diff --git a/Code/irc/banterbot.py b/Code/irc/banterbot.py
index ce16a9f..9c48ed0 100755
--- a/Code/irc/banterbot.py
+++ b/Code/irc/banterbot.py
@@ -13,10 +13,6 @@ import subprocess
 import time
 import datetime
 
-import formatter
-import get_users
-import mentions
-import pretty_date
 import inflect
 from rhymesWith import getRhymes
 from rhymesWith import rhymeZone
@@ -37,7 +33,7 @@ parser.add_option(
     "-s",
     "--server",
     dest="server",
-    default="127.0.0.1",
+    default="127.0.0.1:6667",
     help="the server to connect to",
     metavar="SERVER",
 )
@@ -63,20 +59,12 @@ parser.add_option(
 p = inflect.engine()
 
 
-def ping(pong):
-    ircsock.send("PONG {}\n".format(pong))
-
-
-def sendmsg(chan, msg):
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + chan + " :" + msg + "\n")
-
-
 def joinchan(chan):
-    ircsock.send("JOIN " + chan + "\n")
+    ircsock.send("JOIN " + chan + "\r\n")
 
 
 def hello():
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :Hello!\n")
+    util.sendmsg(ircsoc, channel, "Hello!")
 
 
 def score_banter(channel, user, messageText):
@@ -109,42 +97,27 @@ def score_banter(channel, user, messageText):
 
     msg = ""
     if score > 100:
-        msg = (
-            "Truely "
-            + random.choice(compliment).capitalize()
-            + ", "
-            + random.choice(names)
-            + "! That was some #banter! You earned a "
-            + str(score)
-            + " for that!"
+        msg = "Truely {}, {}! That was some #banter! You earned a {} for that!".format(
+            random.choice(compliment).capitalize(), random.choice(names), score
         )
     elif score > 50:
-        msg = (
-            random.choice(compliment).capitalize()
-            + " #banter! You get a "
-            + str(score)
-            + " from me!"
+        msg = "{} #banter! You get a {} from me!".format(
+            random.choice(compliment).capitalize(), score
         )
     elif score > 10:
-        msg = (
-            random.choice(["acceptible", "reasonable", "passable"]).capitalize()
-            + " #banter. You get a "
-            + str(score)
+        msg = "{} #banter. You get a {}".format(
+            random.choice(["acceptible", "reasonable", "passable"]).capitalize(), score
         )
     else:
-        msg = (
-            "That "
-            + random.choice(
+        msg = "That {} #banter, {}. I'll give you a {}. Maybe try again?".format(
+            random.choice(
                 ["was hardly", "was barely", "wasn't", "won't pass for", "was awful"]
-            )
-            + " #banter"
-            + random.choice([", lad", ", lah", ", boy", "", ""])
-            + ". I'll give you a "
-            + str(score)
-            + ". Maybe try again?"
+            ),
+            random.choice(["lad", "lah", "boy", ""]),
+            score,
         )
 
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + msg + "\n")
+    util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, msg)
 
 
 def get_new_banter(channel, user):
@@ -174,14 +147,8 @@ def get_new_banter(channel, user):
                     word = word[:end] + "t" + word[end:]
                 else:  # replace the letter with 'b'
                     word = word[:end] + "t" + word[end + 1 :]
-        ircsock.send(
-            "PRIVMSG "
-            + channel
-            + " :"
-            + user
-            + ": Here, why don't you try '"
-            + word
-            + "'?\n"
+        util.sendmsg(
+            ircsock, channel, "{} : Here, why don't you try '{}'?".format(user, word)
         )
 
 
@@ -194,26 +161,18 @@ def get_rhymes(channel, user, text):
             word = random.choice(words.readlines()).strip("\n")
     rhymes = rhymeZone(word)
     if len(rhymes) == 0:
-        ircsock.send(
-            "PRIVMSG "
-            + channel
-            + " :"
-            + user
-            + ": Couldn't find anything that rhymes with '"
-            + word
-            + "' :(\n"
+        util.sendmsg(
+            ircsock,
+            channel,
+            "{}: Couldn't find anything that rhymes with '{}' :(".format(user, word),
         )
     else:
-        ircsock.send(
-            "PRIVMSG "
-            + channel
-            + " :"
-            + user
-            + ": Here, these words rhyme with '"
-            + word
-            + "': "
-            + ", ".join(rhymes)
-            + "\n"
+        util.sendmsg(
+            ircsock,
+            channel,
+            "{}: Here, these words rhyme with '{}': {}".format(
+                user, word, ", ".join(rhymes)
+            ),
         )
 
