diff --git a/src/ChangeLog b/src/ChangeLog
index 44b40bfc1b..34db1e9d05 100644
--- a/src/ChangeLog
+++ b/src/ChangeLog
@@ -1,3 +1,13 @@
+2004-03-31  Angus Leeming  <leeming@lyx.org>
+
+	* lfuns.h:
+	* LyXAction.C: new lfun LFUN_LYXRC_APPLY.
+
+	* lyxrc.[Ch] (read, write): overloaded member functions taking
+	a std::[io]stream arguments.
+
+	* lyxfunc.C (getStatus, dispatch): handle LFUN_LYXRC_APPLY.
+
 2004-03-31  Angus Leeming  <leeming@lyx.org>
 
 	* lyxfunc.C (loadTextclass): new helper function, invoked by two of
diff --git a/src/LyXAction.C b/src/LyXAction.C
index f77ed7374f..fcf85954d4 100644
--- a/src/LyXAction.C
+++ b/src/LyXAction.C
@@ -334,6 +334,7 @@ void LyXAction::init()
 		{ LFUN_TEXTCLASS_LOAD, "textclass-load", Noop },
 		{ LFUN_SAVE_AS_DEFAULT, "buffer-save-as-default", Noop },
 		{ LFUN_BUFFERPARAMS_APPLY, "buffer-params-apply", Noop },
+		{ LFUN_LYXRC_APPLY, "lyxrc-apply", NoBuffer },
 		{ LFUN_NOACTION, "", Noop }
 	};
 
diff --git a/src/frontends/controllers/ChangeLog b/src/frontends/controllers/ChangeLog
index 4cab6a2f48..cd7a7e592f 100644
--- a/src/frontends/controllers/ChangeLog
+++ b/src/frontends/controllers/ChangeLog
@@ -1,3 +1,11 @@
+2004-03-31  Angus Leeming  <leeming@lyx.org>
+
+	* ControlPrefs.C: a bit of an overhaul, moving the local Converters
+	and Formats variables out of the various frontends to here,
+	and ensuring that nothing is actually dispatched to the core except
+	from apply().
+	Also use the new LFUN_LYXRC_APPLY lfun.
+
 2004-03-30  Angus Leeming  <leeming@lyx.org>
 
 	* ControlDocument.[Ch]: converted to the dialog-based scheme.
diff --git a/src/frontends/controllers/ControlPrefs.C b/src/frontends/controllers/ControlPrefs.C
index 35b225e2b7..aeb590e4a5 100644
--- a/src/frontends/controllers/ControlPrefs.C
+++ b/src/frontends/controllers/ControlPrefs.C
@@ -16,12 +16,9 @@
 #include "ViewBase.h"
 
 #include "bufferlist.h"
-#include "converter.h"
-#include "format.h"
 #include "gettext.h"
 #include "funcrequest.h"
 #include "LColor.h"
-#include "lfuns.h"
 
 #include "frontends/Dialogs.h"
 #include "frontends/LyXView.h"
@@ -30,6 +27,8 @@
 #include "support/globbing.h"
 #include "support/path_defines.h"
 
+#include "support/std_sstream.h"
+
 #include <utility>
 
 using lyx::support::AddName;
@@ -37,30 +36,66 @@ using lyx::support::FileFilterList;
 using lyx::support::system_lyxdir;
 using lyx::support::user_lyxdir;
 
+using std::ostringstream;
 using std::pair;
 using std::string;
+using std::vector;
 
 
 extern BufferList bufferlist;
 
 ControlPrefs::ControlPrefs(LyXView & lv, Dialogs & d)
-	: ControlDialogBI(lv, d)
+	: ControlDialogBI(lv, d),
+	  redraw_gui_(false),
+	  update_screen_font_(false)
 {}
 
 
 void ControlPrefs::setParams()
 {
 	rc_ = lyxrc;
+	formats_ = ::formats;
+	converters_ = ::converters;
+	converters_.update(formats_);
+	colors_.clear();
+	redraw_gui_ = false;
+	update_screen_font_ = false;
 }
 
 
 void ControlPrefs::apply()
 {
 	view().apply();
-	lyxrc = rc_;
 
+ 	ostringstream ss;
+ 	rc_.write(ss);
+ 	lv_.dispatch(FuncRequest(LFUN_LYXRC_APPLY, ss.str()));
+
+	// FIXME: these need lfuns
 	bufferlist.setCurrentAuthor(rc_.user_name, rc_.user_email);
 
