diff --git a/onionr/blockimporter.py b/onionr/blockimporter.py
index d5e02e7d..067ec045 100755
--- a/onionr/blockimporter.py
+++ b/onionr/blockimporter.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ def importBlockFromData(content, coreInst):
 
     metas = blockmetadata.get_block_metadata_from_data(content) # returns tuple(metadata, meta), meta is also in metadata
     metadata = metas[0]
-    if validatemetadata(metadata, metas[2]): # check if metadata is valid
+    if validatemetadata.validate_metadata(coreInst, metadata, metas[2]): # check if metadata is valid
         if coreInst._crypto.verifyPow(content): # check if POW is enough/correct
             logger.info('Block passed proof, saving.', terminal=True)
             try:
@@ -46,6 +46,6 @@ def importBlockFromData(content, coreInst):
                 pass
             else:
                 coreInst.addToBlockDB(blockHash, dataSaved=True)
-                blockmetadata.process_block_metadata(blockHash) # caches block metadata values to block database
+                blockmetadata.process_block_metadata(coreInst, blockHash) # caches block metadata values to block database
                 retData = True
     return retData
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/onionr/communicatorutils/announcenode.py b/onionr/communicatorutils/announcenode.py
index f72010f5..38453647 100755
--- a/onionr/communicatorutils/announcenode.py
+++ b/onionr/communicatorutils/announcenode.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 import base64
 import onionrproofs, logger
 from etc import onionrvalues
-from onionrutils import basicrequests
+from onionrutils import basicrequests, bytesconverter
 
 def announce_node(daemon):
     '''Announce our node to our peers'''
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ def announce_node(daemon):
             combinedNodes = ourID + peer
             if ourID != 1:
                 #TODO: Extend existingRand for i2p
-                existingRand = daemon._core._utils.bytesToStr(daemon._core.getAddressInfo(peer, 'powValue'))
+                existingRand = bytesconverter.bytes_to_str(daemon._core.getAddressInfo(peer, 'powValue'))
                 # Reset existingRand if it no longer meets the minimum POW
                 if type(existingRand) is type(None) or not existingRand.endswith('0' * ov.announce_pow):
                     existingRand = ''
diff --git a/onionr/communicatorutils/downloadblocks.py b/onionr/communicatorutils/downloadblocks.py
index ecd7b873..1a159c93 100755
--- a/onionr/communicatorutils/downloadblocks.py
+++ b/onionr/communicatorutils/downloadblocks.py
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ def download_blocks_from_communicator(comm_inst):
                 content = content.decode() # decode here because sha3Hash needs bytes above
                 metas = blockmetadata.get_block_metadata_from_data(content) # returns tuple(metadata, meta), meta is also in metadata
                 metadata = metas[0]
-                if validatemetadata.validate_metadata(comm_inist._core, metadata, metas[2]): # check if metadata is valid, and verify nonce
+                if validatemetadata.validate_metadata(comm_inst._core, metadata, metas[2]): # check if metadata is valid, and verify nonce
                     if comm_inst._core._crypto.verifyPow(content): # check if POW is enough/correct
                         logger.info('Attempting to save block %s...' % blockHash[:12])
                         try:
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ def download_blocks_from_communicator(comm_inst):
                             removeFromQueue = False
                         else:
                             comm_inst._core.addToBlockDB(blockHash, dataSaved=True)
-                            blockmetadata.process_block_metadata(blockHash) # caches block metadata values to block database
+                            blockmetadata.process_block_metadata(comm_inst._core, blockHash) # caches block metadata values to block database
                     else:
                         logger.warn('POW failed for block %s.' % blockHash)
                 else:
diff --git a/onionr/communicatorutils/uploadblocks.py b/onionr/communicatorutils/uploadblocks.py
index afe96525..0a3488a8 100755
--- a/onionr/communicatorutils/uploadblocks.py
+++ b/onionr/communicatorutils/uploadblocks.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def upload_blocks_from_communicator(comm_inst):
                 url = 'http://' + peer + '/upload'
                 data = {'block': block.Block(bl).getRaw()}
                 proxyType = proxypicker.pick_proxy(peer)
-                logger.info("Uploading block to " + peer)
+                logger.info("Uploading block to " + peer, terminal=True)
                 if not basicrequests.do_post_request(core, url, data=data, proxyType=proxyType) == False:
                     localcommand.local_command(core, 'waitforshare/' + bl, post=True)
                     finishedUploads.append(bl)
diff --git a/onionr/core.py b/onionr/core.py
index 0d64877a..09d2cc4d 100755
--- a/onionr/core.py
+++ b/onionr/core.py
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ class Core:
             dateClaimed  - timestamp claimed inside the block, only as trustworthy as the block author is
             expire       - expire date for a block
         '''
-        return coredb.blockmetadb.updateblockinfo
+        return coredb.blockmetadb.updateblockinfo.update_block_info(self, hash, key, data)
 
