diff --git a/src/frontends/qt4/FileDialog.cpp b/src/frontends/qt4/FileDialog.cpp
index 50d98c59eb..964820b164 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt4/FileDialog.cpp
+++ b/src/frontends/qt4/FileDialog.cpp
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ public:
 };
 
 
-FileDialog::FileDialog(docstring const & t, kb_action s)
+FileDialog::FileDialog(QString const & t, kb_action s)
 	: private_(new FileDialog::Private), title_(t), success_(s)
 {}
 
@@ -68,32 +68,32 @@ FileDialog::~FileDialog()
 }
 
 
-void FileDialog::setButton1(docstring const & label, docstring const & dir)
+void FileDialog::setButton1(QString const & label, QString const & dir)
 {
 	private_->b1.first = label;
 	private_->b1.second = dir;
 }
 
 
-void FileDialog::setButton2(docstring const & label, docstring const & dir)
+void FileDialog::setButton2(QString const & label, QString const & dir)
 {
 	private_->b2.first = label;
 	private_->b2.second = dir;
 }
 
 
-FileDialog::Result const FileDialog::save(docstring const & path,
+FileDialog::Result FileDialog::save(QString const & path,
 					  FileFilterList const & filters,
-					  docstring const & suggested)
+					  QString const & suggested)
 {
-	LYXERR(Debug::GUI, "Select with path \"" << to_utf8(path)
+	LYXERR(Debug::GUI, "Select with path \"" << fromqstr(path)
 			   << "\", mask \"" << to_utf8(filters.as_string())
-			   << "\", suggested \"" << to_utf8(suggested) << '"');
+			   << "\", suggested \"" << fromqstr(suggested) << '"');
 	FileDialog::Result result;
 	result.first = FileDialog::Chosen;
 
 #ifdef USE_NATIVE_FILEDIALOG
-	docstring const startsWith = from_utf8(
+	QString const startsWith = from_utf8(
 		makeAbsPath(to_utf8(suggested), to_utf8(path)).absFilename());
 	QString const name = 
 		QFileDialog::getSaveFileName(qApp->focusWidget(),
@@ -111,66 +111,64 @@ FileDialog::Result const FileDialog::save(docstring const & path,
 	dlg.setAcceptMode(QFileDialog::AcceptSave);
 	dlg.setConfirmOverwrite(false);
 
-	if (!suggested.empty())
-		dlg.selectFile(toqstr(suggested));
+	if (!suggested.isEmpty())
+		dlg.selectFile(suggested);
 
 	LYXERR(Debug::GUI, "Synchronous FileDialog: ");
 	int res = dlg.exec();
 	LYXERR(Debug::GUI, "result " << res);
 	if (res == QDialog::Accepted)
-		result.second = from_utf8(internal_path(
-					fromqstr(dlg.selectedFiles()[0])));
+		result.second = internalPath(dlg.selectedFiles()[0]);
 	dlg.hide();
 #endif
 	return result;
 }
 
 
-FileDialog::Result const FileDialog::open(docstring const & path,
+FileDialog::Result FileDialog::open(QString const & path,
 					  FileFilterList const & filters,
-					  docstring const & suggested)
+					  QString const & suggested)
 {
-	LYXERR(Debug::GUI, "Select with path \"" << to_utf8(path)
-			   << "\", mask \"" << to_utf8(filters.as_string())
-			   << "\", suggested \"" << to_utf8(suggested) << '"');
+	LYXERR(Debug::GUI, "Select with path \"" << fromqstr(path)
+			   << "\", mask \"" << filters.as_string()
+			   << "\", suggested \"" << fromqstr(suggested) << '"');
 	FileDialog::Result result;
 	result.first = FileDialog::Chosen;
 
 #ifdef USE_NATIVE_FILEDIALOG
-	docstring const startsWith = from_utf8(
-		makeAbsPath(to_utf8(suggested), to_utf8(path)).absFilename());
-	result.second = from_utf8(internal_path(fromqstr(
+	QString const startsWith = toqstr(
+		makeAbsPath(fromqstr(suggested), fromqstr(path)).absFilename());
+	result.second = internalPath(
 		QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(qApp->focusWidget(),
-		toqstr(title_), toqstr(startsWith), toqstr(filters.as_string()) ))));
+		toqstr(title_), toqstr(startsWith), toqstr(filters.as_string()) ));
 #else
 	LyXFileDialog dlg(title_, path, filters, private_->b1, private_->b2);
 
-	if (!suggested.empty())
-		dlg.selectFile(toqstr(suggested));
+	if (!suggested.isEmpty())
+		dlg.selectFile(suggested);
 
 	LYXERR(Debug::GUI, "Synchronous FileDialog: ");
 	int res = dlg.exec();
 	LYXERR(Debug::GUI, "result " << res);
 	if (res == QDialog::Accepted)
-		result.second = from_utf8(internal_path(
-					fromqstr(dlg.selectedFiles()[0])));
+		result.second = internalPath(dlg.selectedFiles()[0]);
 	dlg.hide();
 #endif
 	return result;
 }
 
 
-FileDialog::Result const FileDialog::opendir(docstring const & path,
-					    docstring const & suggested)
+FileDialog::Result FileDialog::opendir(QString const & path,
+					    QString const & suggested)
 {
-	LYXERR(Debug::GUI, "Select with path \"" << to_utf8(path)
-			   << "\", suggested \"" << to_utf8(suggested) << '"');
+	LYXERR(Debug::GUI, "Select with path \"" << fromqstr(path)
+			   << "\", suggested \"" << fromqstr(suggested) << '"');
 	FileDialog::Result result;
 	result.first = FileDialog::Chosen;
 
 #ifdef USE_NATIVE_FILEDIALOG
-	docstring const startsWith = from_utf8(
-		makeAbsPath(to_utf8(suggested), to_utf8(path)).absFilename());
+	QString const startsWith = toqstr(
+		makeAbsPath(fromqstr(suggested), fromqstr(path)).absFilename());
 	result.second = from_utf8(internal_path(fromqstr(
 		QFileDialog::getExistingDirectory(qApp->focusWidget(),
 		toqstr(title_),toqstr(startsWith)))));
@@ -181,15 +179,14 @@ FileDialog::Result const FileDialog::opendir(docstring const & path,
 
 	dlg.setFileMode(QFileDialog::DirectoryOnly);
 
-	if (!suggested.empty())
-		dlg.selectFile(toqstr(suggested));
+	if (!suggested.isEmpty())
+		dlg.selectFile(suggested);
 
 	LYXERR(Debug::GUI, "Synchronous FileDialog: ");
 	int res = dlg.exec();
 	LYXERR(Debug::GUI, "result " << res);
 	if (res == QDialog::Accepted)
-		result.second = from_utf8(internal_path(
-					fromqstr(dlg.selectedFiles()[0])));
+		result.second = internalPath(dlg.selectedFiles()[0]);
 	dlg.hide();
 #endif
 	return result;
diff --git a/src/frontends/qt4/FileDialog.h b/src/frontends/qt4/FileDialog.h
index a4e69da2f2..a20fb40ba8 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt4/FileDialog.h
+++ b/src/frontends/qt4/FileDialog.h
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@
 #define FILEDIALOG_H
 