+	::formats = formats_;
+
+	::converters = converters_;
+	::converters.update(::formats);
+	::converters.buildGraph();
+
+	vector<string>::const_iterator it = colors_.begin();
+	vector<string>::const_iterator const end = colors_.end();
+	for (; it != end; ++it)
+		lv_.dispatch(FuncRequest(LFUN_SET_COLOR, *it));
+	colors_.clear();
+
+	if (redraw_gui_) {
+		lv_.getDialogs().redrawGUI();
+		redraw_gui_ = false;
+	}
+
+	if (update_screen_font_) {
+		lv_.dispatch(FuncRequest(LFUN_SCREEN_FONT_UPDATE));
+		update_screen_font_ = false;
+	}
+
 	// The Save button has been pressed
 	if (isClosing()) {
 		lv_.dispatch(FuncRequest(LFUN_SAVEPREFERENCES));
@@ -68,17 +103,31 @@ void ControlPrefs::apply()
 }
 
 
+void ControlPrefs::redrawGUI()
+{
+	redraw_gui_ = true;
+}
+
+
+void ControlPrefs::setColor(LColor_color col, string const & hex)
+{
+	colors_.push_back(lcolor.getLyXName(col) + ' ' + hex);
+}
+
+
+void ControlPrefs::updateScreenFonts()
+{
+	update_screen_font_ = true;
+}
+
+
 string const ControlPrefs::browsebind(string const & file) const
 {
-	string dir  = AddName(system_lyxdir(), "bind");
-	// FIXME: stupid name
-	string name = _("System Bind|#S#s");
-	pair<string,string> dir1(name, dir);
+	pair<string,string> dir1(_("System Bind|#S#s"),
+				 AddName(system_lyxdir(), "bind"));
 
-	dir = AddName(user_lyxdir(), "bind");
-	// FIXME: stupid name
-	name = _("User Bind|#U#u");
-	pair<string,string> dir2(name, dir);
+	pair<string,string> dir2(_("User Bind|#U#u"),
+				 AddName(user_lyxdir(), "bind"));
 
 	return browseFile(file, _("Choose bind file"),
 			  FileFilterList("*.bind"), false, dir1, dir2);
@@ -87,15 +136,11 @@ string const ControlPrefs::browsebind(string const & file) const
 
 string const ControlPrefs::browseUI(string const & file) const
 {
-	string dir  = AddName(system_lyxdir(), "ui");
-	// FIXME: stupid name
-	string name = _("Sys UI|#S#s");
-	pair<string,string> dir1(name, dir);
+	pair<string,string> const dir1(_("Sys UI|#S#s"),
+				       AddName(system_lyxdir(), "ui"));
 
-	dir = AddName(user_lyxdir(), "ui");
-	// FIXME: stupid name
-	name = _("User UI|#U#u");
-	pair<string,string> dir2(name, dir);
+	pair<string,string> const dir2(_("User UI|#U#u"),
+				       AddName(user_lyxdir(), "ui"));
 
 	return browseFile(file, _("Choose UI file"),
 			  FileFilterList("*.ui"), false, dir1, dir2);
@@ -104,12 +149,11 @@ string const ControlPrefs::browseUI(string const & file) const
 
 string const ControlPrefs::browsekbmap(string const & file) const
 {
-	string const dir = AddName(system_lyxdir(), "kbd");
-	string const name = _("Key maps|#K#k");
-	pair<string, string> dir1(name, dir);
+	pair<string, string> dir(_("Key maps|#K#k"),
+				 AddName(system_lyxdir(), "kbd"));
 
 	return browseFile(file, _("Choose keyboard map"),
-			  FileFilterList("*.kmap"), false, dir1);
+			  FileFilterList("*.kmap"), false, dir);
 }
 
 
@@ -132,42 +176,3 @@ string const ControlPrefs::browsedir(string const & path,
 {
 	return browseDir(path, title);
 }
-
-
-void ControlPrefs::redrawGUI()
-{
-	// we must be sure to get the new values first
-	lyxrc = rc_;
-
-	lv_.getDialogs().redrawGUI();
-}
-
-
-void ControlPrefs::setColor(LColor_color col, string const & hex)
-{
-	string const s = lcolor.getLyXName(col) + ' ' + hex;
-	lv_.dispatch(FuncRequest(LFUN_SET_COLOR, s));
-}
-
-
-void ControlPrefs::updateScreenFonts()
-{
-	// we must be sure to get the new values first
-	lyxrc = rc_;
-
-	lv_.dispatch(FuncRequest(LFUN_SCREEN_FONT_UPDATE));
-}
-
-
-void ControlPrefs::setConverters(Converters const & conv)
-{
-	converters = conv;
-	converters.update(formats);
-	converters.buildGraph();
-}
-
-
-void ControlPrefs::setFormats(Formats const & form)
-{
-	formats = form;
-}
diff --git a/src/frontends/controllers/ControlPrefs.h b/src/frontends/controllers/ControlPrefs.h
index 3e2f0768ee..63e455cc94 100644
--- a/src/frontends/controllers/ControlPrefs.h
+++ b/src/frontends/controllers/ControlPrefs.h
@@ -12,27 +12,30 @@
 #ifndef CONTROLPREFS_H
 #define CONTROLPREFS_H
 
-
 #include "ControlDialog_impl.h"
+#include "converter.h"
+#include "format.h"
 #include "lyxrc.h"
 
