Sync to trunk

11 files changed, 1478 insertions, 689 deletions

diff --git a/libdbusmenu-glib/Makefile.am b/libdbusmenu-glib/Makefile.am
index a139f7c..5ddbeb8 100644
--- a/libdbusmenu-glib/Makefile.am
+++ b/libdbusmenu-glib/Makefile.am
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ libdbusmenu_glibinclude_HEADERS = \
 libdbusmenu_glib_la_SOURCES = \
 	dbus-menu-clean.xml.h \
 	dbus-menu-clean.xml.c \
+	defaults.h \
+	defaults.c \
 	menuitem.h \
 	menuitem.c \
 	menuitem-marshal.h \
@@ -122,34 +124,34 @@ if INTROSPECTION_TEN
 INTROSPECTION_SCANNER_ARGS = --add-include-path=$(srcdir) \
 	--warn-all \
         --add-include-path=$(srcdir) \
-        $(addprefix --c-include=libdbusmenu-glib/, $(introspection_sources)) \
+        $(addprefix --c-include=libdbusmenu-glib/, $(libdbusmenu_glibinclude_HEADERS)) \
         --symbol-prefix=dbusmenu \
         --identifier-prefix=Dbusmenu
 else
 INTROSPECTION_SCANNER_ARGS = --add-include-path=$(srcdir) \
 	--warn-all \
         --add-include-path=$(srcdir) \
-        $(addprefix --c-include=libdbusmenu-glib/, $(introspection_sources))
+        $(addprefix --c-include=libdbusmenu-glib/, $(libdbusmenu_glibinclude_HEADERS))
 endif
 
 INTROSPECTION_COMPILER_ARGS = --includedir=$(builddir)
 
 if HAVE_INTROSPECTION
 
-introspection_sources = $(libdbusmenu_glibinclude_HEADERS)
+introspection_sources = $(libdbusmenu_glibinclude_HEADERS) $(libdbusmenu_glib_la_SOURCES)
 
-Dbusmenu_Glib-0.4.gir: libdbusmenu-glib.la
-Dbusmenu_Glib_0_4_gir_INCLUDES = \
+Dbusmenu-0.4.gir: libdbusmenu-glib.la
+Dbusmenu_0_4_gir_INCLUDES = \
 	GObject-2.0
-Dbusmenu_Glib_0_4_gir_CFLAGS = $(DBUSMENUGLIB_CFLAGS) -I$(top_srcdir)
-Dbusmenu_Glib_0_4_gir_LIBS = libdbusmenu-glib.la
-Dbusmenu_Glib_0_4_gir_FILES = $(addprefix $(srcdir)/, $(introspection_sources))
-Dbusmenu_Glib_0_4_gir_NAMESPACE = Dbusmenu
-Dbusmenu_Glib_0_4_gir_VERSION = Glib-0.4
-Dbusmenu_Glib_0_4_gir_EXPORT_PACKAGES = dbusmenu-glib-0.4
-Dbusmenu_Glib_0_4_gir_SCANNER_FLAGS = $(INTROSPECTION_SCANNER_ARGS)
+Dbusmenu_0_4_gir_CFLAGS = $(DBUSMENUGLIB_CFLAGS) -I$(top_srcdir)
+Dbusmenu_0_4_gir_LIBS = libdbusmenu-glib.la
+Dbusmenu_0_4_gir_FILES = $(addprefix $(srcdir)/, $(introspection_sources))
+Dbusmenu_0_4_gir_NAMESPACE = Dbusmenu
+Dbusmenu_0_4_gir_VERSION = 0.4
+Dbusmenu_0_4_gir_EXPORT_PACKAGES = dbusmenu-glib-0.4
+Dbusmenu_0_4_gir_SCANNER_FLAGS = $(INTROSPECTION_SCANNER_ARGS)
 
-INTROSPECTION_GIRS += Dbusmenu-Glib-0.4.gir
+INTROSPECTION_GIRS += Dbusmenu-0.4.gir
 
 girdir = $(datadir)/gir-1.0
 gir_DATA = $(INTROSPECTION_GIRS)
@@ -168,10 +170,10 @@ endif
 if HAVE_INTROSPECTION
 
 vapidir = $(datadir)/vala/vapi
-vapi_DATA = Dbusmenu-Glib-0.4.vapi
+vapi_DATA = Dbusmenu-0.4.vapi
 
-Dbusmenu-Glib-0.4.vapi: Dbusmenu-Glib-0.4.gir
-	$(VALA_API_GEN) --library=Dbusmenu-Glib-0.4 $<
+Dbusmenu-0.4.vapi: Dbusmenu-0.4.gir
+	$(VALA_API_GEN) --library=Dbusmenu-0.4 $<
 
 CLEANFILES += $(vapi_DATA)
 
diff --git a/libdbusmenu-glib/client.c b/libdbusmenu-glib/client.c
index b196c9f..0848294 100644
--- a/libdbusmenu-glib/client.c
+++ b/libdbusmenu-glib/client.c
@@ -32,9 +32,6 @@ License version 3 and version 2.1 along with this program.  If not, see
 
 #include <gio/gio.h>
 
-#include <libxml/parser.h>
-#include <libxml/tree.h>
-
 #include "client.h"
 #include "menuitem.h"
 #include "menuitem-private.h"
@@ -129,6 +126,12 @@ struct _type_handler_t {
 	gchar * type;
 };
 
+typedef struct _properties_callback_t properties_callback_t;
+struct _properties_callback_t {
+	DbusmenuClient * client;
+	GArray * listeners;
+};
+
 
 #define DBUSMENU_CLIENT_GET_PRIVATE(o) (DBUSMENU_CLIENT(o)->priv)
 #define DBUSMENU_INTERFACE  "com.canonical.dbusmenu"
@@ -145,9 +148,8 @@ static void layout_update (GDBusProxy * proxy, guint revision, gint parent, Dbus
 static void id_prop_update (GDBusProxy * proxy, gint id, gchar * property, GVariant * value, DbusmenuClient * client);
 static void id_update (GDBusProxy * proxy, gint id, DbusmenuClient * client);
 static void build_proxies (DbusmenuClient * client);
-static gint parse_node_get_id (xmlNodePtr node);
-static DbusmenuMenuitem * parse_layout_xml(DbusmenuClient * client, xmlNodePtr node, DbusmenuMenuitem * item, DbusmenuMenuitem * parent, GDBusProxy * proxy);
-static gint parse_layout (DbusmenuClient * client, const gchar * layout);
+static DbusmenuMenuitem * parse_layout_xml(DbusmenuClient * client, GVariant * layout, DbusmenuMenuitem * item, DbusmenuMenuitem * parent, GDBusProxy * proxy);
+static gint parse_layout (DbusmenuClient * client, GVariant * layout);
 static void update_layout_cb (GObject * proxy, GAsyncResult * res, gpointer data);
 static void update_layout (DbusmenuClient * client);
 static void menuitem_get_properties_cb (GVariant * properties, GError * error, gpointer data);
@@ -512,7 +514,8 @@ find_listener (GArray * listeners, guint index, gint id)
 static void 
 get_properties_callback (GObject *obj, GAsyncResult * res, gpointer user_data)
 {
-	GArray * listeners = (GArray *)user_data;
+	properties_callback_t * cbdata = (properties_callback_t *)user_data;
+	GArray * listeners = cbdata->listeners;
 	int i;
 	GError * error = NULL;
 	GVariant * params = NULL;
@@ -526,9 +529,8 @@ get_properties_callback (GObject *obj, GAsyncResult * res, gpointer user_data)
 			properties_listener_t * listener = &g_array_index(listeners, properties_listener_t, i);
 			listener->callback(NULL, error, listener->user_data);
 		}
-		g_array_free(listeners, TRUE);
 		g_error_free(error);
-		return;
+		goto out;
 	}
 
 	/* Callback all the folks we can find */
@@ -575,8 +577,11 @@ get_properties_callback (GObject *obj, GAsyncResult * res, gpointer user_data)
 		g_error_free(localerror);
 	}
 
+out:
 	/* Clean up */
 	g_array_free(listeners, TRUE);
+	g_object_unref(cbdata->client);
+	g_free(user_data);
 
 	return;
 }
@@ -586,6 +591,7 @@ get_properties_callback (GObject *obj, GAsyncResult * res, gpointer user_data)
 static gboolean
 get_properties_idle (gpointer user_data)
 {
+	properties_callback_t * cbdata = NULL;
 	DbusmenuClientPrivate * priv = DBUSMENU_CLIENT_GET_PRIVATE(user_data);
 	g_return_val_if_fail(priv->menuproxy != NULL, TRUE);
 
@@ -616,6 +622,11 @@ get_properties_idle (gpointer user_data)
 	g_variant_builder_add_value(&builder, variant_props);
 	GVariant * variant_params = g_variant_builder_end(&builder);
 
+	cbdata = g_new(properties_callback_t, 1);
+	cbdata->listeners = priv->delayed_property_listeners;
+	cbdata->client = DBUSMENU_CLIENT(user_data);
+	g_object_ref(G_OBJECT(user_data));
+
 	g_dbus_proxy_call(priv->menuproxy,
 	                  "GetGroupProperties",
 	                  variant_params,
@@ -623,7 +634,7 @@ get_properties_idle (gpointer user_data)
 	                  -1,   /* timeout */
 	                  NULL, /* cancellable */
 	                  get_properties_callback,
-	                  priv->delayed_property_listeners);
+	                  cbdata);
 
 	/* Free properties */
 	gchar ** dataregion = (gchar **)g_array_free(priv->delayed_property_list, FALSE);
@@ -1015,11 +1026,60 @@ menuproxy_signal_cb (GDBusProxy * proxy, gchar * sender, gchar * signal, GVarian
 {
 	g_return_if_fail(DBUSMENU_IS_CLIENT(user_data));
 	DbusmenuClient * client = DBUSMENU_CLIENT(user_data);
+	DbusmenuClientPrivate * priv = DBUSMENU_CLIENT_GET_PRIVATE(client);
 
 	if (g_strcmp0(signal, "LayoutUpdated") == 0) {
 		guint revision; gint parent;
 		g_variant_get(params, "(ui)", &revision, &parent);
 		layout_update(proxy, revision, parent, client);
+	} else if (priv->root == NULL) {
+		/* Drop out here, all the rest of these really need to have a root
+		   node so we can just ignore them if there isn't one. */
+	} else if (g_strcmp0(signal, "ItemPropertiesUpdated") == 0) {
+		/* Remove before adding just incase there is a duplicate, against the
+		   rules, but we can handle it so let's do it. */
+		GVariantIter ritems;
+		g_variant_iter_init(&ritems, g_variant_get_child_value(params, 1));
+
+		GVariant * ritem;
+		while ((ritem = g_variant_iter_next_value(&ritems)) != NULL) {
+			gint id = g_variant_get_int32(g_variant_get_child_value(ritem, 0));
+			DbusmenuMenuitem * menuitem = dbusmenu_menuitem_find_id(priv->root, id);
+
+			if (menuitem == NULL) {
+				continue;
+			}
+
+			GVariantIter properties;
+			g_variant_iter_init(&properties, g_variant_get_child_value(ritem, 1));
+			gchar * property;
+
+			while (g_variant_iter_next(&properties, "s", &property)) {
+				g_debug("Removing property '%s' on %d", property, id);
+				dbusmenu_menuitem_property_remove(menuitem, property);
+			}
+		}
+
+		GVariantIter items;
+		g_variant_iter_init(&items, g_variant_get_child_value(params, 0));
+
+		GVariant * item;
+		while ((item = g_variant_iter_next_value(&items)) != NULL) {
+			gint id = g_variant_get_int32(g_variant_get_child_value(item, 0));
+			GVariantIter properties;
+			g_variant_iter_init(&properties, g_variant_get_child_value(item, 1));
+			gchar * property;
+			GVariant * value;
+
+			while (g_variant_iter_next(&properties, "{sv}", &property, &value)) {
+				GVariant * internalvalue = value;
+				if (G_LIKELY(g_variant_is_of_type(value, G_VARIANT_TYPE_VARIANT))) {
+					/* Unboxing if needed */
+					internalvalue = g_variant_get_variant(value);
+				}
+				id_prop_update(proxy, id, property, internalvalue, client);
+			}
+		}
 	} else if (g_strcmp0(signal, "ItemPropertyUpdated") == 0) {
 		gint id; gchar * property; GVariant * value;
 		g_variant_get(params, "(isv)", &id, &property, &value);
@@ -1039,40 +1099,6 @@ menuproxy_signal_cb (GDBusProxy * proxy, gchar * sender, gchar * signal, GVarian
 	return;
 }
 
-/* Get the ID attribute of the node, parse it and
-   return it.  Also we're checking to ensure the node
-   is a 'menu' here. */
-static gint
-parse_node_get_id (xmlNodePtr node)
-{
-	if (node == NULL) {
-		return -1;
-	}
-	if (node->type != XML_ELEMENT_NODE) {
-		return -1;
-	}
-	if (g_strcmp0((gchar *)node->name, "menu") != 0) {
-		/* This kills some nodes early */
-		g_warning("XML Node is not 'menu' it is '%s'", node->name);
-		return -1;
-	}
-
-	xmlAttrPtr attrib;
-	for (attrib = node->properties; attrib != NULL; attrib = attrib->next) {
-		if (g_strcmp0((gchar *)attrib->name, "id") == 0) {
-			if (attrib->children != NULL) {
-				gint id = (guint)g_ascii_strtoll((gchar *)attrib->children->content, NULL, 10);
-				/* g_debug ("Found ID: %d", id); */
-				return id;
-			}
-			break;
-		}
-	}
-
-	g_warning("Unable to find an ID on the node");
-	return -1;
-}
-
 /* This is the callback for the properties on a menu item.  There
    should be all of them in the Hash, and they we use foreach to
    copy them into the menuitem.
@@ -1250,7 +1276,7 @@ dbusmenu_client_send_event (DbusmenuClient * client, gint id, const gchar * name
 	edata->event = g_strdup(name);
 	edata->timestamp = timestamp;
 	edata->variant = variant;
-	g_variant_ref(variant);
+	g_variant_ref_sink(variant);
 
 	g_dbus_proxy_call(priv->menuproxy,
 	                  "Event",
@@ -1375,10 +1401,14 @@ parse_layout_update (DbusmenuMenuitem * item, DbusmenuClient * client)
 /* Parse recursively through the XML and make it into
    objects as need be */
 static DbusmenuMenuitem *
-parse_layout_xml(DbusmenuClient * client, xmlNodePtr node, DbusmenuMenuitem * item, DbusmenuMenuitem * parent, GDBusProxy * proxy)
+parse_layout_xml(DbusmenuClient * client, GVariant * layout, DbusmenuMenuitem * item, DbusmenuMenuitem * parent, GDBusProxy * proxy)
 {
+	if (layout == NULL) {
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
 	/* First verify and figure out what we've got */
-	gint id = parse_node_get_id(node);
+	gint id = g_variant_get_int32(g_variant_get_child_value(layout, 0));
 	if (id < 0) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
@@ -1390,20 +1420,26 @@ parse_layout_xml(DbusmenuClient * client, xmlNodePtr node, DbusmenuMenuitem * it
 	g_return_val_if_fail(id == dbusmenu_menuitem_get_id(item), NULL);
 
