diff --git a/src/controller/mainController.py b/src/controller/mainController.py
index 77f33c4d..5b6c6fb4 100644
--- a/src/controller/mainController.py
+++ b/src/controller/mainController.py
@@ -319,14 +319,14 @@ class Controller(object):
   for i in session.settings["other_buffers"]["timelines"]:
    tl = buffersController.baseBufferController(self.view.nb, "get_user_timeline", "%s-timeline" % (i,), session, session.db["user_name"], bufferType=None, screen_name=i)
    self.buffers.append(tl)
-   self.view.insert_buffer(tl.buffer, name=_(u"Timeline for {}".format(i)), pos=self.view.search("timelines", session.db["user_name"]))
+   self.view.insert_buffer(tl.buffer, name=_(u"Timeline for {}").format(i,), pos=self.view.search("timelines", session.db["user_name"]))
   favs_timelines = buffersController.emptyPanel(self.view.nb, "favs_timelines", session.db["user_name"])
   self.buffers.append(favs_timelines)
   self.view.insert_buffer(favs_timelines.buffer , name=_(u"Favourites timelines"), pos=self.view.search(session.db["user_name"], session.db["user_name"]))
   for i in session.settings["other_buffers"]["favourites_timelines"]:
    tl = buffersController.baseBufferController(self.view.nb, "get_favorites", "%s-favorite" % (i,), session, session.db["user_name"], bufferType=None, screen_name=i)
    self.buffers.append(tl)
-   self.view.insert_buffer(tl.buffer, name=_(u"Favourites timeline for {}".format(i)), pos=self.view.search("favs_timelines", session.db["user_name"]))
+   self.view.insert_buffer(tl.buffer, name=_(u"Favourites timeline for {}").format(i,), pos=self.view.search("favs_timelines", session.db["user_name"]))
    tl.timer = RepeatingTimer(300, tl.start_stream)
    tl.timer.start()
   lists = buffersController.emptyPanel(self.view.nb, "lists", session.db["user_name"])
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ class Controller(object):
   for i in session.settings["other_buffers"]["tweet_searches"]:
    tl = buffersController.searchBufferController(self.view.nb, "search", "%s-searchterm" % (i,), session, session.db["user_name"], bufferType="searchPanel", q=i, count=session.settings["general"]["max_tweets_per_call"])
    self.buffers.append(tl)
-   self.view.insert_buffer(tl.buffer, name=_(u"Search for {}".format(i)), pos=self.view.search("searches", session.db["user_name"]))
+   self.view.insert_buffer(tl.buffer, name=_(u"Search for {}").format(i), pos=self.view.search("searches", session.db["user_name"]))
    tl.timer = RepeatingTimer(180, tl.start_stream)
    tl.timer.start()
   for i in session.settings["other_buffers"]["trending_topic_buffers"]:
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ class Controller(object):
     search = buffersController.searchPeopleBufferController(self.view.nb, "search_users", "%s-searchUser" % (term,), buffer.session, buffer.session.db["user_name"], bufferType=None, q=term)
    self.buffers.append(search)
    search.start_stream()
-   self.view.insert_buffer(search.buffer, name=_(u"Search for {}".format(term)), pos=self.view.search("searches", buffer.session.db["user_name"]))
+   self.view.insert_buffer(search.buffer, name=_(u"Search for {}").format(term), pos=self.view.search("searches", buffer.session.db["user_name"]))
    search.timer = RepeatingTimer(180, search.start_stream)
    search.timer.start()
   dlg.Destroy()
@@ -443,7 +443,7 @@ class Controller(object):
    page.buffer.list.select_item(i)
    if string.lower() in page.get_message().lower():
     return output.speak(page.get_message(), True)
-  output.speak(unicode(string)+unicode(" ")+_(u"not found."), True)
+  output.speak(_(u"{0} not found.").format(string,), True)
   page.buffer.list.select_item(start)
  def edit_keystrokes(self, *args, **kwargs):
   editor = keystrokeEditor.KeystrokeEditor()
@@ -719,7 +719,7 @@ class Controller(object):
      tl = buffersController.baseBufferController(self.view.nb, "get_user_timeline", "%s-timeline" % (dlg.get_user(),), buffer.session, buffer.session.db["user_name"], bufferType=None, screen_name=dlg.get_user())
      tl.start_stream()
      self.buffers.append(tl)
-     self.view.insert_buffer(tl.buffer, name=_(u"Timeline for {}".format(dlg.get_user())), pos=self.view.search("timelines", buffer.session.db["user_name"]))
+     self.view.insert_buffer(tl.buffer, name=_(u"Timeline for {}").format(dlg.get_user()), pos=self.view.search("timelines", buffer.session.db["user_name"]))
      buffer.session.settings["other_buffers"]["timelines"].append(dlg.get_user())
      pub.sendMessage("restart-streams", streams=["timelinesStream"], session=buffer.session)
      buffer.session.sound.play("create_timeline.ogg")
@@ -729,7 +729,7 @@ class Controller(object):
       return
      tl = buffersController.baseBufferController(self.view.nb, "get_favorites", "%s-favorite" % (dlg.get_user(),), buffer.session, buffer.session.db["user_name"], bufferType=None, screen_name=dlg.get_user())
      self.buffers.append(tl)
-     self.view.insert_buffer(buffer=tl.buffer, name=_(u"Favourites timeline for {}".format(dlg.get_user())), pos=self.view.search("favs_timelines", buffer.session.db["user_name"]))
+     self.view.insert_buffer(buffer=tl.buffer, name=_(u"Favourites timeline for {}").format(dlg.get_user()), pos=self.view.search("favs_timelines", buffer.session.db["user_name"]))
      tl.start_stream()
      tl.timer = RepeatingTimer(300, tl.start_stream)
      tl.timer.start()
@@ -746,7 +746,7 @@ class Controller(object):
   search.tweet = buffer.get_right_tweet()
   search.start_stream(start=True)
   self.buffers.append(search)
-  self.view.insert_buffer(search.buffer, name=_(u"Conversation with {0}".format(user)), pos=self.view.search("searches", buffer.session.db["user_name"]))
+  self.view.insert_buffer(search.buffer, name=_(u"Conversation with {0}").format(user), pos=self.view.search("searches", buffer.session.db["user_name"]))
   search.timer = RepeatingTimer(300, search.start_stream)
   search.timer.start()
 
