_marker() const;
     agg::trans_affine const& get_transform() const;
 protected:
     bool next_point_placement();
diff --git a/include/mapnik/text_path.hpp b/include/mapnik/text_path.hpp
index f29cd903d..90490d154 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/text_path.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/text_path.hpp
@@ -131,7 +131,9 @@ class text_path : boost::noncopyable
         double angle;
 
         character_node(char_info_ptr c_, double x_, double y_, double angle_)
-            : c(c_), pos(x_, y_), angle(angle_)
+            : c(c_),
+              pos(x_, y_),
+              angle(angle_)
         {
 
         }
@@ -150,12 +152,13 @@ class text_path : boost::noncopyable
     int itr_;
 public:
     typedef std::vector<character_node> character_nodes_t;
+    pixel_position center;
     character_nodes_t nodes_;
 
-    pixel_position center;
-
-    text_path()
-        : itr_(0)
+    text_path(double x, double y)
+        : itr_(0),
+          center(x,y),
+          nodes_()
     {
 
     }
diff --git a/include/mapnik/text_properties.hpp b/include/mapnik/text_properties.hpp
index 4362a632f..dbf21f8d7 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/text_properties.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/text_properties.hpp
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ struct char_properties
     /** Construct object from XML. */
     void from_xml(boost::property_tree::ptree const &sym, fontset_map const & fontsets);
     /** Write object to XML ptree. */
-    void to_xml(boost::property_tree::ptree &node, bool explicit_defaults, char_properties const &dfl=char_properties()) const;
+    void to_xml(boost::property_tree::ptree &node, bool explicit_defaults, char_properties const& dfl=char_properties()) const;
     std::string face_name;
     font_set fontset;
     float text_size;
diff --git a/include/mapnik/value_error.hpp b/include/mapnik/value_error.hpp
index 7239dd450..5b53664b9 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/value_error.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/value_error.hpp
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class value_error : public std::exception
 public:
     value_error() {}
 
-    value_error( const std::string & what ) :
+    value_error( std::string const& what ) :
         what_( what )
     {
     }
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ public:
         return what_.c_str();
     }
 
-    void append_context(const std::string & ctx) const
+    void append_context(std::string const& ctx) const
     {
         what_ += " " + ctx;
     }
diff --git a/plugins/input/osm/demo/MapSource.h b/plugins/input/osm/demo/MapSource.h
index c51970c47..bf7eb3ede 100755
--- a/plugins/input/osm/demo/MapSource.h
+++ b/plugins/input/osm/demo/MapSource.h
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ public:
             (source=="api" && hasBbox() && zoom_start>=0 && tiled==true));
     }
 
-    void setSource(const std::string & src)
+    void setSource(std::string const& src)
     {
         if(src=="api" || src=="osm")
         {
diff --git a/plugins/input/postgis/postgis_datasource.cpp b/plugins/input/postgis/postgis_datasource.cpp
index 0c5f083e8..8e7556ed7 100644
--- a/plugins/input/postgis/postgis_datasource.cpp
+++ b/plugins/input/postgis/postgis_datasource.cpp
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ std::string postgis_datasource::populate_tokens(const std::string& sql, double s
 }
 
