diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 92ccec6b2..53b816877 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -35,3 +35,10 @@ tests/cpp_tests/svg_renderer_tests/path_element_test
 tests/cpp_tests/svg_renderer_tests/path_element_test_case_1.svg
 tests/cpp_tests/svg_renderer_tests/root_element_test
 tests/data/sqlite/*index
+demo/c++/cairo-demo.pdf
+demo/c++/cairo-demo.png
+demo/c++/cairo-demo256.png
+demo/c++/demo.jpg
+demo/c++/demo.png
+demo/c++/demo256.png
+
diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik_feature.cpp b/bindings/python/mapnik_feature.cpp
index 3abe6d703..57cdec88c 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik_feature.cpp
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik_feature.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@
 #include <mapnik/datasource.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/wkb.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/wkt/wkt_factory.hpp>
-#include "mapnik_value_converter.hpp"
 
 mapnik::geometry_type & (mapnik::Feature::*get_geom1)(unsigned) = &mapnik::Feature::get_geometry;
 
@@ -59,7 +58,7 @@ void feature_add_geometries_from_wkt(Feature &feature, std::string wkt)
 
 namespace boost { namespace python {
 
-// Forward declaration
+    // Forward declaration
     template <class Container, bool NoProxy, class DerivedPolicies>
     class map_indexing_suite2;
 
@@ -95,9 +94,11 @@ namespace boost { namespace python {
 
         template <class Class>
         static void
-        extension_def(Class& /*cl*/)
+        extension_def(Class& cl)
         {
-
+            cl
+                .def("get", &get)
+            ;
         }
 
         static data_type&
@@ -106,12 +107,25 @@ namespace boost { namespace python {
             typename Container::iterator i = container.props().find(i_);
             if (i == container.end())
             {
-                PyErr_SetString(PyExc_KeyError, "Invalid key");
+                PyErr_SetString(PyExc_KeyError, i_.c_str());
                 throw_error_already_set();
             }
+            // will be auto-converted to proper python type by `mapnik_value_to_python`
             return i->second;
         }
 
+        static data_type
+        get(Container& container, index_type i_)
+        {
+            typename Container::iterator i = container.props().find(i_);
+            if (i != container.end())
+            {
+                // will be auto-converted to proper python type by `mapnik_value_to_python`
+                return i->second;
+            }
+            return mapnik::value_null();
+        }
+
         static void
         set_item(Container& container, index_type i, data_type const& v)
         {
diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik_geometry.cpp b/bindings/python/mapnik_geometry.cpp
index 5e5ec8c2c..30f2876df 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik_geometry.cpp
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik_geometry.cpp
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
 #include <mapnik/geometry.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/wkt/wkt_factory.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/wkb.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/util/geometry_to_wkb.hpp>
 
 namespace {
 
@@ -47,19 +48,47 @@ geometry_type const& getitem_impl(path_type & p, int key)
     throw boost::python::error_already_set();
 }
 
-void from_wkt_impl(path_type& p, std::string const& wkt)
+void add_wkt_impl(path_type& p, std::string const& wkt)
 {
     bool result = mapnik::from_wkt(wkt , p);
     if (!result) throw std::runtime_error("Failed to parse WKT");
 }
 
-void from_wkb_impl(path_type& p, std::string const& wkb)
+void add_wkb_impl(path_type& p, std::string const& wkb)
 {
     mapnik::geometry_utils::from_wkb(p, wkb.c_str(), wkb.size(), true);
 }
 
+boost::shared_ptr<path_type> from_wkt_impl(std::string const& wkt)
+{
+    boost::shared_ptr<path_type> paths = boost::make_shared<path_type>();
+    bool result = mapnik::from_wkt(wkt, *paths);
+    if (!result) throw std::runtime_error("Failed to parse WKT");
+    return paths;
 }
 
+boost::shared_ptr<path_type> from_wkb_impl(std::string const& wkb)
+{
+    boost::shared_ptr<path_type> paths = boost::make_shared<path_type>();
+    mapnik::geometry_utils::from_wkb(*paths, wkb.c_str(), wkb.size(), true);
+    return paths;
+}
+
+}
+
+PyObject* to_wkb( geometry_type const& geom)
+{
+    mapnik::util::wkb_buffer_ptr wkb = mapnik::util::to_wkb(geom,mapnik::util::wkbXDR);
+    return
+#if PY_VERSION_HEX >= 0x03000000
+        ::PyBytes_FromStringAndSize
+#else
+        ::PyString_FromStringAndSize
+#endif
+        ((const char*)wkb->buffer(),wkb->size());
+}
+
+
 void export_geometry()
 {
     using namespace boost::python;
@@ -74,18 +103,23 @@ void export_geometry()
         ;
 
     using mapnik::geometry_type;
-    class_<geometry_type, std::auto_ptr<geometry_type>,boost::noncopyable>("Geometry2d",no_init)
+    class_<geometry_type, std::auto_ptr<geometry_type>, boost::noncopyable>("Geometry2d",no_init)
         .def("envelope",&geometry_type::envelope)
         // .def("__str__",&geometry_type::to_string)
         .def("type",&geometry_type::type)
+        .def("to_wkb",&to_wkb)
         // TODO add other geometry_type methods
         ;
 
-    class_<path_type,boost::noncopyable>("Path")
+    class_<path_type, boost::shared_ptr<path_type>, boost::noncopyable>("Path")
         .def("__getitem__", getitem_impl,return_value_policy<reference_existing_object>())
         .def("__len__", &path_type::size)
+        .def("add_wkt",add_wkt_impl)
+        .def("add_wkb",add_wkb_impl)
         .def("from_wkt",from_wkt_impl)
         .def("from_wkb",from_wkb_impl)
+        .staticmethod("from_wkt")
+        .staticmethod("from_wkb")
         ;
 
 }
diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik_map.cpp b/bindings/python/mapnik_map.cpp
index 0bfe31cc6..db332ecda 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik_map.cpp
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik_map.cpp
@@ -119,6 +119,8 @@ struct map_pickle_suite : boost::python::pickle_suite
 std::vector<layer>& (Map::*layers_nonconst)() =  &Map::layers;
 std::vector<layer> const& (Map::*layers_const)() const =  &Map::layers;
 
+mapnik::parameters& (Map::*attr_nonconst)() =  &Map::get_extra_attributes;
+mapnik::parameters& (Map::*params_nonconst)() =  &Map::get_extra_parameters;
 
 mapnik::feature_type_style find_style (mapnik::Map const& m, std::string const& name)
 {
@@ -173,6 +175,7 @@ mapnik::featureset_ptr query_map_point(mapnik::Map const& m, int index, double x
     return m.query_map_point(idx, x, y);
 }
 
+
 void export_map()
 {
     using namespace boost::python;
@@ -449,7 +452,8 @@ void export_map()
              "about the hit areas rendered on the map.\n"
             )
 
-        .def("extra_attributes",&Map::get_extra_attributes,return_value_policy<copy_const_reference>(),"TODO")
+        .add_property("extra_attributes",make_function(attr_nonconst,return_value_policy<reference_existing_object>()),"TODO")
+        .add_property("params",make_function(params_nonconst,return_value_policy<reference_existing_object>()),"TODO")
 
         .add_property("aspect_fix_mode",
                       &Map::get_aspect_fix_mode,
diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik_palette.cpp b/bindings/python/mapnik_palette.cpp
index 23536896e..45866d318 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik_palette.cpp
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik_palette.cpp
@@ -48,6 +48,6 @@ void export_palette ()
           ( arg("palette"), arg("type")),
           "Creates a new color palette from a file\n"
           )*/
-        .def( "__init__", boost::python::make_constructor( &make_palette))
+        .def( "__init__", boost::python::make_constructor(make_palette))
         ;
 }
diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik_parameters.cpp b/bindings/python/mapnik_parameters.cpp
index 662c0b5e7..a202f8190 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik_parameters.cpp
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik_parameters.cpp
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
  *
  * This file is part of Mapnik (c++ mapping toolkit)
  *
- * Copyright (C) 2006 Artem Pavlenko, Jean-Francois Doyon
+ * Copyright (C) 2011 Artem Pavlenko
  *
  * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
  * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
@@ -19,50 +19,26 @@
  * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
  *
  *****************************************************************************/
-//$Id: mapnik_parameters.cpp 17 2005-03-08 23:58:43Z pavlenko $
 
 // boost
 #include <boost/python.hpp>
+#include <boost/make_shared.hpp>
 
 // mapnik
 #include <mapnik/params.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/unicode.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/value.hpp>
 
 using mapnik::parameter;
 using mapnik::parameters;
 
-struct pickle_value : public boost::static_visitor<>
-{
-public:
-    pickle_value( boost::python::list vals):
-        vals_(vals) {}
-
-    void operator () ( int val )
-    {
-        vals_.append(val);
-    }
-
-    void operator () ( double val )
-    {
-        vals_.append(val);
-    }
-
-    void operator () ( std::string val )
-    {
-        vals_.append(val);
-    }
-
-private:
-    boost::python::list vals_;
-
-};
-
 struct parameter_pickle_suite : boost::python::pickle_suite
 {
     static boost::python::tuple
     getinitargs(const parameter& p)
     {
         using namespace boost::python;
-        return boost::python::make_tuple(p.first,boost::get<std::string>(p.second));
+        return boost::python::make_tuple(p.first,p.second);
     }
 };
 