 #include "lfuns.h"
-#include "support/docstring.h"
 
-#include <string>
+#include <QString>
 
+#include <utility>
 
 namespace lyx {
 
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class FileDialog
 {
 public:
 	/// label, directory path button
-	typedef std::pair<docstring, docstring> Button;
+	typedef std::pair<QString, QString> Button;
 
 	/// result type
 	enum ResultType {
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ public:
 	};
 
 	/// result return
-	typedef std::pair<FileDialog::ResultType, docstring> Result;
+	typedef std::pair<FileDialog::ResultType, QString> Result;
 
 	/**
 	 * Constructs a file dialog with title \param title.
@@ -54,26 +54,26 @@ public:
 	 * additional directories in the navigation (an empty
 	 * directory is interpreted as FileName::getcwd())
 	 */
-	FileDialog(docstring const & title, kb_action a = LFUN_SELECT_FILE_SYNC);
+	FileDialog(QString const & title, kb_action a = LFUN_SELECT_FILE_SYNC);
 
 	~FileDialog();
 
-	void setButton1(docstring const & label, docstring const & dir);
-	void setButton2(docstring const & label, docstring const & dir);
+	void setButton1(QString const & label, QString const & dir);
+	void setButton2(QString const & label, QString const & dir);
 
 	/// Choose a file for opening, starting in directory \c path.
-	Result const open(docstring const & path,
+	Result open(QString const & path,
 			  support::FileFilterList const & filters,
-			  docstring const & suggested);
+			  QString const & suggested = QString());
 
 	/// Choose a directory, starting in directory \c path.
-	Result const opendir(docstring const & path = docstring(),
-			     docstring const & suggested = docstring());
+	Result opendir(QString const & path = QString(),
+			     QString const & suggested = QString());
 
 	/// Choose a file for saving, starting in directory \c  path.
-	Result const save(docstring const & path,
+	Result save(QString const & path,
 			  support::FileFilterList const & filters,
-			  docstring const & suggested);
+			  QString const & suggested = QString());
 
 private:
 	class Private;
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ private:
 	Private * private_;
 
 	/// the dialog title
-	docstring title_;
+	QString title_;
 
 	/// success action to perform if not synchronous
 	kb_action success_;
diff --git a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiBibtex.cpp b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiBibtex.cpp
index 052510b425..69aebc4961 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiBibtex.cpp
+++ b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiBibtex.cpp
@@ -461,9 +461,8 @@ void GuiBibtex::getBibStyles(vector<string> & data) const
 	}
 	vector<string>::iterator it  = data.begin();
 	vector<string>::iterator end = data.end();
-	for (; it != end; ++it) {
-		*it = onlyFilename(*it);
-	}
+	for (; it != end; ++it)
+		*it = support::onlyFilename(*it);
 	// sort on filename only (no path)
 	sort(data.begin(), data.end());
 }
@@ -481,9 +480,8 @@ void GuiBibtex::getBibFiles(vector<string> & data) const
 	}
 	vector<string>::iterator it  = data.begin();
 	vector<string>::iterator end = data.end();
-	for (; it != end; ++it) {
-		*it = onlyFilename(*it);
-	}
+	for (; it != end; ++it)
+		*it = support::onlyFilename(*it);
 	// sort on filename only (no path)
 	sort(data.begin(), data.end());
 }
diff --git a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiClipboard.cpp b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiClipboard.cpp
index ccb5dab090..fb62a3b0ce 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiClipboard.cpp
+++ b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiClipboard.cpp
@@ -232,15 +232,15 @@ FileName GuiClipboard::getPastedGraphicsFileName(Cursor const & cur,
 		FileFilterList const filter(filterSpec);
 		
 		// show save dialog for the graphic
-		FileDialog dlg(_("Choose a filename to save the pasted graphic as"));
+		FileDialog dlg(qt_("Choose a filename to save the pasted graphic as"));
 		FileDialog::Result result =
-		dlg.save(from_utf8(filename.onlyPath().absFilename()), filter,
-			 from_utf8(filename.onlyFileName()));
+		dlg.save(toqstr(filename.onlyPath().absFilename()), filter,
+			 toqstr(filename.onlyFileName()));
 		
 		if (result.first == FileDialog::Later)
 			return FileName();
 		
-		string newFilename = to_utf8(result.second);
+		string newFilename = fromqstr(result.second);
 		if (newFilename.empty()) {
 			cur.bv().message(_("Canceled."));
 			return FileName();
diff --git a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiInclude.cpp b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiInclude.cpp
index 23a79015f3..2b25fea23f 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiInclude.cpp
+++ b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiInclude.cpp
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ docstring GuiInclude::browse(docstring const & in_name, Type in_type) const
 		break;
 	}
 
-	docstring const docpath = from_utf8(onlyPath(buffer().absFileName()));
+	docstring const docpath = from_utf8(support::onlyPath(buffer().absFileName()));
 
 	return browseRelFile(in_name, docpath, title, filters, false, 
 		_("Documents|#o#O"), from_utf8(lyxrc.document_path));
@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ void GuiInclude::edit(string const & file)
 	else
 		// tex file or other text file in verbatim mode
 		formats.edit(buffer(), 
-			makeAbsPath(file, onlyPath(buffer().absFileName())),
+			makeAbsPath(file, support::onlyPath(buffer().absFileName())),
 			"text");
 }
 
diff --git a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiPrefs.cpp b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiPrefs.cpp
index e35e8cc7a1..ff90e69ca2 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiPrefs.cpp
+++ b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiPrefs.cpp
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 #include "BufferList.h"
 #include "Color.h"
 #include "ConverterCache.h"
+#include "FileDialog.h"
 #include "FuncRequest.h"
 #include "GuiFontExample.h"
 #include "GuiKeySymbol.h"
@@ -70,6 +71,154 @@ using namespace lyx::support::os;
 namespace lyx {
 namespace frontend {
 