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
 
-class Converters;
 class LColor_color;
-class Formats;
+
 
 class ControlPrefs : public ControlDialogBI {
 public:
 	ControlPrefs(LyXView &, Dialogs &);
 
-	// FIXME: we should probably devolve the individual
-	// settings to methods here. But for now, this will
-	// do
-
 	LyXRC & rc() { return rc_; }
-
 	LyXRC const & rc() const { return rc_; }
 
+	Converters & converters() { return converters_; }
+	Converters const & converters() const { return converters_; }
+
+	Formats & formats() { return formats_; }
+	Formats const & formats() const { return formats_; }
+
 	/// various file pickers
 	std::string const browsebind(std::string const & file) const;
 	std::string const browseUI(std::string const & file) const;
@@ -56,12 +59,6 @@ public:
 	/// update the screen fonts after change
 	void updateScreenFonts();
 
-	/// set global converters
-	void setConverters(Converters const & conv);
-
-	/// set global formats
-	void setFormats(Formats const & form);
-
 private:
 	/// get current lyxrc
 	virtual void setParams();
@@ -71,6 +68,18 @@ private:
 
 	/// temporary lyxrc
 	LyXRC rc_;
+
+	/// temporary converters
+	Converters converters_;
+
+	/// temporary formats
+	Formats formats_;
+
+	/// A list of colors to be dispatched
+	std::vector<std::string> colors_;
+
+	bool redraw_gui_;
+	bool update_screen_font_;
 };
 
 #endif // CONTROLPREFS_H
diff --git a/src/frontends/qt2/ChangeLog b/src/frontends/qt2/ChangeLog
index 7885b8e6dc..65a9beeebb 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt2/ChangeLog
+++ b/src/frontends/qt2/ChangeLog
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+2004-03-31  Angus Leeming  <leeming@lyx.org>
+
+	* QPrefs.[Ch]:
+	* QPrefsDialog.C: changes due to the changed ControlPrefs interface.
+
 2004-03-30  Angus Leeming  <leeming@lyx.org>
 
 	* Dialogs.C (build): added document dialog.
diff --git a/src/frontends/qt2/QPrefs.C b/src/frontends/qt2/QPrefs.C
index 4f9fd856c7..b80c169221 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt2/QPrefs.C
+++ b/src/frontends/qt2/QPrefs.C
@@ -73,6 +73,18 @@ QPrefs::QPrefs()
 }
 
 
+Converters & QPrefs::converters()
+{
+	return controller().converters();
+}
+
+
+Formats & QPrefs::formats()
+{
+	return controller().formats();
+}
+
+
 void QPrefs::build_dialog()
 {
 	dialog_.reset(new QPrefsDialog(this));
@@ -287,9 +299,6 @@ void QPrefs::apply()
 		controller().updateScreenFonts();
 	}
 
-	controller().setFormats(formats_);
-	controller().setConverters(converters_);
-
 	QPrefColorsModule * colmod(dialog_->colorsModule);
 
 	unsigned int i;
@@ -582,11 +591,7 @@ void QPrefs::update_contents()
 	fontmod->screenHugeED->setText(toqstr(tostr(rc.font_sizes[LyXFont::SIZE_HUGE])));
 	fontmod->screenHugerED->setText(toqstr(tostr(rc.font_sizes[LyXFont::SIZE_HUGER])));
 
-	formats_ = formats;
-
 	dialog_->updateFormats();
 
-	converters_ = converters;
-
 	dialog_->updateConverters();
 }
diff --git a/src/frontends/qt2/QPrefs.h b/src/frontends/qt2/QPrefs.h
index faf884df19..d3661f8afd 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt2/QPrefs.h
+++ b/src/frontends/qt2/QPrefs.h
@@ -13,8 +13,6 @@
 #define QPREFS_H
 
 
-#include "converter.h"
-#include "format.h"
 #include "ControlPrefs.h"
 
 #include "Qt2Base.h"
@@ -22,6 +20,8 @@
 #include <vector>
 
 class QPrefsDialog;
+class Controllers;
+class Formats;
 
 class QPrefs
 	: public Qt2CB<ControlPrefs, Qt2DB<QPrefsDialog> >
@@ -42,14 +42,11 @@ private:
 	/// build the dialog
 	virtual void build_dialog();
 
+	Converters & converters();
+	Formats & formats();
+
 	/// languages
 	std::vector<std::string> lang_;
-
-	/// converters
-	Converters converters_;
-
-	/// formats
-	Formats formats_;
 };
 
 #endif // QPREFS_H
diff --git a/src/frontends/qt2/QPrefsDialog.C b/src/frontends/qt2/QPrefsDialog.C
index 4f20c39fbf..b187c8222c 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt2/QPrefsDialog.C
+++ b/src/frontends/qt2/QPrefsDialog.C
@@ -282,8 +282,8 @@ void QPrefsDialog::updateConverters()
 	convertmod->converterFromCO->clear();
 	convertmod->converterToCO->clear();
 