 
-boost::shared_ptr<IResultSet> postgis_datasource::get_resultset(boost::shared_ptr<Connection> const &conn, const std::string &sql) const
+boost::shared_ptr<IResultSet> postgis_datasource::get_resultset(boost::shared_ptr<Connection> const &conn, std::string const& sql) const
 {
     if (cursor_fetch_size_ > 0)
     {
diff --git a/plugins/input/postgis/postgis_datasource.hpp b/plugins/input/postgis/postgis_datasource.hpp
index 846664de1..047796e4f 100644
--- a/plugins/input/postgis/postgis_datasource.hpp
+++ b/plugins/input/postgis/postgis_datasource.hpp
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ private:
     std::string populate_tokens(const std::string& sql, double scale_denom, box2d<double> const& env) const;
     std::string populate_tokens(const std::string& sql) const;
     static std::string unquote(const std::string& sql);
-    boost::shared_ptr<IResultSet> get_resultset(boost::shared_ptr<Connection> const &conn, const std::string &sql) const;
+    boost::shared_ptr<IResultSet> get_resultset(boost::shared_ptr<Connection> const &conn, std::string const& sql) const;
     postgis_datasource(const postgis_datasource&);
     postgis_datasource& operator=(const postgis_datasource&);
 };
diff --git a/src/agg/agg_renderer.cpp b/src/agg/agg_renderer.cpp
index ec8fe8320..cbb703639 100644
--- a/src/agg/agg_renderer.cpp
+++ b/src/agg/agg_renderer.cpp
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 // mapnik
 #include <mapnik/agg_renderer.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/agg_rasterizer.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/marker.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/marker_cache.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/unicode.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/config_error.hpp>
@@ -248,7 +249,7 @@ void agg_renderer<T>::render_marker(pixel_position const& pos, marker const& mar
         mtx *= agg::trans_affine_scaling(scale_factor_);
         // render the marker at the center of the marker box
         mtx.translate(pos.x+0.5 * marker.width(), pos.y+0.5 * marker.height());
-
+        using namespace mapnik::svg;
         vertex_stl_adapter<svg_path_storage> stl_storage((*marker.get_vector_data())->source());
         svg_path_adapter svg_path(stl_storage);
         svg_renderer<svg_path_adapter,
diff --git a/src/agg/process_line_pattern_symbolizer.cpp b/src/agg/process_line_pattern_symbolizer.cpp
index 8221dcd59..d4a8ec437 100644
--- a/src/agg/process_line_pattern_symbolizer.cpp
+++ b/src/agg/process_line_pattern_symbolizer.cpp
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 #include <mapnik/agg_rasterizer.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/agg_pattern_source.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/expression_evaluator.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/marker.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/marker_cache.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/line_pattern_symbolizer.hpp>
 
diff --git a/src/agg/process_markers_symbolizer.cpp b/src/agg/process_markers_symbolizer.cpp
index 0f05ee05c..1637f9450 100644
--- a/src/agg/process_markers_symbolizer.cpp
+++ b/src/agg/process_markers_symbolizer.cpp
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include <mapnik/agg_rasterizer.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/expression_evaluator.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/image_util.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/marker.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/marker_cache.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/svg/svg_renderer.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/svg/svg_path_adapter.hpp>
diff --git a/src/agg/process_point_symbolizer.cpp b/src/agg/process_point_symbolizer.cpp
index 967ebd082..d29f6d15c 100644
--- a/src/agg/process_point_symbolizer.cpp
+++ b/src/agg/process_point_symbolizer.cpp
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 #include <mapnik/agg_rasterizer.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/image_util.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/metawriter.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/marker.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/marker_cache.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/expression_evaluator.hpp>
 
diff --git a/src/agg/process_polygon_pattern_symbolizer.cpp b/src/agg/process_polygon_pattern_symbolizer.cpp
index 9756e2e86..7e0f92c94 100644
--- a/src/agg/process_polygon_pattern_symbolizer.cpp
+++ b/src/agg/process_polygon_pattern_symbolizer.cpp
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 // mapnik
 #include <mapnik/agg_renderer.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/agg_rasterizer.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/marker.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/marker_cache.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/expression_evaluator.hpp>
 
diff --git a/src/cairo_renderer.cpp b/src/cairo_renderer.cpp
index 4c1c8b6ab..ea1813631 100644
--- a/src/cairo_renderer.cpp
+++ b/src/cairo_renderer.cpp
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
 #include <mapnik/arrow.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/config_error.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/parse_path.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/marker.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/marker_cache.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/svg/svg_path_adapter.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/svg/svg_path_attributes.hpp>
@@ -913,7 +914,7 @@ void cairo_renderer_base::start_map_processing(Map const& map)
 
             typedef coord_transform2<CoordTransform,geometry_type> path_type;
             mapnik::path_ptr vmarker = *marker.get_vector_data();
-
+            using namespace mapnik::svg;
             agg::pod_bvector<path_attributes> const & attributes_ = vmarker->attributes();
             for(unsigned i = 0; i < attributes_.size(); ++i)
             {
diff --git a/src/feature_style_processor.cpp b/src/feature_style_processor.cpp
index 04a5750d6..bb8441080 100644
--- a/src/feature_style_processor.cpp
+++ b/src/feature_style_processor.cpp
@@ -264,8 +264,10 @@ void feature_style_processor<Processor>::apply_to_layer(layer const& lay, Proces
     box2d<double> query_ext = m_.get_current_extent();
     box2d<double> unbuffered_extent = m_.get_current_extent();
     prj_trans.forward(query_ext, PROJ_ENVELOPE_POINTS);
-    query::resolution_type res(m_.width()/query_ext.width(),
-                               m_.height()/query_ext.height());
+    double qw = query_ext.width()>0 ? query_ext.width() : 1;
+    double qh = query_ext.height()>0 ? query_ext.height() : 1;
+    query::resolution_type res(m_.width()/qw,
+                               m_.height()/qh);
 