+/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+//
+// Browser Helpers
+//
+/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+FileName libFileSearch(QString const & dir, QString const & name,
+				QString const & ext = QString())
+{
+	return support::libFileSearch(fromqstr(dir), fromqstr(name), fromqstr(ext));
+}
+
+
+/** Launch a file dialog and return the chosen file.
+	filename: a suggested filename.
+	title: the title of the dialog.
+	pattern: *.ps etc.
+	dir1 = (name, dir), dir2 = (name, dir): extra buttons on the dialog.
+*/
+QString browseFile(QString const & filename,
+	QString const & title,
+	support::FileFilterList const & filters,
+	bool save = false,
+	QString const & label1 = QString(),
+	QString const & dir1 = QString(),
+	QString const & label2 = QString(),
+	QString const & dir2 = QString())
+{
+	QString lastPath = ".";
+	if (!filename.isEmpty())
+		lastPath = onlyPath(filename);
+
+	FileDialog dlg(title, LFUN_SELECT_FILE_SYNC);
+	dlg.setButton2(label1, dir1);
+	dlg.setButton2(label2, dir2);
+
+	FileDialog::Result result;
+
+	if (save)
+		result = dlg.save(lastPath, filters, onlyFilename(filename));
+	else
+		result = dlg.open(lastPath, filters, onlyFilename(filename));
+
+	return result.second;
+}
+
+
+/** Wrapper around browseFile which tries to provide a filename
+*  relative to the user or system directory. The dir, name and ext
+*  parameters have the same meaning as in the
+*  support::LibFileSearch function.
+*/
+QString browseLibFile(QString const & dir,
+	QString const & name,
+	QString const & ext,
+	QString const & title,
+	support::FileFilterList const & filters)
+{
+	// FIXME UNICODE
+	QString const label1 = qt_("System files|#S#s");
+	QString const dir1 =
+		toqstr(addName(package().system_support().absFilename(), fromqstr(dir)));
+
+	QString const label2 = qt_("User files|#U#u");
+	QString const dir2 =
+		toqstr(addName(package().user_support().absFilename(), fromqstr(dir)));
+
+	QString const result = browseFile(toqstr(
+		libFileSearch(dir, name, ext).absFilename()),
+		title, filters, false, dir1, dir2);
+
+	// remove the extension if it is the default one
+	QString noextresult;
+	if (toqstr(getExtension(fromqstr(result))) == ext)
+		noextresult = toqstr(removeExtension(fromqstr(result)));
+	else
+		noextresult = result;
+
+	// remove the directory, if it is the default one
+	QString const file = onlyFilename(noextresult);
+	if (toqstr(libFileSearch(dir, file, ext).absFilename()) == result)
+		return file;
+	else
+		return noextresult;
+}
+
+
+/** Launch a file dialog and return the chosen directory.
+	pathname: a suggested pathname.
+	title: the title of the dialog.
+	dir1 = (name, dir), dir2 = (name, dir): extra buttons on the dialog.
+*/
+QString browseDir(QString const & pathname,
+	QString const & title,
+	QString const & label1 = QString(),
+	QString const & dir1 = QString(),
+	QString const & label2 = QString(),
+	QString const & dir2 = QString())
+{
+	QString lastPath = ".";
+	if (!pathname.isEmpty())
+		lastPath = onlyPath(pathname);
+
+	FileDialog dlg(title, LFUN_SELECT_FILE_SYNC);
+	dlg.setButton1(label1, dir1);
+	dlg.setButton2(label2, dir2);
+
+	FileDialog::Result const result =
+		dlg.opendir(lastPath, onlyFilename(pathname));
+
+	return result.second;
+}
+
+
+QString browseRelFile(QString const & filename, QString const & refpath,
+	QString const & title, FileFilterList const & filters, bool save,
+	QString const & label1, QString const & dir1,
+	QString const & label2, QString const & dir2)
+{
+	QString const fname = toqstr(makeAbsPath(
+		fromqstr(filename), fromqstr(refpath)).absFilename());
+
+	QString const outname =
+		browseFile(fname, title, filters, save, label1, dir1, label2, dir2);
+
+	QString const reloutname =
+		toqstr(makeRelPath(qstring_to_ucs4(outname), qstring_to_ucs4(refpath)));
+
+	if (reloutname.startsWith("../"))
+		return outname;
+	else
+		return reloutname;
+}
+
+} // namespace frontend
+
+docstring browseRelFile(docstring const & filename, docstring const & refpath,
+	docstring const & title, FileFilterList const & filters, bool save,
+	docstring const & label1, docstring const & dir1,
+	docstring const & label2, docstring const & dir2)
+{
+	return qstring_to_ucs4(frontend::browseRelFile(
+		toqstr(filename), toqstr(refpath),
+		toqstr(title), filters, save,
+		toqstr(label1), toqstr(dir1),
+		toqstr(label2), toqstr(dir2)));
+}
+
 
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 //
@@ -77,6 +226,8 @@ namespace frontend {
 //
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+namespace frontend {
+
 template<class A>
 static size_t findPos_helper(vector<A> const & vec, A const & val)
 {
@@ -111,7 +262,7 @@ static void setComboxFont(QComboBox * cb, string const & family,
 	if (!foundry.empty())
 		fontname += " [" + toqstr(foundry) + ']';
 
-	for (int i = 0; i < cb->count(); ++i) {
+	for (int i = 0; i != cb->count(); ++i) {
 		if (cb->itemText(i) == fontname) {
 			cb->setCurrentIndex(i);
 			return;
@@ -192,7 +343,7 @@ static void setComboxFont(QComboBox * cb, string const & family,
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 PrefPlaintext::PrefPlaintext(QWidget * parent)
-	: PrefModule(_("Plain text"), 0, parent)
+	: PrefModule(qt_("Plain text"), 0, parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
 	connect(plaintextLinelengthSB, SIGNAL(valueChanged(int)),
@@ -223,7 +374,7 @@ void PrefPlaintext::update(LyXRC const & rc)
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 PrefDate::PrefDate(QWidget * parent)
-	: PrefModule(_("Date format"), 0, parent)
+	: PrefModule(qt_("Date format"), 0, parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
 	connect(DateED, SIGNAL(textChanged(QString)),
@@ -250,7 +401,7 @@ void PrefDate::update(LyXRC const & rc)
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 PrefInput::PrefInput(GuiPreferences * form, QWidget * parent)
-	: PrefModule(_("Keyboard/Mouse"), form, parent)
+	: PrefModule(qt_("Keyboard/Mouse"), form, parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
 
@@ -320,7 +471,7 @@ void PrefInput::update(LyXRC const & rc)
 
 QString PrefInput::testKeymap(QString keymap)
 {
-	return toqstr(form_->browsekbmap(from_utf8(internal_path(fromqstr(keymap)))));
+	return form_->browsekbmap(toqstr(internal_path(fromqstr(keymap))));
 }
 
 
@@ -358,7 +509,7 @@ void PrefInput::on_keymapCB_toggled(bool keymap)
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 PrefLatex::PrefLatex(GuiPreferences * form, QWidget * parent)
-	: PrefModule(_("LaTeX"), form, parent)
+	: PrefModule(qt_("LaTeX"), form, parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
 	connect(latexEncodingED, SIGNAL(textChanged(QString)),
@@ -425,7 +576,7 @@ void PrefLatex::update(LyXRC const & rc)
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 PrefScreenFonts::PrefScreenFonts(GuiPreferences * form, QWidget * parent)
-	: PrefModule(_("Screen fonts"), form, parent)
+	: PrefModule(qt_("Screen fonts"), form, parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
 