-	Formats::const_iterator cit = form_->formats_.begin();
-	Formats::const_iterator end = form_->formats_.end();
+	Formats::const_iterator cit = form_->formats().begin();
+	Formats::const_iterator end = form_->formats().end();
 	for (; cit != end; ++cit) {
 		convertmod->converterFromCO->insertItem(toqstr(cit->prettyname()));
 		convertmod->converterToCO->insertItem(toqstr(cit->prettyname()));
@@ -291,8 +291,8 @@ void QPrefsDialog::updateConverters()
 
 	convertmod->convertersLB->clear();
 
-	Converters::const_iterator ccit = form_->converters_.begin();
-	Converters::const_iterator cend = form_->converters_.end();
+	Converters::const_iterator ccit = form_->converters().begin();
+	Converters::const_iterator cend = form_->converters().end();
 	for (; ccit != cend; ++ccit) {
 		string const name(ccit->From->prettyname() + " -> " +
 			ccit->To->prettyname());
@@ -306,9 +306,9 @@ void QPrefsDialog::updateConverters()
 
 void QPrefsDialog::switch_converter(int nr)
 {
-	Converter const & c(form_->converters_.get(nr));
-	convertersModule->converterFromCO->setCurrentItem(form_->formats_.getNumber(c.from));
-	convertersModule->converterToCO->setCurrentItem(form_->formats_.getNumber(c.to));
+	Converter const & c(form_->converters().get(nr));
+	convertersModule->converterFromCO->setCurrentItem(form_->formats().getNumber(c.from));
+	convertersModule->converterToCO->setCurrentItem(form_->formats().getNumber(c.to));
 	convertersModule->converterED->setText(toqstr(c.command));
 	convertersModule->converterFlagED->setText(toqstr(c.flags));
 }
@@ -318,13 +318,13 @@ void QPrefsDialog::switch_converter(int nr)
 // specify unique from/to or it doesn't appear. This is really bad UI
 void QPrefsDialog::new_converter()
 {
-	Format const & from(form_->formats_.get(convertersModule->converterFromCO->currentItem()));
-	Format const & to(form_->formats_.get(convertersModule->converterToCO->currentItem()));
+	Format const & from(form_->formats().get(convertersModule->converterFromCO->currentItem()));
+	Format const & to(form_->formats().get(convertersModule->converterToCO->currentItem()));
 
-	Converter const * old = form_->converters_.getConverter(from.name(), to.name());
-	form_->converters_.add(from.name(), to.name(), "", "");
+	Converter const * old = form_->converters().getConverter(from.name(), to.name());
+	form_->converters().add(from.name(), to.name(), "", "");
 	if (!old) {
-		form_->converters_.updateLast(form_->formats_);
+		form_->converters().updateLast(form_->formats());
 	}
 	updateConverters();
 	convertersModule->convertersLB->setCurrentItem(convertersModule->convertersLB->count() - 1);
@@ -333,15 +333,15 @@ void QPrefsDialog::new_converter()
 
 void QPrefsDialog::modify_converter()
 {
-	Format const & from(form_->formats_.get(convertersModule->converterFromCO->currentItem()));
-	Format const & to(form_->formats_.get(convertersModule->converterToCO->currentItem()));
+	Format const & from(form_->formats().get(convertersModule->converterFromCO->currentItem()));
+	Format const & to(form_->formats().get(convertersModule->converterToCO->currentItem()));
 	string flags(fromqstr(convertersModule->converterFlagED->text()));
 	string name(fromqstr(convertersModule->converterED->text()));
 
-	Converter const * old = form_->converters_.getConverter(from.name(), to.name());
-	form_->converters_.add(from.name(), to.name(), name, flags);
+	Converter const * old = form_->converters().getConverter(from.name(), to.name());
+	form_->converters().add(from.name(), to.name(), name, flags);
 	if (!old) {
-		form_->converters_.updateLast(form_->formats_);
+		form_->converters().updateLast(form_->formats());
 	}
 	updateConverters();
 }
@@ -349,9 +349,9 @@ void QPrefsDialog::modify_converter()
 
 void QPrefsDialog::remove_converter()
 {
-	Format const & from(form_->formats_.get(convertersModule->converterFromCO->currentItem()));
-	Format const & to(form_->formats_.get(convertersModule->converterToCO->currentItem()));
-	form_->converters_.erase(from.name(), to.name());
+	Format const & from(form_->formats().get(convertersModule->converterFromCO->currentItem()));
+	Format const & to(form_->formats().get(convertersModule->converterToCO->currentItem()));
+	form_->converters().erase(from.name(), to.name());
 	updateConverters();
 }
 
@@ -362,8 +362,8 @@ void QPrefsDialog::updateFormats()
 
 	formatmod->formatsLB->clear();
 