     query q(layer_ext,res,scale_denom,unbuffered_extent);
     p.start_layer_processing(lay, query_ext);    
diff --git a/src/grid/grid_renderer.cpp b/src/grid/grid_renderer.cpp
index a4cc30f80..5a9a81448 100644
--- a/src/grid/grid_renderer.cpp
+++ b/src/grid/grid_renderer.cpp
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 #include <mapnik/grid/grid.hpp>
 
 
+#include <mapnik/marker.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/marker_cache.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/unicode.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/config_error.hpp>
@@ -145,7 +146,7 @@ void grid_renderer<T>::render_marker(mapnik::feature_ptr const& feature, unsigne
         mtx *= agg::trans_affine_scaling(scale_factor_*(1.0/step));
         // render the marker at the center of the marker box
         mtx.translate(pos.x+0.5 * marker.width(), pos.y+0.5 * marker.height());
-
+        using namespace mapnik::svg;
         vertex_stl_adapter<svg_path_storage> stl_storage((*marker.get_vector_data())->source());
         svg_path_adapter svg_path(stl_storage);
         svg_renderer<svg_path_adapter,
diff --git a/src/grid/process_markers_symbolizer.cpp b/src/grid/process_markers_symbolizer.cpp
index fe213c6a4..1f25cccc3 100644
--- a/src/grid/process_markers_symbolizer.cpp
+++ b/src/grid/process_markers_symbolizer.cpp
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 #include <mapnik/grid/grid_pixfmt.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/grid/grid_pixel.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/grid/grid.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/marker.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/markers_symbolizer.hpp>
 
 #include <mapnik/expression_evaluator.hpp>
diff --git a/src/grid/process_point_symbolizer.cpp b/src/grid/process_point_symbolizer.cpp
index 2db4dd5c2..2c3e2b634 100644
--- a/src/grid/process_point_symbolizer.cpp
+++ b/src/grid/process_point_symbolizer.cpp
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
 #include <mapnik/grid/grid.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/point_symbolizer.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/expression_evaluator.hpp>
-
+#include <mapnik/marker.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/marker_cache.hpp>
 
 // stl
diff --git a/src/image_util.cpp b/src/image_util.cpp
index c3cee7610..5b3b46454 100644
--- a/src/image_util.cpp
+++ b/src/image_util.cpp
@@ -57,7 +57,6 @@ extern "C"
 #include <sstream>
 
 // agg
-//#include "agg_conv_transform.h"
 #include "agg_image_accessors.h"
 #include "agg_pixfmt_rgba.h"
 #include "agg_rasterizer_scanline_aa.h"
diff --git a/src/libxml2_loader.cpp b/src/libxml2_loader.cpp
index c4111696f..af9ff4de9 100644
--- a/src/libxml2_loader.cpp
+++ b/src/libxml2_loader.cpp
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ public:
         }
     }
 
-    void load( const std::string & filename, ptree & pt )
+    void load( std::string const& filename, ptree & pt )
     {
         boost::filesystem::path path(filename);
         if ( !boost::filesystem::exists( path ) ) {
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ public:
         load(doc, pt);
     }
 
-    void load_string( const std::string & buffer, ptree & pt, std::string const & base_path )
+    void load_string( std::string const& buffer, ptree & pt, std::string const & base_path )
     {
         if (!base_path.empty())
         {
diff --git a/src/load_map.cpp b/src/load_map.cpp
index 1b6345d77..3cfd51fb0 100644
--- a/src/load_map.cpp
+++ b/src/load_map.cpp
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ private:
     void parse_stroke(stroke & strk, ptree const & sym);
     expression_ptr parse_expr(std::string const& expr);
 
-    void ensure_font_face( const std::string & face_name );
+    void ensure_font_face( std::string const& face_name );
 
     std::string ensure_relative_to_xml( boost::optional<std::string> opt_path );
     void ensure_attrs( ptree const& sym, std::string name, std::string attrs);
@@ -185,8 +185,13 @@ void load_map(Map & map, std::string const& filename, bool strict)
     parser.parse_map(map, pt, base_path);
 }
 