@@ -599,7 +750,7 @@ struct ColorSorter
 } // namespace anon
 
 PrefColors::PrefColors(GuiPreferences * form, QWidget * parent)
-	: PrefModule( _("Colors"), form, parent)
+	: PrefModule(qt_("Colors"), form, parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
 
@@ -697,7 +848,7 @@ void PrefColors::change_lyxObjects_selection()
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 PrefDisplay::PrefDisplay(QWidget * parent)
-	: PrefModule(_("Graphics"), 0, parent)
+	: PrefModule(qt_("Graphics"), 0, parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
 	connect(instantPreviewCO, SIGNAL(activated(int)),
@@ -768,7 +919,7 @@ void PrefDisplay::update(LyXRC const & rc)
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 PrefPaths::PrefPaths(GuiPreferences * form, QWidget * parent)
-	: PrefModule(_("Paths"), form, parent)
+	: PrefModule(qt_("Paths"), form, parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
 	connect(exampleDirPB, SIGNAL(clicked()), this, SLOT(select_exampledir()));
@@ -822,61 +973,55 @@ void PrefPaths::update(LyXRC const & rc)
 
 void PrefPaths::select_exampledir()
 {
-	docstring file(form_->browsedir(
-		from_utf8(internal_path(fromqstr(exampleDirED->text()))),
-		_("Select directory for example files")));
-	if (!file.empty())
-		exampleDirED->setText(toqstr(file));
+	QString file = form_->browsedir(internalPath(exampleDirED->text()),
+		qt_("Select directory for example files"));
+	if (!file.isEmpty())
+		exampleDirED->setText(file);
 }
 
 
 void PrefPaths::select_templatedir()
 {
-	docstring file(form_->browsedir(
-		from_utf8(internal_path(fromqstr(templateDirED->text()))),
-		_("Select a document templates directory")));
-	if (!file.empty())
-		templateDirED->setText(toqstr(file));
+	QString file = form_->browsedir(internalPath(templateDirED->text()),
+		qt_("Select a document templates directory"));
+	if (!file.isEmpty())
+		templateDirED->setText(file);
 }
 
 
 void PrefPaths::select_tempdir()
 {
-	docstring file(form_->browsedir(
-		from_utf8(internal_path(fromqstr(tempDirED->text()))),
-		_("Select a temporary directory")));
-	if (!file.empty())
-		tempDirED->setText(toqstr(file));
+	QString file = form_->browsedir(internalPath(tempDirED->text()),
+		qt_("Select a temporary directory"));
+	if (!file.isEmpty())
+		tempDirED->setText(file);
 }
 
 
 void PrefPaths::select_backupdir()
 {
-	docstring file(form_->browsedir(
-		from_utf8(internal_path(fromqstr(backupDirED->text()))),
-		_("Select a backups directory")));
-	if (!file.empty())
-		backupDirED->setText(toqstr(file));
+	QString file = form_->browsedir(internalPath(backupDirED->text()),
+		qt_("Select a backups directory"));
+	if (!file.isEmpty())
+		backupDirED->setText(file);
 }
 
 
 void PrefPaths::select_workingdir()
 {
-	docstring file(form_->browsedir(
-		from_utf8(internal_path(fromqstr(workingDirED->text()))),
-		_("Select a document directory")));
-	if (!file.empty())
-		workingDirED->setText(toqstr(file));
+	QString file = form_->browsedir(internalPath(workingDirED->text()),
+		qt_("Select a document directory"));
+	if (!file.isEmpty())
+		workingDirED->setText(file);
 }
 
 
 void PrefPaths::select_lyxpipe()
 {
-	docstring file(form_->browse(
-		from_utf8(internal_path(fromqstr(lyxserverDirED->text()))),
-		_("Give a filename for the LyX server pipe")));
-	if (!file.empty())
-		lyxserverDirED->setText(toqstr(file));
+	QString file = form_->browse(internalPath(lyxserverDirED->text()),
+		qt_("Give a filename for the LyX server pipe"));
+	if (!file.isEmpty())
+		lyxserverDirED->setText(file);
 }
 
 
@@ -887,7 +1032,7 @@ void PrefPaths::select_lyxpipe()
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 PrefSpellchecker::PrefSpellchecker(GuiPreferences * form, QWidget * parent)
-	: PrefModule(_("Spellchecker"), form, parent)
+	: PrefModule(qt_("Spellchecker"), form, parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
 
@@ -981,10 +1126,9 @@ void PrefSpellchecker::update(LyXRC const & rc)
 
 void PrefSpellchecker::select_dict()
 {
-	docstring file(form_->browsedict(
-		from_utf8(internal_path(fromqstr(persDictionaryED->text())))));
-	if (!file.empty())
-		persDictionaryED->setText(toqstr(file));
+	QString file = form_->browsedict(internalPath(persDictionaryED->text()));
+	if (!file.isEmpty())
+		persDictionaryED->setText(file);
 }
 
 
@@ -997,7 +1141,7 @@ void PrefSpellchecker::select_dict()
 
 
 PrefConverters::PrefConverters(GuiPreferences * form, QWidget * parent)
-	: PrefModule(_("Converters"), form, parent)
+	: PrefModule(qt_("Converters"), form, parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
 
@@ -1267,7 +1411,7 @@ string FormatPrettynameValidator::str(Formats::const_iterator it) const
 
 
 PrefFileformats::PrefFileformats(GuiPreferences * form, QWidget * parent)
-	: PrefModule(_("File formats"), form, parent)
+	: PrefModule(qt_("File formats"), form, parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
 	formatED->setValidator(new FormatNameValidator(formatsCB, form_->formats()));
@@ -1466,7 +1610,7 @@ void PrefFileformats::on_formatRemovePB_clicked()
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 PrefLanguage::PrefLanguage(QWidget * parent)
-	: PrefModule(_("Language"), 0, parent)
+	: PrefModule(qt_("Language"), 0, parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
 
@@ -1555,7 +1699,7 @@ void PrefLanguage::update(LyXRC const & rc)
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 PrefPrinter::PrefPrinter(QWidget * parent)
-	: PrefModule(_("Printer"), 0, parent)
+	: PrefModule(qt_("Printer"), 0, parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
 
@@ -1653,7 +1797,7 @@ void PrefPrinter::update(LyXRC const & rc)
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 PrefUserInterface::PrefUserInterface(GuiPreferences * form, QWidget * parent)
-	: PrefModule(_("User interface"), form, parent)
+	: PrefModule(qt_("User interface"), form, parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
 
@@ -1752,11 +1896,9 @@ void PrefUserInterface::update(LyXRC const & rc)
 
 void PrefUserInterface::select_ui()
 {
-	docstring const name =
-		from_utf8(internal_path(fromqstr(uiFileED->text())));
-	docstring file = form_->browseUI(name);
-	if (!file.empty())
-		uiFileED->setText(toqstr(file));
+	QString file = form_->browseUI(internalPath(uiFileED->text()));
+	if (!file.isEmpty())
+		uiFileED->setText(file);
 }
 