 
@@ -224,68 +183,48 @@ def define_word(channel, user, text):
         word = text.split(" ")[1]
         defs = defWord(word)
     if len(defs) == 0:
-        ircsock.send(
-            "PRIVMSG "
-            + channel
-            + " :"
-            + user
-            + ": Couldn't find the definition of '"
-            + word
-            + "' :(\n"
+        util.sendmsg(
+            ircsock,
+            channel,
+            "{}: Couldn't find the definition of '{}' :(".format(user, word),
         )
     elif isinstance(defs, list):
         for entry in defs:
-            ircsock.send(
-                "PRIVMSG "
-                + channel
-                + " :"
-                + user
-                + ": Define '"
-                + word
-                + "'"
-                + entry[0:400]
-                + "\n"
+            util.sendmsg(
+                ircsock, channel, "{} : Define '{}' {}".format(user, word, entry[0:400])
             )
     else:
-        ircsock.send(
-            "PRIVMSG "
-            + channel
-            + " :"
-            + user
-            + ": Define '"
-            + word
-            + "'"
-            + defs[0:400]
-            + "\n"
+        util.sendmsg(
+            ircsock, channel, "{} : Define '{}' {}".format(user, word, defs[0:400])
         )
 
 
 def make_rainbow(channel, user, text):
     rbword = makeRainbow(text[9:])
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + rbword + "\n")
+    util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, rbword)
 
 
 def get_welch(channel):
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + welch.get_thing()[0:400] + "\n")
+    util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, welch.get_thing()[0:400])
 
 
 def get_evil(channel):
     evilThing = evil.get_thing()
     for line in [evilThing[i : i + 400] for i in range(0, len(evilThing), 400)]:
-        ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + line + "\n")
+        util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, line)
 
 
 def get_tumble(url, channel):
     tumble = tumblr.tumble(url)
     for line in [tumble[i : i + 400] for i in range(0, len(tumble), 400)]:
-        ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + line + "\n")
+        util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, line)
 
 
 def get_xkcd(channel, text):
     links = xkcdApropos.xkcd(text[6:])
     joined_links = ", ".join(links)
     for line in [joined_links[i : i + 400] for i in range(0, len(joined_links), 400)]:
-        ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + line + "\n")
+        util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, line)
     # res = xkcdApropos.xkcd(text[6:])
     # ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + res + "\n")
 
@@ -293,12 +232,8 @@ def get_xkcd(channel, text):
 def get_wphilosophy(channel, text):
     steps = wikiphilosophy.get_philosophy_lower(text[17:])
     if not steps:
-        ircsock.send(
-            "PRIVMSG "
-            + channel
-            + " :Couldn't find a wikipedia entry for "
-            + text
-            + "\n"
+        util.sendmsg(
+            ircsock, channel, "Couldn't find a wikipedia entry for {}".format(text)
         )
     else:
         joined_steps = " > ".join(steps)
@@ -307,24 +242,24 @@ def get_wphilosophy(channel, text):
         for line in [
             joined_steps[i : i + 400] for i in range(0, len(joined_steps), 400)
         ]:
-            ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + line + "\n")
+            util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, line)
 
 
 def figlet(channel, text):
     if not text:
-        ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :No text given. :(\n")
+        util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, "No text given. :(")
     else:
         lines = subprocess.Popen(
             ["figlet", "-w140"] + text.split(" "), shell=False, stdout=subprocess.PIPE
         ).stdout.read()
         for line in lines.split("\n"):
-            ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + line + "\n")
+            util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, line)
             time.sleep(0.4)  # to avoid channel throttle due to spamming
 