-	Formats::const_iterator cit = form_->formats_.begin();
-	Formats::const_iterator end = form_->formats_.end();
+	Formats::const_iterator cit = form_->formats().begin();
+	Formats::const_iterator end = form_->formats().end();
 	for (; cit != end; ++cit) {
 		formatmod->formatsLB->insertItem(toqstr(cit->prettyname()));
 	}
@@ -375,42 +375,42 @@ void QPrefsDialog::updateFormats()
 
 void QPrefsDialog::switch_format(int nr)
 {
-	Format const & f(form_->formats_.get(nr));
+	Format const & f(form_->formats().get(nr));
 	fileformatsModule->formatED->setText(toqstr(f.name()));
 	fileformatsModule->guiNameED->setText(toqstr(f.prettyname()));
 	fileformatsModule->extensionED->setText(toqstr(f.extension()));
 	fileformatsModule->shortcutED->setText(toqstr(f.shortcut()));
 	fileformatsModule->viewerED->setText(toqstr(f.viewer()));
 	fileformatsModule->formatRemovePB->setEnabled(
-		!form_->converters_.formatIsUsed(f.name()));
+		!form_->converters().formatIsUsed(f.name()));
 }
 
 
 void QPrefsDialog::new_format()
 {
-	form_->formats_.add(_("New"));
-	form_->formats_.sort();
+	form_->formats().add(_("New"));
+	form_->formats().sort();
 	updateFormats();
-	fileformatsModule->formatsLB->setCurrentItem(form_->formats_.getNumber(_("New")));
+	fileformatsModule->formatsLB->setCurrentItem(form_->formats().getNumber(_("New")));
 	updateConverters();
 }
 
 
 void QPrefsDialog::modify_format()
 {
-	Format const & oldformat(form_->formats_.get(fileformatsModule->formatsLB->currentItem()));
+	Format const & oldformat(form_->formats().get(fileformatsModule->formatsLB->currentItem()));
 	string const oldpretty(oldformat.prettyname());
 	string const name(fromqstr(fileformatsModule->formatED->text()));
-	form_->formats_.erase(oldformat.name());
+	form_->formats().erase(oldformat.name());
 
 	string const prettyname = fromqstr(fileformatsModule->guiNameED->text());
 	string const extension = fromqstr(fileformatsModule->extensionED->text());
 	string const shortcut = fromqstr(fileformatsModule->shortcutED->text());
 	string const viewer = fromqstr(fileformatsModule->viewerED->text());
 
-	form_->formats_.add(name, extension, prettyname, shortcut);
-	form_->formats_.sort();
-	form_->formats_.setViewer(name, viewer);
+	form_->formats().add(name, extension, prettyname, shortcut);
+	form_->formats().sort();
+	form_->formats().setViewer(name, viewer);
 
 	fileformatsModule->formatsLB->setUpdatesEnabled(false);
 	updateFormats();
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ void QPrefsDialog::remove_format()
 	int const nr(fileformatsModule->formatsLB->currentItem());
 	if (nr < 0)
 		return;
-	form_->formats_.erase(form_->formats_.get(nr).name());
+	form_->formats().erase(form_->formats().get(nr).name());
 	updateFormats();
 	updateConverters();
 }
diff --git a/src/frontends/xforms/ChangeLog b/src/frontends/xforms/ChangeLog
index 4ac69a3d97..457956fe97 100644
--- a/src/frontends/xforms/ChangeLog
+++ b/src/frontends/xforms/ChangeLog
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+2004-03-31  Angus Leeming  <leeming@lyx.org>
+
+	* FormPreferences.[Ch]: changes due to the changed ControlPrefs
+	interface.
+
 2004-03-30  Angus Leeming  <leeming@lyx.org>
 
 	* Dialogs.C (build): added document dialog.
diff --git a/src/frontends/xforms/FormPreferences.C b/src/frontends/xforms/FormPreferences.C
index 564629b5c4..8d3faa4fcf 100644
--- a/src/frontends/xforms/FormPreferences.C
+++ b/src/frontends/xforms/FormPreferences.C
@@ -24,8 +24,6 @@
 #include "controllers/helper_funcs.h" // getSecond
 
 #include "buffer.h"
-#include "converter.h"
-#include "format.h"
 #include "LColor.h"
 #include "lyxfont.h"
 
@@ -58,10 +56,6 @@ using std::string;
 
 namespace {
 
-// These should probably go inside the class definition...
-Formats    local_formats;
-Converters local_converters;
-
 string makeFontName(string const & family, string const & foundry)
 {
 	if (foundry.empty())
@@ -291,8 +285,6 @@ void FormPreferences::apply()
 	LyXRC & rc(controller().rc());
 
 	colors_.apply();
-	formats_.apply();    // Must be before converters_.apply()
-	converters_.apply();
 	inputs_misc_.apply(rc);
 	interface_.apply(rc);
 	language_.apply(rc);
@@ -716,9 +708,15 @@ FD_preferences_converters const * FormPreferences::Converters::dialog()
 }
 
