diff --git a/README b/README.md
similarity index 74%
rename from README
rename to README.md
index c03571f..bf33e07 100644
--- a/README
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
+
 quizbot
 =======
 
---------------------------------
 Small and simple quizbot for IRC
 --------------------------------
 
@@ -9,15 +9,41 @@ Small and simple quizbot for IRC
 Use
 ===
 
-Hack config.py to your liking (it's pretty self-explanatory). Write questions 
-in questions.py, as per the format. Note: you need at least eleven question 
-for quizbot to work properly.
+Hack [config.py](config.py) to your liking (it's pretty self-explanatory).
+
+Write questions  in [questions.py](questions.py), as per the format.
+*Note*: you need at least eleven question for quizbot to work properly.
+
+Edit or change common messages by redefining the according variables in [strings.py](strings.py).
 
 Start the bot with:
-	$ ./q
-or:
-	$ python q
+`$ ./q`
+or
+`$ python q`
+
+Start and keep the bot running in a background task:
+`$ nohup ./q &`
+or
+`$ python ./q &`
+
+IRC
+----
 
+Join the same channel where quizbot is connected to.
+
+*Note*: channel users with nick names as defined in the config under `masters=[]` can control the bot, e.g. force a reload of the questions.
+
+`!help` : lists available commands
+
+Masters commands:
+`!op` : OP a master.
+`!deop` : DEOP a master
+`!reload` : Reload the question/answer list.
+
+General commands:
+`!score` : Print the top five quizzers
+`!hiscore` : Print the top five quizzers of all time
+`!botsnack` : Feed quizbot to keep it going
 
 Dependencies
 ============
@@ -27,9 +53,11 @@ below are listed with the oldest versions that are confirmed to work. Older
 versions *might* work. If they do, please report it to <alexander@plaimi.net>, 
 so that he can update this file.
 
--python 2.7.x
--twisted >= 11.0.0
--twisted-words >= 11.0.0
+- python 2.7.x
+- twisted >= 11.0.0
+`$ apt-get install python-twisted`
+- twisted-words >= 11.0.0
+`$ apt-get install python-twisted-words`
 
 A Note on Python 3
 ------------------
@@ -38,7 +66,7 @@ The 3.x interpreter will try to run this and fail. You *need* to use a 2.x
 interpreter (2.7.x is the only one with which quizbot is formally tested). 
 This may be accomplished by specifically invoking a 2.x interpreter on some 
 systems.
-        $ python2 q
+`$ python2 q`
 
 
 quizbot in #quiznode on Freenode
@@ -106,5 +134,4 @@ Author
 
 Alexander Berntsen <alexander@plaimi.net>
 
-
 /* vim: set textwidth=78 formatoptions=actw2 autoindent: */
diff --git a/config.py b/config.py
index ddb3894..5047c1f 100644
--- a/config.py
+++ b/config.py
@@ -12,7 +12,17 @@
 password = False
 # IRC nick names that can control the bot
 masters = [nickname, 'my_nickname']
+# How quickly the bot will get hungry (by asking questions or giving hints)
+stamina = 6
+# Patience the bot has until it gives hints (in seconds, minimum 5)
+hintpatience = 10
+# Minimum number of players required to start asking questions.
+minplayers = 2
+# Threshold representing % of total questions to keep as "recently asked questions"
+qrecyclethreshold = 20
 # High score database file (is automatically created)
-hiscoresdb = 'hiscores.sql'
+hiscoresdb = 'hiscores.sqlite'
+# Keep a player's scores when IRC nick changes.
+keepscore = True
 # Whether to print 'category - question - answer' to STDOUT
 verbose = True
diff --git a/q b/q
index 8e0b7ab..f11583f 100644
--- a/q
+++ b/q
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 
 # Copyright (C) 2012, 2013  Alexander Berntsen <alexander@plaimi.net>
 # Copyright (C) 2012, 2013  Stian Ellingsen <stian@plaimi.net>
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@ from time import time
 from twisted.words.protocols import irc
 from twisted.internet import protocol, reactor
 