 
 def toilet(channel, text):
     if not text:
-        ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :No text given. :(\n")
+        util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, "No text given. :(")
     else:
         lines = subprocess.Popen(
             ["toilet", "-w140", "--irc"] + text.split(" "),
@@ -332,24 +267,24 @@ def toilet(channel, text):
             stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
         ).stdout.read()
         for line in lines.split("\n"):
-            ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + line + "\n")
+            util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, line)
             time.sleep(0.4)  # to avoid channel throttle due to spamming
 
 
 def get_acronym(channel, text):
     if not text:
-        ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :No text given :(\n")
+        util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, "No text given :(")
     else:
         defs = acronymFinder.get_acros(text, True, True)
         for d in defs[0:5]:  # only the first five. they are already sorted by 'score'
-            ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + d.encode("utf-8") + "\n")
+            util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, d.encode("utf-8"))
         if len(defs) > 5:
-            ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + defs[-1] + "\n")
+            util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, defs[-1])
 
 
 def get_whosaid(channel, text):
     if not text:
-        ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :No text given :(\n")
+        util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, " :No text given :(")
     else:
         result = whoSaid(text)
         date = datetime.date.fromtimestamp(result["timecutoff"])
@@ -368,46 +303,37 @@ def get_whosaid(channel, text):
                     result["data"][1][0],
                     result["data"][1][1],
                 )
-        ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + msg + ".\n")
+        util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, msg)
 
 
 def get_notice(user, channel):
-    ircsock.send("CNOTICE " + user + " " + channel + " :Notice me sempai!\n")
+    ircsock.send("CNOTICE " + user + " " + channel + " :Notice me senpai!\r\n")
 
 
 def get_water(user, channel, msg, botnick):
     if msg.find(botnick) == 0:
-        ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :Fight me, " + user + "!\n")
+        util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, "Fight me, {}!".format(user))
 
 
 def mug_off(channel):
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :u want some of this, m8?\n")
+    util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, "u want some of this, m8?")
 
 
 def rollcall(channel):
-    ircsock.send(
-        "PRIVMSG "
-        + channel
-        + " :U wot m8? I score all the top drawer #banter and #bantz on this channel! \
-          Find new top-shelf banter with !newbanter, !rhymes, and !define. \
-          Look up things with !acronym and !whosaid. \
-          Make your chatter #legend with !rainbow, !toilet, and !figlet. \
-          Find interesting things with !xkcd and !wiki-philosophy. \
-          Get jokes with !welch and !evil\n"
+    util.sendmsg(
+        ircsock,
+        channel,
+        """
+        U wot m8? I score all the top drawer #banter and #bantz on this channel!
+        Find new top-shelf banter with !newbanter, !rhymes, and !define.
+        Look up things with !acronym and !whosaid.
+        Make your chatter #legend with !rainbow, !toilet, and !figlet.
+        Find interesting things with !xkcd and !wiki-philosophy.
+        Get jokes with !welch and !evil
+        """,
     )
 
 
-def connect(server, channel, botnick):
-    ircsock.connect((server, 6667))
-    ircsock.send(
-        "USER " + botnick + " " + botnick + " " + botnick + " :krowbar\n"
-    )  # user authentication
-    ircsock.send("NICK " + botnick + "\n")
-
-    joinchan(channel)
-    joinchan("#bots")
-
-
 def get_user_from_message(msg):
     try:
         i1 = msg.index(":") + 1
@@ -433,12 +359,7 @@ def listen(botnick):
 
         # print formatted
 
-        split = formatted.split("\t")
-        # time = split[0]
-        user = split[1]
-        command = split[2]
-        channel = split[3]
-        messageText = split[4]
+        time, user, command, channel, messageText = formatted.split("\t")
 
         if ircmsg.find("#banter") != -1 or ircmsg.find("#bantz") != -1:
             score_banter(channel, user, messageText)
@@ -497,12 +418,12 @@ def listen(botnick):
             mug_off(channel)
 
         if ircmsg[:4] == "PING":
-            ping(ircmsg.split(" ")[1])
+            util.ping(ircsock, msg)
 
         sys.stdout.flush()
         time.sleep(1)
 