 
-void FormPreferences::Converters::apply() const
+::Converters & FormPreferences::Converters::converters()
 {
-	parent_.controller().setConverters(local_converters);
+	return parent_.controller().converters();
+}
+
+
+::Formats & FormPreferences::Converters::formats()
+{
+	return parent_.controller().formats();
 }
 
 
@@ -802,20 +800,18 @@ bool FormPreferences::Converters::input(FL_OBJECT const * const ob)
 
 void FormPreferences::Converters::update()
 {
-	local_converters = converters;
-	local_converters.update(local_formats);
 	UpdateBrowser();
 }
 
 
 void FormPreferences::Converters::UpdateBrowser()
 {
-	local_converters.sort();
+	converters().sort();
 
 	fl_freeze_form(dialog_->form);
 	fl_clear_browser(dialog_->browser_all);
-	for (::Converters::const_iterator cit = local_converters.begin();
-	     cit != local_converters.end(); ++cit) {
+	for (::Converters::const_iterator cit = converters().begin();
+	     cit != converters().end(); ++cit) {
 		string const name = cit->From->prettyname() + " -> "
 			+ cit->To->prettyname();
 		fl_addto_browser(dialog_->browser_all, name.c_str());
@@ -832,10 +828,10 @@ bool FormPreferences::Converters::Add()
 	string const command = fl_get_input(dialog_->input_converter);
 	string const flags = fl_get_input(dialog_->input_flags);
 
-	Converter const * old = local_converters.getConverter(from, to);
-	local_converters.add(from, to, command, flags);
+	Converter const * old = converters().getConverter(from, to);
+	converters().add(from, to, command, flags);
 	if (!old) {
-		local_converters.updateLast(local_formats);
+		converters().updateLast(formats());
 		UpdateBrowser();
 	}
 	setEnabled(dialog_->button_add, false);
@@ -851,12 +847,12 @@ bool FormPreferences::Converters::Browser()
 
 	fl_freeze_form(dialog_->form);
 
-	Converter const & c = local_converters.get(i - 1);
-	int j = local_formats.getNumber(c.from);
+	Converter const & c = converters().get(i - 1);
+	int j = formats().getNumber(c.from);
 	if (j >= 0)
 		fl_set_choice(dialog_->choice_from, j + 1);
 
-	j = local_formats.getNumber(c.to);
+	j = formats().getNumber(c.to);
 	if (j >= 0)
 		fl_set_choice(dialog_->choice_to, j + 1);
 
@@ -880,7 +876,7 @@ bool FormPreferences::Converters::erase()
 	string const from = GetFrom();
 	string const to = GetTo();
 
-	local_converters.erase(from, to);
+	converters().erase(from, to);
 	UpdateBrowser();
 	return true;
 }
@@ -890,7 +886,7 @@ bool FormPreferences::Converters::Input()
 {
 	string const from = GetFrom();
 	string const to = GetTo();
-	int const sel = local_converters.getNumber(from, to);
+	int const sel = converters().getNumber(from, to);
 
 	fl_freeze_form(dialog_->form);
 
@@ -924,37 +920,37 @@ bool FormPreferences::Converters::Input()
 }
 
 
-string const FormPreferences::Converters::GetFrom() const
+string const FormPreferences::Converters::GetFrom()
 {
 	::Formats::FormatList::size_type const i =
 		  fl_get_choice(dialog_->choice_from);
 
-	if (i > 0 && i <= local_formats.size())
-		return local_formats.get(i - 1).name();
+	if (i > 0 && i <= formats().size())
+		return formats().get(i - 1).name();
 
 	lyxerr << "FormPreferences::Converters::GetFrom: No choice!" << endl;
 	return "???";
 }
 
 
-string const FormPreferences::Converters::GetTo() const
+string const FormPreferences::Converters::GetTo()
 {
 	::Formats::FormatList::size_type const i =
 		  fl_get_choice(dialog_->choice_to);
 
-	if (i > 0 && i <= local_formats.size())
-		return local_formats.get(i - 1).name();
+	if (i > 0 && i <= formats().size())
+		return formats().get(i - 1).name();
 
 	lyxerr << "FormPreferences::Converters::GetTo: No choice!" << endl;
 	return "???";
 }
 
 
-void FormPreferences::Converters::UpdateChoices() const
+void FormPreferences::Converters::UpdateChoices()
 {
 	string choice;
-	for (::Formats::const_iterator cit = local_formats.begin();
-	     cit != local_formats.end(); ++cit) {
+	for (::Formats::const_iterator cit = formats().begin();
+	     cit != formats().end(); ++cit) {
 		if (!choice.empty())
 			choice += " | ";
 		else
@@ -982,9 +978,15 @@ FD_preferences_formats const * FormPreferences::Formats::dialog()
 }
 