+import strings
 import questions as q
 
 
@@ -49,17 +51,26 @@ class Bot(irc.IRCClient):
             self.password = self.factory.password
             self.username = self.factory.username
         self.quizzers = {}
+        self.minplayernum = 2 if config.minplayers is None else config.minplayers
+        self.hint_patience = 6 if config.hintpatience is None else config.hintpatience
         self.last_decide = 10
         self.answered = 5
         self.winner = ''
         self.question = ''
+        if config.qrecyclethreshold is None:
+            self.recently_asked_threshold = ((20*len(q.questions))/100.0)
+        else:
+            self.recently_asked_threshold = ((config.qrecyclethreshold*len(q.questions))/100.0)
         self.recently_asked = []
-        self.db = sqlite3.connect(config.hiscoresdb)
+        self.db = sqlite3.connect(config.hiscoresdb, isolation_level=None)
         self.dbcur = self.db.cursor()
-        self.dbcur.execute('CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS hiscore (quizzer TEXT'
-                           ' unique, wins INTEGER)')
+        try:
+            self.dbcur.execute('CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS hiscore (quizzer TEXT unique, wins INTEGER)')
+        except self.db.IntegrityError as e:
+            print('sqlite error: ', e.args[0])
         self.db.commit()
         self.hunger = 0
+        self.stamina = 6 if config.stamina is None else config.stamina
         self.complained = False
         irc.IRCClient.connectionMade(self)
 
@@ -95,6 +106,15 @@ class Bot(irc.IRCClient):
         """Overrides USERRENAMED."""
         self.del_quizzer(oldname)
         self.add_quizzer(newname)
+        # Change quizzer name in DB to keep score.
+        if config.keepscore:
+            self.dbcur.execute('SELECT * FROM hiscore WHERE quizzer=?',
+                                (oldname,))
+            row = self.dbcur.fetchone()
+            if row is not None:
+                self.dbcur.execute('UPDATE hiscore SET quizzer=? WHERE quizzer=?',
+                                    (newname, oldname))
+                self.db.commit()
 
     def irc_RPL_NAMREPLY(self, prefix, params):
         """Overrides RPL_NAMEREPLY."""
@@ -135,39 +155,49 @@ class Bot(irc.IRCClient):
         # Unknown command.
         elif msg[0] == '!':
             self.msg(self.factory.channel if channel != self.nickname else
-                     name, '... wat.')
+                     name, strings.unknowncmd)
 
     def decide(self):
-        """Figure out whether to post a question or a hint."""
-        t = time()
-        f, dt = ((self.ask, self.answered + 5 - t) if self.answered else
-                 (self.hint, self.last_decide + 10 - t))
-        if dt < 0.5:
-            f()
-            self.last_decide = t
-            dt = 5
-        reactor.callLater(min(5, dt), self.decide)
+        """Wait for enough players."""
+        numPlayers = len(self.quizzers)
+        if numPlayers < self.minplayernum:
+            self.msg(self.factory.channel, strings.waiting)
+            reactor.callLater(30, self.decide)
+            return
+        else:
+            numPlayers += 1
+        if numPlayers >= self.minplayernum:
+            """Figure out whether to post a question or a hint."""
+            t = time()
+            f, dt = ((self.ask, self.answered + 5 - t) if self.answered else
+                     (self.hint, self.last_decide + self.hint_patience - t))
+            if dt < 0.5:
+                f()
+                self.last_decide = t
+                dt = 5
+            reactor.callLater(min(5, dt), self.decide)
 