 	/* Some variables */
-	xmlNodePtr children;
-	guint position;
+	GVariantIter children;
+	g_variant_iter_init(&children, g_variant_get_child_value(layout, 2));
+	GVariant * child;
+
+	guint position = 0;
 	GList * oldchildren = g_list_copy(dbusmenu_menuitem_get_children(item));
 	/* g_debug("Starting old children: %d", g_list_length(oldchildren)); */
 
 	/* Go through all the XML Nodes and make sure that we have menuitems
 	   to cover those XML nodes. */
-	for (children = node->children, position = 0; children != NULL; children = children->next, position++) {
+	while ((child = g_variant_iter_next_value(&children)) != NULL) {
 		/* g_debug("Looking at child: %d", position); */
-		gint childid = parse_node_get_id(children);
+		if (g_variant_is_of_type(child, G_VARIANT_TYPE_VARIANT)) {
+			child = g_variant_get_variant(child);
+		}
+
+		gint childid = g_variant_get_int32(g_variant_get_child_value(child, 0));
 		if (childid < 0) {
 			/* Don't increment the position when there isn't a valid
 			   node in the XML tree.  It's probably a comment. */
-			position--;
 			continue;
 		}
 		DbusmenuMenuitem * childmi = NULL;
@@ -1436,6 +1472,8 @@ parse_layout_xml(DbusmenuClient * client, xmlNodePtr node, DbusmenuMenuitem * it
 			dbusmenu_menuitem_child_reorder(item, childmi, position);
 			parse_layout_update(childmi, client);
 		}
+
+		position++;
 	}
 
 	/* Remove any children that are no longer used by this version of
@@ -1458,14 +1496,20 @@ parse_layout_xml(DbusmenuClient * client, xmlNodePtr node, DbusmenuMenuitem * it
 	}
 
 	/* now it's time to recurse down the tree. */
-	children = node->children;
+	g_variant_iter_init(&children, g_variant_get_child_value(layout, 2));
+
+	child = g_variant_iter_next_value(&children);
 	GList * childmis = dbusmenu_menuitem_get_children(item);
-	while (children != NULL && childmis != NULL) {
-		gint xmlid = parse_node_get_id(children);
+	while (child != NULL && childmis != NULL) {
+		if (g_variant_is_of_type(child, G_VARIANT_TYPE_VARIANT)) {
+			child = g_variant_get_variant(child);
+		}
+
+		gint xmlid = g_variant_get_int32(g_variant_get_child_value(child, 0));
 		/* If this isn't a valid menu item we need to move on
 		   until we have one.  This avoids things like comments. */
 		if (xmlid < 0) {
-			children = children->next;
+			child = g_variant_iter_next_value(&children);
 			continue;
 		}
 
@@ -1474,13 +1518,14 @@ parse_layout_xml(DbusmenuClient * client, xmlNodePtr node, DbusmenuMenuitem * it
 		g_debug("Recursing parse_layout_xml.  XML ID: %d  MI ID: %d", xmlid, miid);
 		#endif
 		
-		parse_layout_xml(client, children, DBUSMENU_MENUITEM(childmis->data), item, proxy);
+		parse_layout_xml(client, child, DBUSMENU_MENUITEM(childmis->data), item, proxy);
 
-		children = children->next;
+		child = g_variant_iter_next_value(&children);
 		childmis = g_list_next(childmis);
 	}
-	if (children != NULL) {
-		g_warning("Sync failed, now we've got extra XML nodes.");
+
+	if (child != NULL) {
+		g_warning("Sync failed, now we've got extra layout nodes.");
 	}
 	if (childmis != NULL) {
 		g_warning("Sync failed, now we've got extra menu items.");
@@ -1492,7 +1537,7 @@ parse_layout_xml(DbusmenuClient * client, xmlNodePtr node, DbusmenuMenuitem * it
 /* Take the layout passed to us over DBus and turn it into
    a set of beautiful objects */
 static gint
-parse_layout (DbusmenuClient * client, const gchar * layout)
+parse_layout (DbusmenuClient * client, GVariant * layout)
 {
 	#ifdef MASSIVEDEBUGGING
 	g_debug("Client Parsing a new layout");
@@ -1500,17 +1545,6 @@ parse_layout (DbusmenuClient * client, const gchar * layout)
 
 	DbusmenuClientPrivate * priv = DBUSMENU_CLIENT_GET_PRIVATE(client);
 
-	xmlDocPtr xmldoc;
-
-	/* No one should need more characters than this! */
-	xmldoc = xmlReadMemory(layout, g_utf8_strlen(layout, 1024*1024), "dbusmenu.xml", NULL, 0);
-
-	xmlNodePtr root = xmlDocGetRootElement(xmldoc);
-
-	if (root == NULL) {
-		g_warning("Unable to get root node of menu XML");
-	}
-
 	DbusmenuMenuitem * oldroot = priv->root;
 
 	if (priv->root == NULL) {
@@ -1519,11 +1553,10 @@ parse_layout (DbusmenuClient * client, const gchar * layout)
 		parse_layout_update(priv->root, client);
 	}
 
-	priv->root = parse_layout_xml(client, root, priv->root, NULL, priv->menuproxy);
-	xmlFreeDoc(xmldoc);
+	priv->root = parse_layout_xml(client, layout, priv->root, NULL, priv->menuproxy);
 
 	if (priv->root == NULL) {
-		g_warning("Unable to parse layout on client %s object %s: %s", priv->dbus_name, priv->dbus_object, layout);
+		g_warning("Unable to parse layout on client %s object %s: %s", priv->dbus_name, priv->dbus_object, g_variant_print(layout, TRUE));
 	}
 
 	if (priv->root != oldroot) {
@@ -1553,11 +1586,6 @@ update_layout_cb (GObject * proxy, GAsyncResult * res, gpointer data)
 	DbusmenuClient * client = DBUSMENU_CLIENT(data);
 	DbusmenuClientPrivate * priv = DBUSMENU_CLIENT_GET_PRIVATE(client);
 
-	if (priv->layoutcall != NULL) {
-		g_object_unref(priv->layoutcall);
-		priv->layoutcall = NULL;
-	}
-
 	GError * error = NULL;
 	GVariant * params = NULL;
 
@@ -1566,21 +1594,17 @@ update_layout_cb (GObject * proxy, GAsyncResult * res, gpointer data)
 	if (error != NULL) {
 		g_warning("Getting layout failed: %s", error->message);
 		g_error_free(error);
-		return;
+		goto out;
 	}
 
-	guint rev;
-	gchar * xml;
+	guint rev = g_variant_get_uint32(g_variant_get_child_value(params, 0));
+	GVariant * layout = g_variant_get_child_value(params, 1);
 
-	g_variant_get(params, "(us)", &rev, &xml);
-	g_variant_unref(params);
-
-	guint parseable = parse_layout(client, xml);
-	g_free(xml);
+	guint parseable = parse_layout(client, layout);
 
 	if (parseable == 0) {
 		g_warning("Unable to parse layout!");
-		return;
+		goto out;
 	}
 
 	priv->my_revision = rev;
@@ -1596,6 +1620,17 @@ update_layout_cb (GObject * proxy, GAsyncResult * res, gpointer data)
 		update_layout(client);
 	}
 
+out:
+	if (priv->layoutcall != NULL) {
+		g_object_unref(priv->layoutcall);
+		priv->layoutcall = NULL;
+	}
+
+	if (params != NULL) {
+		g_variant_unref(params);
+	}
+
+	g_object_unref(G_OBJECT(client));
 	return;
 }
 
@@ -1622,9 +1657,20 @@ update_layout (DbusmenuClient * client)
 
 	priv->layoutcall = g_cancellable_new();
 
+	GVariantBuilder tupleb;
+	g_variant_builder_init(&tupleb, G_VARIANT_TYPE_TUPLE);
+	
+	g_variant_builder_add_value(&tupleb, g_variant_new_int32(0)); // root
+	g_variant_builder_add_value(&tupleb, g_variant_new_int32(-1)); // recurse
+	g_variant_builder_add_value(&tupleb, g_variant_new_array(G_VARIANT_TYPE_STRING, NULL, 0)); // props
+
+	GVariant * args = g_variant_builder_end(&tupleb);
+	// g_debug("Args (type: %s): %s", g_variant_get_type_string(args), g_variant_print(args, TRUE));
+
+	g_object_ref(G_OBJECT(client));
 	g_dbus_proxy_call(priv->menuproxy,
 	                  "GetLayout",
-	                  g_variant_new("(i)", 0), /* root */
+	                  args,
 	                  G_DBUS_CALL_FLAGS_NONE,
 	                  -1,   /* timeout */
 	                  priv->layoutcall, /* cancellable */
@@ -1636,17 +1682,17 @@ update_layout (DbusmenuClient * client)
 
 /* Public API */
 /**
-	dbusmenu_client_new:
-	@name: The DBus name for the server to connect to
-	@object: The object on the server to monitor
-
-	This function creates a new client that connects to a specific
-	server on DBus.  That server is at a specific location sharing
-	a known object.  The interface is assumed by the code to be 
-	the DBus menu interface.  The newly created client will start
-	sending out events as it syncs up with the server.
-
-	Return value: A brand new #DbusmenuClient
+ * dbusmenu_client_new:
+ * @name: The DBus name for the server to connect to
+ * @object: The object on the server to monitor
+ * 
+ * This function creates a new client that connects to a specific
+ * server on DBus.  That server is at a specific location sharing
+ * a known object.  The interface is assumed by the code to be 
+ * the DBus menu interface.  The newly created client will start
+ * sending out events as it syncs up with the server.
+ * 
+ * Return value: A brand new #DbusmenuClient
 */
 DbusmenuClient *
 dbusmenu_client_new (const gchar * name, const gchar * object)
@@ -1660,21 +1706,21 @@ dbusmenu_client_new (const gchar * name, const gchar * object)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_client_get_root:
-	@client: The #DbusmenuClient to get the root node from
-
-	Grabs the root node for the specified client @client.  This
-	function may block.  It will block if there is currently a
-	call to update the layout, it will block on that layout 
-	updated and then return the newly updated layout.  Chances
-	are that this update is in the queue for the mainloop as
-	it would have been requested some time ago, but in theory
-	it could block longer.
-
-	Return value: A #DbusmenuMenuitem representing the root of
-		menu on the server.  If there is no server or there is
-		an error receiving its layout it'll return #NULL.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_client_get_root:
+ * @client: The #DbusmenuClient to get the root node from
+ * 
+ * Grabs the root node for the specified client @client.  This
+ * function may block.  It will block if there is currently a
+ * call to update the layout, it will block on that layout 
+ * updated and then return the newly updated layout.  Chances
+ * are that this update is in the queue for the mainloop as
+ * it would have been requested some time ago, but in theory
+ * it could block longer.
+ * 
+ * Return value: (transfer none): A #DbusmenuMenuitem representing the root of
+ * 	menu on the server.  If there is no server or there is
+ * 	an error receiving its layout it'll return #NULL.
+ */
 DbusmenuMenuitem *
 dbusmenu_client_get_root (DbusmenuClient * client)
 {
@@ -1703,25 +1749,25 @@ type_handler_destroy (gpointer user_data)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_client_add_type_handler:
-	@client: Client where we're getting types coming in
-	@type: A text string that will be matched with the 'type'
-	    property on incoming menu items
-	@newfunc: The function that will be executed with those new
-	    items when they come in.
-
-	This function connects into the type handling of the #DbusmenuClient.
-	Every new menuitem that comes in immediately gets asked for it's
-	properties.  When we get those properties we check the 'type'
-	property and look to see if it matches a handler that is known
-	by the client.  If so, the @newfunc function is executed on that
-	#DbusmenuMenuitem.  If not, then the DbusmenuClient::new-menuitem
-	signal is sent.
-
-	In the future the known types will be sent to the server so that it
-	can make choices about the menu item types availble.
-
-	Return value: If registering the new type was successful.
+ * dbusmenu_client_add_type_handler:
+ * @client: Client where we're getting types coming in
+ * @type: A text string that will be matched with the 'type'
+ *     property on incoming menu items
+ * @newfunc: The function that will be executed with those new
+ *     items when they come in.
+ * 
+ * This function connects into the type handling of the #DbusmenuClient.
+ * Every new menuitem that comes in immediately gets asked for it's
+ * properties.  When we get those properties we check the 'type'
+ * property and look to see if it matches a handler that is known
+ * by the client.  If so, the @newfunc function is executed on that
+ * #DbusmenuMenuitem.  If not, then the DbusmenuClient::new-menuitem
+ * signal is sent.
+ * 
+ * In the future the known types will be sent to the server so that it
+ * can make choices about the menu item types availble.
+ * 
+ * Return value: If registering the new type was successful.
 */
 gboolean
 dbusmenu_client_add_type_handler (DbusmenuClient * client, const gchar * type, DbusmenuClientTypeHandler newfunc)
@@ -1730,29 +1776,29 @@ dbusmenu_client_add_type_handler (DbusmenuClient * client, const gchar * type, D
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_client_add_type_handler_full:
-	@client: Client where we're getting types coming in
-	@type: A text string that will be matched with the 'type'
-	    property on incoming menu items
-	@newfunc: The function that will be executed with those new
-	    items when they come in.
-	@user_data: Data passed to @newfunc when it is called
-	@destroy_func: A function that is called when the type handler is
-		removed (usually on client destruction) which will free
-		the resources in @user_data.
-
-	This function connects into the type handling of the #DbusmenuClient.
-	Every new menuitem that comes in immediately gets asked for it's
-	properties.  When we get those properties we check the 'type'
-	property and look to see if it matches a handler that is known
-	by the client.  If so, the @newfunc function is executed on that
-	#DbusmenuMenuitem.  If not, then the DbusmenuClient::new-menuitem
-	signal is sent.
-
-	In the future the known types will be sent to the server so that it
-	can make choices about the menu item types availble.
-
-	Return value: If registering the new type was successful.
+ * dbusmenu_client_add_type_handler_full:
+ * @client: Client where we're getting types coming in
+ * @type: A text string that will be matched with the 'type'
+ *     property on incoming menu items
+ * @newfunc: The function that will be executed with those new
+ *     items when they come in.
+ * @user_data: Data passed to @newfunc when it is called
+ * @destroy_func: A function that is called when the type handler is
+ * 	removed (usually on client destruction) which will free
+ * 	the resources in @user_data.
+ * 
+ * This function connects into the type handling of the #DbusmenuClient.
+ * Every new menuitem that comes in immediately gets asked for it's
+ * properties.  When we get those properties we check the 'type'
+ * property and look to see if it matches a handler that is known
+ * by the client.  If so, the @newfunc function is executed on that
+ * #DbusmenuMenuitem.  If not, then the DbusmenuClient::new-menuitem
+ * signal is sent.
+ * 
+ * In the future the known types will be sent to the server so that it
+ * can make choices about the menu item types availble.
+ * 
+ * Return value: If registering the new type was successful.
 */
 gboolean
 dbusmenu_client_add_type_handler_full (DbusmenuClient * client, const gchar * type, DbusmenuClientTypeHandler newfunc, gpointer user_data, DbusmenuClientTypeDestroyHandler destroy_func)
diff --git a/libdbusmenu-glib/client.h b/libdbusmenu-glib/client.h
index 6d78edf..79c0ee2 100644
--- a/libdbusmenu-glib/client.h
+++ b/libdbusmenu-glib/client.h
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ gboolean             dbusmenu_client_add_type_handler_full (DbusmenuClient * cli
                                                         const gchar * type,
                                                         DbusmenuClientTypeHandler newfunc,
                                                         gpointer user_data,
-                                                        DbusmenuClientTypeDestroyHandler destory_func);
+                                                        DbusmenuClientTypeDestroyHandler destroy_func);
 void                 dbusmenu_client_send_event        (DbusmenuClient * client,
                                                         gint id,
                                                         const gchar * name,
diff --git a/libdbusmenu-glib/dbus-menu.xml b/libdbusmenu-glib/dbus-menu.xml
index 042a24c..da14c63 100644
--- a/libdbusmenu-glib/dbus-menu.xml
+++ b/libdbusmenu-glib/dbus-menu.xml
@@ -174,34 +174,38 @@ License version 3 and version 2.1 along with this program.  If not, see
 <!-- Functions -->
 