@@ -76,11 +52,7 @@ struct parameters_pickle_suite : boost::python::pickle_suite
         parameters::const_iterator pos=p.begin();
         while(pos!=p.end())
         {
-            boost::python::list vals;
-            pickle_value serializer( vals );
-            mapnik::value_holder val = pos->second;
-            boost::apply_visitor( serializer, val );
-            d[pos->first] = vals[0];
+            d[pos->first] = pos->second;
             ++pos;
         }
         return boost::python::make_tuple(d);
@@ -107,7 +79,9 @@ struct parameters_pickle_suite : boost::python::pickle_suite
             extract<std::string> ex0(obj);
             extract<int> ex1(obj);
             extract<double> ex2(obj);
+            extract<UnicodeString> ex3(obj);
 
+            // TODO - this is never hit - we need proper python string -> std::string to get invoked here
             if (ex0.check())
             {
                 p[key] = ex0();
@@ -120,72 +94,131 @@ struct parameters_pickle_suite : boost::python::pickle_suite
             {
                 p[key] = ex2();
             }
-
-            /*
-              extract_value serializer( p, key );
-              mapnik::value_holder val = extract<mapnik::value_holder>(d[key]);
-              boost::apply_visitor( serializer, val );
-            */
+            else if (ex3.check())
+            {
+                std::string buffer;
+                mapnik::to_utf8(ex3(),buffer);
+                p[key] = buffer;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                std::clog <<  "could not unpickle key: " << key << "\n";
+            }
         }
     }
 };
 
-boost::python::dict dict_params(parameters& p)
+
+mapnik::value_holder get_params_by_key1(mapnik::parameters const& p, std::string const& key)
 {
-    boost::python::dict d;
-    parameters::const_iterator pos=p.begin();
-    while(pos!=p.end())
+    parameters::const_iterator pos = p.find(key);
+    if (pos != p.end())
     {
-        boost::python::list vals;
-        pickle_value serializer( vals );
-        mapnik::value_holder val = pos->second;
-        boost::apply_visitor( serializer, val );
-        d[pos->first] = vals[0];
-        ++pos;
+        // will be auto-converted to proper python type by `mapnik_params_to_python`
+        return pos->second;
     }
-    return d;
+    return mapnik::value_null();
 }
 
-boost::python::list list_params(parameters& p)
+mapnik::value_holder get_params_by_key2(mapnik::parameters const& p, std::string const& key)
 {
-    boost::python::list l;
-    parameters::const_iterator pos=p.begin();
-    while(pos!=p.end())
+    parameters::const_iterator pos = p.find(key);
+    if (pos == p.end())
     {
-        boost::python::list vals;
-        pickle_value serializer( vals );
-        mapnik::value_holder val = pos->second;
-        boost::apply_visitor( serializer, val );
-        l.append(boost::python::make_tuple(pos->first,vals[0]));
-        ++pos;
+        PyErr_SetString(PyExc_KeyError, key.c_str());
+        boost::python::throw_error_already_set();
     }
-    return l;
+    // will be auto-converted to proper python type by `mapnik_params_to_python`
+    return pos->second;
 }
 
-boost::python::dict dict_param(parameter& p)
+mapnik::parameter get_params_by_index(mapnik::parameters const& p, int index)
 {
-    boost::python::dict d;
-    d[p.first] = boost::get<std::string>(p.second);
-    return d;
+    if (index < 0 || index > p.size())
+    {
+        PyErr_SetString(PyExc_IndexError, "Index is out of range");
+        throw boost::python::error_already_set();
+    }
+
+    parameters::const_iterator itr = p.begin();
+    parameters::const_iterator end = p.end();
+
+    unsigned idx = 0;
+    while (itr != p.end())
+    {
+        if (idx == index)
+        {
+            return *itr;
+        }
+        ++idx;
+        ++itr;
+    }
+    PyErr_SetString(PyExc_IndexError, "Index is out of range");
+    throw boost::python::error_already_set();
 }
 
-boost::python::tuple tuple_param(parameter& p)
+void add_parameter(mapnik::parameters & p, mapnik::parameter const& param)
 {
-    return boost::python::make_tuple(p.first,boost::get<std::string>(p.second));
+    p[param.first] = param.second; 
 }
 
+mapnik::value_holder get_param(mapnik::parameter const& p, int index)
+{
+    if (index == 0)
+    {
+        return p.first;
+    }
+    else if (index == 1)
+    {
+        return p.second;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        PyErr_SetString(PyExc_IndexError, "Index is out of range");
+        throw boost::python::error_already_set();
+    }
+}
+
+boost::shared_ptr<mapnik::parameter> create_parameter_from_string(std::string const& key, std::string const& value)
+{
+    return boost::make_shared<mapnik::parameter>(key,mapnik::value_holder(value));
+}
+
+boost::shared_ptr<mapnik::parameter> create_parameter_from_int(std::string const& key, int value)
+{
+    return boost::make_shared<mapnik::parameter>(key,mapnik::value_holder(value));
+}
+
+boost::shared_ptr<mapnik::parameter> create_parameter_from_float(std::string const& key, double value)
+{
+    return boost::make_shared<mapnik::parameter>(key,mapnik::value_holder(value));
+}
+
+
 void export_parameters()
 {
     using namespace boost::python;
-    class_<parameter>("Parameter",init<std::string,std::string>())
+    class_<parameter,boost::shared_ptr<parameter> >("Parameter",no_init)
+        .def("__init__", make_constructor(create_parameter_from_string),
+             "Create a mapnik.Parameter from a pair of values, the first being a string\n"
+             "and the second being either a string, and integer, or a float")
+        .def("__init__", make_constructor(create_parameter_from_int),
+             "Create a mapnik.Parameter from a pair of values, the first being a string\n"
+             "and the second being either a string, and integer, or a float")
+        .def("__init__", make_constructor(create_parameter_from_float),
+             "Create a mapnik.Parameter from a pair of values, the first being a string\n"
+             "and the second being either a string, and integer, or a float")
         .def_pickle(parameter_pickle_suite())
-        .def("as_dict",dict_param)
-        .def("as_tuple",tuple_param)
+        .def("__getitem__",get_param)
         ;
 
     class_<parameters>("Parameters",init<>())
         .def_pickle(parameters_pickle_suite())
-        .def("as_dict",dict_params)
-        .def("as_list",list_params)
+        .def("get",get_params_by_key1)
+        .def("__getitem__",get_params_by_key2)
+        .def("__getitem__",get_params_by_index)
+        .def("__len__",&parameters::size)
+        .def("append",add_parameter)
+        .def("iteritems",iterator<parameters>())
         ;
 }
diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik_python.cpp b/bindings/python/mapnik_python.cpp
index 5346f2c9b..70b361e75 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik_python.cpp
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik_python.cpp
@@ -83,24 +83,13 @@ void export_label_collision_detector();
 #include <mapnik/value_error.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/save_map.hpp>
 #include "python_grid_utils.hpp"
+#include "mapnik_value_converter.hpp"
 
 #if defined(HAVE_CAIRO) && defined(HAVE_PYCAIRO)
 #include <pycairo.h>
 static Pycairo_CAPI_t *Pycairo_CAPI;
 #endif
 
-
-namespace boost { namespace python {
-
-    struct mapnik_value_to_python
-    {
-        static PyObject* convert(mapnik::value const& v)
-        {
-            return boost::apply_visitor(value_converter(),v.base());
-        }
-    };
-    }}
-
 void render(const mapnik::Map& map,
             mapnik::image_32& image,
             double scale_factor = 1.0,
@@ -651,5 +640,6 @@ BOOST_PYTHON_MODULE(_mapnik)
 
     register_ptr_to_python<mapnik::expression_ptr>();
     register_ptr_to_python<mapnik::path_expression_ptr>();
+    to_python_converter<mapnik::value_holder,mapnik_param_to_python>();
     to_python_converter<mapnik::value,mapnik_value_to_python>();
 }
diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik_value_converter.hpp b/bindings/python/mapnik_value_converter.hpp
index 292f84d14..bbac939b6 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik_value_converter.hpp
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik_value_converter.hpp
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 #include <boost/implicit_cast.hpp>
 
 namespace boost { namespace python {
+
     struct value_converter : public boost::static_visitor<PyObject*>
     {
         PyObject * operator() (int val) const
@@ -48,6 +49,13 @@ namespace boost { namespace python {
             return ::PyBool_FromLong(val);
         }
 
+        PyObject * operator() (std::string const& s) const
+        {
+            PyObject *obj = Py_None;
+            obj = ::PyUnicode_DecodeUTF8(s.c_str(),implicit_cast<ssize_t>(s.length()),0);
+            return obj;
+        }
+
         PyObject * operator() (UnicodeString const& s) const
         {
             std::string buffer;
@@ -63,6 +71,25 @@ namespace boost { namespace python {
         }
     };
 