diff --git a/src/extra/SoundsTutorial/soundsTutorial_constants.py b/src/extra/SoundsTutorial/soundsTutorial_constants.py
index 8adbbf52..f724caa2 100644
--- a/src/extra/SoundsTutorial/soundsTutorial_constants.py
+++ b/src/extra/SoundsTutorial/soundsTutorial_constants.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ actions = reverse_sort.reverse_sort([  ("audio", _(u"Audio tweet.")),
     ("max_length", _(u"Too many characters.")),
     ("mention_received", _(u"Mention received.")),
   ("new_event", _(u"New event.")),
-  ("ready", _(unicode(application.name+" is ready."))),
+  ("ready", _(u"{0} is ready.").format(application.name,)),
     ("reply_send", _(u"Mention sent.")),
     ("retweet_send", _(u"Tweet retweeted.")),
     ("search_updated", _(u"Search buffer updated.")),
diff --git a/src/extra/SpellChecker/wx_ui.py b/src/extra/SpellChecker/wx_ui.py
index 05133e52..407c0119 100644
--- a/src/extra/SpellChecker/wx_ui.py
+++ b/src/extra/SpellChecker/wx_ui.py
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ class spellCheckerDialog(wx.Dialog):
   return self.suggestions.GetStringSelection()
 
 def dict_not_found_error():
- wx.MessageDialog(None, _(u"An error has occurred. There are no dictionaries available for the selected language in " + application.name), _(u"Error"), wx.ICON_ERROR).ShowModal()
+ wx.MessageDialog(None, _(u"An error has occurred. There are no dictionaries available for the selected language in {0}").format(application.name,), _(u"Error"), wx.ICON_ERROR).ShowModal()
 
 def finished():
- wx.MessageDialog(None, _(u"Spell check complete."), _(application.name), style=wx.OK).ShowModal()
+ wx.MessageDialog(None, _(u"Spell check complete."), application.name, style=wx.OK).ShowModal()
diff --git a/src/extra/autocompletionUsers/wx_manage.py b/src/extra/autocompletionUsers/wx_manage.py
index 5258f239..789d2419 100644
--- a/src/extra/autocompletionUsers/wx_manage.py
+++ b/src/extra/autocompletionUsers/wx_manage.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ class autocompletionManageDialog(widgetUtils.BaseDialog):
   super(autocompletionManageDialog, self).__init__(parent=None, id=-1, title=_(u"Manage Autocompletion database"))
   panel = wx.Panel(self)
   sizer = wx.BoxSizer(wx.VERTICAL)
-  label = wx.StaticText(panel, -1, _(u"Editing " + application.name + " users database"))
+  label = wx.StaticText(panel, -1, _(u"Editing {0} users database").format(application.name,))
   self.users = widgets.list(panel, _(u"Username"), _(u"Name"), style=wx.LC_REPORT)
   sizer.Add(label, 0, wx.ALL, 5)
   sizer.Add(self.users.list, 0, wx.ALL, 5)
diff --git a/src/extra/autocompletionUsers/wx_settings.py b/src/extra/autocompletionUsers/wx_settings.py
index e32eaf63..068decf6 100644
--- a/src/extra/autocompletionUsers/wx_settings.py
+++ b/src/extra/autocompletionUsers/wx_settings.py
@@ -24,4 +24,4 @@ class autocompletionSettingsDialog(widgetUtils.BaseDialog):
   self.SetClientSize(sizer.CalcMin())
 