 
@@ -1775,7 +1917,7 @@ GuiShortcutDialog::GuiShortcutDialog(QWidget * parent) : QDialog(parent)
 
 
 PrefShortcuts::PrefShortcuts(GuiPreferences * form, QWidget * parent)
-	: PrefModule(_("Shortcuts"), form, parent)
+	: PrefModule(qt_("Shortcuts"), form, parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
 
@@ -2018,13 +2160,11 @@ void PrefShortcuts::on_shortcutsTW_itemDoubleClicked()
 
 void PrefShortcuts::select_bind()
 {
-	docstring const name =
-		from_utf8(internal_path(fromqstr(bindFileED->text())));
-	docstring file = form_->browsebind(name);
-	if (!file.empty()) {
-		bindFileED->setText(toqstr(file));
+	QString file = form_->browsebind(internalPath(bindFileED->text()));
+	if (!file.isEmpty()) {
+		bindFileED->setText(file);
 		system_bind_ = KeyMap();
-		system_bind_.read(to_utf8(file));
+		system_bind_.read(fromqstr(file));
 		updateShortcutsTW();
 	}
 }
@@ -2170,7 +2310,7 @@ void PrefShortcuts::shortcut_clearPB_pressed()
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 PrefIdentity::PrefIdentity(QWidget * parent)
-	: PrefModule(_("Identity"), 0, parent)
+	: PrefModule(qt_("Identity"), 0, parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
 
@@ -2258,7 +2398,7 @@ GuiPreferences::GuiPreferences(GuiView & lv)
 void GuiPreferences::add(PrefModule * module)
 {
 	BOOST_ASSERT(module);
-	prefsPS->addPanel(module, toqstr(module->title()));
+	prefsPS->addPanel(module, module->title());
 	connect(module, SIGNAL(changed()), this, SLOT(change_adaptor()));
 	modules_.push_back(module);
 }
@@ -2358,52 +2498,43 @@ void GuiPreferences::updateScreenFonts()
 }
 
 
-docstring const GuiPreferences::browsebind(docstring const & file) const
+QString GuiPreferences::browsebind(QString const & file) const
 {
-	return browseLibFile(from_ascii("bind"), file, from_ascii("bind"),
-			     _("Choose bind file"),
+	return browseLibFile("bind", file, "bind", qt_("Choose bind file"),
 			     FileFilterList(_("LyX bind files (*.bind)")));
 }
 
 
-docstring const GuiPreferences::browseUI(docstring const & file) const
+QString GuiPreferences::browseUI(QString const & file) const
 {
-	return browseLibFile(from_ascii("ui"), file, from_ascii("ui"),
-			     _("Choose UI file"),
+	return browseLibFile("ui", file, "ui", qt_("Choose UI file"),
 			     FileFilterList(_("LyX UI files (*.ui)")));
 }
 
 
-docstring const GuiPreferences::browsekbmap(docstring const & file) const
+QString GuiPreferences::browsekbmap(QString const & file) const
 {
-	return browseLibFile(from_ascii("kbd"), file, from_ascii("kmap"),
-			     _("Choose keyboard map"),
+	return browseLibFile("kbd", file, "kmap", qt_("Choose keyboard map"),
 			     FileFilterList(_("LyX keyboard maps (*.kmap)")));
 }
 
 
-docstring const GuiPreferences::browsedict(docstring const & file) const
+QString GuiPreferences::browsedict(QString const & file) const
 {
-	if (lyxrc.use_spell_lib)
-		return browseFile(file,
-				  _("Choose personal dictionary"),
-				  FileFilterList(_("*.pws")));
-	else
-		return browseFile(file,
-				  _("Choose personal dictionary"),
-				  FileFilterList(_("*.ispell")));
+	return browseFile(file, qt_("Choose personal dictionary"),
+		FileFilterList(lyxrc.use_spell_lib ? _("*.pws") : _("*.ispell")));
 }
 
 
-docstring const GuiPreferences::browse(docstring const & file,
-				  docstring const & title) const
+QString GuiPreferences::browse(QString const & file,
+				  QString const & title) const
 {
 	return browseFile(file, title, FileFilterList(), true);
 }
 
 
-docstring const GuiPreferences::browsedir(docstring const & path,
-				     docstring const & title) const
+QString GuiPreferences::browsedir(QString const & path,
+				     QString const & title) const
 {
 	return browseDir(path, title);
 }
diff --git a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiPrefs.h b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiPrefs.h
index ec37c76a60..903a7d4e30 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiPrefs.h
+++ b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiPrefs.h
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ class PrefModule : public QWidget
 {
 	Q_OBJECT
 public:
-	PrefModule(docstring const & t,
+	PrefModule(QString const & t,
 			GuiPreferences * form = 0, QWidget * parent = 0)
 		: QWidget(parent), title_(t), form_(form)
 	{}
@@ -73,10 +73,10 @@ public:
 	virtual void apply(LyXRC & rc) const = 0;
 	virtual void update(LyXRC const & rc) = 0;
 
-	docstring const & title() const { return title_; }
+	QString const & title() const { return title_; }
 
 protected:
-	docstring title_;
+	QString title_;
 	GuiPreferences * form_;
 
 Q_SIGNALS:
@@ -455,18 +455,16 @@ public:
 	bool isBufferDependent() const { return false; }
 
 	/// various file pickers
-	docstring const browsebind(docstring const & file) const;
-	docstring const browseUI(docstring const & file) const;
-	docstring const browsekbmap(docstring const & file) const;
-	docstring const browsedict(docstring const & file) const;
+	QString browsebind(QString const & file) const;
+	QString browseUI(QString const & file) const;
+	QString browsekbmap(QString const & file) const;
+	QString browsedict(QString const & file) const;
 
 	/// general browse
-	docstring const browse(docstring const & file,
-				 docstring const & title) const;
+	QString browse(QString const & file, QString const & title) const;
 
 	/// browse directory
-	docstring const browsedir(docstring const & path,
-				    docstring const & title) const;
+	QString browsedir(QString const & path, QString const & title) const;
 
 	/// set a color
 	void setColor(ColorCode col, std::string const & hex);
diff --git a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiShowFile.cpp b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiShowFile.cpp
index 9cde4ba22e..43d519610a 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiShowFile.cpp
+++ b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiShowFile.cpp
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ GuiShowFile::GuiShowFile(GuiView & lv)
 
 void GuiShowFile::updateContents()
 {
-	setWindowTitle(toqstr(onlyFilename(filename_.absFilename())));
+	setWindowTitle(onlyFilename(toqstr(filename_.absFilename())));
 