-void load_map_string(Map & map, std::string const& str, bool strict, std::string const& base_path)
+void load_map_string(Map & map, std::string const& str, bool strict, std::string base_path)
 {
+    if (str.empty())
+    {
+        throw config_error( "Cannot load map, XML string is empty" ) ;
+    }
+
     ptree pt;
 #ifdef HAVE_LIBXML2
     if (!base_path.empty())
@@ -1789,7 +1794,7 @@ void map_parser::parse_raster_colorizer(raster_colorizer_ptr const& rc,
     }
 }
 
-void map_parser::ensure_font_face( const std::string & face_name )
+void map_parser::ensure_font_face( std::string const& face_name )
 {
     if ( ! font_manager_.get_face( face_name ) )
     {
diff --git a/src/map.cpp b/src/map.cpp
index f46437989..9a976c2a7 100644
--- a/src/map.cpp
+++ b/src/map.cpp
@@ -451,54 +451,57 @@ void Map::zoom_to_box(const box2d<double> &box)
 
 void Map::fixAspectRatio()
 {
-    double ratio1 = (double) width_ / (double) height_;
-    double ratio2 = current_extent_.width() / current_extent_.height();
-    if (ratio1 == ratio2) return;
-
-    switch(aspectFixMode_)
+    if (current_extent_.width() > 0 && current_extent_.height() > 0)
     {
-    case ADJUST_BBOX_HEIGHT:
-        current_extent_.height(current_extent_.width() / ratio1);
-        break;
-    case ADJUST_BBOX_WIDTH:
-        current_extent_.width(current_extent_.height() * ratio1);
-        break;
-    case ADJUST_CANVAS_HEIGHT:
-        height_ = int (width_ / ratio2 + 0.5);
-        break;
-    case ADJUST_CANVAS_WIDTH:
-        width_ = int (height_ * ratio2 + 0.5);
-        break;
-    case GROW_BBOX:
-        if (ratio2 > ratio1)
+        double ratio1 = static_cast<double>(width_) / static_cast<double>(height_);
+        double ratio2 = current_extent_.width() / current_extent_.height();
+        if (ratio1 == ratio2) return;
+
+        switch(aspectFixMode_)
+        {
+        case ADJUST_BBOX_HEIGHT:
             current_extent_.height(current_extent_.width() / ratio1);
-        else
+            break;
+        case ADJUST_BBOX_WIDTH:
             current_extent_.width(current_extent_.height() * ratio1);
-        break;
-    case SHRINK_BBOX:
-        if (ratio2 < ratio1)
-            current_extent_.height(current_extent_.width() / ratio1);
-        else
-            current_extent_.width(current_extent_.height() * ratio1);
-        break;
-    case GROW_CANVAS:
-        if (ratio2 > ratio1)
-            width_ = (int) (height_ * ratio2 + 0.5);
-        else
+            break;
+        case ADJUST_CANVAS_HEIGHT:
             height_ = int (width_ / ratio2 + 0.5);
-        break;
-    case SHRINK_CANVAS:
-        if (ratio2 > ratio1)
-            height_ = int (width_ / ratio2 + 0.5);
-        else
-            width_ = (int) (height_ * ratio2 + 0.5);
-        break;
-    default:
-        if (ratio2 > ratio1)
-            current_extent_.height(current_extent_.width() / ratio1);
-        else
-            current_extent_.width(current_extent_.height() * ratio1);
-        break;
+            break;
+        case ADJUST_CANVAS_WIDTH:
+            width_ = int (height_ * ratio2 + 0.5);
+            break;
+        case GROW_BBOX:
+            if (ratio2 > ratio1)
+                current_extent_.height(current_extent_.width() / ratio1);
+            else
+                current_extent_.width(current_extent_.height() * ratio1);
+            break;
+        case SHRINK_BBOX:
+            if (ratio2 < ratio1)
+                current_extent_.height(current_extent_.width() / ratio1);
+            else
+                current_extent_.width(current_extent_.height() * ratio1);
+            break;
+        case GROW_CANVAS:
+            if (ratio2 > ratio1)
+                width_ = static_cast<int>(height_ * ratio2 + 0.5);
+            else
+                height_ = int (width_ / ratio2 + 0.5);
+            break;
+        case SHRINK_CANVAS:
+            if (ratio2 > ratio1)
+                height_ = int (width_ / ratio2 + 0.5);
+            else
+                width_ = static_cast<int>(height_ * ratio2 + 0.5);
+            break;
+        default:
+            if (ratio2 > ratio1)
+                current_extent_.height(current_extent_.width() / ratio1);
+            else
+                current_extent_.width(current_extent_.height() * ratio1);
+            break;
+        }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/marker_cache.cpp b/src/marker_cache.cpp
index f5139699a..41117bba6 100644
--- a/src/marker_cache.cpp
+++ b/src/marker_cache.cpp
@@ -23,11 +23,13 @@
 //$Id$
 