 def show_success_dialog():
- wx.MessageDialog(None, _(uapplication.name+"'s database of users has been updated."), _(u"Done"), wx.OK).ShowModal()
\ No newline at end of file
+ wx.MessageDialog(None, _(u"{0}'s database of users has been updated.").format(application.name,), _(u"Done"), wx.OK).ShowModal()
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/issueReporter/wx_ui.py b/src/issueReporter/wx_ui.py
index 279039fa..3d2855e6 100644
--- a/src/issueReporter/wx_ui.py
+++ b/src/issueReporter/wx_ui.py
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ class reportBugDialog(widgetUtils.BaseDialog):
   severityB.Add(severityLabel, 0, wx.ALL, 5)
   severityB.Add(self.severity, 0, wx.ALL, 5)
   sizer.Add(severityB, 0, wx.ALL, 5)
-  self.agree = wx.CheckBox(panel, -1, _(u"I know that the " + application.name + " bug system will get my Twitter username to contact me and fix the bug quickly"))
+  self.agree = wx.CheckBox(panel, -1, _(u"I know that the {0} bug system will get my Twitter username to contact me and fix the bug quickly").format(application.name,))
   self.agree.SetValue(False)
   sizer.Add(self.agree, 0, wx.ALL, 5)
   self.ok = wx.Button(panel, wx.ID_OK, _(u"Send report"))
diff --git a/src/twitter/compose.py b/src/twitter/compose.py
index e98e793e..0a3cf628 100644
--- a/src/twitter/compose.py
+++ b/src/twitter/compose.py
@@ -119,8 +119,8 @@ def compose_event(data, username):
   if data["source"]["screen_name"] == username: event = _(u"You've unsubscribed from the list %s, which is owned by %s(@%s)") % (data["target_object"]["name"], data["target"]["name"], data["target"]["screen_name"])
   else: event = _("You've been unsubscribed from the list %s, which is owned by %s(@%s)") % (data["target_object"]["name"], data["source"]["name"], data["source"]["screen_name"])
  elif data["event"] == "retweeted_retweet":
-  if data["source"]["screen_name"] == username: event = _(u"You have retweeted a retweet from %s(@%s): %s" % (data["target"]["name"], data["target"]["screen_name"], data["target_object"]["text"]))
-  else: event = _(u"%s(@%s) has retweeted your retweet: %s" % (data["source"]["name"], data["source"]["screen_name"], data["target_object"]["text"]))
+  if data["source"]["screen_name"] == username: event = _(u"You have retweeted a retweet from %s(@%s): %s") % (data["target"]["name"], data["target"]["screen_name"], data["target_object"]["text"])
+  else: event = _(u"%s(@%s) has retweeted your retweet: %s") % (data["source"]["name"], data["source"]["screen_name"], data["target_object"]["text"])
  else:
   event = _("Unknown")
   log.error("event: %s\n target: %s\n source: %s\n target_object: %s" % (data["event"], data["target"], data["source"], data["target_object"]))
diff --git a/src/widgetUtils/__init__.py b/src/widgetUtils/__init__.py
index c413d4f8..30509ef6 100644
--- a/src/widgetUtils/__init__.py
+++ b/src/widgetUtils/__init__.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import platform
 if platform.system() == "Windows":
  from wxUtils import *
-elif platform.system() == "Linux":
- from gtkUtils import *
+#elif platform.system() == "Linux":
+# from gtkUtils import *
diff --git a/src/wxUI/commonMessageDialogs.py b/src/wxUI/commonMessageDialogs.py
index 4c9c1fce..b8cb6442 100644
--- a/src/wxUI/commonMessageDialogs.py
+++ b/src/wxUI/commonMessageDialogs.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 import wx
 import application
 def retweet_as_link(parent):
- return wx.MessageDialog(parent, _(u"This retweet is over 140 characters. Would you like to post it as a mention to the poster with your comments and a link to the original tweet?"), _(application.name), wx.YES_NO|wx.ICON_QUESTION).ShowModal()
+ return wx.MessageDialog(parent, _(u"This retweet is over 140 characters. Would you like to post it as a mention to the poster with your comments and a link to the original tweet?"), application.name, wx.YES_NO|wx.ICON_QUESTION).ShowModal()
 