 	QString contents = toqstr(filename_.fileContents("UTF-8"));
 	if (contents.isEmpty())
diff --git a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiTexinfo.cpp b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiTexinfo.cpp
index b718d4b287..c482c7474c 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiTexinfo.cpp
+++ b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiTexinfo.cpp
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ static string texFileFromList(string const & file, string const & type)
 	string classfile = token(allClasses, '\n', entries);
 	int count = 0;
 	while ((!contains(classfile, file) ||
-		(onlyFilename(classfile) != file)) &&
+		(support::onlyFilename(classfile) != file)) &&
 		(++count < 1000)) {
 		classfile = token(allClasses, '\n', ++entries);
 	}
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ void GuiTexInfo::updateStyles(TexFileType type)
 	vector<string>::iterator it1  = data.begin();
 	vector<string>::iterator end1 = data.end();
 	for (; it1 != end1; ++it1)
-		*it1 = onlyFilename(*it1);
+		*it1 = support::onlyFilename(*it1);
 
 	// sort on filename only (no path)
 	sort(data.begin(), data.end());
diff --git a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiView.cpp b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiView.cpp
index 45a252f592..bc40a465b2 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiView.cpp
+++ b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiView.cpp
@@ -1080,20 +1080,19 @@ FuncStatus GuiView::getStatus(FuncRequest const & cmd)
 
 static FileName selectTemplateFile()
 {
-	FileDialog dlg(_("Select template file"));
-	dlg.setButton1(_("Documents|#o#O"), from_utf8(lyxrc.document_path));
-	dlg.setButton1(_("Templates|#T#t"), from_utf8(lyxrc.template_path));
+	FileDialog dlg(qt_("Select template file"));
+	dlg.setButton1(qt_("Documents|#o#O"), toqstr(lyxrc.document_path));
+	dlg.setButton1(qt_("Templates|#T#t"), toqstr(lyxrc.template_path));
 
 	FileDialog::Result result =
-		dlg.open(from_utf8(lyxrc.template_path),
-			     FileFilterList(_("LyX Documents (*.lyx)")),
-			     docstring());
+		dlg.open(toqstr(lyxrc.template_path),
+			     FileFilterList(_("LyX Documents (*.lyx)")));
 
 	if (result.first == FileDialog::Later)
 		return FileName();
-	if (result.second.empty())
+	if (result.second.isEmpty())
 		return FileName();
-	return FileName(to_utf8(result.second));
+	return FileName(fromqstr(result.second));
 }
 
 
@@ -1140,20 +1139,18 @@ void GuiView::openDocument(string const & fname)
 	string filename;
 
 	if (fname.empty()) {
-		FileDialog dlg(_("Select document to open"), LFUN_FILE_OPEN);
-		dlg.setButton1(_("Documents|#o#O"), from_utf8(lyxrc.document_path));
-		dlg.setButton2(_("Examples|#E#e"),
-				from_utf8(addPath(package().system_support().absFilename(), "examples")));
+		FileDialog dlg(qt_("Select document to open"), LFUN_FILE_OPEN);
+		dlg.setButton1(qt_("Documents|#o#O"), toqstr(lyxrc.document_path));
+		dlg.setButton2(qt_("Examples|#E#e"),
+				toqstr(addPath(package().system_support().absFilename(), "examples")));
 
 		FileDialog::Result result =
-			dlg.open(from_utf8(initpath),
-				     FileFilterList(_("LyX Documents (*.lyx)")),
-				     docstring());
+			dlg.open(toqstr(initpath), FileFilterList(_("LyX Documents (*.lyx)")));
 
 		if (result.first == FileDialog::Later)
 			return;
 
-		filename = to_utf8(result.second);
+		filename = fromqstr(result.second);
 
 		// check selected filename
 		if (filename.empty()) {
@@ -1274,10 +1271,10 @@ void GuiView::importDocument(string const & argument)
 		docstring const text = bformat(_("Select %1$s file to import"),
 			formats.prettyName(format));
 
-		FileDialog dlg(text, LFUN_BUFFER_IMPORT);
-		dlg.setButton1(_("Documents|#o#O"), from_utf8(lyxrc.document_path));
-		dlg.setButton2(_("Examples|#E#e"),
-			from_utf8(addPath(package().system_support().absFilename(), "examples")));
+		FileDialog dlg(toqstr(text), LFUN_BUFFER_IMPORT);
+		dlg.setButton1(qt_("Documents|#o#O"), toqstr(lyxrc.document_path));
+		dlg.setButton2(qt_("Examples|#E#e"),
+			toqstr(addPath(package().system_support().absFilename(), "examples")));
 
 		docstring filter = formats.prettyName(format);
 		filter += " (*.";
@@ -1286,14 +1283,12 @@ void GuiView::importDocument(string const & argument)
 		filter += ')';
 
 		FileDialog::Result result =
-			dlg.open(from_utf8(initpath),
-				     FileFilterList(filter),
-				     docstring());
+			dlg.open(toqstr(initpath), FileFilterList(filter));
 
 		if (result.first == FileDialog::Later)
 			return;
 
-		filename = to_utf8(result.second);
+		filename = fromqstr(result.second);
 
 		// check selected filename
 		if (filename.empty())
@@ -1395,22 +1390,21 @@ void GuiView::insertLyXFile(docstring const & fname)
 		initpath = trypath;
 
 	// FIXME UNICODE
-	FileDialog dlg(_("Select LyX document to insert"), LFUN_FILE_INSERT);
-	dlg.setButton1(_("Documents|#o#O"), from_utf8(lyxrc.document_path));
-	dlg.setButton2(_("Examples|#E#e"),
-		from_utf8(addPath(package().system_support().absFilename(),
+	FileDialog dlg(qt_("Select LyX document to insert"), LFUN_FILE_INSERT);
+	dlg.setButton1(qt_("Documents|#o#O"), toqstr(lyxrc.document_path));
+	dlg.setButton2(qt_("Examples|#E#e"),
+		toqstr(addPath(package().system_support().absFilename(),
 		"examples")));
 
 	FileDialog::Result result =
-		dlg.open(from_utf8(initpath),
-			     FileFilterList(_("LyX Documents (*.lyx)")),
-			     docstring());
+		dlg.open(toqstr(initpath),
+			     FileFilterList(_("LyX Documents (*.lyx)")));
 
 	if (result.first == FileDialog::Later)
 		return;
 
 	// FIXME UNICODE
-	filename.set(to_utf8(result.second));
+	filename.set(fromqstr(result.second));
 
 	// check selected filename
 	if (filename.empty()) {
@@ -1438,17 +1432,17 @@ void GuiView::insertPlaintextFile(docstring const & fname,
 		return;
 	}
 
-	FileDialog dlg(_("Select file to insert"), (asParagraph ?
+	FileDialog dlg(qt_("Select file to insert"), (asParagraph ?
 		LFUN_FILE_INSERT_PLAINTEXT_PARA : LFUN_FILE_INSERT_PLAINTEXT));
 