 		<method name="GetLayout">
-			<dox:d><![CDATA[
-			Provides an XML representation of the menu hierarchy
-
-			XML syntax:
-
-			@verbatim
-<menu id="0"> # Root container
-	<menu id="1"> # First level menu, for example "File"
-		<menu id="2"/> ~ Second level menu, for example "Open"
-		<menu id="3"/>
-		...
-	</menu>
-	<menu id="4"> # Another first level menu, say "Edit"
-		...
-	</menu>
-	...
-</menu>
-			@endverbatim
-			]]></dox:d>
+			<dox:d>
+			  Provides the layout and propertiers that are attached to the entries
+			  that are in the layout.  It only gives the items that are children
+			  of the item that is specified in @parentId.  It will return all of the
+			  properties or specific ones depending of the value in @propertyNames.
+
+			  The format is recursive, where the second 'v' is in the same format
+			  as the original 'a(ia(sv)a(v))'.  If the @recursive flag is set to
+			  less than one then the second array will have zero entries.
+			</dox:d>
 			<arg type="i" name="parentId" direction="in">
 				<dox:d>The ID of the parent node for the layout.  For
 				grabbing the layout from the root node use zero.</dox:d>
 			</arg>
+			<arg type="i" name="recurse" direction="in">
+				<dox:d>
+				  The amount of levels of recursion to use.  -1, as value would
+				  deliver all the items under the @parentId.
+				</dox:d>
+			</arg>
+			<arg type="as" name="propertyNames" direction="in" >
+				<dox:d>
+					The list of item properties we are
+					interested in.  If there are no entries in the list all of
+					the properties will be sent.
+				</dox:d>
+			</arg>
 			<arg type="u" name="revision" direction="out">
 				<dox:d>The revision number of the layout.  For matching
 				with layoutUpdated signals.</dox:d>
 			</arg>
-			<arg type="s" name="layout" direction="out">
+			<arg type="(ia{sv}av)" name="layout" direction="out">
 				<dox:d>The layout as an XML string of IDs.</dox:d>
 			</arg>
 		</method>
@@ -236,33 +240,21 @@ License version 3 and version 2.1 along with this program.  If not, see
 			</arg>
 		</method>
 
-		<method name="GetChildren">
-			<annotation name="com.trolltech.QtDBus.QtTypeName.Out0" value="DBusMenuItemList"/>
-			<arg type="i" name="id" direction="in" />
-			<arg type="as" name="propertyNames" direction="in" />
-			<arg type="a(ia{sv})" name="properties" direction="out" />
-		</method>
-
 		<method name="GetProperty">
-			<arg type="i" name="id" direction="in" />
-			<arg type="s" name="name" direction="in" />
-			<arg type="v" name="value" direction="out" />
-		</method>
-
-		<method name="GetProperties">
 			<dox:d>
-			Returns multiple properties in one call. This is more efficient than
-			GetProperty.
-
+			  Get a signal property on a single item.  This is not useful if you're
+			  going to implement this interface, it should only be used if you're
+			  debugging via a commandline tool.
 			</dox:d>
-			<annotation name="com.trolltech.QtDBus.QtTypeName.Out0" value="QVariantMap"/>
-			<arg type="i" name="id" direction="in" >
-				<dox:d>The item whose properties we want to retrieve.</dox:d>
+			<arg type="i" name="id" direction="in">
+				<dox:d>the id of the item which received the event</dox:d>
 			</arg>
-			<arg type="as" name="propertyNames" direction="in" >
-				<dox:d>List of string name of the properties we want.  If the list contains no entries, all properties are sent.</dox:d>
+			<arg type="s" name="name" direction="in">
+				<dox:d>the name of the property to get</dox:d>
+			</arg>
+			<arg type="v" name="value" direction="out">
+				<dox:d>the value of the property</dox:d>
 			</arg>
-			<arg type="a{sv}" name="properties" direction="out" />
 		</method>
 
 		<method name="Event">
@@ -309,25 +301,16 @@ License version 3 and version 2.1 along with this program.  If not, see
 		</method>
 