     def insertBlock(self, data, header='txt', sign=False, encryptType='', symKey='', asymPeer='', meta = {}, expire=None, disableForward=False):
         '''
@@ -437,8 +437,11 @@ class Core:
             else:
                 # Tell the api server through localCommand to wait for the daemon to upload this block to make statistical analysis more difficult
                 if localcommand.local_command(self, '/ping', maxWait=10) == 'pong!':
-                    localcommand.local_command(self, '/waitforshare/' + retData, post=True, maxWait=5)
+                    if self.config.get('general.security_level', 1) > 0:
+                        localcommand.local_command(self, '/waitforshare/' + retData, post=True, maxWait=5)
                     self.daemonQueueAdd('uploadBlock', retData)
+                else:
+                    print('shite', localcommand.local_command(self, '/ping', maxWait=10))
                 self.addToBlockDB(retData, selfInsert=True, dataSaved=True)
                 blockmetadata.process_block_metadata(self, retData)
 
diff --git a/onionr/httpapi/miscpublicapi/announce.py b/onionr/httpapi/miscpublicapi/announce.py
index f17c8d83..060bead4 100755
--- a/onionr/httpapi/miscpublicapi/announce.py
+++ b/onionr/httpapi/miscpublicapi/announce.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import base64
 from flask import Response
 import logger
 from etc import onionrvalues
-from onionrutils import stringvalidators
+from onionrutils import stringvalidators, bytesconverter
 
 def handle_announce(clientAPI, request):
     '''
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ def handle_announce(clientAPI, request):
             except AttributeError:
                 pass
             if powHash.startswith('0' * onionrvalues.OnionrValues().announce_pow):
-                newNode = clientAPI._core._utils.bytesToStr(newNode)
+                newNode = bytesconverter.bytes_to_str(newNode)
                 if stringvalidators.validate_transport(newNode) and not newNode in clientAPI._core.onionrInst.communicatorInst.newPeers:
                     clientAPI._core.onionrInst.communicatorInst.newPeers.append(newNode)
                     resp = 'Success'
diff --git a/onionr/logger.py b/onionr/logger.py
index 01ada8ce..1f65d0d4 100755
--- a/onionr/logger.py
+++ b/onionr/logger.py
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ def raw(data, fd = sys.stdout, terminal = False):
         Outputs raw data to console without formatting
     '''
 
-    if terminal and (get_settings() & OUTPUT_TO_CONSOLE):
+    if (get_settings() & OUTPUT_TO_CONSOLE):
         try:
             ts = fd.write('%s\n' % data)
         except OSError:
diff --git a/onionr/onionr.py b/onionr/onionr.py
index 85a34020..cd16ddfe 100755
--- a/onionr/onionr.py
+++ b/onionr/onionr.py
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ try:
 except ImportError:
     raise Exception("You need the PySocks module (for use with socks5 proxy to use Tor)")
 
-
 class Onionr:
     def __init__(self):
         '''
diff --git a/onionr/onionrcommands/daemonlaunch.py b/onionr/onionrcommands/daemonlaunch.py
index 28202c10..c82d13de 100755
--- a/onionr/onionrcommands/daemonlaunch.py
+++ b/onionr/onionrcommands/daemonlaunch.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def daemon(o_inst):
     logger.debug('Python version %s' % platform.python_version())
 