-	FileDialog::Result result = dlg.open(from_utf8(bv->buffer().filePath()),
-		FileFilterList(), docstring());
+	FileDialog::Result result = dlg.open(toqstr(bv->buffer().filePath()),
+		FileFilterList());
 
 	if (result.first == FileDialog::Later)
 		return;
 
 	// FIXME UNICODE
-	filename.set(to_utf8(result.second));
+	filename.set(fromqstr(result.second));
 
 	// check selected filename
 	if (filename.empty()) {
@@ -1475,10 +1469,10 @@ bool GuiView::renameBuffer(Buffer & b, docstring const & newname)
 
 		/// No argument? Ask user through dialog.
 		// FIXME UNICODE
-		FileDialog dlg(_("Choose a filename to save document as"),
+		FileDialog dlg(qt_("Choose a filename to save document as"),
 				   LFUN_BUFFER_WRITE_AS);
-		dlg.setButton1(_("Documents|#o#O"), from_utf8(lyxrc.document_path));
-		dlg.setButton2(_("Templates|#T#t"), from_utf8(lyxrc.template_path));
+		dlg.setButton1(qt_("Documents|#o#O"), toqstr(lyxrc.document_path));
+		dlg.setButton2(qt_("Templates|#T#t"), toqstr(lyxrc.template_path));
 
 		if (!isLyXFilename(fname.absFilename()))
 			fname.changeExtension(".lyx");
@@ -1486,14 +1480,14 @@ bool GuiView::renameBuffer(Buffer & b, docstring const & newname)
 		FileFilterList const filter(_("LyX Documents (*.lyx)"));
 
 		FileDialog::Result result =
-			dlg.save(from_utf8(fname.onlyPath().absFilename()),
+			dlg.save(toqstr(fname.onlyPath().absFilename()),
 				     filter,
-				     from_utf8(fname.onlyFileName()));
+				     toqstr(fname.onlyFileName()));
 
 		if (result.first == FileDialog::Later)
 			return false;
 
-		fname.set(to_utf8(result.second));
+		fname.set(fromqstr(result.second));
 
 		if (fname.empty())
 			return false;
diff --git a/src/frontends/qt4/LyXFileDialog.cpp b/src/frontends/qt4/LyXFileDialog.cpp
index f00bbd61bf..e0f94e7386 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt4/LyXFileDialog.cpp
+++ b/src/frontends/qt4/LyXFileDialog.cpp
@@ -27,54 +27,52 @@ using namespace lyx::support;
 namespace lyx {
 
 /// return the Qt form of the label
-static docstring const getLabel(docstring const & ucs4str)
+static QString getLabel(QString const & qstr)
 {
-	// FIXME UNICODE
-	string str = to_utf8(ucs4str);
+	// FIXME UNICODE (or "qt-ify")
+	string str = fromqstr(qstr);
 	string label;
 	string sc = split(str, label, '|');
 	if (sc.length() < 2)
-		return from_utf8(label);
+		return toqstr(label);
 	size_t pos = label.find(sc[1]);
 	if (pos != string::npos)
 		label.insert(pos, 1, '&');
-	return from_utf8(label);
+	return toqstr(label);
 }
 
 
-LyXFileDialog::LyXFileDialog(docstring const & t,
-			     docstring const & p,
+LyXFileDialog::LyXFileDialog(QString const & title,
+			     QString const & path,
 			     support::FileFilterList const & filters,
 			     FileDialog::Button const & b1,
 			     FileDialog::Button const & b2)
 				 // FIXME replace that with guiApp->currentView()
-	: QFileDialog(qApp->focusWidget(),
-		      toqstr(t), toqstr(p), toqstr(filters.as_string()))
+	: QFileDialog(qApp->focusWidget(), title, path, toqstr(filters.as_string()))
 {
-	QString const path = toqstr(p);
 	QDir dir(path);
 	// FIXME: workaround for a bug in qt which makes LyX crash
 	// with hidden paths (bug 4513). Recheck with recent Qt versions.
 	if (path.contains("/."))
 		dir.setFilter(QDir::Hidden);
 	setDirectory(dir);
-	setWindowTitle(toqstr(t));
+	setWindowTitle(title);
 
 	QList<QHBoxLayout *> layout = findChildren<QHBoxLayout *>();
 
-	if (!b1.first.empty()) {
+	if (!b1.first.isEmpty()) {
 		b1_dir_ = b1.second;
 		QToolButton * tb = new QToolButton(this);
 		connect(tb, SIGNAL(clicked()), this, SLOT(button1Clicked()));
-		tb->setText(toqstr(getLabel(b1.first)));
+		tb->setText(getLabel(b1.first));
 		layout.at(0)->addWidget(tb);
 	}
 
-	if (!b2.first.empty()) {
+	if (!b2.first.isEmpty()) {
 		b2_dir_ = b2.second;
 		QToolButton * tb = new QToolButton(this);
 		connect(tb, SIGNAL(clicked()), this, SLOT(button2Clicked()));
-		tb->setText(toqstr(getLabel(b2.first)));
+		tb->setText(getLabel(b2.first));
 		layout.at(0)->addWidget(tb);
 	}
 }
@@ -82,13 +80,13 @@ LyXFileDialog::LyXFileDialog(docstring const & t,
 
 void LyXFileDialog::button1Clicked()
 {
-	setDirectory(toqstr(b1_dir_));
+	setDirectory(b1_dir_);
 }
 
 
 void LyXFileDialog::button2Clicked()
 {
-	setDirectory(toqstr(b2_dir_));
+	setDirectory(b2_dir_);
 }
 
 } // namespace lyx
diff --git a/src/frontends/qt4/LyXFileDialog.h b/src/frontends/qt4/LyXFileDialog.h
index f04bfe4590..2419b2cad2 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt4/LyXFileDialog.h
+++ b/src/frontends/qt4/LyXFileDialog.h
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ class LyXFileDialog : public QFileDialog
 	Q_OBJECT
 
 public:
-	LyXFileDialog(docstring const & title,
-		      docstring const & path,
+	LyXFileDialog(QString const & title,
+		      QString const & path,
 		      support::FileFilterList const & filters,
 		      FileDialog::Button const & b1,
 		      FileDialog::Button const & b2);
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ public Q_SLOTS:
 	void button2Clicked();
 
 private:
-	docstring b1_dir_;
-	docstring b2_dir_;
+	QString b1_dir_;
+	QString b2_dir_;
 };
 
 } // namespace lyx
diff --git a/src/frontends/qt4/qt_helpers.cpp b/src/frontends/qt4/qt_helpers.cpp
index 02f34068d7..d62bf9015b 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt4/qt_helpers.cpp
+++ b/src/frontends/qt4/qt_helpers.cpp
@@ -206,103 +206,6 @@ vector<LanguagePair> const getLanguageData(bool character_dlg)
 	return langs;
 }
 