+
+    struct mapnik_value_to_python
+    {
+        static PyObject* convert(mapnik::value const& v)
+        {
+            return boost::apply_visitor(value_converter(),v.base());
+        }
+
+    };
+
+    struct mapnik_param_to_python
+    {
+        static PyObject* convert(mapnik::value_holder const& v)
+        {
+            return boost::apply_visitor(value_converter(),v);
+        }
+    };
+
+
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/demo/c++/rundemo.cpp b/demo/c++/rundemo.cpp
index 65f542170..749fcd74a 100644
--- a/demo/c++/rundemo.cpp
+++ b/demo/c++/rundemo.cpp
@@ -253,12 +253,15 @@ int main ( int argc , char** argv)
         save_to_file<image_data_32>(buf.data(),"demo.jpg","jpeg");
         save_to_file<image_data_32>(buf.data(),"demo.png","png");
         save_to_file<image_data_32>(buf.data(),"demo256.png","png256");
+        save_to_file<image_data_32>(buf.data(),"demo.tif","tiff");
+        
         std::cout << "Three maps have been rendered using AGG in the current directory:\n"
             "- demo.jpg\n"
             "- demo.png\n"
             "- demo256.png\n"
+            "- demo.tif\n"
             "Have a look!\n";
-
+        
 #if defined(HAVE_CAIRO)
         Cairo::RefPtr<Cairo::ImageSurface> image_surface;
 
diff --git a/demo/python/rundemo.py b/demo/python/rundemo.py
index d35935c79..d71a439fb 100644
--- a/demo/python/rundemo.py
+++ b/demo/python/rundemo.py
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ m.layers.append(popplaces_lyr)
 # Set the initial extent of the map in 'master' spherical Mercator projection
 m.zoom_to_box(mapnik.Box2d(-8024477.28459,5445190.38849,-7381388.20071,5662941.44855)) 
 
-# Render two maps, two PNGs, one JPEG.
+# Render map
 im = mapnik.Image(m.width,m.height)
 mapnik.render(m, im)
 
@@ -347,6 +347,9 @@ images_.append('demo_high.jpg')
 im.save('demo_low.jpg', 'jpeg50')
 images_.append('demo_low.jpg')
 
+im.save('demo.tif', 'tiff')
+images_.append('demo.tif')
+
 # Render cairo examples
 if HAS_PYCAIRO_MODULE and mapnik.has_pycairo():
     
diff --git a/include/mapnik/map.hpp b/include/mapnik/map.hpp
index 152ca0181..bbc5d9432 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/map.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/map.hpp
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ private:
     boost::optional<box2d<double> > maximum_extent_;
     std::string base_path_;
     parameters extra_attr_;
+    parameters extra_params_;
         
 public:
 
@@ -444,14 +445,34 @@ public:
     std::string get_metawriter_property(std::string name) const;
 
     /*!
-     * @brief Get extra properties that can be carried on the Map
+     * @brief Get extra valid attributes of the Map that are not true members
      */
     parameters const& get_extra_attributes() const;
 
     /*!
-     * @brief Set extra properties that can be carried on the Map
+     * @brief Get non-const extra valid attributes of the Map that are not true members
      */
-    void set_extra_attributes(parameters& params);
+    parameters& get_extra_attributes();
+
+    /*!
+     * @brief Set extra attributes of the Map
+     */
+    void set_extra_attributes(parameters& attr);
+
+    /*!
+     * @brief Get extra, arbitrary Parameters attached to the Map
+     */
+    parameters const& get_extra_parameters() const;
+
+    /*!
+     * @brief Get non-const extra, arbitrary Parameters attached to the Map
+     */
+    parameters& get_extra_parameters();
+
+    /*!
+     * @brief Set extra, arbitary Parameters of the Map
+     */
+    void set_extra_parameters(parameters& params);
 
 private:
     void fixAspectRatio();
diff --git a/include/mapnik/params.hpp b/include/mapnik/params.hpp
index 97f4fd4f6..397e6f986 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/params.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/params.hpp
@@ -23,19 +23,22 @@
 #ifndef MAPNIK_PARAMS_HPP
 #define MAPNIK_PARAMS_HPP
 
-// mapnik
+// boost
 #include <boost/variant.hpp>
 #include <boost/optional.hpp>
 #include <boost/none.hpp>
 #include <boost/lexical_cast.hpp>
 
+// mapnik
+#include <mapnik/value.hpp>
+
 // stl
 #include <string>
 #include <map>
 
 namespace mapnik
 {
-typedef boost::variant<int,double,std::string> value_holder;
+typedef boost::variant<value_null,int,double,std::string> value_holder;
 typedef std::pair<const std::string, value_holder> parameter;
 typedef std::map<const std::string, value_holder> param_map;
    
diff --git a/include/mapnik/util/geometry_to_wkb.hpp b/include/mapnik/util/geometry_to_wkb.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7d2ad97b2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/mapnik/util/geometry_to_wkb.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,235 @@
+/*****************************************************************************
+ * 
+ * This file is part of Mapnik (c++ mapping toolkit)
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2011 Artem Pavlenko
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+ *
+ *****************************************************************************/
+
+//$Id$
+
+#ifndef MAPNIK_GEOMETRY_TO_WKB_HPP
+#define MAPNIK_GEOMETRY_TO_WKB_HPP
+
+// mapnik
+#include <mapnik/global.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/geometry.hpp>
+// boost
+#include <boost/shared_ptr.hpp>
+#include <boost/make_shared.hpp>
+#include <boost/interprocess/streams/bufferstream.hpp>
+#include <boost/foreach.hpp>
+// stl
+#include <vector>
+#include <cstdio>
+
+namespace mapnik { namespace util {
+
+std::string to_hex(const char* blob, unsigned size)
+{
+    std::string buf;
+    buf.reserve(size*2);
+    std::ostringstream s(buf);
+    s.seekp(0);
+    char hex[3];
+    std::memset(hex,0,3);
+    for ( unsigned pos=0; pos < size; ++pos)
+    {
+        std::sprintf (hex, "%02x", int(blob[pos]) & 0xff);
+        s << hex;
+    }
+    return s.str();
+}
+
+enum wkbByteOrder {
+    wkbXDR=0,
+    wkbNDR=1
+};
+
+
+inline void reverse_bytes(char size, char *address) 
+{
+    char * first = address;
+    char * last = first + size - 1;
+    for(;first < last;++first, --last) 
+    {
+        char x = *last;
+        *last = *first;
+        *first = x;
+    }
+}
+
+template <typename S, typename T>
+inline void write (S & stream, T val, std::size_t size, wkbByteOrder byte_order)
+{
+#ifdef MAPNIK_BIG_ENDIAN
+    bool need_swap =  byte_order ? wkbNDR : wkbXDR;
+#else
+    bool need_swap =  byte_order ? wkbXDR : wkbNDR;
+#endif 
+    char* buf = reinterpret_cast<char*>(&val);
+    if (need_swap)
+    {
+        reverse_bytes(size,buf);
+    }
+    stream.write(buf,size);
+}
+
+struct wkb_buffer
+{
+    wkb_buffer(std::size_t size)
+        : size_(size),
+          data_( (size_!=0) ? static_cast<char*>(::operator new (size_)):0)
+    {}
+    
+    ~wkb_buffer()
+    {
+        ::operator delete(data_);
+    }
+    
+    inline std::size_t size() const
+    {
+        return size_;
+    }
+    
+    inline char* buffer() 
+    {
+        return data_;
+    }
+    
+    std::size_t size_;
+    char * data_;
+};
+
+typedef boost::shared_ptr<wkb_buffer> wkb_buffer_ptr;
+
+wkb_buffer_ptr to_point_wkb( geometry_type const& g, wkbByteOrder byte_order)
+{
+    assert(g.num_points() == 1);
+    std::size_t size = 1 + 4 + 8*2 ; // byteOrder + wkbType + Point 
+    wkb_buffer_ptr wkb = boost::make_shared<wkb_buffer>(size);
+    boost::interprocess::bufferstream ss(wkb->buffer(), wkb->size(), std::ios::out | std::ios::binary);
+    ss.write(reinterpret_cast<char*>(&byte_order),1); 
+    int type = static_cast<int>(g.type());
+    write(ss,type,4,byte_order);
+    double x,y;
+    g.get_vertex(0,&x,&y);
+    write(ss,x,8,byte_order);
+    write(ss,y,8,byte_order);
+    assert(ss.good());
+    return wkb;
+}
+
+wkb_buffer_ptr to_line_string_wkb( geometry_type const& g, wkbByteOrder byte_order)
+{
+    unsigned num_points = g.num_points();
+    assert(num_points > 1);
+    std::size_t size = 1 + 4 + 4 + 8*2*num_points ; // byteOrder + wkbType + numPoints + Point*numPoints 
+    wkb_buffer_ptr wkb = boost::make_shared<wkb_buffer>(size);
+    boost::interprocess::bufferstream ss(wkb->buffer(), wkb->size(), std::ios::out | std::ios::binary);
+    ss.write(reinterpret_cast<char*>(&byte_order),1); 
+    int type = static_cast<int>(g.type());
+    write(ss,type,4,byte_order);
+    write(ss,num_points,4,byte_order);
+    double x,y;
+    for (unsigned i=0; i< num_points; ++i)
+    {
+        g.get_vertex(i,&x,&y);
+        write(ss,x,8,byte_order);
+        write(ss,y,8,byte_order);
+    }
+    assert(ss.good());
+    return wkb;
+}
+
+wkb_buffer_ptr to_polygon_wkb( geometry_type const& g, wkbByteOrder byte_order)
+{
+    unsigned num_points = g.num_points();
+    assert(num_points > 1);
+
+    typedef std::pair<double,double> point_type;
+    typedef std::vector<point_type> linear_ring;
+    boost::ptr_vector<linear_ring> rings;
+    
+    double x,y;
+    std::size_t size = 1 + 4 + 4 ; // byteOrder + wkbType + numRings
+    for (unsigned i=0; i< num_points; ++i)
+    {
+        unsigned command = g.get_vertex(i,&x,&y);
+        if (command == SEG_MOVETO) 
+        {          
+            rings.push_back(new linear_ring); // start new loop
+            size += 4; // num_points
+        }
+        rings.back().push_back(std::make_pair(x,y));
+        size += 2 * 8; // point 
+    }
+    unsigned num_rings = rings.size();
+    wkb_buffer_ptr wkb = boost::make_shared<wkb_buffer>(size);
+    boost::interprocess::bufferstream ss(wkb->buffer(), wkb->size(), std::ios::out | std::ios::binary);
+
+    ss.write(reinterpret_cast<char*>(&byte_order),1); 
+    int type = static_cast<int>(g.type());
+    write(ss,type,4,byte_order);
+    write(ss,num_rings,4,byte_order);
+    
+    BOOST_FOREACH ( linear_ring const& ring, rings)
+    {
+        unsigned num_points = ring.size();
+        write(ss,num_points,4,byte_order);
+        BOOST_FOREACH ( point_type const& pt, ring)
+        {
+            double x = pt.first;
+            double y = pt.second;
+            write(ss,x,8,byte_order);
+            write(ss,y,8,byte_order);
+        }
+    }
+    
+    assert(ss.good());
+    return wkb;
+}
+
+wkb_buffer_ptr to_wkb(geometry_type const& g, wkbByteOrder byte_order )
+{
+    wkb_buffer_ptr wkb;
+    
+    switch (g.type())
+    {
+    case mapnik::Point :
+        wkb = to_point_wkb(g, byte_order);
+        break;
+    case mapnik::LineString:
+        wkb = to_line_string_wkb(g, byte_order);
+        break;
+    case mapnik::Polygon:
+        wkb = to_polygon_wkb(g, byte_order);
+        break;
+    case mapnik::MultiPoint:
+    case mapnik::MultiLineString:
+    case mapnik::MultiPolygon:
+        break;
+    default:
+        break;
+    }
+    return wkb;
+}
+
+}}
+
+
+#endif // MAPNIK_GEOMETRY_TO_WKB_HPP
diff --git a/src/build.py b/src/build.py
index 72cf9b284..2d9b506a3 100644
--- a/src/build.py
+++ b/src/build.py
@@ -351,19 +351,23 @@ includes = glob.glob('../include/mapnik/*.hpp')
 svg_includes = glob.glob('../include/mapnik/svg/*.hpp')
 wkt_includes = glob.glob('../include/mapnik/wkt/*.hpp')
 grid_includes = glob.glob('../include/mapnik/grid/*.hpp')
+util_includes = glob.glob('../include/mapnik/util/*.hpp')
 