 <!-- Signals -->
-		<signal name="ItemPropertyUpdated">
-			<dox:d>
-			Triggered by the application to notify the applet that the property @a property
-			from item @a id has changed to @a value.
-			</dox:d>
-			<arg type="i" name="id" direction="out" />
-			<arg type="s" name="prop" direction="out" />
-			<arg type="v" name="value" direction="out" />
-		</signal>
-
-		<signal name="ItemUpdated">
+		<signal name="ItemsPropertiesUpdated">
 			<dox:d>
-				Triggered by the application to notify the applet that all properties of item
+			Triggered when there are lots of property updates across many items
+			so they all get grouped into a single dbus message.  The format is
+			the ID of the item with a hashtable of names and values for those
+			properties.
 			</dox:d>
-			<arg type="i" name="id" direction="out" >
-				<dox:d>id which should be considered outdated</dox:d>
-			</arg>
+			<arg type="a(ia(sv))" name="props" direction="out" />
+			<arg type="a(ia(s))"  name="props_removed" direction="out" />
 		</signal>
-
 		<signal name="LayoutUpdated">
 			<dox:d>
 			Triggered by the application to notify display of a layout update, up to
diff --git a/libdbusmenu-glib/defaults.c b/libdbusmenu-glib/defaults.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ad5d76
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libdbusmenu-glib/defaults.c
@@ -0,0 +1,291 @@
+/*
+A library to communicate a menu object set accross DBus and
+track updates and maintain consistency.
+
+Copyright 2011 Canonical Ltd.
+
+Authors:
+    Ted Gould <ted@canonical.com>
+
+This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it 
+under the terms of either or both of the following licenses:
+
+1) the GNU Lesser General Public License version 3, as published by the 
+Free Software Foundation; and/or
+2) the GNU Lesser General Public License version 2.1, as published by 
+the Free Software Foundation.
+
+This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but 
+WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranties of 
+MERCHANTABILITY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR 
+PURPOSE.  See the applicable version of the GNU Lesser General Public 
+License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of both the GNU Lesser General Public 
+License version 3 and version 2.1 along with this program.  If not, see 
+<http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>
+*/
+
+#ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
+#include "config.h"
+#endif
+
+#include <glib/gi18n.h>
+
+#include "defaults.h"
+#include "menuitem.h"
+#include "client.h"
+
+struct _DbusmenuDefaultsPrivate {
+	GHashTable * types;
+};
+
+typedef struct _DefaultEntry DefaultEntry;
+struct _DefaultEntry {
+	GVariantType * type;
+	GVariant * value;
+};
+
+#define DBUSMENU_DEFAULTS_GET_PRIVATE(o) \
+(G_TYPE_INSTANCE_GET_PRIVATE ((o), DBUSMENU_TYPE_DEFAULTS, DbusmenuDefaultsPrivate))
+
+static void dbusmenu_defaults_class_init (DbusmenuDefaultsClass *klass);
+static void dbusmenu_defaults_init       (DbusmenuDefaults *self);
+static void dbusmenu_defaults_dispose    (GObject *object);
+static void dbusmenu_defaults_finalize   (GObject *object);
+
+static DefaultEntry * entry_create (const GVariantType * type, GVariant * variant);
+static void entry_destroy (gpointer entry);
+
+G_DEFINE_TYPE (DbusmenuDefaults, dbusmenu_defaults, G_TYPE_OBJECT);
+
+static void
+dbusmenu_defaults_class_init (DbusmenuDefaultsClass *klass)
+{
+	GObjectClass *object_class = G_OBJECT_CLASS (klass);
+
+	g_type_class_add_private (klass, sizeof (DbusmenuDefaultsPrivate));
+
+	object_class->dispose = dbusmenu_defaults_dispose;
+	object_class->finalize = dbusmenu_defaults_finalize;
+	return;
+}
+
+static void
+dbusmenu_defaults_init (DbusmenuDefaults *self)
+{
+	self->priv = DBUSMENU_DEFAULTS_GET_PRIVATE(self); 
+
+	self->priv->types = g_hash_table_new_full(g_str_hash, g_str_equal, g_free, (GDestroyNotify)g_hash_table_destroy);
+
+	/* Standard defaults */
+	dbusmenu_defaults_default_set(self,   DBUSMENU_CLIENT_TYPES_DEFAULT,    DBUSMENU_MENUITEM_PROP_VISIBLE,        G_VARIANT_TYPE_BOOLEAN,   g_variant_new_boolean(TRUE)); 
+	dbusmenu_defaults_default_set(self,   DBUSMENU_CLIENT_TYPES_DEFAULT,    DBUSMENU_MENUITEM_PROP_ENABLED,        G_VARIANT_TYPE_BOOLEAN,   g_variant_new_boolean(TRUE)); 
+	dbusmenu_defaults_default_set(self,   DBUSMENU_CLIENT_TYPES_DEFAULT,    DBUSMENU_MENUITEM_PROP_LABEL,          G_VARIANT_TYPE_STRING,    g_variant_new_string(_("Label Empty"))); 
+	dbusmenu_defaults_default_set(self,   DBUSMENU_CLIENT_TYPES_DEFAULT,    DBUSMENU_MENUITEM_PROP_ICON_NAME,      G_VARIANT_TYPE_STRING,    NULL); 
+	dbusmenu_defaults_default_set(self,   DBUSMENU_CLIENT_TYPES_DEFAULT,    DBUSMENU_MENUITEM_PROP_TOGGLE_TYPE,    G_VARIANT_TYPE_STRING,    NULL); 
+	dbusmenu_defaults_default_set(self,   DBUSMENU_CLIENT_TYPES_DEFAULT,    DBUSMENU_MENUITEM_PROP_TOGGLE_STATE,   G_VARIANT_TYPE_INT32,     NULL); 
+	dbusmenu_defaults_default_set(self,   DBUSMENU_CLIENT_TYPES_DEFAULT,    DBUSMENU_MENUITEM_PROP_SHORTCUT,       G_VARIANT_TYPE_ARRAY,     NULL); 
+	dbusmenu_defaults_default_set(self,   DBUSMENU_CLIENT_TYPES_DEFAULT,    DBUSMENU_MENUITEM_PROP_CHILD_DISPLAY,  G_VARIANT_TYPE_STRING,    NULL); 
+
+	/* Separator defaults */
+	dbusmenu_defaults_default_set(self,   DBUSMENU_CLIENT_TYPES_SEPARATOR,  DBUSMENU_MENUITEM_PROP_VISIBLE,        G_VARIANT_TYPE_BOOLEAN,   g_variant_new_boolean(TRUE)); 
+
+	return;
+}
+
+static void
+dbusmenu_defaults_dispose (GObject *object)
+{
+	DbusmenuDefaults * self = DBUSMENU_DEFAULTS(object);
+
+	if (self->priv->types != NULL) {
+		g_hash_table_destroy(self->priv->types);
+		self->priv->types = NULL;
+	}
+
+	G_OBJECT_CLASS (dbusmenu_defaults_parent_class)->dispose (object);
+	return;
+}
+
+static void
+dbusmenu_defaults_finalize (GObject *object)
+{
+
+	G_OBJECT_CLASS (dbusmenu_defaults_parent_class)->finalize (object);
+	return;
+}
+
+/* Create a new entry based on the info provided */
+static DefaultEntry *
+entry_create (const GVariantType * type, GVariant * variant)
+{
+	DefaultEntry * defentry = g_new0(DefaultEntry, 1);
+
+	if (type != NULL) {
+		defentry->type = g_variant_type_copy(type);
+	}
+
+	if (variant != NULL) {
+		defentry->value = variant;
+		g_variant_ref_sink(variant);
+	}
+
+	return defentry;
+}
+
+/* Destroy an entry */
+static void
+entry_destroy (gpointer entry)
+{
+	DefaultEntry * defentry = (DefaultEntry *)entry;
+
+	if (defentry->type != NULL) {
+		g_variant_type_free(defentry->type);
+		defentry->type = NULL;
+	}
+
+	if (defentry->value != NULL) {
+		g_variant_unref(defentry->value);
+		defentry->value = NULL;
+	}
+
+	g_free(defentry);
+	return;
+}
+
+static DbusmenuDefaults * default_defaults = NULL;
+
+/**
+ * dbusmenu_defaults_ref_default:
+ *
+ * Get a reference to the default instance.  If it doesn't exist this
+ * function will create it.
+ *
+ * Return value: (transfer full): A reference to the defaults
+ */
+DbusmenuDefaults *
+dbusmenu_defaults_ref_default (void)
+{
+	if (default_defaults == NULL) {
+		default_defaults = DBUSMENU_DEFAULTS(g_object_new(DBUSMENU_TYPE_DEFAULTS, NULL));
+		g_object_add_weak_pointer(G_OBJECT(default_defaults), (gpointer *)&default_defaults);
+	} else {
+		g_object_ref(default_defaults);
+	}
+
+	return default_defaults;
+}
+
+/**
+ * dbusmenu_defaults_default_set:
+ * @defaults: The #DbusmenuDefaults object to add to
+ * @type: (allow-none): The #DbusmenuMenuitem type for this default if #NULL will default to #DBUSMENU_CLIENT_TYPE_DEFAULT
+ * @property: Property name for the default
+ * @prop_type: (allow-none): Type of the property for runtime checking.  To disable checking set to #NULL.
+ * @value: (allow-none): Default value for @property.  #NULL if by default it is unset, but you want type checking from @prop_type.
+ *
+ * Sets up an entry in the defaults database for a given @property
+ * and menuitem type @type.  @prop_type and @value can both be #NULL
+ * but both of them can not.
+ */
+void
+dbusmenu_defaults_default_set (DbusmenuDefaults * defaults, const gchar * type, const gchar * property, const GVariantType * prop_type, GVariant * value)
+{
+	g_return_if_fail(DBUSMENU_IS_DEFAULTS(defaults));
+	g_return_if_fail(property != NULL);
+	g_return_if_fail(prop_type != NULL || value != NULL);
+
+	if (type == NULL) {
+		type = DBUSMENU_CLIENT_TYPES_DEFAULT;
+	}
+
+	GHashTable * prop_table = (GHashTable *)g_hash_table_lookup(defaults->priv->types, type);
+
+	/* We've never had a default for this type, so we need
+	   to create a table for it. */
+	if (prop_table == NULL) {
+		prop_table = g_hash_table_new_full(g_str_hash, g_str_equal, g_free, entry_destroy);
+
+		g_hash_table_insert(prop_table, g_strdup(property), entry_create(prop_type, value));
+		g_hash_table_insert(defaults->priv->types, g_strdup(type), prop_table);
+	} else {
+		g_hash_table_replace(prop_table, g_strdup(property), entry_create(prop_type, value));
+	}
+
+	return;
+}
+
+/**
+ * dbusmenu_defaults_default_get:
+ * @defaults: The default database to use
+ * @type: (allow-none): The #DbusmenuMenuitem type for this default if #NULL will default to #DBUSMENU_CLIENT_TYPE_DEFAULT
+ * @property: Property name to lookup
+ *
+ * Gets an entry in the database for a give @property and @type.
+ *
+ * Return value: (transfer none): Returns a variant that does not
+ * have it's ref count increased.  If you want to keep it, you should
+ * do that.
+ */
+GVariant *
+dbusmenu_defaults_default_get (DbusmenuDefaults * defaults, const gchar * type, const gchar * property)
+{
+	g_return_val_if_fail(DBUSMENU_IS_DEFAULTS(defaults), NULL);
+	g_return_val_if_fail(property != NULL, NULL);
+
+	if (type == NULL) {
+		type = DBUSMENU_CLIENT_TYPES_DEFAULT;
+	}
+
+	GHashTable * prop_table = (GHashTable *)g_hash_table_lookup(defaults->priv->types, type);
+
+	if (prop_table == NULL) {
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	DefaultEntry * entry = (DefaultEntry *)g_hash_table_lookup(prop_table, property);
+
+	if (entry == NULL) {
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	return entry->value;
+}
+
+/**
+ * dbusmenu_defaults_default_get_type:
+ * @defaults: The default database to use
+ * @type: (allow-none): The #DbusmenuMenuitem type for this default if #NULL will default to #DBUSMENU_CLIENT_TYPE_DEFAULT
+ * @property: Property name to lookup
+ *
+ * Gets the type for an entry in the database for a give @property and @type.
+ *
+ * Return value: (transfer none): Returns a type for the given
+ * @property value.
+ */
+GVariantType *
+dbusmenu_defaults_default_get_type (DbusmenuDefaults * defaults, const gchar * type, const gchar * property)
+{
+	g_return_val_if_fail(DBUSMENU_IS_DEFAULTS(defaults), NULL);
+	g_return_val_if_fail(property != NULL, NULL);
+
+	if (type == NULL) {
+		type = DBUSMENU_CLIENT_TYPES_DEFAULT;
+	}
+
+	GHashTable * prop_table = (GHashTable *)g_hash_table_lookup(defaults->priv->types, type);
+
+	if (prop_table == NULL) {
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	DefaultEntry * entry = (DefaultEntry *)g_hash_table_lookup(prop_table, property);
+
+	if (entry == NULL) {
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	return entry->type;
+}
+
diff --git a/libdbusmenu-glib/defaults.h b/libdbusmenu-glib/defaults.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab377f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libdbusmenu-glib/defaults.h
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+/*
+A library to communicate a menu object set accross DBus and
+track updates and maintain consistency.
+
+Copyright 2011 Canonical Ltd.
+
+Authors:
+    Ted Gould <ted@canonical.com>
+
+This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it 
+under the terms of either or both of the following licenses:
+
+1) the GNU Lesser General Public License version 3, as published by the 
+Free Software Foundation; and/or
+2) the GNU Lesser General Public License version 2.1, as published by 
+the Free Software Foundation.
+
+This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but 
+WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranties of 
+MERCHANTABILITY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR 
+PURPOSE.  See the applicable version of the GNU Lesser General Public 
+License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of both the GNU Lesser General Public 
+License version 3 and version 2.1 along with this program.  If not, see 
+<http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>
+*/
+
+#ifndef __DBUSMENU_DEFAULTS_H__
+#define __DBUSMENU_DEFAULTS_H__
+
+#include <glib.h>
+#include <glib-object.h>
+
+G_BEGIN_DECLS
+
+#define DBUSMENU_TYPE_DEFAULTS            (dbusmenu_defaults_get_type ())
+#define DBUSMENU_DEFAULTS(obj)            (G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE_CAST ((obj), DBUSMENU_TYPE_DEFAULTS, DbusmenuDefaults))
+#define DBUSMENU_DEFAULTS_CLASS(klass)    (G_TYPE_CHECK_CLASS_CAST ((klass), DBUSMENU_TYPE_DEFAULTS, DbusmenuDefaultsClass))
+#define DBUSMENU_IS_DEFAULTS(obj)         (G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE_TYPE ((obj), DBUSMENU_TYPE_DEFAULTS))
+#define DBUSMENU_IS_DEFAULTS_CLASS(klass) (G_TYPE_CHECK_CLASS_TYPE ((klass), DBUSMENU_TYPE_DEFAULTS))
+#define DBUSMENU_DEFAULTS_GET_CLASS(obj)  (G_TYPE_INSTANCE_GET_CLASS ((obj), DBUSMENU_TYPE_DEFAULTS, DbusmenuDefaultsClass))
+
+typedef struct _DbusmenuDefaults        DbusmenuDefaults;
+typedef struct _DbusmenuDefaultsClass   DbusmenuDefaultsClass;
+typedef struct _DbusmenuDefaultsPrivate DbusmenuDefaultsPrivate;
+
+/**
+ * DbusmenuDefaultsClass:
+ *
+ * All of the signals and functions for #DbusmenuDefaults
+ */
+struct _DbusmenuDefaultsClass {
+	GObjectClass parent_class;
+};
+
+/**
+ * DbusmenuDefaults:
+ *
+ * A singleton to hold all of the defaults for the menuitems
+ * so they can use those easily.
+ */
+struct _DbusmenuDefaults {
+	GObject parent;
+
+	/*< Private >*/
+	DbusmenuDefaultsPrivate * priv;
+};
+
+GType                 dbusmenu_defaults_get_type             (void);
+DbusmenuDefaults *    dbusmenu_defaults_ref_default          (void);
+void                  dbusmenu_defaults_default_set          (DbusmenuDefaults * defaults,
+                                                              const gchar * type,
+                                                              const gchar * property,
+                                                              const GVariantType * prop_type,
+                                                              GVariant * value);
+GVariant *            dbusmenu_defaults_default_get          (DbusmenuDefaults * defaults,
+                                                              const gchar * type,
+                                                              const gchar * property);
+GVariantType *        dbusmenu_defaults_default_get_type     (DbusmenuDefaults * defaults,
+                                                              const gchar * type,
+                                                              const gchar * property);
+
+G_END_DECLS
+
+#endif
diff --git a/libdbusmenu-glib/menuitem-private.h b/libdbusmenu-glib/menuitem-private.h
index 2028464..89319dc 100644
--- a/libdbusmenu-glib/menuitem-private.h
+++ b/libdbusmenu-glib/menuitem-private.h
@@ -33,10 +33,11 @@ License version 3 and version 2.1 along with this program.  If not, see
 
 G_BEGIN_DECLS
 
-void dbusmenu_menuitem_buildxml (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, GPtrArray * array);
+GVariant * dbusmenu_menuitem_build_variant (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar ** properties, gint recurse);
 gboolean dbusmenu_menuitem_realized (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi);
 void dbusmenu_menuitem_set_realized (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi);
-GVariant * dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_variant (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi);
+GVariant * dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_variant (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar ** properties);
+gboolean dbusmenu_menuitem_property_is_default (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * property);
 
 G_END_DECLS
 
diff --git a/libdbusmenu-glib/menuitem-proxy.c b/libdbusmenu-glib/menuitem-proxy.c
index 1d97c4c..ae6a334 100644
--- a/libdbusmenu-glib/menuitem-proxy.c
+++ b/libdbusmenu-glib/menuitem-proxy.c
@@ -325,14 +325,14 @@ remove_menuitem (DbusmenuMenuitemProxy * pmi)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_proxy_new:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to proxy
-
-	Builds a new #DbusmenuMenuitemProxy object that proxies
-	all of the values for @mi.
-
-	Return value: A new #DbusmenuMenuitemProxy object.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_proxy_new:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to proxy
+ * 
+ * Builds a new #DbusmenuMenuitemProxy object that proxies
+ * all of the values for @mi.
+ * 
+ * Return value: A new #DbusmenuMenuitemProxy object.
+ */
 DbusmenuMenuitemProxy *
 dbusmenu_menuitem_proxy_new (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
 {
@@ -344,15 +344,15 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_proxy_new (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_proxy_get_wrapped:
-	@pmi: #DbusmenuMenuitemProxy to look into
-
-	Accesses the private variable of which #DbusmenuMenuitem
-	we are doing the proxying for.
-
-	Return value: A #DbusmenuMenuitem object or a #NULL if we
-		don't have one or there is an error.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_proxy_get_wrapped:
+ * @pmi: #DbusmenuMenuitemProxy to look into
+ * 
+ * Accesses the private variable of which #DbusmenuMenuitem
+ * we are doing the proxying for.
+ * 
+ * Return value: (transfer none): A #DbusmenuMenuitem object or a #NULL if we
+ * 	don't have one or there is an error.
+ */
 DbusmenuMenuitem *
 dbusmenu_menuitem_proxy_get_wrapped (DbusmenuMenuitemProxy * pmi)
 {
diff --git a/libdbusmenu-glib/menuitem.c b/libdbusmenu-glib/menuitem.c
index b153900..d8ae1a1 100644
--- a/libdbusmenu-glib/menuitem.c
+++ b/libdbusmenu-glib/menuitem.c
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ License version 3 and version 2.1 along with this program.  If not, see
 #include "menuitem.h"
 #include "menuitem-marshal.h"
 #include "menuitem-private.h"
+#include "defaults.h"
 
 #ifdef MASSIVEDEBUGGING
 #define LABEL(x)  dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get(DBUSMENU_MENUITEM(x), DBUSMENU_MENUITEM_PROP_LABEL)
@@ -59,6 +60,7 @@ struct _DbusmenuMenuitemPrivate
 	GHashTable * properties;
 	gboolean root;
 	gboolean realized;
+	DbusmenuDefaults * defaults;
 };
 
 /* Signals */
@@ -96,7 +98,7 @@ static void set_property (GObject * obj, guint id, const GValue * value, GParamS
 static void get_property (GObject * obj, guint id, GValue * value, GParamSpec * pspec);
 static void g_value_transform_STRING_BOOLEAN (const GValue * in, GValue * out);
 static void g_value_transform_STRING_INT (const GValue * in, GValue * out);
-static void handle_event (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * name, GVariant * value, guint timestamp);
+static void handle_event (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * name, GVariant * variant, guint timestamp);
 static void send_about_to_show (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, void (*cb) (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, gpointer user_data), gpointer cb_data);
 
 /* GObject stuff */
@@ -330,6 +332,8 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_init (DbusmenuMenuitem *self)
 
 	priv->root = FALSE;
 	priv->realized = FALSE;
+
+	priv->defaults = dbusmenu_defaults_ref_default();
 	
 	return;
 }
@@ -346,6 +350,11 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_dispose (GObject *object)
 	g_list_free(priv->children);
 	priv->children = NULL;
 
+	if (priv->defaults != NULL) {
+		g_object_unref(priv->defaults);
+		priv->defaults = NULL;
+	}
+
 	G_OBJECT_CLASS (dbusmenu_menuitem_parent_class)->dispose (object);
 	return;
 }
@@ -443,15 +452,28 @@ send_about_to_show (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, void (*cb) (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, gp
 	return;
 }
 