 
-void FormPreferences::Formats::apply() const
+::Converters & FormPreferences::Formats::converters()
 {
-	parent_.controller().setFormats(local_formats);
+	return parent_.controller().converters();
+}
+
+
+::Formats & FormPreferences::Formats::formats()
+{
+	return parent_.controller().formats();
 }
 
 
@@ -1075,20 +1077,19 @@ bool FormPreferences::Formats::input(FL_OBJECT const * const ob)
 
 void FormPreferences::Formats::update()
 {
-	local_formats = formats;
 	UpdateBrowser();
 }
 
 
 void FormPreferences::Formats::UpdateBrowser()
 {
-	local_formats.sort();
+	formats().sort();
 
 	fl_freeze_form(dialog_->form);
 	fl_deselect_browser(dialog_->browser_all);
 	fl_clear_browser(dialog_->browser_all);
-	for (::Formats::const_iterator cit = local_formats.begin();
-	     cit != local_formats.end(); ++cit)
+	for (::Formats::const_iterator cit = formats().begin();
+	     cit != formats().end(); ++cit)
 		fl_addto_browser(dialog_->browser_all,
 				 cit->prettyname().c_str());
 
@@ -1097,7 +1098,7 @@ void FormPreferences::Formats::UpdateBrowser()
 
 	// Mustn't forget to update the Formats available to the converters_
 	parent_.converters_.UpdateChoices();
-	local_converters.update(local_formats);
+	converters().update(formats());
 }
 
 
@@ -1109,10 +1110,10 @@ bool FormPreferences::Formats::Add()
 	string const shortcut =  fl_get_input(dialog_->input_shrtcut);
 	string const viewer =  fl_get_input(dialog_->input_viewer);
 
-	Format const * old = local_formats.getFormat(name);
+	Format const * old = formats().getFormat(name);
 	string const old_prettyname = old ? old->prettyname() : string();
-	local_formats.add(name, extension, prettyname, shortcut);
-	local_formats.setViewer(name, viewer);
+	formats().add(name, extension, prettyname, shortcut);
+	formats().setViewer(name, viewer);
 	if (!old || prettyname != old_prettyname) {
 		UpdateBrowser();
 		if (old)
@@ -1132,7 +1133,7 @@ bool FormPreferences::Formats::Browser()
 
 	fl_freeze_form(dialog_->form);
 
-	Format const & f = local_formats.get(i - 1);
+	Format const & f = formats().get(i - 1);
 
 	fl_set_input(dialog_->input_format, f.name().c_str());
 	fl_set_input(dialog_->input_gui_name, f.prettyname().c_str());
@@ -1157,14 +1158,14 @@ bool FormPreferences::Formats::erase()
 {
 	string const name = fl_get_input(dialog_->input_format);
 
-	if (local_converters.formatIsUsed(name)) {
+	if (converters().formatIsUsed(name)) {
 		parent_.postWarning(_("Cannot remove a Format used by a Converter. "
 				      "Remove the converter first."));
 		setEnabled(dialog_->button_delete, false);
 		return false;
 	}
 
-	local_formats.erase(name);
+	formats().erase(name);
 	UpdateBrowser();
 	return true;
 }
@@ -1173,7 +1174,7 @@ bool FormPreferences::Formats::erase()
 bool FormPreferences::Formats::Input()
 {
 	string const name = fl_get_input(dialog_->input_format);
-	int const sel = local_formats.getNumber(name);
+	int const sel = formats().getNumber(name);
 	fl_freeze_form(dialog_->form);
 
 	if (sel < 0) {
diff --git a/src/frontends/xforms/FormPreferences.h b/src/frontends/xforms/FormPreferences.h
index 689ac758a6..6503eec2c6 100644
--- a/src/frontends/xforms/FormPreferences.h
+++ b/src/frontends/xforms/FormPreferences.h
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 #include <boost/scoped_ptr.hpp>
 
 class ControlPrefs;
+class Converters;
+class Formats;
 
 class Dialogs;
 class FormColorpicker;
@@ -142,8 +144,6 @@ private:
 		///
 		FD_preferences_converters const * dialog();
 		///
-		void apply() const;
-		///
 		void build();
 		///
 		std::string const feedback(FL_OBJECT const * const) const;
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ private:
 		///
 		void UpdateBrowser();
 		///
-		void UpdateChoices() const;
+		void UpdateChoices();
 
 	private:
 		///
@@ -166,9 +166,12 @@ private:
 		///
 		bool Input();
 		///
-		std::string const GetFrom() const;
+		std::string const GetFrom();
 		///
-		std::string const GetTo() const;
+		std::string const GetTo();
+		///
+		::Converters & converters();
+		::Formats & formats();
 
 		///
 		FormPreferences & parent_;
@@ -186,8 +189,6 @@ private:
 		///
 		FD_preferences_formats const * dialog();
 		///
-		void apply() const;
-		///
 		void build();
 		///
 		std::string const feedback(FL_OBJECT const * const) const;
@@ -207,6 +208,9 @@ private:
 		bool erase();
 		///
 		bool Input();
+		//
+		::Converters & converters();
+		::Formats & formats();
 