 inc_target = os.path.normpath(env['INSTALL_PREFIX']+'/include/mapnik')
 svg_inc_target = os.path.normpath(env['INSTALL_PREFIX']+'/include/mapnik/svg')
 wkt_inc_target = os.path.normpath(env['INSTALL_PREFIX']+'/include/mapnik/wkt')
 grid_inc_target = os.path.normpath(env['INSTALL_PREFIX']+'/include/mapnik/grid')
+util_inc_target = os.path.normpath(env['INSTALL_PREFIX']+'/include/mapnik/util')
 
 if 'uninstall' not in COMMAND_LINE_TARGETS:
     env.Alias(target='install', source=env.Install(inc_target, includes))
     env.Alias(target='install', source=env.Install(svg_inc_target, svg_includes))
     env.Alias(target='install', source=env.Install(wkt_inc_target, wkt_includes))
     env.Alias(target='install', source=env.Install(grid_inc_target, grid_includes))
+    env.Alias(target='install', source=env.Install(util_inc_target, util_includes))
 
 env['create_uninstall_target'](env, inc_target)
 env['create_uninstall_target'](env, svg_inc_target)
 env['create_uninstall_target'](env, wkt_inc_target)
 env['create_uninstall_target'](env, grid_inc_target)
+env['create_uninstall_target'](env, util_inc_target)
diff --git a/src/datasource_cache.cpp b/src/datasource_cache.cpp
index 9cca1c816..48ed583db 100644
--- a/src/datasource_cache.cpp
+++ b/src/datasource_cache.cpp
@@ -226,6 +226,10 @@ void datasource_cache::register_datasources(const std::string& str)
 #endif 
                             registered_=true;
                         }
+                        else if (!ds_name)
+                        {
+                            std::clog << "Problem loading plugin library '" << itr->path().string() << "' (plugin is lacking compatible interface)" << std::endl;
+                        }
                     }
                     else
                     {
diff --git a/src/load_map.cpp b/src/load_map.cpp
index 9b25dec5f..c20125502 100644
--- a/src/load_map.cpp
+++ b/src/load_map.cpp
@@ -255,10 +255,10 @@ void map_parser::parse_map( Map & map, ptree const & pt, std::string const& base
                 }
                 else
                 {
-                    std::ostringstream s;
+                    std::ostringstream s_err;
                     s << "failed to parse 'maximum-extent'";
                     if ( strict_ )
-                        throw config_error(s.str());
+                        throw config_error(s_err.str());
                     else
                         std::clog << "### WARNING: " << s.str() << std::endl;
                 }
@@ -311,6 +311,7 @@ void map_parser::parse_map( Map & map, ptree const & pt, std::string const& base
                 }
                 
             }
+
             map.set_extra_attributes(extra_attr);
         }
         catch (const config_error & ex)
@@ -389,6 +390,32 @@ void map_parser::parse_map_include( Map & map, ptree const & include )
             }
             datasource_templates_[name] = params;
         }
+        else if (v.first == "Parameters")
+        {
+            std::string name = get_attr(v.second, "name", std::string("Unnamed"));
+            parameters & params = map.get_extra_parameters();
+            ptree::const_iterator paramIter = v.second.begin();
+            ptree::const_iterator endParam = v.second.end();
+            for (; paramIter != endParam; ++paramIter)
+            {
+                ptree const& param = paramIter->second;
+
+                if (paramIter->first == "Parameter")
+                {
+                    std::string name = get_attr<std::string>(param, "name");
+                    std::string value = get_value<std::string>( param,
+                                                           "parameter");
+                    params[name] = value;
+                }
+                else if( paramIter->first != "<xmlattr>" &&
+                         paramIter->first != "<xmlcomment>" )
+                {
+                    throw config_error(std::string("Unknown child node in ") +
+                                       "'Parameters'. Expected 'Parameter' but got '" +
+                                       paramIter->first + "'");
+                }
+            }
+        }
         else if (v.first != "<xmlcomment>" &&
                  v.first != "<xmlattr>")
         {
@@ -2185,43 +2212,42 @@ std::string map_parser::ensure_relative_to_xml( boost::optional<std::string> opt
 
 void map_parser::ensure_attrs(ptree const& sym, std::string name, std::string attrs)
 {
-
     typedef ptree::key_type::value_type Ch;
-    //typedef boost::property_tree::xml_parser::xmlattr<Ch> x_att;
-    
-    std::set<std::string> attr_set;
-    boost::split(attr_set, attrs, boost::is_any_of(","));
-    for (ptree::const_iterator itr = sym.begin(); itr != sym.end(); ++itr)
+    optional<const ptree &> attribs = sym.get_child_optional( boost::property_tree::xml_parser::xmlattr<Ch>() );
+    if (attribs)
     {
-       //ptree::value_type const& v = *itr;
-       if (itr->first == boost::property_tree::xml_parser::xmlattr<Ch>())
-       {
-           optional<const ptree &> attribs = sym.get_child_optional( boost::property_tree::xml_parser::xmlattr<Ch>() );
-           if (attribs)
-           {
-               std::ostringstream s("");
-               s << "### " << name << " properties warning: ";
-               int missing = 0;
-               for (ptree::const_iterator it = attribs.get().begin(); it != attribs.get().end(); ++it)
-               {
-                   std::string name = it->first;
-                   bool found = (attr_set.find(name) != attr_set.end());
-                   if (!found)
-                   {
-                       if (missing) s << ",";
-                       s << "'" << name << "'";
-                       ++missing;
-                   }
-               }
-               if (missing) {
-                   if (missing > 1) s << " are";
-                   else s << " is";
-                   s << " invalid, acceptable values are:\n'" << attrs << "'\n";
-                   std::clog << s.str();
-               }
-           }
-       }
-   }
+        std::set<std::string> attr_set;
+        boost::split(attr_set, attrs, boost::is_any_of(","));
+        std::ostringstream s("");
+        s << "### " << name << " properties warning: ";
+        int missing = 0;
+        for (ptree::const_iterator it = attribs.get().begin(); it != attribs.get().end(); ++it)
+        {
+            std::string name = it->first;
+            bool found = (attr_set.find(name) != attr_set.end());
+            if (!found)
+            {
+                if (missing)
+                {
+                    s << ",";
+                }
+                s << "'" << name << "'";
+                ++missing;
+            }
+        }
+        if (missing) {
+            if (missing > 1)
+            {
+                s << " are";
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                s << " is";
+            }
+            s << " invalid, acceptable values are:\n'" << attrs << "'\n";
+            std::clog << s.str();
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 } // end of namespace mapnik
diff --git a/src/map.cpp b/src/map.cpp
index 2f6e7af43..ec974fb49 100644
--- a/src/map.cpp
+++ b/src/map.cpp
@@ -92,7 +92,8 @@ Map::Map(const Map& rhs)
       current_extent_(rhs.current_extent_),
       maximum_extent_(rhs.maximum_extent_),
       base_path_(rhs.base_path_),
-      extra_attr_(rhs.extra_attr_) {}
+      extra_attr_(rhs.extra_attr_),
+      extra_params_(rhs.extra_params_) {}
     