+/* A helper function to get the type of the menuitem, this might
+   be a candidate for optimization in the future. */
+static const gchar *
+menuitem_get_type (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
+{
+	DbusmenuMenuitemPrivate * priv = DBUSMENU_MENUITEM_GET_PRIVATE(mi);
+	GVariant * currentval = (GVariant *)g_hash_table_lookup(priv->properties, DBUSMENU_MENUITEM_PROP_TYPE);
+	if (currentval != NULL) {
+		return g_variant_get_string(currentval, NULL);
+	}
+	return NULL;
+}
+
 /* Public interface */
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_new:
-
-	Create a new #DbusmenuMenuitem with all default values.
-
-	Return value: A newly allocated #DbusmenuMenuitem.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_new:
+ * 
+ * Create a new #DbusmenuMenuitem with all default values.
+ * 
+ * Return value: A newly allocated #DbusmenuMenuitem.
+ */
 DbusmenuMenuitem *
 dbusmenu_menuitem_new (void)
 {
@@ -459,13 +481,13 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_new (void)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_new_with_id:
-	@id: ID to use for this menuitem
-
-	This creates a blank #DbusmenuMenuitem with a specific ID.
-
-	Return value: A newly allocated #DbusmenuMenuitem.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_new_with_id:
+ * @id: ID to use for this menuitem
+ * 
+ * This creates a blank #DbusmenuMenuitem with a specific ID.
+ * 
+ * Return value: A newly allocated #DbusmenuMenuitem.
+ */
 DbusmenuMenuitem *
 dbusmenu_menuitem_new_with_id (gint id)
 {
@@ -475,13 +497,13 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_new_with_id (gint id)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_get_id:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to query.
-
-	Gets the unique ID for @mi.
-
-	Return value: The ID of the @mi.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_get_id:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to query.
+ * 
+ * Gets the unique ID for @mi.
+ * 
+ * Return value: The ID of the @mi.
+ */
 gint
 dbusmenu_menuitem_get_id (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
 {
@@ -498,17 +520,17 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_get_id (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_realized:
-	@mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem to check on
-
-	This function returns whether the menuitem has been realized or
-	not.  This is significant mostly in client implementations that
-	can use this additional state to see if the second layers of
-	the implementation have been built yet.
-
-	Return value: Returns whether or not the menu item has been realized
-		yet or not.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_realized:
+ * @mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem to check on
+ * 
+ * This function returns whether the menuitem has been realized or
+ * not.  This is significant mostly in client implementations that
+ * can use this additional state to see if the second layers of
+ * the implementation have been built yet.
+ * 
+ * Return value: Returns whether or not the menu item has been realized
+ * 	yet or not.
+ */
 gboolean
 dbusmenu_menuitem_realized (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
 {
@@ -518,12 +540,12 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_realized (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_set_realized:
-	@mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem to realize
-
-	Sets the internal variable tracking whether it's been realized and
-	signals the DbusmenuMenuitem::realized event.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_set_realized:
+ * @mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem to realize
+ * 
+ * Sets the internal variable tracking whether it's been realized and
+ * signals the DbusmenuMenuitem::realized event.
+ */
 void
 dbusmenu_menuitem_set_realized (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
 {
@@ -538,15 +560,15 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_set_realized (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_get_children:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to query.
-
-	Returns simply the list of children that this menu item
-	has.  The list is valid until another child related function
-	is called, where it might be changed.
-
-	Return value: A #GList of pointers to #DbusmenuMenuitem objects.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_get_children:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to query.
+ * 
+ * Returns simply the list of children that this menu item
+ * has.  The list is valid until another child related function
+ * is called, where it might be changed.
+ * 
+ * Return value: (transfer none): A #GList of pointers to #DbusmenuMenuitem objects.
+ */
 GList *
 dbusmenu_menuitem_get_children (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
 {
@@ -565,22 +587,22 @@ take_children_signal (gpointer data, gpointer user_data)
 	g_debug("Menuitem %d (%s) signalling child removed %d (%s)", ID(user_data), LABEL(user_data), ID(data), LABEL(data));
 	#endif
 	g_signal_emit(G_OBJECT(user_data), signals[CHILD_REMOVED], 0, DBUSMENU_MENUITEM(data), TRUE);
-	g_object_unref(G_OBJECT(data));
 	return;
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_take_children:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenMenuitem to take the children from.
-
-	While the name sounds devious that's exactly what this function
-	does.  It takes the list of children from the @mi and clears the
-	internal list.  The calling function is now in charge of the ref's
-	on the children it has taken.  A lot of responsibility involved
-	in taking children.
-
-	Return value: A #GList of pointers to #DbusmenuMenuitem objects.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_take_children:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenMenuitem to take the children from.
+ * 
+ * While the name sounds devious that's exactly what this function
+ * does.  It takes the list of children from the @mi and clears the
+ * internal list.  The calling function is now in charge of the ref's
+ * on the children it has taken.  A lot of responsibility involved
+ * in taking children.
+ * 
+ * Return value: (transfer full) (element-type Dbusmenu.Menuitem):
+ *    A #GList of pointers to #DbusmenuMenuitem objects.
+ */
 GList *
 dbusmenu_menuitem_take_children (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
 {
@@ -597,16 +619,16 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_take_children (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_get_position:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to find the position of
-	@parent: The #DbusmenuMenuitem who's children contain @mi
-
-	This function returns the position of the menu item @mi
-	in the children of @parent.  It will return zero if the
-	menu item can't be found.
-
-	Return value: The position of @mi in the children of @parent.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_get_position:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to find the position of
+ * @parent: The #DbusmenuMenuitem who's children contain @mi
+ * 
+ * This function returns the position of the menu item @mi
+ * in the children of @parent.  It will return zero if the
+ * menu item can't be found.
+ * 
+ * Return value: The position of @mi in the children of @parent.
+ */
 guint
 dbusmenu_menuitem_get_position (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, DbusmenuMenuitem * parent)
 {
@@ -636,15 +658,15 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_get_position (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, DbusmenuMenuitem * parent
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_get_position_realized:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to find the position of
-	@parent: The #DbusmenuMenuitem who's children contain @mi
-
-	This function is very similar to #dbusmenu_menuitem_get_position
-	except that it only counts in the children that have been realized.
-
-	Return value: The position of @mi in the realized children of @parent.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_get_position_realized:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to find the position of
+ * @parent: The #DbusmenuMenuitem who's children contain @mi
+ * 
+ * This function is very similar to #dbusmenu_menuitem_get_position
+ * except that it only counts in the children that have been realized.
+ * 
+ * Return value: The position of @mi in the realized children of @parent.
+ */
 guint
 dbusmenu_menuitem_get_position_realized (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, DbusmenuMenuitem * parent)
 {
@@ -680,15 +702,15 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_get_position_realized (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, DbusmenuMenuitem
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_child_append:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem which will become a new parent
-	@child: The #DbusmenMenuitem that will be a child
-
-	This function adds @child to the list of children on @mi at
-	the end of that list.
-
-	Return value: Whether the child has been added successfully.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_child_append:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem which will become a new parent
+ * @child: The #DbusmenMenuitem that will be a child
+ * 
+ * This function adds @child to the list of children on @mi at
+ * the end of that list.
+ * 
+ * Return value: Whether the child has been added successfully.
+ */
 gboolean
 dbusmenu_menuitem_child_append (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, DbusmenuMenuitem * child)
 {
@@ -712,15 +734,15 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_child_append (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, DbusmenuMenuitem * child)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_child_prepend:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem which will become a new parent
-	@child: The #DbusmenMenuitem that will be a child
-
-	This function adds @child to the list of children on @mi at
-	the beginning of that list.
-
-	Return value: Whether the child has been added successfully.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_child_prepend:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem which will become a new parent
+ * @child: The #DbusmenMenuitem that will be a child
+ * 
+ * This function adds @child to the list of children on @mi at
+ * the beginning of that list.
+ * 
+ * Return value: Whether the child has been added successfully.
+ */
 gboolean
 dbusmenu_menuitem_child_prepend (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, DbusmenuMenuitem * child)
 {
@@ -744,16 +766,16 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_child_prepend (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, DbusmenuMenuitem * child
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_child_delete:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem which has @child as a child
-	@child: The child #DbusmenuMenuitem that you want to no longer
-	    be a child of @mi.
-	
-	This function removes @child from the children list of @mi.  It does
-	not call #g_object_unref on @child.
-
-	Return value: If we were able to delete @child.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_child_delete:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem which has @child as a child
+ * @child: The child #DbusmenuMenuitem that you want to no longer
+ *     be a child of @mi.
+ * 
+ * This function removes @child from the children list of @mi.  It does
+ * not call #g_object_unref on @child.
+ * 
+ * Return value: If we were able to delete @child.
+ */
 gboolean
 dbusmenu_menuitem_child_delete (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, DbusmenuMenuitem * child)
 {
@@ -776,17 +798,17 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_child_delete (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, DbusmenuMenuitem * child)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_child_add_position:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem that we're adding the child @child to.
-	@child: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to make a child of @mi.
-	@position: Where in @mi object's list of chidren @child should be placed.
-
-	Puts @child in the list of children for @mi at the location
-	specified in @position.  If there is not enough entires available
-	then @child will be placed at the end of the list.
-
-	Return value: Whether @child was added successfully.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_child_add_position:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem that we're adding the child @child to.
+ * @child: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to make a child of @mi.
+ * @position: Where in @mi object's list of chidren @child should be placed.
+ * 
+ * Puts @child in the list of children for @mi at the location
+ * specified in @position.  If there is not enough entires available
+ * then @child will be placed at the end of the list.
+ * 
+ * Return value: Whether @child was added successfully.
+ */
 gboolean
 dbusmenu_menuitem_child_add_position (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, DbusmenuMenuitem * child, guint position)
 {
@@ -810,17 +832,17 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_child_add_position (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, DbusmenuMenuitem *
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_child_reorder:
-	@base: The #DbusmenuMenuitem that has children needing realignment
-	@child: The #DbusmenuMenuitem that is a child needing to be moved
-	@position: The position in the list to place it in
-
-	This function moves a child on the list of children.  It is
-	for a child that is already in the list, but simply needs a 
-	new location.
-
-	Return value: Whether the move was successful.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_child_reorder:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem that has children needing realignment
+ * @child: The #DbusmenuMenuitem that is a child needing to be moved
+ * @position: The position in the list to place it in
+ * 
+ * This function moves a child on the list of children.  It is
+ * for a child that is already in the list, but simply needs a 
+ * new location.
+ * 
+ * Return value: Whether the move was successful.
+ */
 gboolean
 dbusmenu_menuitem_child_reorder(DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, DbusmenuMenuitem * child, guint position)
 {
@@ -850,16 +872,16 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_child_reorder(DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, DbusmenuMenuitem * child,
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_child_find:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem who's children to look on
-	@id: The ID of the child that we're looking for.
-
-	Search the children of @mi to find one with the ID of @id.
-	If it doesn't exist then we return #NULL.
-
-	Return value: The menu item with the ID @id or #NULL if it
-	   can't be found.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_child_find:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem who's children to look on
+ * @id: The ID of the child that we're looking for.
+ * 
+ * Search the children of @mi to find one with the ID of @id.
+ * If it doesn't exist then we return #NULL.
+ * 
+ * Return value: (transfer none): The menu item with the ID @id or #NULL if it
+ *    can't be found.
+ */
 DbusmenuMenuitem *
 dbusmenu_menuitem_child_find (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, gint id)
 {
@@ -903,18 +925,18 @@ find_id_helper (gpointer in_mi, gpointer in_find_id)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_find_id:
-	@mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem at the top of the tree to search
-	@id: ID of the #DbusmenuMenuitem to search for
-
-	This function searchs the whole tree of children that
-	are attached to @mi.  This could be quite a few nodes, all
-	the way down the tree.  It is a depth first search.
-
-	Return value: The #DbusmenuMenuitem with the ID of @id
-		or #NULL if there isn't such a menu item in the tree
-		represented by @mi.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_find_id:
+ * @mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem at the top of the tree to search
+ * @id: ID of the #DbusmenuMenuitem to search for
+ * 
+ * This function searchs the whole tree of children that
+ * are attached to @mi.  This could be quite a few nodes, all
+ * the way down the tree.  It is a depth first search.
+ * 
+ * Return value: (transfer none): The #DbusmenuMenuitem with the ID of @id
+ * 	or #NULL if there isn't such a menu item in the tree
+ * 	represented by @mi.
+ */
 DbusmenuMenuitem *
 dbusmenu_menuitem_find_id (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, gint id)
 {
@@ -931,20 +953,20 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_find_id (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, gint id)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_property_set:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to set the property on.
-	@property: Name of the property to set.
-	@value: The value of the property.
-
-	Takes the pair of @property and @value and places them as a
-	property on @mi.  If a property already exists by that name,
-	then the value is set to the new value.  If not, the property
-	is added.  If the value is changed or the property was previously
-	unset then the signal #DbusmenuMenuitem::prop-changed will be
-	emitted by this function.
-
-	Return value:  A boolean representing if the property value was set.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_property_set:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to set the property on.
+ * @property: Name of the property to set.
+ * @value: The value of the property.
+ * 
+ * Takes the pair of @property and @value and places them as a
+ * property on @mi.  If a property already exists by that name,
+ * then the value is set to the new value.  If not, the property
+ * is added.  If the value is changed or the property was previously
+ * unset then the signal #DbusmenuMenuitem::prop-changed will be
+ * emitted by this function.
+ * 
+ * Return value:  A boolean representing if the property value was set.
+ */
 gboolean
 dbusmenu_menuitem_property_set (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * property, const gchar * value)
 {
@@ -956,20 +978,20 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_property_set (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * property, c
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_property_set_bool:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to set the property on.
-	@property: Name of the property to set.
-	@value: The value of the property.
-
-	Takes a boolean @value and sets it on @property as a
-	property on @mi.  If a property already exists by that name,
-	then the value is set to the new value.  If not, the property
-	is added.  If the value is changed or the property was previously
-	unset then the signal #DbusmenuMenuitem::prop-changed will be
-	emitted by this function.
-
-	Return value:  A boolean representing if the property value was set.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_property_set_bool:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to set the property on.
+ * @property: Name of the property to set.
+ * @value: The value of the property.
+ * 
+ * Takes a boolean @value and sets it on @property as a
+ * property on @mi.  If a property already exists by that name,
+ * then the value is set to the new value.  If not, the property
+ * is added.  If the value is changed or the property was previously
+ * unset then the signal #DbusmenuMenuitem::prop-changed will be
+ * emitted by this function.
+ * 
+ * Return value:  A boolean representing if the property value was set.
+ */
 gboolean
 dbusmenu_menuitem_property_set_bool (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * property, const gboolean value)
 {
@@ -978,20 +1000,20 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_property_set_bool (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * proper
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_property_set_int:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to set the property on.
-	@property: Name of the property to set.
-	@value: The value of the property.
-
-	Takes a boolean @value and sets it on @property as a
-	property on @mi.  If a property already exists by that name,
-	then the value is set to the new value.  If not, the property
-	is added.  If the value is changed or the property was previously
-	unset then the signal #DbusmenuMenuitem::prop-changed will be
-	emitted by this function.
-
-	Return value:  A boolean representing if the property value was set.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_property_set_int:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to set the property on.
+ * @property: Name of the property to set.
+ * @value: The value of the property.
+ * 
+ * Takes a boolean @value and sets it on @property as a
+ * property on @mi.  If a property already exists by that name,
+ * then the value is set to the new value.  If not, the property
+ * is added.  If the value is changed or the property was previously
+ * unset then the signal #DbusmenuMenuitem::prop-changed will be
+ * emitted by this function.
+ * 
+ * Return value:  A boolean representing if the property value was set.
+ */
 gboolean
 dbusmenu_menuitem_property_set_int (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * property, const gint value)
 {
@@ -1000,20 +1022,20 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_property_set_int (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * propert
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_property_set_variant:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to set the property on.
-	@property: Name of the property to set.
-	@value: The value of the property.
-
-	Takes the pair of @property and @value and places them as a
-	property on @mi.  If a property already exists by that name,
-	then the value is set to the new value.  If not, the property
-	is added.  If the value is changed or the property was previously
-	unset then the signal #DbusmenuMenuitem::prop-changed will be
-	emitted by this function.
-
-	Return value:  A boolean representing if the property value was set.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_property_set_variant:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to set the property on.
+ * @property: Name of the property to set.
+ * @value: The value of the property.
+ * 
+ * Takes the pair of @property and @value and places them as a
+ * property on @mi.  If a property already exists by that name,
+ * then the value is set to the new value.  If not, the property
+ * is added.  If the value is changed or the property was previously
+ * unset then the signal #DbusmenuMenuitem::prop-changed will be
+ * emitted by this function.
+ * 
+ * Return value:  A boolean representing if the property value was set.
+ */
 gboolean
 dbusmenu_menuitem_property_set_variant (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * property, GVariant * value)
 {
@@ -1022,17 +1044,49 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_property_set_variant (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * pro
 