 // mapnik
+#include <mapnik/marker.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/marker_cache.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/svg/svg_parser.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/svg/svg_storage.hpp>
-#include <mapnik/svg/svg_path_adapter.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/svg/svg_converter.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/svg/svg_path_adapter.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/svg/svg_path_attributes.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/image_util.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/image_reader.hpp>
 
@@ -35,6 +37,7 @@
 #include <boost/assert.hpp>
 #include <boost/filesystem/operations.hpp>
 #include <boost/algorithm/string.hpp>
+#include <boost/make_shared.hpp>
 
 namespace mapnik
 {
@@ -72,7 +75,7 @@ boost::optional<marker_ptr> marker_cache::find(std::string const& uri, bool upda
             using namespace mapnik::svg;
             try
             {
-                path_ptr marker_path(new svg_storage_type);
+                path_ptr marker_path(boost::make_shared<svg_storage_type>());
                 vertex_stl_adapter<svg_path_storage> stl_storage(marker_path->source());
                 svg_path_adapter svg_path(stl_storage);
                 svg_converter_type svg(svg_path, marker_path->attributes());
@@ -84,7 +87,7 @@ boost::optional<marker_ptr> marker_cache::find(std::string const& uri, bool upda
                 svg.bounding_rect(&lox, &loy, &hix, &hiy);
                 marker_path->set_bounding_box(lox,loy,hix,hiy);
 
-                marker_ptr mark(new marker(marker_path));
+                marker_ptr mark(boost::make_shared<marker>(marker_path));
                 result.reset(mark);
                 if (update_cache)
                 {
@@ -107,9 +110,9 @@ boost::optional<marker_ptr> marker_cache::find(std::string const& uri, bool upda
                     unsigned width = reader->width();
                     unsigned height = reader->height();
                     BOOST_ASSERT(width > 0 && height > 0);
-                    mapnik::image_ptr image(new mapnik::image_data_32(width,height));
+                    mapnik::image_ptr image(boost::make_shared<mapnik::image_data_32>(width,height));
                     reader->read(0,0,*image);
-                    marker_ptr mark(new marker(image));
+                    marker_ptr mark(boost::make_shared<marker>(image));
                     result.reset(mark);
                     if (update_cache)
                     {
diff --git a/src/placement_finder.cpp b/src/placement_finder.cpp
index af9a1ed8d..f68597edb 100644
--- a/src/placement_finder.cpp
+++ b/src/placement_finder.cpp
@@ -218,9 +218,13 @@ void placement_finder<DetectorT>::find_line_breaks()
     if (p.wrap_width && string_width_ > p.wrap_width)
     {
         if (p.text_ratio)
+        {
             for (double i = 1.0; ((wrap_at = string_width_/i)/(string_height_*i)) > p.text_ratio && (string_width_/i) > p.wrap_width; i += 1.0) ;
+        }
         else
+        {
             wrap_at = p.wrap_width;
+        }
     }
 
     // work out where our line breaks need to be and the resultant width to the 'wrapped' string
@@ -264,8 +268,10 @@ void placement_finder<DetectorT>::find_line_breaks()
 
             // wrap text at first wrap_char after (default) the wrap width or immediately before the current word
             if ((c == '\n') ||
-                (line_width > 0 && ((line_width > wrap_at && !ci.format->wrap_before) ||
-                                    ((line_width + last_wrap_char_width + word_width) > wrap_at && ci.format->wrap_before)) ))
+                (line_width > 0 &&
+                ((line_width > wrap_at && !ci.format->wrap_before) ||
+                  ((line_width + last_wrap_char_width + word_width) > wrap_at && ci.format->wrap_before)) )
+               )
             {
                 add_line(line_width, line_height, first_line);
                 line_breaks_.push_back(last_wrap_char_pos);
@@ -321,10 +327,9 @@ void placement_finder<DetectorT>::init_alignment()
 
 
 template <typename DetectorT>
-void placement_finder<DetectorT>::adjust_position(text_path *current_placement, double label_x, double label_y)
+void placement_finder<DetectorT>::adjust_position(text_path *current_placement)
 {
     // if needed, adjust for desired vertical alignment
-    current_placement->center.y = label_y;  // no adjustment, default is MIDDLE
     if (valign_ == V_TOP)
     {
         current_placement->center.y -= 0.5 * string_height_;  // move center up by 1/2 the total height
@@ -334,7 +339,6 @@ void placement_finder<DetectorT>::adjust_position(text_path *current_placement,
     }
 