 Map& Map::operator=(const Map& rhs)
 {
@@ -110,6 +111,7 @@ Map& Map::operator=(const Map& rhs)
     maximum_extent_=rhs.maximum_extent_;
     base_path_=rhs.base_path_;
     extra_attr_=rhs.extra_attr_;
+    extra_params_=rhs.extra_params_;
     return *this;
 }
    
@@ -677,9 +679,29 @@ parameters const& Map::get_extra_attributes() const
     return extra_attr_;
 }
 
-void Map::set_extra_attributes(parameters& params)
+parameters& Map::get_extra_attributes()
 {
-    extra_attr_ = params;
+    return extra_attr_;
+}
+
+void Map::set_extra_attributes(parameters& attr)
+{
+    extra_attr_ = attr;
+}
+
+parameters const& Map::get_extra_parameters() const
+{
+    return extra_params_;
+}
+
+parameters& Map::get_extra_parameters()
+{
+    return extra_params_;
+}
+
+void Map::set_extra_parameters(parameters& params)
+{
+    extra_params_ = params;
 }
 
 }
diff --git a/src/raster_colorizer.cpp b/src/raster_colorizer.cpp
index 03f2968f5..95aec3cb7 100644
--- a/src/raster_colorizer.cpp
+++ b/src/raster_colorizer.cpp
@@ -120,11 +120,9 @@ void raster_colorizer::colorize(raster_ptr const& raster,const std::map<std::str
 
     const std::map<std::string,value>::const_iterator fi = Props.find("NODATA");
     if (fi != Props.end())
-	//if (Props.count("NODATA")>0)
     {
         hasNoData = true;
-        //noDataValue = Props.at("NODATA").to_double();
-	noDataValue = fi->second.to_double();
+	noDataValue = static_cast<float>(fi->second.to_double());
     }
     
     for (int i=0; i<len; ++i)
@@ -138,9 +136,9 @@ void raster_colorizer::colorize(raster_ptr const& raster,const std::map<std::str
     }
 }
 
-inline float interpolate(float start,float end, float fraction)
+inline unsigned interpolate(unsigned start, unsigned end, float fraction)
 {
-    return fraction * (end - start) + start;
+    return static_cast<unsigned>(fraction * (end - start) + start);
 }
 
 color raster_colorizer::get_color(float value) const {
@@ -213,10 +211,10 @@ color raster_colorizer::get_color(float value) const {
             else {
                 float fraction = (value - stopValue) / (nextStopValue - stopValue);
                 
-                float r = interpolate(stopColor.red(), nextStopColor.red(),fraction);
-                float g = interpolate(stopColor.green(), nextStopColor.green(),fraction);
-                float b = interpolate(stopColor.blue(), nextStopColor.blue(),fraction);
-                float a = interpolate(stopColor.alpha(), nextStopColor.alpha(),fraction);
+                unsigned r = interpolate(stopColor.red(), nextStopColor.red(),fraction);
+                unsigned g = interpolate(stopColor.green(), nextStopColor.green(),fraction);
+                unsigned b = interpolate(stopColor.blue(), nextStopColor.blue(),fraction);
+                unsigned a = interpolate(stopColor.alpha(), nextStopColor.alpha(),fraction);
                 
                 outputColor.set_red(r);
                 outputColor.set_green(g);
diff --git a/src/save_map.cpp b/src/save_map.cpp
index 2a9e8368e..48d2f9099 100644
--- a/src/save_map.cpp
+++ b/src/save_map.cpp
@@ -761,6 +761,24 @@ void serialize_datasource( ptree & layer_node, datasource_ptr datasource)
     }
 }
 
+void serialize_parameters( ptree & map_node, mapnik::parameters const& params)
+{
+    ptree & params_node = map_node.push_back(
+        ptree::value_type("Parameters", ptree()))->second;
+
+    parameters::const_iterator it = params.begin();
+    parameters::const_iterator end = params.end();
+    for (; it != end; ++it)
+    {
+        boost::property_tree::ptree & param_node = params_node.push_back(
+            boost::property_tree::ptree::value_type("Parameter",
+                                                    boost::property_tree::ptree()))->second;
+        param_node.put("<xmlattr>.name", it->first );
+        param_node.put_value( it->second );
+
+    }
+}
+
 void serialize_layer( ptree & map_node, const layer & layer, bool explicit_defaults )
 {
     ptree & layer_node = map_node.push_back(
@@ -900,6 +918,8 @@ void serialize_map(ptree & pt, Map const & map, bool explicit_defaults)
     {
         set_attr( map_node, p_it->first, p_it->second ); 
     }
+    
+    serialize_parameters( map_node, map.get_extra_parameters());
 
     Map::const_style_iterator it = map.styles().begin();
     Map::const_style_iterator end = map.styles().end();
diff --git a/tests/data/good_maps/extra_arbitary_map_parameters.xml b/tests/data/good_maps/extra_arbitary_map_parameters.xml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d4377cc50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/data/good_maps/extra_arbitary_map_parameters.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+<Map>
+
+<!-- 
+     totally arbirary Parameters can also be attached to the map
+     which will be respected during serialization.
+     
+     This makes it easier for calling applications that work with mapnik
+     xml, and leverage its serialization, to pass through directives that
+     the calling application needs which describe how to handle the map.
+-->
+
+  <Parameters>
+    <Parameter name="key"><![CDATA[value]]></Parameter>
+    <!-- this one will override previous key with same name -->
+    <Parameter name="key"><![CDATA[value2]]></Parameter>
+    <Parameter name="key3"><![CDATA[value3]]></Parameter>
+    <Parameter name="unicode"><![CDATA[iván]]></Parameter>
+  </Parameters>
+
+</Map>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/data/good_maps/extra_known_map_attributes.xml b/tests/data/good_maps/extra_known_map_attributes.xml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..38fa59661
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/data/good_maps/extra_known_map_attributes.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+<Map font-directory="." minimum-version="0.0.0">
+
+<!-- 
+     font-directory and minimin-version are extra attributes known
+     to load_map which are and attached to the map object in order to be
+     carried through and respected by save map.
+     
+     They are treated as 'extra' because they have no role during map rendering 
+-->
+
+</Map>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/extra_map_props_test.py b/tests/python_tests/extra_map_props_test.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..737bab03f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/python_tests/extra_map_props_test.py
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+
+from nose.tools import *
+from utilities import execution_path
+from Queue import Queue
+import threading
+
+import os, mapnik
+import sqlite3
+
+def setup():
+    # All of the paths used are relative, if we run the tests
+    # from another directory we need to chdir()
+    os.chdir(execution_path('.'))
+
+def test_non_member_known_attributes():
+    m = mapnik.Map(256,256)
+    mapnik.load_map(m,'../data/good_maps/extra_known_map_attributes.xml')
+    attr = m.extra_attributes
+    eq_(len(attr),2)
+    eq_(attr['font-directory'],'.')
+    eq_(attr['minimum-version'],'0.0.0')
+
+def test_arbitrary_parameters_attached_to_map():
+    m = mapnik.Map(256,256)
+    mapnik.load_map(m,'../data/good_maps/extra_arbitary_map_parameters.xml')
+    attr = m.extra_attributes
+    eq_(len(attr),0)
+
+    eq_(len(m.params),3)
+    eq_(m.params['key'],'value2')
+    eq_(m.params['key3'],'value3')
+    eq_(m.params['unicode'],u'iván')
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    setup()
+    [eval(run)() for run in dir() if 'test_' in run]
+    
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/font_test.py b/tests/python_tests/font_test.py
index bfc72f971..f9249b247 100644
--- a/tests/python_tests/font_test.py
+++ b/tests/python_tests/font_test.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 from nose.tools import *
 
