Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums-portlet.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums-portlet.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.3 -r1.3.4.1
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums-portlet.tcl	20 Sep 2008 12:10:28 -0000	1.3
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums-portlet.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:53 -0000	1.3.4.1
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 }
 
 # validate args
-if { ![exists_and_not_null package_id]
-     && ![exists_and_not_null base_url] } {
+if { (![info exists package_id] || $package_id eq "")
+     && (![info exists base_url] || $base_url eq "") } {
     error "package_id and/or base_url must be given"
 }
 if { [info exists n] } {
@@ -31,11 +31,11 @@
 if { ![info exists cache] || [expr {$cache < 0}] } {
     set cache 0
 }
-if { ![exists_and_not_null package_id] } {
+if { (![info exists package_id] || $package_id eq "") } {
     set package_id [site_node::get_element \
                         -url $base_url -element object_id]
 }
-if { ![exists_and_not_null base_url] } {
+if { (![info exists base_url] || $base_url eq "") } {
     set base_url [lindex [site_node::get_url_from_object_id \
                               -object_id $package_id] 0]
 }
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/admin-forums-chunk.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/admin-forums-chunk.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.4 -r1.4.2.1
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/admin-forums-chunk.tcl	25 Nov 2011 19:16:11 -0000	1.4
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/admin-forums-chunk.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:53 -0000	1.4.2.1
@@ -69,6 +69,6 @@
     set disable_url [export_vars -base "forum-disable" { forum_id }]
 }
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {([info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne "")} {
   ad_return_template $alt_template
 }
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/edit.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/edit.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.3 -r1.3.4.1
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/edit.tcl	27 Apr 2009 19:36:21 -0000	1.3
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/edit.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:53 -0000	1.3.4.1
@@ -52,6 +52,6 @@
     element set_properties forum new_threads_p -value [forum::new_questions_allowed_p -forum_id $forum(forum_id)]
 }
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {([info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne "")} {
   ad_return_template $alt_template
 }
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/forums-chunk.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/forums-chunk.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.13 -r1.13.4.1
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/forums-chunk.tcl	27 Apr 2009 16:31:19 -0000	1.13
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/forums-chunk.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:53 -0000	1.13.4.1
@@ -99,6 +99,6 @@
     set statistic "[_ forums.Statistics]"
 }
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {([info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne "")} {
     ad_return_template $alt_template
 }
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/forums-history-chunk.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/forums-history-chunk.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.4 -r1.4.6.1
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/forums-history-chunk.tcl	22 May 2007 09:42:08 -0000	1.4
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/forums-history-chunk.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:53 -0000	1.4.6.1
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
     
     Forums History 
 
-    @author Natalia P�rez (nperper@it.uc3m.es)
+    @author Natalia Pérez (nperper@it.uc3m.es)
     @creation-date 2005-03-17    
 
 }
@@ -43,6 +43,6 @@
 
 db_multirow persons select_users_wrote_post {} 
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {([info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne "")} {
   ad_return_template $alt_template
 }
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/new.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/new.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.5 -r1.5.4.1
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/new.tcl	27 Apr 2009 19:36:21 -0000	1.5
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/forums/new.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:54 -0000	1.5.4.1
@@ -58,6 +58,6 @@
     element set_value forum name $name
 }
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {([info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne "")} {
   ad_return_template $alt_template
 }
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/attachment-list.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/attachment-list.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.3 -r1.3.4.1
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/attachment-list.tcl	9 Nov 2008 23:29:26 -0000	1.3
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/attachment-list.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:54 -0000	1.3.4.1
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
     ad_return_complaint 1 "[_ forums.lt_need_to_provide_a_mes]"
 }
 
-if {![exists_and_not_null bgcolor]} {
+if {(![info exists bgcolor] || $bgcolor eq "")} {
     set bgcolor "#ffffff"
 }
 
@@ -24,6 +24,6 @@
 
 set attachment_graphic [attachments::graphic_url]
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {([info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne "")} {
   ad_return_template $alt_template
 }
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/delete.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/delete.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.3 -r1.3.6.1
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/delete.tcl	4 Jan 2008 17:27:47 -0000	1.3
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/delete.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:54 -0000	1.3.6.1
@@ -26,6 +26,6 @@
 
 set confirm_url [export_vars -base "message-delete" {message_id return_url {confirm_p 1}}]
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {([info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne "")} {
   ad_return_template $alt_template
 }
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/messages-table.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/messages-table.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.3 -r1.3.6.1
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/messages-table.tcl	23 Dec 2007 14:50:15 -0000	1.3
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/messages-table.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:54 -0000	1.3.6.1
@@ -28,6 +28,6 @@
     }
 }
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {([info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne "")} {
   ad_return_template $alt_template
 }
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/pending-list-chunk.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/pending-list-chunk.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.1 -r1.1.16.1
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/pending-list-chunk.tcl	17 Dec 2003 15:45:29 -0000	1.1
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/pending-list-chunk.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:54 -0000	1.1.16.1
@@ -11,6 +11,6 @@
 # Get the threads that need approval
 db_multirow pending_threads select_pending_threads {}
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {([info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne "")} {
   ad_return_template $alt_template
 }
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/post.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/post.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.21 -r1.21.4.1
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/post.tcl	29 May 2009 12:32:50 -0000	1.21
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/post.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:54 -0000	1.21.4.1
@@ -221,6 +221,6 @@
     }
 