     if o_inst._developmentMode:
-        logger.warn('DEVELOPMENT MODE ENABLED', timestamp = False, terminal=True)
+        logger.warn('Development mode enabled', timestamp = False, terminal=True)
     net = NetController(o_inst.onionrCore.config.get('client.public.port', 59497), apiServerIP=apiHost)
     logger.info('Tor is starting...', terminal=True)
     if not net.startTor():
diff --git a/onionr/onionrutils/blockmetadata.py b/onionr/onionrutils/blockmetadata.py
index d892257f..72bdb48c 100644
--- a/onionr/onionrutils/blockmetadata.py
+++ b/onionr/onionrutils/blockmetadata.py
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ def process_block_metadata(core_inst, blockHash):
         myBlock.decrypt()
     if (myBlock.isEncrypted and myBlock.decrypted) or (not myBlock.isEncrypted):
         blockType = myBlock.getMetadata('type') # we would use myBlock.getType() here, but it is bugged with encrypted blocks
+        print('blockType', blockType)
         signer = bytesconverter.bytes_to_str(myBlock.signer)
         valid = myBlock.verifySig()
         if myBlock.getMetadata('newFSKey') is not None:
diff --git a/onionr/onionrutils/localcommand.py b/onionr/onionrutils/localcommand.py
index 90b0d7ac..6b5356ee 100644
--- a/onionr/onionrutils/localcommand.py
+++ b/onionr/onionrutils/localcommand.py
@@ -19,11 +19,12 @@ def local_command(core_inst, command, data='', silent = True, post=False, postDa
     if data != '':
         data = '&data=' + urllib.parse.quote_plus(data)
     payload = 'http://%s/%s%s' % (hostname, command, data)
+    print(payload)
     try:
         if post:
-            retData = requests.post(payload, data=postData, headers={'token': config.get('client.webpassword'), 'Connection':'close'}, timeout=(maxWait, maxWait)).text
+            retData = requests.post(payload, data=postData, headers={'token': core_inst.config.get('client.webpassword'), 'Connection':'close'}, timeout=(maxWait, maxWait)).text
         else:
-            retData = requests.get(payload, headers={'token': config.get('client.webpassword'), 'Connection':'close'}, timeout=(maxWait, maxWait)).text
+            retData = requests.get(payload, headers={'token': core_inst.config.get('client.webpassword'), 'Connection':'close'}, timeout=(maxWait, maxWait)).text
     except Exception as error:
         if not silent:
             logger.error('Failed to make local request (command: %s):%s' % (command, error), terminal=True)
diff --git a/onionr/onionrutils/validatemetadata.py b/onionr/onionrutils/validatemetadata.py
index 4e2e69f0..ec1f51da 100644
--- a/onionr/onionrutils/validatemetadata.py
+++ b/onionr/onionrutils/validatemetadata.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import json
 import logger, onionrexceptions
 from etc import onionrvalues
-from onionrutils import stringvalidators, epoch
+from onionrutils import stringvalidators, epoch, bytesconverter
 def validate_metadata(core_inst, metadata, blockData):
     '''Validate metadata meets onionr spec (does not validate proof value computation), take in either dictionary or json string'''
     # TODO, make this check sane sizes
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ def validate_metadata(core_inst, metadata, blockData):
         else:
             # if metadata loop gets no errors, it does not break, therefore metadata is valid
             # make sure we do not have another block with the same data content (prevent data duplication and replay attacks)
-            nonce = core_inst._utils.bytesToStr(core_inst._crypto.sha3Hash(blockData))
+            nonce = bytesconverter.bytes_to_str(core_inst._crypto.sha3Hash(blockData))
             try:
                 with open(core_inst.dataNonceFile, 'r') as nonceFile:
                     if nonce in nonceFile.read():
diff --git a/onionr/static-data/default-plugins/pms/main.py b/onionr/static-data/default-plugins/pms/main.py
index dfacc915..5c532877 100755
--- a/onionr/static-data/default-plugins/pms/main.py
+++ b/onionr/static-data/default-plugins/pms/main.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ import logger, config, threading, time, datetime
 from onionrblockapi import Block
 import onionrexceptions
 from onionrusers import onionrusers
-from onionrutils import stringvalidators, escapeansi
+from onionrutils import stringvalidators, escapeansi, bytesconverter
 import locale, sys, os, json
 
 locale.setlocale(locale.LC_ALL, '')
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ class OnionrMail:
                 else:
                     cancel = ''
                     readBlock.verifySig()
-                    senderDisplay = self.myCore._utils.bytesToStr(readBlock.signer)
+                    senderDisplay = bytesconverter.bytes_to_str(readBlock.signer)
                     if len(senderDisplay.strip()) == 0:
                         senderDisplay = 'Anonymous'
                     logger.info('Message received from %s' % (senderDisplay,), terminal=True)
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ class OnionrMail:
                             reply = logger.readline("Press enter to continue, or enter %s to reply" % ("-r",))
                             print('')
                             if reply == "-r":
-                                self.draft_message(self.myCore._utils.bytesToStr(readBlock.signer,))
+                                self.draft_message(bytesconverter.bytes_to_str(readBlock.signer,))
                         else:
                             logger.readline("Press enter to continue")
                             print('')
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ class OnionrMail:
         self.sentMessages = {}
         for i in self.sentboxTools.listSent():
             self.sentboxList.append(i['hash'])
-            self.sentMessages[i['hash']] = (self.myCore._utils.bytesToStr(i['message']), i['peer'], i['subject'])
+            self.sentMessages[i['hash']] = (bytesconverter.bytes_to_str(i['message']), i['peer'], i['subject'])
             if display:
                 logger.info('%s. %s - %s - (%s) - %s' % (count, i['hash'], i['peer'][:12], i['subject'], i['date']), terminal=True)
             count += 1