-import mapnik, pickle
+import mapnik
 
 # Tests that exercise fonts. 
 
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/geometry_wkb_test.py b/tests/python_tests/geometry_wkb_test.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9750ef405
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/python_tests/geometry_wkb_test.py
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+#encoding: utf8
+
+from nose.tools import *
+import os
+from utilities import execution_path
+import mapnik
+
+wkts = [
+    [1,"POINT (30 10)"],
+    [1,"LINESTRING (30 10, 10 30, 40 40)"],
+    [1,"POLYGON ((30 10, 10 20, 20 40, 40 40, 30 10))"],
+    [1,"POLYGON ((35 10, 10 20, 15 40, 45 45, 35 10),(20 30, 35 35, 30 20, 20 30))"],
+    [4,"MULTIPOINT ((10 40), (40 30), (20 20), (30 10))"],
+    [2,"MULTILINESTRING ((10 10, 20 20, 10 40),(40 40, 30 30, 40 20, 30 10))"],
+    [2,"MULTIPOLYGON (((30 20, 10 40, 45 40, 30 20)),((15 5, 40 10, 10 20, 5 10, 15 5)))"],
+    [2,"MULTIPOLYGON (((40 40, 20 45, 45 30, 40 40)),((20 35, 45 20, 30 5, 10 10, 10 30, 20 35),(30 20, 20 25, 20 15, 30 20)))"]
+]
+
+
+def compare_wkb_from_wkt(wkt,num):
+    f = mapnik.Feature(1)
+    f.add_geometries_from_wkt(wkt)
+    eq_(len(f.geometries()),num)
+    
+    paths = mapnik.Path.from_wkt(wkt)
+    eq_(len(paths),num)
+    
+    eq_(f.geometries()[0].to_wkb(),paths[0].to_wkb())
+    
+    paths2 = mapnik.Path()
+    for path in paths:
+        paths2.add_wkb(path.to_wkb())
+    
+    eq_(len(paths2),num)
+    eq_(f.geometries()[0].to_wkb(),paths2[0].to_wkb())
+
+def test_point():
+    for wkt in wkts:
+        try:
+            compare_wkb_from_wkt(wkt[1],wkt[0])
+        except RuntimeError, e:
+            raise RuntimeError('%s %s' % (e, wkt))    
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    [eval(run)() for run in dir() if 'test_' in run]
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/object_test.py b/tests/python_tests/object_test.py
index 3fa05f03e..1e60bfafd 100644
--- a/tests/python_tests/object_test.py
+++ b/tests/python_tests/object_test.py
@@ -5,8 +5,9 @@ import os
 from nose.tools import *
 from utilities import execution_path
 from utilities import Todo
+import tempfile
 
-import mapnik, pickle
+import mapnik
 
 def setup():
     # All of the paths used are relative, if we run the tests
@@ -122,17 +123,6 @@ def test_pointsymbolizer_init():
 #def test_pointsymbolizer_missing_image():
  #   p = mapnik.PointSymbolizer(mapnik.PathExpression("../data/images/broken.png"))
 
-# PointSymbolizer pickling
-def test_pointsymbolizer_pickle():
-    raise Todo("point_symbolizer pickling currently disabled")
-    p = mapnik.PointSymbolizer(mapnik.PathExpression("../data/images/dummy.png"))
-    p2 = pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(p,pickle.HIGHEST_PROTOCOL))
-    # image type, width, and height only used in contructor...
-    eq_(p.filename, p2.filename)
-    eq_(p.allow_overlap, p2.allow_overlap)
-    eq_(p.opacity, p2.opacity)
-    eq_(p.ignore_placement, p2.ignore_placement)
-    eq_(p.placement, p2.placement)
 
 # PolygonSymbolizer initialization
 def test_polygonsymbolizer_init():
@@ -146,17 +136,6 @@ def test_polygonsymbolizer_init():
     eq_(p.fill, mapnik.Color('blue'))
     eq_(p.fill_opacity, 1)
 
-# PolygonSymbolizer pickling
-def test_polygonsymbolizer_pickle():
-    p = mapnik.PolygonSymbolizer(mapnik.Color('black'))
-    p.fill_opacity = .5
-    # does not work for some reason...
-    #eq_(pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(p)), p)
-    p2 = pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(p,pickle.HIGHEST_PROTOCOL))
-    eq_(p.fill, p2.fill)
-    eq_(p.fill_opacity, p2.fill_opacity)
-
-
 # Stroke initialization
 def test_stroke_init():
     s = mapnik.Stroke()
@@ -187,25 +166,6 @@ def test_stroke_dash_arrays():
 
     eq_(s.get_dashes(), [(1,2),(3,4),(5,6)])
 
-# Stroke pickling
-def test_stroke_pickle():
-    s = mapnik.Stroke(mapnik.Color('black'),4.5)
-
-    eq_(s.width, 4.5)
-    eq_(s.color, mapnik.Color('black'))
-
-    s.add_dash(1,2)
-    s.add_dash(3,4)
-    s.add_dash(5,6)
-
-    s2 = pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(s,pickle.HIGHEST_PROTOCOL))
-    eq_(s.color, s2.color)
-    eq_(s.width, s2.width)
-    eq_(s.opacity, s2.opacity)
-    eq_(s.get_dashes(), s2.get_dashes())
-    eq_(s.line_cap, s2.line_cap)
-    eq_(s.line_join, s2.line_join)
-
     
 # LineSymbolizer initialization
 def test_linesymbolizer_init():
@@ -234,19 +194,6 @@ def test_linesymbolizer_init():
     eq_(l.stroke.line_cap, mapnik.line_cap.BUTT_CAP)
     eq_(l.stroke.line_join, mapnik.line_join.MITER_JOIN)
 
-# LineSymbolizer pickling
-def test_linesymbolizer_pickle():
-    p = mapnik.LineSymbolizer()
-    p2 = pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(p,pickle.HIGHEST_PROTOCOL))
-    # line and stroke eq fails, so we compare attributes for now..
-    s,s2 = p.stroke, p2.stroke
-    eq_(s.color, s2.color)
-    eq_(s.opacity, s2.opacity)
-    eq_(s.width, s2.width)
-    eq_(s.get_dashes(), s2.get_dashes())
-    eq_(s.line_cap, s2.line_cap)
-    eq_(s.line_join, s2.line_join)
-
 
 # TextSymbolizer initialization
 def test_textsymbolizer_init():
@@ -258,56 +205,6 @@ def test_textsymbolizer_init():
     eq_(ts.fill, mapnik.Color('black'))
     eq_(ts.label_placement, mapnik.label_placement.POINT_PLACEMENT)
 
-# TextSymbolizer pickling
-def test_textsymbolizer_pickle():
-    ts = mapnik.TextSymbolizer(mapnik.Expression('[Field_Name]'), 'Font Name', 8, mapnik.Color('black'))
-
-    eq_(str(ts.name), str(mapnik.Expression('[Field_Name]')))
-    eq_(ts.face_name, 'Font Name')
-    eq_(ts.text_size, 8)
-    eq_(ts.fill, mapnik.Color('black'))
-    
-    raise Todo("text_symbolizer pickling currently disabled")
-
-    ts2 = pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(ts,pickle.HIGHEST_PROTOCOL))
-    eq_(ts.name, ts2.name)
-    eq_(ts.face_name, ts2.face_name)
-    eq_(ts.allow_overlap, ts2.allow_overlap)
-    eq_(ts.displacement, ts2.displacement)
-    eq_(ts.anchor, ts2.anchor)
-    eq_(ts.fill, ts2.fill)
-    eq_(ts.force_odd_labels, ts2.force_odd_labels)
-    eq_(ts.halo_fill, ts2.halo_fill)
-    eq_(ts.halo_radius, ts2.halo_radius)
-    eq_(ts.label_placement, ts2.label_placement)
-    eq_(ts.minimum_distance, ts2.minimum_distance)
-    eq_(ts.text_ratio, ts2.text_ratio)
-    eq_(ts.text_size, ts2.text_size)
-    eq_(ts.wrap_width, ts2.wrap_width)
-    eq_(ts.vertical_alignment, ts2.vertical_alignment)
-    eq_(ts.label_spacing, ts2.label_spacing)
-    eq_(ts.label_position_tolerance, ts2.label_position_tolerance)
-    # 22.5 * M_PI/180.0 initialized by default
-    assert_almost_equal(s.max_char_angle_delta, 0.39269908169872414)
-    
-    eq_(ts.wrap_character, ts2.wrap_character)
-    eq_(ts.text_transform, ts2.text_transform)
-    eq_(ts.line_spacing, ts2.line_spacing)
-    eq_(ts.character_spacing, ts2.character_spacing)
-    
-    # r1341
-    eq_(ts.wrap_before, ts2.wrap_before)
-    eq_(ts.horizontal_alignment, ts2.horizontal_alignment)
-    eq_(ts.justify_alignment, ts2.justify_alignment)
-    eq_(ts.opacity, ts2.opacity)
-
-    # r2300
-    eq_(s.minimum_padding, 0.0)
-        
-    raise Todo("FontSet pickling support needed: http://trac.mapnik.org/ticket/348")
-    eq_(ts.fontset, ts2.fontset)
-
-
 # Map initialization
 def test_layer_init():
     l = mapnik.Layer('test')
@@ -365,11 +262,13 @@ def test_map_init_from_string():
         eq_(m.base, './')
         mapnik.load_map_from_string(m, map_string, False, "") # this "" will have no effect
         eq_(m.base, './')
+        
+        tmp_dir = tempfile.gettempdir()
         try:
-            mapnik.load_map_from_string(m, map_string, False, "/tmp")
+            mapnik.load_map_from_string(m, map_string, False, tmp_dir)
         except RuntimeError:
             pass # runtime error expected because shapefile path should be wrong and datasource will throw
-        eq_(m.base, '/tmp') # /tmp will be set despite the exception because load_map mostly worked
+        eq_(m.base, tmp_dir) # tmp_dir will be set despite the exception because load_map mostly worked
         m.base = 'foo'
         mapnik.load_map_from_string(m, map_string, True, ".")
         eq_(m.base, '.')
@@ -379,19 +278,6 @@ def test_map_init_from_string():
         if not 'Could not create datasource' in str(e):
             raise RuntimeError(e)
 