     def ask(self):
-        """Ask a question."""
+        """Make bot hungy."""
         self.hunger += 1
-        if self.hunger > 6:
+        if self.hunger > self.stamina:
             if not self.complained:
                 self.msg(self.factory.channel,
-                         "I'm hungry. Please feed me with !botsnack.")
+                         strings.botsnack)
                 self.complained = True
             return
+        """Ask a question."""
         # Make sure there have been ten questions in between this question.
         while self.question in self.recently_asked or not self.question:
             cqa = choice(q.questions)
             self.question = cqa[1]
         self.category = cqa[0]
-        # This num should be changed depending on how many questions you have.
-        if len(self.recently_asked) >= 10:
+        # Clear recently asked questions when threshold is reached
+        if len(self.recently_asked) >= self.recently_asked_threshold:
             self.recently_asked.pop(0)
         self.recently_asked.append(self.question)
         self.answer = cqa[2]
-        self.msg(self.factory.channel, 'TOPIC: %s - Q: %s' %
+        self.msg(self.factory.channel, strings.question %
                 (self.category, self.question))
         if config.verbose:
             print '%s - %s - %s' % (self.category, self.question, self.answer)
@@ -191,7 +221,7 @@ class Bot(irc.IRCClient):
         # Max 5 hints, and don't give hints when the answer is so short.
         if len(str(self.answer)) <= self.hint_num + 1 or self.hint_num >= 5:
             if (len(str(self.answer)) == 1 and self.hint_num == 0):
-                self.msg(self.factory.channel, 'HINT: only one character!')
+                self.msg(self.factory.channel, strings.hintone)
                 self.hint_num += 1
             else:
                 self.fail()
@@ -207,19 +237,19 @@ class Bot(irc.IRCClient):
         self.answer_hint = ''.join(
             '*' if idx in self.answer_masks and c is not ' ' else c for
             idx, c in enumerate(str(self.answer)))
-        self.msg(self.factory.channel, 'HINT: %s' % self.answer_hint)
+        self.msg(self.factory.channel, strings.hint % self.answer_hint)
         self.hint_num += 1
 
     def fail(self):
         """Timeout/giveup on answer."""
-        self.msg(self.factory.channel, 'the answer was: "%s"' % self.answer)
-        self.msg(self.factory.channel, 'better luck with the next question!')
+        self.msg(self.factory.channel, strings.rightanswer % self.answer)
+        self.msg(self.factory.channel, strings.wishluck)
         self.answered = time()
 
     def award(self, awardee):
         """Gives a point to awardee."""
         self.quizzers[awardee] += 1
-        self.msg(self.factory.channel, '%s is right! congratulations, %s!' %
+        self.msg(self.factory.channel, strings.correctanswer %
                 (self.answer, awardee))
         if self.quizzers[awardee] == self.target_score:
             self.win(awardee)
@@ -239,20 +269,23 @@ class Bot(irc.IRCClient):
         if numAnswerers > 1:
             winner = quizzersByPoints[0][0]
             self.dbcur.execute('SELECT * FROM hiscore WHERE quizzer=?',
-                               (winner,))
+                                   (winner,))
             wins = 1
             row = self.dbcur.fetchone()
             if row is not None:
                 wins = row[1] + 1
-                sql = 'UPDATE hiscore SET wins = ? WHERE quizzer = ?'
+                sql = 'UPDATE hiscore SET wins=? WHERE quizzer=?'
             else:
-                sql = 'INSERT INTO hiscore (wins,quizzer) VALUES (?,?)'
-            self.dbcur.execute(sql, (wins, winner))
+                sql = 'INSERT INTO hiscore (wins, quizzer) VALUES (?, ?)'
+            try:
+                self.dbcur.execute(sql, (wins, winner))
+            except self.db.IntegrityError as e:
+                print('sqlite error: ', e.args[0])
             self.db.commit()
 
         self.winner = winner
         self.msg(self.factory.channel,
-                 'congratulations to %s, you\'re winner!!!' % self.winner)
+                 strings.winner % self.winner)
         self.reset()
 
     def help(self, user):
@@ -260,15 +293,12 @@ class Bot(irc.IRCClient):
         # Prevent spamming to non-quizzers, AKA random Freenode users.
         if user not in self.quizzers:
             return
-        self.msg(user, self.factory.channel + ' is a quiz channel.')
-        self.msg(user, 'I am ' + self.nickname + ', and *I* ask the' +
-                 ' questions around here! :->')
-        self.msg(user, '!score prints the current top 5 quizzers.')
-        self.msg(user, '!hiscore prints the all time top 5 quizzers.')
-        self.msg(user, 'happy quizzing!')
-        self.msg(user, '(o, and BTW, I\'m hungry, like *all* the freaking' +
-                 ' time.')
-        self.msg(user, 'you can feed me with !botsnack. please do. often.)')
+
+        self.msg(user, strings.help_channelinfo % self.factory.channel)
+        self.msg(user, strings.help_botinfo % self.nickname)
+
+        for msgline in strings.help:
+            self.msg(user, msgline)
 
     def reload_questions(self, user):
         """Reload the question/answer list."""
@@ -280,7 +310,7 @@ class Bot(irc.IRCClient):
         """Feed quizbot."""
         self.hunger = 0
         self.complained = False
-        self.msg(self.factory.channel, 'ta. :-)')
+        self.msg(self.factory.channel, strings.thanks)
 
     def op(self, user):
         """OP a master."""
@@ -301,7 +331,7 @@ class Bot(irc.IRCClient):
             if points:
                 if points != prev_points:
                     j = i
-                self.msg(self.factory.channel, '%d. %s: %d points' %
+                self.msg(self.factory.channel, strings.score %
                          (j, quizzer, points))
                 prev_points = points
 