-
-docstring browseFile(docstring const & filename, docstring const & title,
-	FileFilterList const & filters, bool save,
-	docstring const & label1, docstring const & dir1,
-	docstring const & label2, docstring const & dir2)
-{
-	docstring lastPath = from_ascii(".");
-	if (!filename.empty())
-		lastPath = from_utf8(onlyPath(to_utf8(filename)));
-
-	FileDialog dlg(title, LFUN_SELECT_FILE_SYNC);
-	dlg.setButton1(label1, dir1);
-	dlg.setButton2(label2, dir2);
-
-	FileDialog::Result result;
-
-	if (save)
-		result = dlg.save(lastPath, filters,
-				      from_utf8(onlyFilename(to_utf8(filename))));
-	else
-		result = dlg.open(lastPath, filters,
-				      from_utf8(onlyFilename(to_utf8(filename))));
-
-	return result.second;
-}
-
-
-docstring browseRelFile(docstring const & filename, docstring const & refpath,
-	docstring const & title, FileFilterList const & filters, bool save,
-	docstring const & label1, docstring const & dir1,
-	docstring const & label2, docstring const & dir2)
-{
-	docstring const fname = from_utf8(makeAbsPath(
-		to_utf8(filename), to_utf8(refpath)).absFilename());
-
-	docstring const outname = browseFile(fname, title, filters, save,
-					  label1, dir1, label2, dir2);
-	docstring const reloutname = makeRelPath(outname, refpath);
-	if (prefixIs(reloutname, from_ascii("../")))
-		return outname;
-	else
-		return reloutname;
-}
-
-
-docstring browseLibFile(docstring const & dir, docstring const & name,
-	docstring const & ext, docstring const & title,
-	FileFilterList const & filters)
-{
-	// FIXME UNICODE
-	docstring const label1 = _("System files|#S#s");
-	docstring const dir1 =
-		from_utf8(addName(package().system_support().absFilename(), to_utf8(dir)));
-
-	docstring const label2 = _("User files|#U#u");
-	docstring const dir2 =
-		from_utf8(addName(package().user_support().absFilename(), to_utf8(dir)));
-
-	docstring const result = browseFile(from_utf8(
-		libFileSearch(to_utf8(dir), to_utf8(name), to_utf8(ext)).absFilename()),
-		title, filters, false, dir1, dir2);
-
-	// remove the extension if it is the default one
-	docstring noextresult;
-	if (from_utf8(getExtension(to_utf8(result))) == ext)
-		noextresult = from_utf8(removeExtension(to_utf8(result)));
-	else
-		noextresult = result;
-
-	// remove the directory, if it is the default one
-	docstring const file = from_utf8(onlyFilename(to_utf8(noextresult)));
-	if (from_utf8(libFileSearch(to_utf8(dir), to_utf8(file), to_utf8(ext)).absFilename()) == result)
-		return file;
-	else
-		return noextresult;
-}
-
-
-docstring browseDir(docstring const & pathname, docstring const & title,
-	docstring const & label1, docstring const & dir1,
-	docstring const & label2, docstring const & dir2)
-{
-	docstring lastPath = from_ascii(".");
-	if (!pathname.empty())
-		lastPath = from_utf8(onlyPath(to_utf8(pathname)));
-
-	FileDialog dlg(title, LFUN_SELECT_FILE_SYNC);
-	dlg.setButton1(label1, dir1);
-	dlg.setButton2(label2, dir2);
-
-	FileDialog::Result const result =
-		dlg.opendir(lastPath, from_utf8(onlyFilename(to_utf8(pathname))));
-
-	return result.second;
-}
-
-
 void rescanTexStyles()
 {
 	// Run rescan in user lyx directory
@@ -343,4 +246,22 @@ void getTexFileList(string const & filename, vector<string> & list)
 	eliminate_duplicates(list);
 }
 
+
+QString internalPath(const QString & str)
+{
+	return toqstr(os::internal_path(fromqstr(str)));
+}
+
+
+QString onlyFilename(const QString & str)
+{
+	return toqstr(support::onlyFilename(fromqstr(str)));
+}
+
+
+QString onlyPath(const QString & str)
+{
+	return toqstr(support::onlyPath(fromqstr(str)));
+}
+
 } // namespace lyx
diff --git a/src/frontends/qt4/qt_helpers.h b/src/frontends/qt4/qt_helpers.h
index c2437deb10..216e876fa2 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt4/qt_helpers.h
+++ b/src/frontends/qt4/qt_helpers.h
@@ -78,22 +78,6 @@ typedef std::pair<docstring, std::string> LanguagePair;
 */
 std::vector<LanguagePair> const getLanguageData(bool character_dlg);
 
-/** Launch a file dialog and return the chosen file.
-	filename: a suggested filename.
-	title: the title of the dialog.
-	pattern: *.ps etc.
-	dir1 = (name, dir), dir2 = (name, dir): extra buttons on the dialog.
-*/
-docstring browseFile(docstring const & filename,
-	docstring const & title,
-	support::FileFilterList const & filters,
-	bool save = false,
-	docstring const & label1 = docstring(),
-	docstring const & dir1 = docstring(),
-	docstring const & label2 = docstring(),
-	docstring const & dir2 = docstring());
-
-
 /** Wrapper around browseFile which tries to provide a filename
 	relative to relpath.  If the relative path is of the form "foo.txt"
 	or "bar/foo.txt", then it is returned as relative. OTOH, if it is
@@ -111,31 +95,6 @@ docstring browseRelFile(docstring const & filename,
 	docstring const & dir2 = docstring());
 
 
-/** Wrapper around browseFile which tries to provide a filename
-*  relative to the user or system directory. The dir, name and ext
-*  parameters have the same meaning as in the
-*  support::LibFileSearch function.
-*/
-docstring browseLibFile(docstring const & dir,
-	docstring const & name,
-	docstring const & ext,
-	docstring const & title,
-	support::FileFilterList const & filters);
-
-
-/** Launch a file dialog and return the chosen directory.
-	pathname: a suggested pathname.
-	title: the title of the dialog.
-	dir1 = (name, dir), dir2 = (name, dir): extra buttons on the dialog.
-*/
-docstring browseDir(docstring const & pathname,
-	docstring const & title,
-	docstring const & label1 = docstring(),
-	docstring const & dir1 = docstring(),
-	docstring const & label2 = docstring(),
-	docstring const & dir2 = docstring());
-
-
 /** Build filelists of all availabe bst/cls/sty-files. Done through
 *  kpsewhich and an external script, saved in *Files.lst.
 */
@@ -146,6 +105,11 @@ void rescanTexStyles();
  */
 void getTexFileList(std::string const & filename, std::vector<std::string> & contents);
 
+// wrapper around the docstring versions
+QString internalPath(const QString &);
+QString onlyFilename(const QString & str);
+QString onlyPath(const QString & str);
+
 } // namespace lyx
 
 #endif // QTHELPERS_H