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {([info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne "")} {
     ad_return_template $alt_template
 }
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/row.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/row.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.11 -r1.11.4.1
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/row.tcl	9 Nov 2008 22:25:20 -0000	1.11
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/row.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:54 -0000	1.11.4.1
@@ -13,11 +13,11 @@
 set useScreenNameP [parameter::get -parameter "UseScreenNameP" -default 0]
 set screen_name [db_string select_screen_name { select screen_name from users where user_id = :viewer_id}]
 
-if {![exists_and_not_null rownum]} { 
+if {(![info exists rownum] || $rownum eq "")} { 
     set rownum 1
 }
 
-if {![exists_and_not_null presentation_type]} {
+if {(![info exists presentation_type] || $presentation_type eq "")} {
     set presentation_type ""
 }
 
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
     set display_subject_p [expr {$subject ne $root_subject }] 
 }
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {([info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne "")} {
   ad_return_template $alt_template
 }
 if {![info exists message(message_id)]} {
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/row2.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/row2.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.2 -r1.2.4.1
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/row2.tcl	20 Sep 2008 12:10:28 -0000	1.2
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/row2.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:54 -0000	1.2.4.1
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 set viewer_id [ad_conn user_id]
 
 
-if {![exists_and_not_null rownum]} { 
+if {(![info exists rownum] || $rownum eq "")} { 
     set rownum 1
 }
 
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
     set display_subject_p [expr {$subject ne $root_subject }] 
 }
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {([info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne "")} {
   ad_return_template $alt_template
 }
 if {![info exists message(message_id)]} {
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/thread-chunk.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/thread-chunk.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.11 -r1.11.4.1
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/thread-chunk.tcl	9 Nov 2008 23:29:26 -0000	1.11
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/thread-chunk.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:54 -0000	1.11.4.1
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@
 set message(number) [expr {[lsearch $message_id_list $message(message_id)] + 1}]
 set message(parent_number) {}
 set message(parent_direct_url) ""
-if { [exists_and_not_null message(parent_id)] } {
+if { [info exists message(parent_id)] && $message(parent_id) ne "" } {
     set message(parent_number) [expr {[lsearch $message_id_list $message(parent_id)] + 1}]
     set message(parent_direct_url) "$direct_url_base\#msg_$message(parent_id)"
     set message(parent_root_url) [export_vars -base [ad_conn url] { { message_id $message(parent_id) } }]
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@
 
 set message(tree_level) 0
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {[info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne ""} {
   ad_return_template $alt_template
 }
 
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/threads-chunk.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/threads-chunk.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.14.4.1 -r1.14.4.2
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/threads-chunk.tcl	7 Sep 2013 14:36:50 -0000	1.14.4.1
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/message/threads-chunk.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:54 -0000	1.14.4.2
@@ -33,11 +33,11 @@
 
 set actions [list]
 
-if {![exists_and_not_null page_size]} {
+if {![info exists page_size] || $page_size eq ""} {
     set page_size 30
 }
 
-if {![exists_and_not_null base_url]} {
+if {![info exists base_url] || $base_url eq ""} {
     set base_url ""
 }
 
@@ -47,22 +47,31 @@
 # moderated 2. User is a moderator or adminsitrator
 
 if {$permissions(post_p)} {
-  if {([forum::new_questions_allowed_p -forum_id $forum_id] && ($forum(posting_policy) eq "open" || $forum(posting_policy) eq "moderated")) ||  [template::util::is_true $permissions(admin_p)] ||  [template::util::is_true $permissions(moderate_p)]  } {
-    lappend actions [_ forums.Post_a_New_Message] [export_vars -base "${base_url}message-post" { forum_id }] [_ forums.Post_a_New_Message]
+  if {(
+       [forum::new_questions_allowed_p -forum_id $forum_id] 
+       && ($forum(posting_policy) eq "open" || $forum(posting_policy) eq "moderated")
+       )
+      || [template::util::is_true $permissions(admin_p)] 
+      || [template::util::is_true $permissions(moderate_p)]  
+  } {
+    lappend actions [_ forums.Post_a_New_Message] \
+	[export_vars -base "${base_url}message-post" { forum_id }] [_ forums.Post_a_New_Message]
   }
 }
 