 	DbusmenuMenuitemPrivate * priv = DBUSMENU_MENUITEM_GET_PRIVATE(mi);
 
+	const gchar * type = menuitem_get_type(mi);
+
+	/* Check the expected type to see if we want to have a warning */
+	GVariantType * default_type = dbusmenu_defaults_default_get_type(priv->defaults, type, property);
+	if (default_type != NULL) {
+		/* If we have an expected type we should check to see if
+		   the value we've been given is of the same type and generate
+		   a warning if it isn't */
+		if (!g_variant_is_of_type(value, default_type)) {
+			g_warning("Setting menuitem property '%s' with value of type '%s' when expecting '%s'", property, g_variant_get_type_string(value), g_variant_type_peek_string(default_type));
+		}
+	}
+
+	/* Check the defaults database to see if we have a default
+	   for this property. */
+	GVariant * default_value = dbusmenu_defaults_default_get(priv->defaults, type, property);
+	if (default_value != NULL) {
+		/* Now see if we're setting this to the same value as the
+		   default.  If we are then we just want to swallow this variant
+		   and make the function behave like we're clearing it. */
+		if (g_variant_equal(default_value, value)) {
+			g_variant_ref_sink(value);
+			g_variant_unref(value);
+			value = NULL;
+		}
+	}
+
 	gboolean replaced = FALSE;
 	gpointer currentval = g_hash_table_lookup(priv->properties, property);
 
 	if (value != NULL) {
-		gchar * lprop = g_strdup(property);
-		g_variant_ref(value);
-
+		/* NOTE: We're only marking this as replaced if this is true
+		   but we're actually replacing it no matter.  This is so that
+		   the variant passed in sticks around which the caller may
+		   expect.  They shouldn't, but it's low cost to remove bugs. */
 		if (currentval == NULL || !g_variant_equal((GVariant*)currentval, value)) {
-			g_hash_table_replace(priv->properties, lprop, value);
 			replaced = TRUE;
 		}
+
+		gchar * lprop = g_strdup(property);
+		g_variant_ref_sink(value);
+
+		g_hash_table_replace(priv->properties, lprop, value);
 	} else {
 		if (currentval != NULL) {
 			g_hash_table_remove(priv->properties, property);
@@ -1045,25 +1099,33 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_property_set_variant (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * pro
 	   table.  But the fact that there was a value is
 	   the imporant part. */
 	if (currentval == NULL || replaced) {
-		g_signal_emit(G_OBJECT(mi), signals[PROPERTY_CHANGED], 0, property, value, TRUE);
+		GVariant * signalval = value;
+
+		if (signalval == NULL) {
+			/* Might also be NULL, but if it is we're definitely
+			   clearing this thing. */
+			signalval = default_value;
+		}
+
+		g_signal_emit(G_OBJECT(mi), signals[PROPERTY_CHANGED], 0, property, signalval, TRUE);
 	}
 
 	return TRUE;
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to look for the property on.
-	@property: The property to grab.
-
-	Look up a property on @mi and return the value of it if
-	it exits.  #NULL will be returned if the property doesn't
-	exist.
-
-	Return value: A string with the value of the property
-		that shouldn't be free'd.  Or #NULL if the property
-		is not set or is not a string.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to look for the property on.
+ * @property: The property to grab.
+ * 
+ * Look up a property on @mi and return the value of it if
+ * it exits.  #NULL will be returned if the property doesn't
+ * exist.
+ * 
+ * Return value: (transfer none): A string with the value of the property
+ * 	that shouldn't be free'd.  Or #NULL if the property
+ * 	is not set or is not a string.
+ */
 const gchar *
 dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * property)
 {
@@ -1074,16 +1136,16 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * property)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get_variant:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to look for the property on.
-	@property: The property to grab.
-
-	Look up a property on @mi and return the value of it if
-	it exits.  #NULL will be returned if the property doesn't
-	exist.
-
-	Return value: A GVariant for the property.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get_variant:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to look for the property on.
+ * @property: The property to grab.
+ * 
+ * Look up a property on @mi and return the value of it if
+ * it exits.  #NULL will be returned if the property doesn't
+ * exist.
+ * 
+ * Return value: (transfer none): A GVariant for the property.
+ */
 GVariant *
 dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get_variant (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * property)
 {
@@ -1092,19 +1154,25 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get_variant (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * pro
 
 	DbusmenuMenuitemPrivate * priv = DBUSMENU_MENUITEM_GET_PRIVATE(mi);
 
-	return (GVariant *)g_hash_table_lookup(priv->properties, property);
-}
+	GVariant * currentval = (GVariant *)g_hash_table_lookup(priv->properties, property);
 
-/**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get_bool:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to look for the property on.
-	@property: The property to grab.
+	if (currentval == NULL) {
+		currentval = dbusmenu_defaults_default_get(priv->defaults, menuitem_get_type(mi), property);
+	}
 
-	Look up a property on @mi and return the value of it if
-	it exits.  Returns #FALSE if the property doesn't exist.
+	return currentval;
+}
 
-	Return value: The value of the property or #FALSE.
-*/
+/**
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get_bool:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to look for the property on.
+ * @property: The property to grab.
+ * 
+ * Look up a property on @mi and return the value of it if
+ * it exits.  Returns #FALSE if the property doesn't exist.
+ * 
+ * Return value: The value of the property or #FALSE.
+ */
 gboolean
 dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get_bool (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * property)
 {
@@ -1130,15 +1198,15 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get_bool (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * proper
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get_int:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to look for the property on.
-	@property: The property to grab.
-
-	Look up a property on @mi and return the value of it if
-	it exits.  Returns zero if the property doesn't exist.
-
-	Return value: The value of the property or zero.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get_int:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to look for the property on.
+ * @property: The property to grab.
+ * 
+ * Look up a property on @mi and return the value of it if
+ * it exits.  Returns zero if the property doesn't exist.
+ * 
+ * Return value: The value of the property or zero.
+ */
 gint
 dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get_int (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * property)
 {
@@ -1160,15 +1228,15 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get_int (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * propert
 
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_property_exit:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to look for the property on.
-	@property: The property to look for.
-
-	Checkes to see if a particular property exists on @mi and 
-	returns #TRUE if so.
-
-	Return value: A boolean checking to see if the property is available
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_property_exit:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to look for the property on.
+ * @property: The property to look for.
+ * 
+ * Checkes to see if a particular property exists on @mi and 
+ * returns #TRUE if so.
+ * 
+ * Return value: A boolean checking to see if the property is available
+ */
 gboolean
 dbusmenu_menuitem_property_exist (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * property)
 {
@@ -1183,12 +1251,12 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_property_exist (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * property)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_property_remove:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to remove the property on.
-	@property: The property to look for.
-
-	Removes a property from the menuitem.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_property_remove:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to remove the property on.
+ * @property: The property to look for.
+ * 
+ * Removes a property from the menuitem.
+ */
 void
 dbusmenu_menuitem_property_remove (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * property)
 {
@@ -1203,15 +1271,16 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_property_remove (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * property
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_list:
-	@mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem to list the properties on
-
-	This functiong gets a list of the names of all the properties
-	that are set on this menu item.  This data on the list is owned
-	by the menuitem but the list is not and should be freed using
-	g_list_free() when the calling function is done with it.
-
-	Return value: A list of strings or NULL if there are none.
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_list:
+ * @mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem to list the properties on
+ * 
+ * This functiong gets a list of the names of all the properties
+ * that are set on this menu item.  This data on the list is owned
+ * by the menuitem but the list is not and should be freed using
+ * g_list_free() when the calling function is done with it.
+ * 
+ * Return value: (transfer container): A list of strings or NULL if there are
+ *     none.
 */
 GList *
 dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_list (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
@@ -1231,24 +1300,24 @@ copy_helper (gpointer in_key, gpointer in_value, gpointer in_data)
 	GHashTable * table = (GHashTable *)in_data;
 	gchar * key = (gchar *)in_key;
 	GVariant * value = (GVariant *)in_value;
-	g_variant_ref(value);
+	g_variant_ref_sink(value);
 	g_hash_table_insert(table, g_strdup(key), value);
 	return;
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_copy:
-	@mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem that we're interested in the properties of
-
-	This function takes the properties of a #DbusmenuMenuitem
-	and puts them into a #GHashTable that is referenced by the
-	key of a string and has the value of a string.  The hash
-	table may not have any entries if there aren't any or there
-	is an error in processing.  It is the caller's responsibility
-	to destroy the created #GHashTable.
-
-	Return value: A brand new #GHashTable that contains all of the
-		properties that are on this #DbusmenuMenuitem @mi.
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_copy:
+ * @mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem that we're interested in the properties of
+ * 
+ * This function takes the properties of a #DbusmenuMenuitem
+ * and puts them into a #GHashTable that is referenced by the
+ * key of a string and has the value of a string.  The hash
+ * table may not have any entries if there aren't any or there
+ * is an error in processing.  It is the caller's responsibility
+ * to destroy the created #GHashTable.
+ * 
+ * Return value: (transfer full): A brand new #GHashTable that contains all of
+ *    theroperties that are on this #DbusmenuMenuitem @mi.
 */
 GHashTable *
 dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_copy (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
@@ -1268,21 +1337,23 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_copy (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
 static void
 variant_helper (gpointer in_key, gpointer in_value, gpointer user_data)
 {
-	g_variant_builder_add((GVariantBuilder *)user_data, "{sv}", in_key, in_value);
+	GVariant * value = g_variant_new_dict_entry(g_variant_new_string((gchar *)in_key),
+	                                            g_variant_new_variant((GVariant *)in_value));
+	g_variant_builder_add_value((GVariantBuilder *)user_data, value);
 	return;
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_variant:
-	@mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem to get properties from
-
-	Grabs the properties of the menuitem as a GVariant with the
-	type "a{sv}".
-
-	Return Value: A GVariant of type "a{sv}" or NULL on error.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_variant:
+ * @mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem to get properties from
+ * 
+ * Grabs the properties of the menuitem as a GVariant with the
+ * type "a{sv}".
+ * 
+ * Return Value: (transfer full): A GVariant of type "a{sv}" or NULL on error.
+ */
 GVariant *
-dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_variant (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
+dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_variant (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar ** properties)
 {
 	g_return_val_if_fail(DBUSMENU_IS_MENUITEM(mi), NULL);
 
@@ -1292,7 +1363,7 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_variant (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
 
 	if (g_hash_table_size(priv->properties) > 0) {
 		GVariantBuilder builder;
-		g_variant_builder_init(&builder, g_variant_type_new("a{sv}"));
+		g_variant_builder_init(&builder, G_VARIANT_TYPE_ARRAY);
 
 		g_hash_table_foreach(priv->properties, variant_helper, &builder);
 
@@ -1303,15 +1374,15 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_variant (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_set_root:
-	@mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem to set whether it's root
-	@root: Whether @mi is a root node or not
-
-	This function sets the internal value of whether this is a
-	root node or not.
-
-	Return value: None
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_set_root:
+ * @mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem to set whether it's root
+ * @root: Whether @mi is a root node or not
+ * 
+ * This function sets the internal value of whether this is a
+ * root node or not.
+ * 
+ * Return value: None
+ */
 void
 dbusmenu_menuitem_set_root (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, gboolean root)
 {
@@ -1322,14 +1393,14 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_set_root (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, gboolean root)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_get_root:
-	@mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem to see whether it's root
-
-	This function returns the internal value of whether this is a
-	root node or not.
-
-	Return value: #TRUE if this is a root node
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_get_root:
+ * @mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem to see whether it's root
+ * 
+ * This function returns the internal value of whether this is a
+ * root node or not.
+ * 
+ * Return value: #TRUE if this is a root node
+ */
 gboolean
 dbusmenu_menuitem_get_root (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
 {
@@ -1340,38 +1411,62 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_get_root (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi)
 
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_buildxml:
-	@mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem to represent in XML
-	@array: (element-type utf8): A list of string that will be turned into an XML file
-
-	This function will add strings to the array @array.  It will put
-	at least one entry if this menu item has no children.  If it has
-	children it will put two for this entry, one representing the
-	start tag and one that is a closing tag.  It will allow it's
-	children to place their own tags in the array in between those two.
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_buildvariant:
+ * @mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem to represent in a variant
+ * @properties: (element-type utf8): A list of string that will be put into
+ *      a variant
+ * 
+ * This function will put at least one entry if this menu item has no children.
+ * If it has children it will put two for this entry, one representing the
+ * start tag and one that is a closing tag.  It will allow it's
+ * children to place their own tags in the array in between those two.
+ *
+ * Return value: (transfer full): Variant representing @properties
 */
-void
-dbusmenu_menuitem_buildxml (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, GPtrArray * array)
+GVariant *
+dbusmenu_menuitem_build_variant (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar ** properties, gint recurse)
 {
-	g_return_if_fail(DBUSMENU_IS_MENUITEM(mi));
+	g_return_val_if_fail(DBUSMENU_IS_MENUITEM(mi), NULL);
 
 	gint id = 0;
 	if (!dbusmenu_menuitem_get_root(mi)) {
 		id = dbusmenu_menuitem_get_id(mi);
 	}
 