 def retweet_question(parent):
  return wx.MessageDialog(parent, _(u"Would you like to add a comment to this tweet?"), _("Retweet"), wx.YES_NO|wx.CANCEL|wx.ICON_QUESTION).ShowModal()
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ def exit_dialog(parent):
  return dlg.ShowModal()
 
 def needs_restart():
- wx.MessageDialog(None, _(unicode(application.name) + u" must be restarted for these changes to take effect."), _("Restart " + application.name), wx.OK).ShowModal()
+ wx.MessageDialog(None, _(u" {0} must be restarted for these changes to take effect.").format(application.name,), _("Restart {0} ").format(application.name,), wx.OK).ShowModal()
 
 def delete_user_from_db():
  return wx.MessageDialog(None, _(u"Are you sure you want to delete this user from the database? This user will not appear on the autocomplete results anymore."), _(u"Confirm"), wx.YES_NO|wx.ICON_QUESTION).ShowModal()
diff --git a/src/wxUI/dialogs/configuration.py b/src/wxUI/dialogs/configuration.py
index 3a55a28f..b2565266 100644
--- a/src/wxUI/dialogs/configuration.py
+++ b/src/wxUI/dialogs/configuration.py
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ class servicesPanel(wx.Panel):
  def __init__(self, parent):
   super(servicesPanel, self).__init__(parent)
   mainSizer = wx.BoxSizer(wx.VERTICAL)
-  apiKeyLabel = wx.StaticText(self, -1, _(u"If you have a SndUp account, enter your API Key here. If your API Key is invalid, " + application.name + " will fail to upload. If there is no API Key here, " + application.name + " will upload annonymously."))
+  apiKeyLabel = wx.StaticText(self, -1, _(u"If you have a SndUp account, enter your API Key here. If your API Key is invalid, {0} will fail to upload. If there is no API Key here, {0} will upload annonymously.").format(application.name,))
   self.apiKey = wx.TextCtrl(self, -1)
   dc = wx.WindowDC(self.apiKey)
   dc.SetFont(self.apiKey.GetFont())
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ class configurationDialog(baseDialog.BaseWXDialog):
  def __init__(self):
   super(configurationDialog, self).__init__(None, -1)
   self.panel = wx.Panel(self)
-  self.SetTitle(_(unicode(application.name + " preferences")))
+  self.SetTitle(_(u"{0} preferences").format(application.name,))
   self.sizer = wx.BoxSizer(wx.VERTICAL)
   self.notebook = wx.Notebook(self.panel)
 
diff --git a/src/wxUI/view.py b/src/wxUI/view.py
index 598ee33c..155d61d0 100644
--- a/src/wxUI/view.py
+++ b/src/wxUI/view.py
@@ -67,8 +67,8 @@ class mainFrame(wx.Frame):
   self.changelog.Enable(False)
   self.check_for_updates = help.Append(wx.NewId(), _(u"&Check for updates"))
   self.reportError = help.Append(wx.NewId(), _(u"&Report an error"))
-  self.visit_website = help.Append(-1, _(unicode(application.name+"'s &website")))
-  self.about = help.Append(-1, _(u"About &"+application.name))
+  self.visit_website = help.Append(-1, _(u"{0}'s &website").format(application.name,))
+  self.about = help.Append(-1, _(u"About &{0}").format(application.name,))
 
   # Add all to the menu Bar
   menuBar.Append(app, _(u"&Application"))
@@ -179,4 +179,4 @@ class mainFrame(wx.Frame):
    getattr(self, menuitem).Check(check)
 
 def no_update_available():
- wx.MessageDialog(None, _(u"Your {0} version is up to date").format(application.name,), _(u"Update"), style=wx.OK).ShowModal()
+ wx.MessageDialog(None, _(u"Your {0} version is up to date").format(application.name,), _(u"Update"), style=wx.OK).ShowModal()
\ No newline at end of file