 if { [template::util::is_true $permissions(admin_p)] } {
-    lappend actions [_ forums.Administer] [export_vars \
-					       -base "${base_url}admin/forum-edit" {forum_id {return_url [ad_return_url]}}] [_ forums.Administer]
+    lappend actions [_ forums.Administer] \
+	[export_vars -base "${base_url}admin/forum-edit" {forum_id {return_url [ad_return_url]}}] [_ forums.Administer]
 }
 
 if { [template::util::is_true $permissions(moderate_p)] } {
-    lappend actions [_ forums.ManageModerate] [export_vars -base "${base_url}moderate/forum" { forum_id }] [_ forums.ManageModerate]
+    lappend actions [_ forums.ManageModerate] \
+	[export_vars -base "${base_url}moderate/forum" { forum_id }] [_ forums.ManageModerate]
 }
 
 if { $useReadingInfo } {
-    lappend actions [_ forums.mark_all_as_read] [export_vars -base "${base_url}mark-all-read" { forum_id }] {}
+    lappend actions [_ forums.mark_all_as_read] \
+	[export_vars -base "${base_url}mark-all-read" { forum_id }] {}
 }
 
 template::list::create \
@@ -184,6 +193,6 @@
     }
 }
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {([info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne "")} {
     ad_return_template $alt_template
 }
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/search/search-chunk.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/search/search-chunk.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.6 -r1.6.4.1
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/search/search-chunk.tcl	20 Sep 2008 12:10:28 -0000	1.6
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/search/search-chunk.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:54 -0000	1.6.4.1
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
         set messages:rowcount 0
     }
 
-    if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+    if {([info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne "")} {
         ad_return_template $alt_template
     }
 }
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/user/post-history-chunk.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/user/post-history-chunk.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.7 -r1.7.2.1
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/user/post-history-chunk.tcl	25 Nov 2011 19:16:11 -0000	1.7
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/lib/user/post-history-chunk.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:54 -0000	1.7.2.1
@@ -116,6 +116,6 @@
 
 set dimensional_chunk [ad_dimensional $dimensional_list]
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {([info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne "")} {
     ad_return_template $alt_template
 }
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/www/moderate/move-thread-thread.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/www/moderate/move-thread-thread.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.3.4.1 -r1.3.4.2
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/www/moderate/move-thread-thread.tcl	9 Sep 2013 16:44:27 -0000	1.3.4.1
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/www/moderate/move-thread-thread.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:55 -0000	1.3.4.2
@@ -86,6 +86,6 @@
 }
 set url_vars [export_vars -url {msg_id return_url selected_message}]
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {([info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne "")} {
   ad_return_template $alt_template
 }
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/www/moderate/move-thread.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/www/moderate/move-thread.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.4.4.1 -r1.4.4.2
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/www/moderate/move-thread.tcl	9 Sep 2013 16:44:27 -0000	1.4.4.1
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/www/moderate/move-thread.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:55 -0000	1.4.4.2
@@ -20,7 +20,10 @@
 forum::message::get -message_id $msg_id -array message
 
 #form to confirm 
-ad_form -name confirmed_move -mode {display} -actions [list [list  [_ forums.Yes]  yes] [list No no] ] -export { msg_id return_url selected_message} -html {enctype multipart/form-data} -form {
+ad_form -name confirmed_move -mode {display} \
+    -actions [list [list  [_ forums.Yes]  yes] [list No no] ] \
+    -export { msg_id return_url selected_message} \
+    -html {enctype multipart/form-data} -form {
     {data:text(hidden) {value 0}}
 }
 #get the clicked button 
@@ -91,7 +94,7 @@
 
 set url_vars [export_vars -url {msg_id return_url selected_message}]
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {[info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne ""} {
   ad_return_template $alt_template
 }
 
Index: openacs-4/packages/forums/www/moderate/move.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/forums/www/moderate/move.tcl,v
diff -u -r1.3.2.1 -r1.3.2.2
--- openacs-4/packages/forums/www/moderate/move.tcl	9 Sep 2013 16:44:27 -0000	1.3.2.1
+++ openacs-4/packages/forums/www/moderate/move.tcl	30 Sep 2013 11:33:55 -0000	1.3.2.2
@@ -20,7 +20,10 @@
 forum::message::get -message_id $message_id -array message
 
 #form to confirm if a user want to move the thread
-ad_form -name confirmed_move -mode {display} -actions [list [list [_ forums.Yes] yes] [list No no] ] -export { message_id return_url selected_forum} -html {enctype multipart/form-data} -form {
+ad_form -name confirmed_move -mode {display} \
+    -actions [list [list [_ forums.Yes] yes] [list No no] ] \
+    -export { message_id return_url selected_forum} \
+    -html {enctype multipart/form-data} -form {
  {data:text(hidden)                     {value 0}}
 } 
 #get the clicked button
@@ -85,6 +88,6 @@
 }
 set url_vars [export_vars -url {message_id return_url selected_forum}]
 
-if {[exists_and_not_null alt_template]} {
+if {[info exists alt_template] && $alt_template ne ""} {
   ad_return_template $alt_template
 }