+	/* This is the tuple that'll build up being a representation of
+	   this entry */
+	GVariantBuilder tupleb;
+	g_variant_builder_init(&tupleb, G_VARIANT_TYPE_TUPLE);
+
+	/* Add our ID */
+	g_variant_builder_add_value(&tupleb, g_variant_new_int32(id));
+
+	/* Figure out the properties */
+	GVariant * props = dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_variant(mi, properties);
+	if (props != NULL) {
+		g_variant_builder_add_value(&tupleb, props);
+	} else {
+		g_variant_builder_add_value(&tupleb, g_variant_parse(G_VARIANT_TYPE("a{sv}"), "[ ]", NULL, NULL, NULL));
+	}
+
+	/* Pillage the children */
 	GList * children = dbusmenu_menuitem_get_children(mi);
-	if (children == NULL) {
-		g_ptr_array_add(array, g_strdup_printf("<menu id=\"%d\"/>", id));
+	if (children == NULL && recurse != 0) {
+		g_variant_builder_add_value(&tupleb, g_variant_new_array(G_VARIANT_TYPE_VARIANT, NULL, 0));
 	} else {
-		g_ptr_array_add(array, g_strdup_printf("<menu id=\"%d\">", id));
+		GVariantBuilder childrenbuilder;
+		g_variant_builder_init(&childrenbuilder, G_VARIANT_TYPE_ARRAY);
+
 		for ( ; children != NULL; children = children->next) {
-			dbusmenu_menuitem_buildxml(DBUSMENU_MENUITEM(children->data), array);
+			GVariant * child = dbusmenu_menuitem_build_variant(DBUSMENU_MENUITEM(children->data), properties, recurse - 1);
+
+			g_variant_builder_add_value(&childrenbuilder, g_variant_new_variant(child));
 		}
-		g_ptr_array_add(array, g_strdup("</menu>"));
+
+		g_variant_builder_add_value(&tupleb, g_variant_builder_end(&childrenbuilder));
 	}
 
-	return;
+	return g_variant_builder_end(&tupleb);
 }
 
 typedef struct {
@@ -1387,15 +1482,15 @@ foreach_helper (gpointer data, gpointer user_data)
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_foreach:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenItem to start from
-	@func: Function to call on every node in the tree
-	@data: (closure): User data to pass to the function
-
-	This calls the function @func on this menu item and all
-	of the children of this item.  And their children.  And
-	their children.  And... you get the point.  It will get
-	called on the whole tree.
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_foreach:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenItem to start from
+ * @func: Function to call on every node in the tree
+ * @data: (closure): User data to pass to the function
+ * 
+ * This calls the function @func on this menu item and all
+ * of the children of this item.  And their children.  And
+ * their children.  And... you get the point.  It will get
+ * called on the whole tree.
 */
 void
 dbusmenu_menuitem_foreach (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, void (*func) (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, gpointer data), gpointer data)
@@ -1411,23 +1506,23 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_foreach (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, void (*func) (DbusmenuMenuitem
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_handle_event:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to send the signal on.
-	@name: The name of the signal
-	@variant: A value that could be set for the event
-	@timestamp: The timestamp of when the event happened
-
-	This function is called to create an event.  It is likely
-	to be overrided by subclasses.  The default menu item
-	will respond to the activate signal and do:
-
-	Emits the #DbusmenuMenuitem::item-activate signal on this
-	menu item.  Called by server objects when they get the
-	appropriate DBus signals from the client.
-
-	If you subclass this function you should really think
-	about calling the parent function unless you have a good
-	reason not to.
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_handle_event:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to send the signal on.
+ * @name: The name of the signal
+ * @variant: A value that could be set for the event
+ * @timestamp: The timestamp of when the event happened
+ * 
+ * This function is called to create an event.  It is likely
+ * to be overrided by subclasses.  The default menu item
+ * will respond to the activate signal and do:
+ * 
+ * Emits the #DbusmenuMenuitem::item-activate signal on this
+ * menu item.  Called by server objects when they get the
+ * appropriate DBus signals from the client.
+ * 
+ * If you subclass this function you should really think
+ * about calling the parent function unless you have a good
+ * reason not to.
 */
 void
 dbusmenu_menuitem_handle_event (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * name, GVariant * variant, guint timestamp)
@@ -1448,16 +1543,16 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_handle_event (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * name, GVari
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_send_about_to_show:
-	@mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to send the signal on.
-	@cb: Callback to call when the call has returned.
-	@cb_data: (closure): Data to pass to the callback.
-
-	This function is used to send the even that the submenu
-	of this item is about to be shown.  Callers to this event
-	should delay showing the menu until their callback is
-	called if possible.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_send_about_to_show:
+ * @mi: The #DbusmenuMenuitem to send the signal on.
+ * @cb: Callback to call when the call has returned.
+ * @cb_data: (closure): Data to pass to the callback.
+ * 
+ * This function is used to send the even that the submenu
+ * of this item is about to be shown.  Callers to this event
+ * should delay showing the menu until their callback is
+ * called if possible.
+ */
 void
 dbusmenu_menuitem_send_about_to_show (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, void (*cb) (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, gpointer user_data), gpointer cb_data)
 {
@@ -1477,14 +1572,14 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_send_about_to_show (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, void (*cb) (Dbusmen
 }
 
 /**
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_show_to_user:
-	@mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem to show
-	@timestamp: The time that the user requested it to be shown
-
-	Signals that this menu item should be shown to the user.  If this is
-	server side the server will then take it and send it over the
-	bus.
-*/
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_show_to_user:
+ * @mi: #DbusmenuMenuitem to show
+ * @timestamp: The time that the user requested it to be shown
+ * 
+ * Signals that this menu item should be shown to the user.  If this is
+ * server side the server will then take it and send it over the
+ * bus.
+ */
 void
 dbusmenu_menuitem_show_to_user (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, guint timestamp)
 {
@@ -1494,3 +1589,26 @@ dbusmenu_menuitem_show_to_user (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, guint timestamp)
 
 	return;
 }
+
+/* Checks to see if the value of this property is unique or just the
+   default value. */
+gboolean
+dbusmenu_menuitem_property_is_default (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * property)
+{
+	g_return_val_if_fail(DBUSMENU_IS_MENUITEM(mi), FALSE);
+	DbusmenuMenuitemPrivate * priv = DBUSMENU_MENUITEM_GET_PRIVATE(mi);
+
+	GVariant * currentval = (GVariant *)g_hash_table_lookup(priv->properties, property);
+	if (currentval != NULL) {
+		/* If we're storing it locally, then it shouldn't be a default */
+		return FALSE;
+	}
+
+	currentval = dbusmenu_defaults_default_get(priv->defaults, menuitem_get_type(mi), property);
+	if (currentval != NULL) {
+		return TRUE;
+	}
+
+	g_warn_if_reached();
+	return FALSE;
+}
diff --git a/libdbusmenu-glib/menuitem.h b/libdbusmenu-glib/menuitem.h
index dee7ee1..35d7ca8 100644
--- a/libdbusmenu-glib/menuitem.h
+++ b/libdbusmenu-glib/menuitem.h
@@ -112,14 +112,15 @@ struct _DbusmenuMenuitem
 typedef void (*dbusmenu_menuitem_about_to_show_cb) (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, gpointer user_data);
 
 /**
- * dbusmenu_menuitem_buildxml_slot_t:
+ * dbusmenu_menuitem_buildvariant_slot_t:
  * @mi: (in): Menu item that should be built from
- * @stringarray: (inout) (transfer none) (array) (element-type utf8): An array of strings that can be combined into an XML file.
  * 
  * This is the function that is called to represent this menu item
- * as an XML fragment.  Should call it's own children.
+ * as a variant.  Should call it's own children.
+ *
+ * Return value: (transfer full) A variant representing this item and it's children
  */
-typedef void (*dbusmenu_menuitem_buildxml_slot_t) (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, GPtrArray* stringarray);
+typedef GVariant * (*dbusmenu_menuitem_buildvariant_slot_t) (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, gchar ** properties);
 
 /**
  * DbusmenuMenuitemClass:
@@ -157,8 +158,8 @@ struct _DbusmenuMenuitemClass
 	void (*realized) (void);
 
 	/* Virtual functions */
-	dbusmenu_menuitem_buildxml_slot_t buildxml;
-	void (*handle_event) (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * name, GVariant * value, guint timestamp);
+	dbusmenu_menuitem_buildvariant_slot_t buildvariant;
+	void (*handle_event) (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * name, GVariant * variant, guint timestamp);
 	void (*send_about_to_show) (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, void (*cb) (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, gpointer user_data), gpointer cb_data);
 
 	void (*show_to_user) (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, guint timestamp, gpointer cb_data);
@@ -210,7 +211,7 @@ void dbusmenu_menuitem_set_root (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, gboolean root);
 gboolean dbusmenu_menuitem_get_root (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi);
 
 void dbusmenu_menuitem_foreach (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, void (*func) (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, gpointer data), gpointer data);
-void dbusmenu_menuitem_handle_event (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * name, GVariant * value, guint timestamp);
+void dbusmenu_menuitem_handle_event (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, const gchar * name, GVariant * variant, guint timestamp);
 void dbusmenu_menuitem_send_about_to_show (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, void (*cb) (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, gpointer user_data), gpointer cb_data);
 
 void dbusmenu_menuitem_show_to_user (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, guint timestamp);
diff --git a/libdbusmenu-glib/server.c b/libdbusmenu-glib/server.c
index adb9f91..aa39991 100644
--- a/libdbusmenu-glib/server.c
+++ b/libdbusmenu-glib/server.c
@@ -54,6 +54,9 @@ struct _DbusmenuServerPrivate
 	GDBusConnection * bus;
 	GCancellable * bus_lookup;
 	guint dbus_registration;
+
+	GArray * prop_array;
+	guint property_idle;
 };
 
 #define DBUSMENU_SERVER_GET_PRIVATE(o) (DBUSMENU_SERVER(o)->priv)
@@ -156,6 +159,7 @@ static void       menuitem_signals_create     (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi,
 static void       menuitem_signals_remove     (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi,
                                                gpointer data);
 static GQuark     error_quark                 (void);
+static void       prop_array_teardown         (GArray * prop_array);
 static void       bus_get_layout              (DbusmenuServer * server,
                                                GVariant * params,
                                                GDBusMethodInvocation * invocation);
@@ -354,6 +358,17 @@ dbusmenu_server_dispose (GObject *object)
 
 	if (priv->layout_idle != 0) {
 		g_source_remove(priv->layout_idle);
+		priv->layout_idle = 0;
+	}
+	
+	if (priv->property_idle != 0) {
+		g_source_remove(priv->property_idle);
+		priv->property_idle = 0;
+	}
+
+	if (priv->prop_array != NULL) {
+		prop_array_teardown(priv->prop_array);
+		priv->prop_array = NULL;
 	}
 
 	if (priv->root != NULL) {
@@ -418,6 +433,15 @@ set_property (GObject * obj, guint id, const GValue * value, GParamSpec * pspec)
 		if (priv->root != NULL) {
 			dbusmenu_menuitem_foreach(priv->root, menuitem_signals_remove, obj);
 			dbusmenu_menuitem_set_root(priv->root, FALSE);
+
+			GList * properties = dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_list(priv->root);
+			GList * iter;
+			for (iter = properties; iter != NULL; iter = g_list_next(iter)) {
+				gchar * property = (gchar *)iter->data;
+				menuitem_property_changed(priv->root, property, NULL, DBUSMENU_SERVER(obj));
+			}
+			g_list_free(properties);
+
 			g_object_unref(G_OBJECT(priv->root));
 			priv->root = NULL;
 		}
@@ -426,6 +450,14 @@ set_property (GObject * obj, guint id, const GValue * value, GParamSpec * pspec)
 			g_object_ref(G_OBJECT(priv->root));
 			dbusmenu_menuitem_set_root(priv->root, TRUE);
 			dbusmenu_menuitem_foreach(priv->root, menuitem_signals_create, obj);
+
+			GList * properties = dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_list(priv->root);
+			GList * iter;
+			for (iter = properties; iter != NULL; iter = g_list_next(iter)) {
+				gchar * property = (gchar *)iter->data;
+				menuitem_property_changed(priv->root, property, dbusmenu_menuitem_property_get_variant(priv->root, property), DBUSMENU_SERVER(obj));
+			}
+			g_list_free(properties);
 		} else {
 			g_debug("Setting root node to NULL");
 		}
@@ -440,17 +472,6 @@ set_property (GObject * obj, guint id, const GValue * value, GParamSpec * pspec)
 }
 
 static void
-xmlarray_foreach_free (gpointer arrayentry, gpointer userdata)
-{
-	if (arrayentry != NULL) {
-		/* g_debug("Freeing pointer: %s", (gchar *)arrayentry); */
-		g_free(arrayentry);
-	}
-
-	return;
-}
-
-static void
 get_property (GObject * obj, guint id, GValue * value, GParamSpec * pspec)
 {
 	DbusmenuServerPrivate * priv = DBUSMENU_SERVER_GET_PRIVATE(obj);
@@ -633,22 +654,264 @@ layout_update_signal (DbusmenuServer * server)
 	return;
 }
 