 		///
 		FormPreferences & parent_;
diff --git a/src/lfuns.h b/src/lfuns.h
index 026c35f09e..63360a31fb 100644
--- a/src/lfuns.h
+++ b/src/lfuns.h
@@ -347,6 +347,7 @@ enum kb_action {
 	LFUN_SAVE_AS_DEFAULT,
 	LFUN_BUFFERPARAMS_APPLY,
 	// 265
+	LFUN_LYXRC_APPLY,
 
 	LFUN_LASTACTION                  // end of the table
 };
diff --git a/src/lyxfunc.C b/src/lyxfunc.C
index a2d72087c6..ab209e97d0 100644
--- a/src/lyxfunc.C
+++ b/src/lyxfunc.C
@@ -506,6 +506,7 @@ FuncStatus LyXFunc::getStatus(FuncRequest const & cmd) const
 	case LFUN_TEXTCLASS_LOAD:
 	case LFUN_SAVE_AS_DEFAULT:
 	case LFUN_BUFFERPARAMS_APPLY:
+	case LFUN_LYXRC_APPLY:
 
 		// these are handled in our dispatch()
 		break;
@@ -1367,6 +1368,18 @@ void LyXFunc::dispatch(FuncRequest const & cmd, bool verbose)
 			loadTextclass(argument);
 			break;
 
+		case LFUN_LYXRC_APPLY: {
+			istringstream ss(argument);
+			bool const success = lyxrc.read(ss) == 0;
+			
+			if (!success) {
+				lyxerr << "Warning in LFUN_LYXRC_APPLY!\n"
+				       << "Unable to read lyxrc data"
+				       << endl;
+			}
+			break;
+		} 
+
 		default: {
 			DispatchResult res = view()->cursor().dispatch(cmd);
 			if (!res.dispatched());
diff --git a/src/lyxrc.C b/src/lyxrc.C
index eb3b2fe0b5..927eb0faae 100644
--- a/src/lyxrc.C
+++ b/src/lyxrc.C
@@ -303,6 +303,29 @@ int LyXRC::read(string const & filename)
 
 	lyxerr[Debug::LYXRC] << "Reading '" << filename << "'..." << endl;
 
+	return read(lexrc);
+}
+
+
+int LyXRC::read(std::istream & is)
+{
+	LyXLex lexrc(lyxrcTags, lyxrcCount);
+	if (lyxerr.debugging(Debug::PARSER))
+		lexrc.printTable(lyxerr);
+
+	lexrc.setStream(is);
+	if (!lexrc.isOK()) return -2;
+
+	lyxerr[Debug::LYXRC] << "Reading istream..." << endl;
+
+	return read(lexrc);
+}
+
+
+int LyXRC::read(LyXLex & lexrc)
+{
+	if (!lexrc.isOK()) return -2;
+
 	while (lexrc.isOK()) {
 		// By using two switches we take advantage of the compiler
 		// telling us if we have missed a LyXRCTags element in
@@ -569,7 +592,7 @@ int LyXRC::read(string const & filename)
 				dpi = lexrc.getInteger();
 			}
 			break;
-
+1G
 		case RC_SCREEN_ZOOM:
 			if (lexrc.next()) {
 				zoom = lexrc.getInteger();
@@ -1052,20 +1075,20 @@ void LyXRC::write(string const & filename) const
 {
 	ofstream ofs(filename.c_str());
 	if (ofs)
-		output(ofs);
+		write(ofs);
 }
 
 
 void LyXRC::print() const
 {
 	if (lyxerr.debugging())
-		output(lyxerr);
+		write(lyxerr);
 	else
-		output(cout);
+		write(cout);
 }
 
 
-void LyXRC::output(ostream & os) const
+void LyXRC::write(ostream & os) const
 {
 	os << "### This file is part of\n"
 	   << "### ========================================================\n"
diff --git a/src/lyxrc.h b/src/lyxrc.h
index 068549f7e6..9390133dae 100644
--- a/src/lyxrc.h
+++ b/src/lyxrc.h
@@ -21,8 +21,10 @@
 #include "paper.h"
 #include "graphics/GraphicsTypes.h"
 
+#include <iosfwd>
 #include <string>
 
+class LyXLex;
 
 /// This contains the runtime configuration of LyX
 class LyXRC //: public noncopyable {
@@ -139,12 +141,18 @@ enum LyXRCTags {
 	void setDefaults();
 	///
 	int read(std::string const & filename);
+	///
+	int read(std::istream &);
+private:
+	///
+	int read(LyXLex &);
+public:
 	///
 	void write(std::string const & filename) const;
 	///
-	void print() const;
+	void write(std::ostream & os) const;
 	///
-	void output(std::ostream & os) const;
+	void print() const;
 	///
 	static std::string const getDescription(LyXRCTags);
 	///