-# Map pickling
-def test_map_pickle():
-    # Fails due to scale() not matching, possibly other things
-    raise(Todo("Map does not support pickling yet (Tickets #345)."))
-
-    m = mapnik.Map(256, 256)
-
-    eq_(pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(m)), m)
-
-    m = mapnik.Map(256, 256, '+proj=latlong')
-
-    eq_(pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(m)), m)
-
 # Color initialization
 
 @raises(Exception) # Boost.Python.ArgumentError
@@ -503,21 +389,7 @@ def test_color_equality():
     eq_(c1, mapnik.Color('red'))
     eq_(c2, mapnik.Color('lime'))
     eq_(c3, mapnik.Color(0,0,255,128))
-    
-    
-# Color pickling
-def test_color_pickle():
-    c = mapnik.Color('blue')
 
-    eq_(pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(c)), c)
-
-    c = mapnik.Color(0, 64, 128)
-
-    eq_(pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(c)), c)
-
-    c = mapnik.Color(0, 64, 128, 192)
-
-    eq_(pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(c)), c)
 
 # Rule initialization
 def test_rule_init():
@@ -678,12 +550,6 @@ def test_envelope_static_init():
     eq_(c.x, 150)
     eq_(c.y, 150)
 
-# Box2d pickling
-def test_envelope_pickle():
-    e = mapnik.Box2d(100, 100, 200, 200)
-
-    eq_(pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(e)), e)
-
 # Box2d multiplication
 def test_envelope_multiplication():
     e = mapnik.Box2d(100, 100, 200, 200)
@@ -716,7 +582,7 @@ def test_envelope_multiplication():
     eq_(c.y, 150)
 
 # Box2d clipping
-def test_envelope_pickle():
+def test_envelope_clipping():
     e1 = mapnik.Box2d(-180,-90,180,90)
     e2 = mapnik.Box2d(-120,40,-110,48)
     e1.clip(e2)
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/parameters_test.py b/tests/python_tests/parameters_test.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4188cd8da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/python_tests/parameters_test.py
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+
+import os
+from nose.tools import *
+from utilities import execution_path
+
+import mapnik
+import pickle
+
+def setup():
+    os.chdir(execution_path('.'))
+
+def test_parameter():
+    p = mapnik.Parameter('key','value')
+    eq_(p[0],'key')
+    eq_(p[1],'value')
+
+    p = mapnik.Parameter('int',1)
+    eq_(p[0],'int')
+    eq_(p[1],1)
+
+    p = mapnik.Parameter('float',1.0777)
+    eq_(p[0],'float')
+    eq_(p[1],1.0777)
+
+
+def test_parameters():
+    params = mapnik.Parameters()
+    p = mapnik.Parameter('float',1.0777)
+    eq_(p[0],'float')
+    eq_(p[1],1.0777)
+    
+    params.append(p)
+    
+    eq_(params[0][0],'float')
+    eq_(params[0][1],1.0777)
+
+    eq_(params.get('float'),1.0777)
+
+def test_parameters_pickling():
+    params = mapnik.Parameters()
+    params.append(mapnik.Parameter('oh',str('yeah')))
+    
+    params2 = pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(params,pickle.HIGHEST_PROTOCOL))
+
+    eq_(params[0][0],params2[0][0])
+    eq_(params[0][1],params2[0][1])
+    
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    setup()
+    [eval(run)() for run in dir() if 'test_' in run]
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/pickling_test.py b/tests/python_tests/pickling_test.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a619dd372
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/python_tests/pickling_test.py
@@ -0,0 +1,159 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+
+import os
+from nose.tools import *
+from utilities import execution_path
+from utilities import Todo
+import tempfile
+
+import mapnik, pickle
+
+def setup():
+    # All of the paths used are relative, if we run the tests
+    # from another directory we need to chdir()
+    os.chdir(execution_path('.'))
+
+# PointSymbolizer pickling
+def test_pointsymbolizer_pickle():
+    raise Todo("point_symbolizer pickling currently disabled")
+    p = mapnik.PointSymbolizer(mapnik.PathExpression("../data/images/dummy.png"))
+    p2 = pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(p,pickle.HIGHEST_PROTOCOL))
+    # image type, width, and height only used in contructor...
+    eq_(p.filename, p2.filename)
+    eq_(p.allow_overlap, p2.allow_overlap)
+    eq_(p.opacity, p2.opacity)
+    eq_(p.ignore_placement, p2.ignore_placement)
+    eq_(p.placement, p2.placement)
+
+
+# PolygonSymbolizer pickling
+def test_polygonsymbolizer_pickle():
+    p = mapnik.PolygonSymbolizer(mapnik.Color('black'))
+    p.fill_opacity = .5
+    # does not work for some reason...
+    #eq_(pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(p)), p)
+    p2 = pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(p,pickle.HIGHEST_PROTOCOL))
+    eq_(p.fill, p2.fill)
+    eq_(p.fill_opacity, p2.fill_opacity)
+
+
+# Stroke pickling
+def test_stroke_pickle():
+    s = mapnik.Stroke(mapnik.Color('black'),4.5)
+
+    eq_(s.width, 4.5)
+    eq_(s.color, mapnik.Color('black'))
+
+    s.add_dash(1,2)
+    s.add_dash(3,4)
+    s.add_dash(5,6)
+
+    s2 = pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(s,pickle.HIGHEST_PROTOCOL))
+    eq_(s.color, s2.color)
+    eq_(s.width, s2.width)
+    eq_(s.opacity, s2.opacity)
+    eq_(s.get_dashes(), s2.get_dashes())
+    eq_(s.line_cap, s2.line_cap)
+    eq_(s.line_join, s2.line_join)
+
+# LineSymbolizer pickling
+def test_linesymbolizer_pickle():
+    p = mapnik.LineSymbolizer()
+    p2 = pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(p,pickle.HIGHEST_PROTOCOL))
+    # line and stroke eq fails, so we compare attributes for now..
+    s,s2 = p.stroke, p2.stroke
+    eq_(s.color, s2.color)
+    eq_(s.opacity, s2.opacity)
+    eq_(s.width, s2.width)
+    eq_(s.get_dashes(), s2.get_dashes())
+    eq_(s.line_cap, s2.line_cap)
+    eq_(s.line_join, s2.line_join)
+
+
+
+# TextSymbolizer pickling
+def test_textsymbolizer_pickle():
+    ts = mapnik.TextSymbolizer(mapnik.Expression('[Field_Name]'), 'Font Name', 8, mapnik.Color('black'))
+
+    eq_(str(ts.name), str(mapnik.Expression('[Field_Name]')))
+    eq_(ts.face_name, 'Font Name')
+    eq_(ts.text_size, 8)
+    eq_(ts.fill, mapnik.Color('black'))
+    
+    raise Todo("text_symbolizer pickling currently disabled")
+
+    ts2 = pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(ts,pickle.HIGHEST_PROTOCOL))
+    eq_(ts.name, ts2.name)
+    eq_(ts.face_name, ts2.face_name)
+    eq_(ts.allow_overlap, ts2.allow_overlap)
+    eq_(ts.displacement, ts2.displacement)
+    eq_(ts.anchor, ts2.anchor)
+    eq_(ts.fill, ts2.fill)
+    eq_(ts.force_odd_labels, ts2.force_odd_labels)
+    eq_(ts.halo_fill, ts2.halo_fill)
+    eq_(ts.halo_radius, ts2.halo_radius)
+    eq_(ts.label_placement, ts2.label_placement)
+    eq_(ts.minimum_distance, ts2.minimum_distance)
+    eq_(ts.text_ratio, ts2.text_ratio)
+    eq_(ts.text_size, ts2.text_size)
+    eq_(ts.wrap_width, ts2.wrap_width)
+    eq_(ts.vertical_alignment, ts2.vertical_alignment)
+    eq_(ts.label_spacing, ts2.label_spacing)
+    eq_(ts.label_position_tolerance, ts2.label_position_tolerance)
+    # 22.5 * M_PI/180.0 initialized by default
+    assert_almost_equal(s.max_char_angle_delta, 0.39269908169872414)
+    
+    eq_(ts.wrap_character, ts2.wrap_character)
+    eq_(ts.text_transform, ts2.text_transform)
+    eq_(ts.line_spacing, ts2.line_spacing)
+    eq_(ts.character_spacing, ts2.character_spacing)
+    
+    # r1341
+    eq_(ts.wrap_before, ts2.wrap_before)
+    eq_(ts.horizontal_alignment, ts2.horizontal_alignment)
+    eq_(ts.justify_alignment, ts2.justify_alignment)
+    eq_(ts.opacity, ts2.opacity)
+
+    # r2300
+    eq_(s.minimum_padding, 0.0)
+        
+    raise Todo("FontSet pickling support needed: http://trac.mapnik.org/ticket/348")
+    eq_(ts.fontset, ts2.fontset)
+
+
+def test_map_pickle():
+    # Fails due to scale() not matching, possibly other things
+    raise(Todo("Map does not support pickling yet (Tickets #345)."))
+
+    m = mapnik.Map(256, 256)
+
+    eq_(pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(m)), m)
+
+    m = mapnik.Map(256, 256, '+proj=latlong')
+
+    eq_(pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(m)), m)
+
+def test_color_pickle():
+    c = mapnik.Color('blue')
+
+    eq_(pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(c)), c)
+
+    c = mapnik.Color(0, 64, 128)
+
+    eq_(pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(c)), c)
+
+    c = mapnik.Color(0, 64, 128, 192)
+
+    eq_(pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(c)), c)
+
+
+def test_envelope_pickle():
+    e = mapnik.Box2d(100, 100, 200, 200)
+
+    eq_(pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(e)), e)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    setup()
+    [eval(run)() for run in dir() if 'test_' in run]
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/postgis_test.py b/tests/python_tests/postgis_test.py
index 0abcf8f0b..6e11693d2 100644
--- a/tests/python_tests/postgis_test.py
+++ b/tests/python_tests/postgis_test.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ def psql_can_connect():
         call('psql %s -c "select postgis_version()"' % POSTGIS_TEMPLATE_DBNAME)
         return True
     except RuntimeError, e:
-        print 'Notice: skipping postgis tests as basic auth is not correctly set up. Error was: %s' % e.message
+        print 'Notice: skipping postgis tests (connection)'
         return False
 