     // set horizontal position to middle of text
-    current_placement->center.x = label_x;  // no adjustment, default is MIDDLE
     if (halign_ == H_LEFT)
     {
         current_placement->center.x -= 0.5 * string_width_;  // move center left by 1/2 the string width
@@ -350,7 +354,9 @@ void placement_finder<DetectorT>::adjust_position(text_path *current_placement,
 }
 
 template <typename DetectorT>
-void placement_finder<DetectorT>::find_point_placement(double label_x, double label_y, double angle)
+void placement_finder<DetectorT>::find_point_placement(double label_x,
+                                                       double label_y,
+                                                       double angle)
 {
     find_line_breaks();
 
@@ -359,9 +365,9 @@ void placement_finder<DetectorT>::find_point_placement(double label_x, double la
     double sina = std::sin(rad);
 
     double x, y;
-    std::auto_ptr<text_path> current_placement(new text_path);
+    std::auto_ptr<text_path> current_placement(new text_path(label_x, label_y));
 
-    adjust_position(current_placement.get(), label_x, label_y);
+    adjust_position(current_placement.get());
 
     // presets for first line
     unsigned int line_number = 0;
@@ -440,7 +446,8 @@ void placement_finder<DetectorT>::find_point_placement(double label_x, double la
             }
 
             // if avoid_edges test dimensions contains e
-            if (p.avoid_edges && !dimensions_.contains(e)) {
+            if (p.avoid_edges && !dimensions_.contains(e))
+            {
                 return;
             }
 
@@ -554,7 +561,7 @@ void placement_finder<DetectorT>::find_line_placements(PathT & shape_path)
     //If there is no spacing then just do one label, otherwise calculate how many there should be
     int num_labels = 1;
     if (p.label_spacing > 0)
-        num_labels = static_cast<int> (floor(total_distance / (pi.get_actual_label_spacing() + string_width_)));
+        num_labels = static_cast<int>(floor(total_distance / (pi.get_actual_label_spacing() + string_width_)));
 
     if (p.force_odd_labels && (num_labels % 2 == 0))
         num_labels--;
@@ -667,7 +674,11 @@ void placement_finder<DetectorT>::find_line_placements(PathT & shape_path)
 }
 
 template <typename DetectorT>
-std::auto_ptr<text_path> placement_finder<DetectorT>::get_placement_offset(const std::vector<vertex2d> &path_positions, const std::vector<double> &path_distances, int &orientation, unsigned index, double distance)
+std::auto_ptr<text_path> placement_finder<DetectorT>::get_placement_offset(std::vector<vertex2d> const& path_positions,
+                                                                          std::vector<double> const& path_distances,
+                                                                          int & orientation,
+                                                                          unsigned index,
+                                                                          double distance)
 {
     //Check that the given distance is on the given index and find the correct index and distance if not
     while (distance < 0 && index > 1)
@@ -691,8 +702,6 @@ std::auto_ptr<text_path> placement_finder<DetectorT>::get_placement_offset(const
     const unsigned initial_index = index;
     const double initial_distance = distance;
 
-    std::auto_ptr<text_path> current_placement(new text_path);
-
     double old_x = path_positions[index-1].x;
     double old_y = path_positions[index-1].y;
 
@@ -708,11 +717,15 @@ std::auto_ptr<text_path> placement_finder<DetectorT>::get_placement_offset(const
         return std::auto_ptr<text_path>(NULL);
     }
 
-    current_placement->center.x = old_x + dx*distance/segment_length;
-    current_placement->center.y = old_y + dy*distance/segment_length;
+    std::auto_ptr<text_path> current_placement(
+                new text_path((old_x + dx*distance/segment_length),
+                              (old_y + dy*distance/segment_length)
+                             )
+                );
+
     double angle = atan2(-dy, dx);
 
-    bool orientation_forced = (orientation != 0); //Wether the orientation was set by the caller
+    bool orientation_forced = (orientation != 0); // Whether the orientation was set by the caller
     if (!orientation_forced)
         orientation = (angle > 0.55*M_PI || angle < -0.45*M_PI) ? -1 : 1;
 