@@ -310,7 +340,7 @@ class Bot(irc.IRCClient):
         self.dbcur.execute('SELECT * FROM hiscore ORDER by wins DESC LIMIT 5')
         hiscore = self.dbcur.fetchall()
         for i, (quizzer, wins) in enumerate(hiscore):
-            self.msg(self.factory.channel, '%d. %s: %d points' %
+            self.msg(self.factory.channel, strings.score %
                     (i + 1, quizzer.encode('UTF-8'), wins))
 
     def set_topic(self):
@@ -319,11 +349,9 @@ class Bot(irc.IRCClient):
         if alltime is None:
             alltime = ["no one", 0]
         self.topic(
-            self.factory.channel,
-            'happy quizzing. :-> target score: %d. previous winner: %s. '
-            'all-time winner: %s (%d).' %
-            (self.target_score, self.winner, alltime[0].encode('UTF-8'),
-             alltime[1]))
+            self.factory.channel, strings.channeltopic %
+                    (self.target_score, self.winner, alltime[0].encode('UTF-8'),
+                     alltime[1]))
 
     def reset(self):
         """Set all quizzers' points to 0 and change topic."""
@@ -356,8 +384,8 @@ class Bot(irc.IRCClient):
                 return True
         if role == self.quizzers:
             return False
-        self.msg(self.factory.channel, 'not on my watch, %s!' % name)
-        self.kick(self.factory.channel, name, 'lol.')
+        self.msg(self.factory.channel, strings.invalidname % name)
+        self.kick(self.factory.channel, name, strings.kickmsg)
         self.del_quizzer(name)
         return False
 
@@ -379,7 +407,9 @@ class BotFactory(protocol.ClientFactory):
         self.channel = channel
         self.nickname = config.nickname
         self.username = config.username
-        if config.password:
+        if config.password and isinstance(config.password, str):
+            self.password = config.password
+        elif config.password and config.password is True:
             self.password = getpass('enter password (will not be echoed): ')
         self.masters = config.masters
 
diff --git a/questions.py b/questions.py
index c51e2f7..d0c94ab 100644
--- a/questions.py
+++ b/questions.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 questions = [
     ['Category', 'Question 1?', 'Answer'],
     ['Category', 'Question 2?', 'Answer'],
diff --git a/strings.py b/strings.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..be74d02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/strings.py
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+
+# Default message strings - DON'T change these!
+question = 'TOPIC: %s - Q: %s'
+waiting = "Playing alone is no fun. Let's wait for others..."
+botsnack = "I'm hungry. Please feed me with !botsnack."
+hint = 'HINT: %s'
+hintone = 'HINT: only one character!'
+rightanswer = 'the answer was: "%s"'
+wishluck = 'better luck with the next question!'
+correctanswer = '%s is right! congratulations, %s!'
+winner = 'congratulations to %s, you\'re winner!!!'
+thanks = 'ta. :-)'
+score = '%d. %s: %d points'
+channeltopic = 'happy quizzing. :-> target score: %d. previous winner: %s. all-time winner: %s (%d).'
+invalidname = 'not on my watch, %s!'
+kickmsg = 'lol.'
+help_channelinfo = '%s is a quiz channel.'
+help_botinfo = 'I am %s, and *I* ask the questions around here! :->'
+help = [
+    '!score prints the current top 5 quizzers.',
+    '!hiscore prints the all time top 5 quizzers.',
+    'happy quizzing!',
+    '(o, and BTW, I\'m hungry, like *all* the freaking time.',
+    'you can feed me with !botsnack. please do. often.)'
+]
+unknowncmd = '... wat.'
+
+# Message strings - customize these as you desire
+question = 'TOPIC: %s - Q: %s'
+botsnack = "I'm hungry. Please feed me with !botsnack."
+#...