 def shp2pgsql_on_path():
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def shp2pgsql_on_path():
         call('shp2pgsql')
         return True
     except RuntimeError, e:
-        print 'Notice: skipping postgis tests because shp2pgsql not found. Error was: %s' % e.message
+        print 'Notice: skipping postgis tests (shp2pgsql)'
         return False
 
 def createdb_and_dropdb_on_path():
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def createdb_and_dropdb_on_path():
         call('dropdb --help')
         return True
     except RuntimeError, e:
-        print 'Notice: skipping postgis tests because createdb or dropdb not found. Error was: %s' % e.message
+        print 'Notice: skipping postgis tests (createdb/dropdb)'
         return False
 
 def postgis_setup():
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/projection_test.py b/tests/python_tests/projection_test.py
index 10d43b343..6a538584e 100644
--- a/tests/python_tests/projection_test.py
+++ b/tests/python_tests/projection_test.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 from nose.tools import *
 
-import mapnik, pickle
+import mapnik
 
 # Tests that exercise map projections.
 
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/render_test.py b/tests/python_tests/render_test.py
index 2d49fd00d..5f06162b7 100644
--- a/tests/python_tests/render_test.py
+++ b/tests/python_tests/render_test.py
@@ -2,10 +2,9 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 
 from nose.tools import *
-
+import tempfile
 import os, mapnik
 from nose.tools import *
-
 from utilities import execution_path
 from utilities import Todo
 
@@ -216,7 +215,7 @@ def test_render_points():
         p = mapnik.Projection(projs[projdescr])
         m.zoom_to_box(p.forward(mapnik.Box2d(ul_lonlat,lr_lonlat)))
         # Render to SVG so that it can be checked how many points are there with string comparison
-        svg_file = '/tmp/%s.svg'
+        svg_file = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(),'%s.svg')
         mapnik.render_to_file(m, svg_file)
         num_points_present = len(places_ds.all_features())
         svg = open(svg_file,'r').read()
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/sqlite_rtree_test.py b/tests/python_tests/sqlite_rtree_test.py
index 89f42bf53..b2398773e 100644
--- a/tests/python_tests/sqlite_rtree_test.py
+++ b/tests/python_tests/sqlite_rtree_test.py
@@ -42,9 +42,14 @@ if 'sqlite' in mapnik.DatasourceCache.instance().plugin_names():
         eq_(os.path.exists(index),True)
         conn = sqlite3.connect(index)
         cur = conn.cursor()
-        cur.execute("Select count(*) from idx_%s_GEOMETRY" % TABLE.replace("'",""))
-        conn.commit()
-        eq_(cur.fetchone()[0],TOTAL)
+        try:
+            cur.execute("Select count(*) from idx_%s_GEOMETRY" % TABLE.replace("'",""))
+            conn.commit()
+            eq_(cur.fetchone()[0],TOTAL)
+        except sqlite3.OperationalError:
+            # don't worry about testing # of index records if 
+            # python's sqlite module does not support rtree
+            pass
         cur.close()
 
         ds = mapnik.SQLite(file=DB,table=TABLE)
diff --git a/utils/geometry_to_wkb/Jamroot b/utils/geometry_to_wkb/Jamroot
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..92c6686a7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/geometry_to_wkb/Jamroot
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+######################################################################
+
+MAPNIK_INCLUDE_DIR = "/opt/mapnik/include" ;
+MAPNIK_LIB_DIR = "/opt/mapnik/lib" ;
+BOOST_INCLUDE_DIR = "/opt/boost_1_48_0/include" ;
+
+
+lib mapnik : : <name>mapnik <search>$(MAPNIK_LIB_DIR) ;
+lib icu : : <name>icuuc <search>/usr/local/lib ;
+
+exe to_wkb :
+    main.cpp
+    .//mapnik
+    .//icu
+    :
+    <include>$(MAPNIK_INCLUDE_DIR)
+    <include>$(BOOST_INCLUDE_DIR)   
+    ;
+
diff --git a/utils/geometry_to_wkb/main.cpp b/utils/geometry_to_wkb/main.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b9072e39f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/geometry_to_wkb/main.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+/*****************************************************************************
+ * 
+ * This file is part of Mapnik (c++ mapping toolkit)
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2011 Artem Pavlenko
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+ *
+ *****************************************************************************/
+
+//$Id$
+
+#include <iostream>
+#include <string>
+
+#include <mapnik/geometry.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/feature.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/datasource_cache.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/util/geometry_to_wkb.hpp>
+
+#include <boost/foreach.hpp>
+
+
+int main (int argc, char ** argv )
+{
+
+    if ( argc !=2) 
+    {
+        std::cerr << "Usage: " << argv[0] << " <path-to-shapefile>\n";
+        return EXIT_SUCCESS;
+    }
+    
+    std::cerr << "Geometry to WKB converter\n";
+    
+    mapnik::datasource_cache::instance()->register_datasources("/opt/mapnik/lib/mapnik/input/");
+    
+    std::string filename(argv[1]);
+    std::cerr << filename << std::endl;
+    
+    mapnik::parameters p;
+    p["type"] = "shape";
+    p["file"] = filename;
+
+    mapnik::datasource_ptr ds;
+    
+    try
+    {
+        ds = mapnik::datasource_cache::instance()->create(p);
+    }
+    catch ( ... )
+    {
+        std::cerr << "Can't create datasource!\n";
+        return EXIT_FAILURE;
+    }
+    
+    if (ds)
+    {       
+        std::cerr << ds->envelope() << std::endl;        
+        
+        mapnik::query q(ds->envelope());
+        mapnik::layer_descriptor layer_desc = ds->get_descriptor();
+        BOOST_FOREACH ( mapnik::attribute_descriptor const& attr_desc, layer_desc.get_descriptors())
+        {
+            q.add_property_name(attr_desc.get_name());
+        }
+        
+        mapnik::featureset_ptr fs = ds->features(q);
+        mapnik::feature_ptr f = fs->next();
+        
+        while(f)
+        {
+            std::cerr << *f << std::endl;
+            boost::ptr_vector<mapnik::geometry_type> & paths = f->paths();
+            BOOST_FOREACH ( mapnik::geometry_type const& geom, paths)
+            {
+                // NDR
+                {
+                    mapnik::util::wkb_buffer_ptr wkb = mapnik::util::to_wkb(geom,mapnik::util::wkbNDR);
+                    std::cerr << mapnik::util::to_hex(wkb->buffer(),wkb->size()) << std::endl;
+                }
+                // XDR
+                {
+                    mapnik::util::wkb_buffer_ptr wkb = mapnik::util::to_wkb(geom,mapnik::util::wkbXDR);
+                    std::cerr << mapnik::util::to_hex(wkb->buffer(),wkb->size()) << std::endl;
+                }
+            }
+            
+            f = fs->next();
+        }
+    }
+    
+    
+    
+    return EXIT_SUCCESS;
+}
+
+