-static void 
-menuitem_property_changed (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, gchar * property, GVariant * variant, DbusmenuServer * server)
+typedef struct _prop_idle_item_t prop_idle_item_t;
+struct _prop_idle_item_t {
+	gint id;
+	GArray * array;
+};
+
+typedef struct _prop_idle_prop_t prop_idle_prop_t;
+struct _prop_idle_prop_t {
+	gchar * property;
+	GVariant * variant;
+};
+
+/* Takes appart our data structure so we don't leak any
+   memory or references. */
+static void
+prop_array_teardown (GArray * prop_array)
 {
-	DbusmenuServerPrivate * priv = DBUSMENU_SERVER_GET_PRIVATE(server);
+	int i, j;
+
+	for (i = 0; i < prop_array->len; i++) {
+		prop_idle_item_t * iitem = &g_array_index(prop_array, prop_idle_item_t, i);
+		
+		for (j = 0; j < iitem->array->len; j++) {
+			prop_idle_prop_t * iprop = &g_array_index(iitem->array, prop_idle_prop_t, j);
+
+			g_free(iprop->property);
+
+			if (iprop->variant != NULL) {
+				g_variant_unref(iprop->variant);
+			}
+		}
+
+		g_array_free(iitem->array, TRUE);
+	}
+
+	g_array_free(prop_array, TRUE);
+
+	return;
+}
+
+/* Works in the idle to send a set of property updates so that they'll
+   all update in a single dbus message. */
+static gboolean
+menuitem_property_idle (gpointer user_data)
+{
+	DbusmenuServerPrivate * priv = DBUSMENU_SERVER_GET_PRIVATE(user_data);
+
+	/* Source will get removed as we return */
+	priv->property_idle = 0;
+
+	/* If there are no items, let's just not signal */
+	if (priv->prop_array == NULL) {
+		return FALSE;
+	}
+
+	int i, j;
+	GVariantBuilder itembuilder;
+	gboolean item_init = FALSE;
+
+	GVariantBuilder removeitembuilder;
+	gboolean removeitem_init = FALSE;
+
+	for (i = 0; i < priv->prop_array->len; i++) {
+		prop_idle_item_t * iitem = &g_array_index(priv->prop_array, prop_idle_item_t, i);
+
+		GVariantBuilder dictbuilder;
+		gboolean dictinit = FALSE;
+
+		GVariantBuilder removedictbuilder;
+		gboolean removedictinit = FALSE;
+		
+		/* Go throught each item and see if it should go in the removal list
+		   or the additive list. */
+		for (j = 0; j < iitem->array->len; j++) {
+			prop_idle_prop_t * iprop = &g_array_index(iitem->array, prop_idle_prop_t, j);
+
+			if (iprop->variant != NULL) {
+				if (!dictinit) {
+					g_variant_builder_init(&dictbuilder, G_VARIANT_TYPE_DICTIONARY);
+					dictinit = TRUE;
+				}
+
+				GVariant * entry = g_variant_new_dict_entry(g_variant_new_string(iprop->property),
+				                                            g_variant_new_variant(iprop->variant));
+
+				g_variant_builder_add_value(&dictbuilder, entry);
+			} else {
+				if (!removedictinit) {
+					g_variant_builder_init(&removedictbuilder, G_VARIANT_TYPE_ARRAY);
+					removedictinit = TRUE;
+				}
+
+				g_variant_builder_add_value(&removedictbuilder, g_variant_new_string(iprop->property));
+			}
+		}
+
+		/* If we've got new values that are real values we need to add that
+		   to the list of items to send the value of */
+		if (dictinit) {
+			GVariantBuilder tuplebuilder;
+			g_variant_builder_init(&tuplebuilder, G_VARIANT_TYPE_TUPLE);
+
+			g_variant_builder_add_value(&tuplebuilder, g_variant_new_int32(iitem->id));
+			g_variant_builder_add_value(&tuplebuilder, g_variant_builder_end(&dictbuilder));
+
+			if (!item_init) {
+				g_variant_builder_init(&itembuilder, G_VARIANT_TYPE_ARRAY);
+				item_init = TRUE;
+			}
+
+			g_variant_builder_add_value(&itembuilder, g_variant_builder_end(&tuplebuilder));
+		}
+
+		/* If we've got properties that have been removed then we need to add
+		   them to the list of removed items */
+		if (removedictinit) {
+			GVariantBuilder tuplebuilder;
+			g_variant_builder_init(&tuplebuilder, G_VARIANT_TYPE_TUPLE);
+
+			g_variant_builder_add_value(&tuplebuilder, g_variant_new_int32(iitem->id));
+			g_variant_builder_add_value(&tuplebuilder, g_variant_builder_end(&removedictbuilder));
+
+			if (!removeitem_init) {
+				g_variant_builder_init(&removeitembuilder, G_VARIANT_TYPE_ARRAY);
+				removeitem_init = TRUE;
+			}
 
-	g_signal_emit(G_OBJECT(server), signals[ID_PROP_UPDATE], 0, dbusmenu_menuitem_get_id(mi), property, variant, TRUE);
+			g_variant_builder_add_value(&removeitembuilder, g_variant_builder_end(&tuplebuilder));
+		}
+	}
+
+	GVariant * megadata[2];
+
+	if (item_init) {
+		megadata[0] = g_variant_builder_end(&itembuilder);
+	} else {
+		GError * error = NULL;
+		megadata[0] = g_variant_parse(G_VARIANT_TYPE("a(ia{sv})"), "[ ]", NULL, NULL, &error);
+
+		if (error != NULL) {
+			g_warning("Unable to parse '[ ]' as a 'a(ia{sv})': %s", error->message);
+			g_error_free(error);
+		}
+	}
+
+	if (removeitem_init) {
+		megadata[1] = g_variant_builder_end(&removeitembuilder);
+	} else {
+		GError * error = NULL;
+		megadata[1] = g_variant_parse(G_VARIANT_TYPE("a(ia(s))"), "[ ]", NULL, NULL, &error);
+
+		if (error != NULL) {
+			g_warning("Unable to parse '[ ]' as a 'a(ia(s))': %s", error->message);
+			g_error_free(error);
+		}
+	}
 
 	if (priv->dbusobject != NULL && priv->bus != NULL) {
 		g_dbus_connection_emit_signal(priv->bus,
 		                              NULL,
 		                              priv->dbusobject,
 		                              DBUSMENU_INTERFACE,
-		                              "ItemPropertyUpdated",
-		                              g_variant_new("(isv)", dbusmenu_menuitem_get_id(mi), property, variant),
+		                              "ItemPropertiesUpdated",
+		                              g_variant_new_tuple(megadata, 2),
 		                              NULL);
+	} else {
+		g_variant_unref(megadata[0]);
+		g_variant_unref(megadata[1]);
+	}
+
+	/* Clean everything up */
+	prop_array_teardown(priv->prop_array);
+	priv->prop_array = NULL;
+
+	return FALSE;
+}
+
+static void 
+menuitem_property_changed (DbusmenuMenuitem * mi, gchar * property, GVariant * variant, DbusmenuServer * server)
+{
+	int i;
+	gint item_id;
+
+	DbusmenuServerPrivate * priv = DBUSMENU_SERVER_GET_PRIVATE(server);
+
+	item_id = dbusmenu_menuitem_get_id(mi);
+
+	g_signal_emit(G_OBJECT(server), signals[ID_PROP_UPDATE], 0, item_id, property, variant, TRUE);
+
+	/* See if we have a property array, if not, we need to
+	   build one of these suckers */
+	if (priv->prop_array == NULL) {
+		priv->prop_array = g_array_new(FALSE, FALSE, sizeof(prop_idle_item_t));
 	}
+
+	/* Look to see if we already have this item in the list
+	   and use it if so */
+	prop_idle_item_t * item = NULL;
+	for (i = 0; i < priv->prop_array->len; i++) {
+		prop_idle_item_t * iitem = &g_array_index(priv->prop_array, prop_idle_item_t, i);
+		if (iitem->id == item_id) {
+			item = iitem;
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+
+	GArray * properties = NULL;
+	/* If not, we'll need to build ourselves one */
+	if (item == NULL) {
+		prop_idle_item_t myitem;
+		myitem.id = item_id;
+		myitem.array = g_array_new(FALSE, FALSE, sizeof(prop_idle_prop_t));
+
+		g_array_append_val(priv->prop_array, myitem);
+		properties = myitem.array;
+	} else {
+		properties = item->array;
+	}
+
+	/* Check to see if this property is in the list */
+	prop_idle_prop_t * prop = NULL;
+	for (i = 0; i < properties->len; i++) {
+		prop_idle_prop_t * iprop = &g_array_index(properties, prop_idle_prop_t, i);
+		if (g_strcmp0(iprop->property, property) == 0) {
+			prop = iprop;
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+
+	/* If it's the default value we want to treat it like a clearing
+	   of the value so that it doesn't get sent over dbus and waste
+	   bandwidth */
+	if (dbusmenu_menuitem_property_is_default(mi, property)) {
+		variant = NULL;
+	}
+
+	/* If so, we need to swap the value */
+	if (prop != NULL) {
+		g_variant_unref(prop->variant);
+		prop->variant = variant;
+	} else {
+	/* else we need to add it */
+		prop_idle_prop_t myprop;
+		myprop.property = g_strdup(property);
+		myprop.variant = variant;
+
+		g_array_append_val(properties, myprop);
+	}
+	if (variant != NULL) {
+		g_variant_ref_sink(variant);
+	}
+
+	/* Check to see if the idle is already queued, and queue it
+	   if not. */
+	if (priv->property_idle == 0) {
+		priv->property_idle = g_idle_add(menuitem_property_idle, server);
+	}
+
 	return;
 }
 
@@ -757,26 +1020,28 @@ bus_get_layout (DbusmenuServer * server, GVariant * params, GDBusMethodInvocatio
 {
 	DbusmenuServerPrivate * priv = DBUSMENU_SERVER_GET_PRIVATE(server);
 
-	gint parent = 0;
-	g_variant_get(params, "(i)", &parent);
+	/* Input */
+	gint parent = g_variant_get_int32(g_variant_get_child_value(params, 0));
+	gint recurse = g_variant_get_int32(g_variant_get_child_value(params, 1));
+	const gchar ** props = g_variant_get_strv(g_variant_get_child_value(params, 2), NULL);
 
+	/* Output */
 	guint revision = priv->layout_revision;
-	GPtrArray * xmlarray = g_ptr_array_new();
+	GVariant * items = NULL;
 
-	if (parent == 0) {
-		if (priv->root == NULL) {
-			/* g_debug("Getting layout without root node!"); */
-			g_ptr_array_add(xmlarray, g_strdup("<menu id=\"0\"/>"));
-		} else {
-			dbusmenu_menuitem_buildxml(priv->root, xmlarray);
-		}
-	} else {
-		DbusmenuMenuitem * item = NULL;
-		if (priv->root != NULL) {
-			item = dbusmenu_menuitem_find_id(priv->root, parent);
-		}
+	if (priv->root != NULL) {
+		items = dbusmenu_menuitem_build_variant(priv->root, props, recurse);
+	}
 
-		if (item == NULL) {
+	/* What happens if we don't have anything? */
+	if (items == NULL) {
+		if (parent == 0) {
+			/* We should always have a root, so we'll make up one for
+			   right now. */
+			items = g_variant_parse(G_VARIANT_TYPE("(ia{sv}av)"), "(0, [], [])", NULL, NULL, NULL);
+		} else {
+			/* If we were looking for a specific ID that's an error that
+			   we should send back, so let's do that. */
 			g_dbus_method_invocation_return_error(invocation,
 				                                  error_quark(),
 				                                  INVALID_MENUITEM_ID,
@@ -784,23 +1049,19 @@ bus_get_layout (DbusmenuServer * server, GVariant * params, GDBusMethodInvocatio
 				                                  parent);
 			return;
 		}
-		dbusmenu_menuitem_buildxml(item, xmlarray);
 	}
-	g_ptr_array_add(xmlarray, NULL);
 
-	/* build string */
-	gchar * layout = g_strjoinv("", (gchar **)xmlarray->pdata);
+	/* Build the final variant tuple */
+	GVariantBuilder tuplebuilder;
+	g_variant_builder_init(&tuplebuilder, G_VARIANT_TYPE_TUPLE);
 
-	g_ptr_array_foreach(xmlarray, xmlarray_foreach_free, NULL);
-	g_ptr_array_free(xmlarray, TRUE);
+	g_variant_builder_add_value(&tuplebuilder, g_variant_new_uint32(revision));
+	g_variant_builder_add_value(&tuplebuilder, items);
 
+	GVariant * retval = g_variant_builder_end(&tuplebuilder);
+	// g_debug("Sending layout type: %s", g_variant_get_type_string(retval));
 	g_dbus_method_invocation_return_value(invocation,
-	                                      g_variant_new("(us)",
-	                                                    revision,
-	                                                    layout));
-
-	g_free(layout);
-
+	                                      retval);
 	return;
 }
 
@@ -874,7 +1135,7 @@ bus_get_properties (DbusmenuServer * server, GVariant * params, GDBusMethodInvoc
 		return;
 	}
 
-	GVariant * dict = dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_variant(mi);
+	GVariant * dict = dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_variant(mi, NULL);
 
 	g_dbus_method_invocation_return_value(invocation, g_variant_new("(a{sv})", dict));
 
@@ -922,7 +1183,7 @@ bus_get_group_properties (DbusmenuServer * server, GVariant * params, GDBusMetho
 		GVariantBuilder wbuilder;
 		g_variant_builder_init(&wbuilder, G_VARIANT_TYPE_TUPLE);
 		g_variant_builder_add(&wbuilder, "i", id);
-		GVariant * props = dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_variant(mi);
+		GVariant * props = dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_variant(mi, NULL);
 
 		if (props == NULL) {
 			GError * error = NULL;
@@ -946,9 +1207,9 @@ bus_get_group_properties (DbusmenuServer * server, GVariant * params, GDBusMetho
 		ret = g_variant_builder_end(&builder);
 	} else {
 		GError * error = NULL;
-		ret = g_variant_parse(g_variant_type_new("a(ia(sv))"), "[]", NULL, NULL, NULL);
+		ret = g_variant_parse(g_variant_type_new("a(ia{sv})"), "[]", NULL, NULL, NULL);
 		if (error != NULL) {
-			g_warning("Unable to parse '[]' as a 'a(ia(sv))': %s", error->message);
+			g_warning("Unable to parse '[]' as a 'a(ia{sv})': %s", error->message);
 			g_error_free(error);
 			ret = NULL;
 		}
@@ -982,7 +1243,7 @@ serialize_menuitem(gpointer data, gpointer user_data)
 	gint id = dbusmenu_menuitem_get_id(mi);
 	g_variant_builder_add_value(&tuple, g_variant_new_int32(id));
 
-	GVariant * props = dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_variant(mi);
+	GVariant * props = dbusmenu_menuitem_properties_variant(mi, NULL);
 	g_variant_builder_add_value(&tuple, props);
 
 	g_variant_builder_add_value(builder, g_variant_builder_end(&tuple));
@@ -1105,7 +1366,7 @@ bus_event (DbusmenuServer * server, GVariant * params, GDBusMethodInvocation * i
 		event_data->variant = g_variant_get_variant(event_data->variant);
 	}
 
-	g_variant_ref(event_data->variant);
+	g_variant_ref_sink(event_data->variant);
 
 	g_timeout_add(0, event_local_handler, event_data);