@@ -838,7 +851,11 @@ std::auto_ptr<text_path> placement_finder<DetectorT>::get_placement_offset(const
         if (!orientation_forced)
         {
             orientation = -orientation;
-            current_placement = get_placement_offset(path_positions, path_distances, orientation, initial_index, initial_distance);
+            current_placement = get_placement_offset(path_positions,
+                                                     path_distances,
+                                                     orientation,
+                                                     initial_index,
+                                                     initial_distance);
         }
         else
         {
@@ -852,7 +869,8 @@ std::auto_ptr<text_path> placement_finder<DetectorT>::get_placement_offset(const
 }
 
 template <typename DetectorT>
-bool placement_finder<DetectorT>::test_placement(const std::auto_ptr<text_path> & current_placement, const int & orientation)
+bool placement_finder<DetectorT>::test_placement(std::auto_ptr<text_path> const& current_placement,
+                                                int orientation)
 {
     //Create and test envelopes
     bool status = true;
@@ -929,9 +947,9 @@ bool placement_finder<DetectorT>::test_placement(const std::auto_ptr<text_path>
 
 template <typename DetectorT>
 void placement_finder<DetectorT>::find_line_circle_intersection(
-    const double &cx, const double &cy, const double &radius,
-    const double &x1, const double &y1, const double &x2, const double &y2,
-    double &ix, double &iy)
+    double cx, double cy, double radius,
+    double x1, double y1, double x2, double y2,
+    double & ix, double & iy)
 {
     double dx = x2 - x1;
     double dy = y2 - y1;
diff --git a/src/symbolizer_helpers.cpp b/src/symbolizer_helpers.cpp
index 2b2bf3cd4..8c59ff272 100644
--- a/src/symbolizer_helpers.cpp
+++ b/src/symbolizer_helpers.cpp
@@ -141,9 +141,7 @@ void text_symbolizer_helper<FaceManagerT, DetectorT>::initialize_geometries()
             largest_box_only = true;
             if (sym_.get_minimum_path_length() > 0)
             {
-                // TODO - find less costly method than fetching full envelope
                 box2d<double> gbox = t_.forward(geom.envelope(), prj_trans_);
-
                 if (gbox.width() < sym_.get_minimum_path_length())
                 {
                     continue;
@@ -167,10 +165,13 @@ template <typename FaceManagerT, typename DetectorT>
 void text_symbolizer_helper<FaceManagerT, DetectorT>::initialize_points()
 {
     label_placement_enum how_placed = placement_->properties.label_placement;
-    if (how_placed == LINE_PLACEMENT) {
+    if (how_placed == LINE_PLACEMENT)
+    {
         point_placement_ = false;
         return;
-    } else {
+    }
+    else
+    {
         point_placement_ = true;
     }
 
@@ -193,14 +194,19 @@ void text_symbolizer_helper<FaceManagerT, DetectorT>::initialize_points()
                 t_.forward(&label_x, &label_y);
                 points_.push_back(std::make_pair(label_x, label_y));
             }
-        } else {
+        }
+        else
+        {
             if (how_placed == POINT_PLACEMENT)
             {
                 geom.label_position(&label_x, &label_y);
-            } else if (how_placed == INTERIOR_PLACEMENT)
+            }
+            else if (how_placed == INTERIOR_PLACEMENT)
             {
                 geom.label_interior_position(&label_x, &label_y);
-            } else {
+            }
+            else
+            {
 #ifdef MAPNIK_DEBUG
                 std::cerr << "ERROR: Unknown placement type in initialize_points();\n";
 #endif
diff --git a/src/text_placements/registry.cpp b/src/text_placements/registry.cpp
index 30668b78f..621c161b3 100644
--- a/src/text_placements/registry.cpp
+++ b/src/text_placements/registry.cpp
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 #include <mapnik/text_placements/registry.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/text_placements/simple.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/text_placements/list.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/text_placements/dummy.hpp>
 
 namespace mapnik
 {
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@ registry::registry()
 {
     register_name("simple", &text_placements_simple::from_xml);
     register_name("list", &text_placements_list::from_xml);
+    register_name("dummy", &text_placements_list::from_xml);
 }
 
 void registry::register_name(std::string name, from_xml_function_ptr ptr, bool overwrite)
diff --git a/src/text_properties.cpp b/src/text_properties.cpp
index 864cdd4ec..6b1e45ce8 100644
--- a/src/text_properties.cpp
+++ b/src/text_properties.cpp
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ namespace mapnik
 using boost::optional;
 
 text_symbolizer_properties::text_symbolizer_properties() :
+    orientation(),
+    displacement(0,0),
     label_placement(POINT_PLACEMENT),
     halign(H_AUTO),
     jalign(J_MIDDLE),
@@ -40,11 +42,13 @@ text_symbolizer_properties::text_symbolizer_properties() :
     avoid_edges(false),
     minimum_distance(0.0),
     minimum_padding(0.0),
+    minimum_path_length(0.0),
     max_char_angle_delta(22.5 * M_PI/180.0),
     force_odd_labels(false),
     allow_overlap(false),
     text_ratio(0),
     wrap_width(0),
+    format(),
     tree_()
 {
 
@@ -121,11 +125,13 @@ void text_symbolizer_properties::from_xml(boost::property_tree::ptree const &sym
     if (n) set_format_tree(n);
 }
 
-void text_symbolizer_properties::to_xml(boost::property_tree::ptree &node, bool explicit_defaults, text_symbolizer_properties const &dfl) const
+void text_symbolizer_properties::to_xml(boost::property_tree::ptree &node,
+                                        bool explicit_defaults,
+                                        text_symbolizer_properties const& dfl) const
 {
     if (orientation)
     {
-        const std::string & orientationstr = to_expression_string(*orientation);
+        std::string const& orientationstr = to_expression_string(*orientation);
         if (!dfl.orientation || orientationstr != to_expression_string(*(dfl.orientation)) || explicit_defaults) {
             set_attr(node, "orientation", orientationstr);
         }
@@ -216,6 +222,8 @@ void text_symbolizer_properties::set_old_style_expression(expression_ptr expr)
 }
 
 char_properties::char_properties() :
+    face_name(),
+    fontset(),
     text_size(10.0),
     character_spacing(0),
     line_spacing(0),
@@ -263,7 +271,8 @@ void char_properties::from_xml(boost::property_tree::ptree const &sym, fontset_m
         if (itr != fontsets.end())
         {
             fontset = itr->second;
-        } else
+        }
+        else
         {
             throw config_error("Unable to find any fontset named '" + *fontset_name_ + "'");
         }
@@ -280,8 +289,8 @@ void char_properties::from_xml(boost::property_tree::ptree const &sym, fontset_m
 
 void char_properties::to_xml(boost::property_tree::ptree &node, bool explicit_defaults, char_properties const &dfl) const
 {
-    const std::string & fontset_name = fontset.get_name();
-    const std::string & dfl_fontset_name = dfl.fontset.get_name();
+    std::string const& fontset_name = fontset.get_name();
+    std::string const& dfl_fontset_name = dfl.fontset.get_name();
     if (fontset_name != dfl_fontset_name || explicit_defaults)
     {
         set_attr(node, "fontset-name", fontset_name);
diff --git a/tests/visual_tests/test.py b/tests/visual_tests/test.py
index b7509fd73..67dc0d468 100755
--- a/tests/visual_tests/test.py
+++ b/tests/visual_tests/test.py
@@ -2,12 +2,11 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 
 import mapnik
-import cairo
 import sys
 import os.path
 from compare import compare, summary
 
-dirname = os.path.dirname(sys.argv[0])
+dirname = os.path.dirname(__file__)
 files = [
     ("list", 800, 600, 400, 300, 250, 200, 150, 100),
     ("simple", 800, 600, 400, 300, 250, 200, 150, 100),
@@ -40,7 +39,7 @@ def render(filename, width, height=100):
     mapnik.load_map(m, os.path.join(dirname, "%s.xml" % filename), False)
     bbox = mapnik.Box2d(-0.05, -0.01, 0.95, 0.01)
     m.zoom_to_box(bbox)
-    basefn = '%s-%d' % (filename, width)
+    basefn = os.path.join(dirname,'%s-%d' % (filename, width))
     mapnik.render_to_file(m, basefn+'-agg.png')
     diff = compare(basefn + '-agg.png', basefn + '-reference.png')
     if diff > 0:
@@ -61,6 +60,6 @@ for f in files:
             m = render(f[0], width[0], width[1])
         else:
             m = render(f[0], width)
-    mapnik.save_map(m, "%s-out.xml" % f[0])
+    mapnik.save_map(m, os.path.join(dirname,"%s-out.xml" % f[0]))
 
 summary()