 
 ircsock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
-connect(options.server, options.channel, options.nick)
+util.connect(ircsock, options)
 listen(options.nick)
diff --git a/Code/irc/get_users.py b/Code/irc/get_users.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 32a7381..0000000
--- a/Code/irc/get_users.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,13 +0,0 @@
-# Return a list of users on this system
-
-
-def get_users():
-    # thanks, ~dan!
-    users = []
-    with open("/etc/passwd", "r") as f:
-        for line in f:
-            if "/bin/bash" in line:
-                u = line.split(":")[0]  # Grab all text before first ':'
-                users.append(u)
-
-    return users
diff --git a/Code/irc/madlibbot/madlibbot.py b/Code/irc/madlibbot/madlibbot.py
index 5f6934e..bfc685a 100755
--- a/Code/irc/madlibbot/madlibbot.py
+++ b/Code/irc/madlibbot/madlibbot.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ parser.add_option(
     "-s",
     "--server",
     dest="server",
-    default="127.0.0.1",
+    default="127.0.0.1:6667",
     help="the server to connect to",
     metavar="SERVER",
 )
@@ -223,14 +223,6 @@ def finish_story(channel):
 
 
 # System things
-def ping(pong):
-    ircsock.send("PONG {}\n".format(pong))
-
-
-def sendmsg(chan, msg):
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG {} :{}\n".format(chan, msg))
-
-
 def joinchan(chan):
     global state
     state[chan] = State.idle
@@ -258,15 +250,6 @@ def rollcall(channel, botnick):
         )
 
 
-def connect(server, channel, botnick):
-    ircsock.connect((server, 6667))
-    ircsock.send(
-        "USER {} {} {} :krowbar\n".format(botnick, botnick, botnick)
-    )  # user authentication
-    ircsock.send("NICK {}\n".format(botnick))
-    joinchan(channel)
-
-
 def listen(botnick):
     botmsgre = re.compile(
         "^{}\:?\s*(.*)$".format(botnick)
@@ -304,5 +287,5 @@ def listen(botnick):
 
 
 ircsock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
-connect(options.server, options.channel, options.nick)
+util.connect(ircsock, options)
 listen(options.nick)
diff --git a/Code/irc/names.py b/Code/irc/names.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 89be86a..0000000
--- a/Code/irc/names.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,16 +0,0 @@
-#!/usr/bin/python
-import json
-
-names_file = "/home/jumblesale/Code/canonical_names/canonical_names.json"
-
-
-def get_name(name):
-    try:
-        with open(names_file) as names_data:
-            names = json.load(names_data)
-            try:
-                return names[name]["userName"]
-            except KeyError:
-                return name
-    except IOError:
-        return name  # if we didn't already
diff --git a/Code/irc/pretty_date.py b/Code/irc/pretty_date.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 80a8966..0000000
--- a/Code/irc/pretty_date.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,43 +0,0 @@
-def pretty_date(time=False):
-    """
-  Get a datetime object or a int() Epoch timestamp and return a
-  pretty string like 'an hour ago', 'Yesterday', '3 months ago',
-  'just now', etc
-  """
-    from datetime import datetime
-
-    now = datetime.now()
-    if type(time) is int:
-        diff = now - datetime.fromtimestamp(time)
-    elif isinstance(time, datetime):
-        diff = now - time
-    elif not time:
-        diff = now - now
-    second_diff = diff.seconds
-    day_diff = diff.days
-
-    if day_diff < 0:
-        return ""
-
-    if day_diff == 0:
-        if second_diff < 10:
-            return "just now"
-        if second_diff < 60:
-            return str(second_diff) + " seconds ago"
-        if second_diff < 120:
-            return "a minute ago"
-        if second_diff < 3600:
-            return str(second_diff / 60) + " minutes ago"
-        if second_diff < 7200:
-            return "an hour ago"
-        if second_diff < 86400:
-            return str(second_diff / 3600) + " hours ago"
-    if day_diff == 1:
-        return "Yesterday"
-    if day_diff < 7:
-        return str(day_diff) + " days ago"
-    if day_diff < 31:
-        return str(day_diff / 7) + " weeks ago"
-    if day_diff < 365:
-        return str(day_diff / 30) + " months ago"
-    return str(day_diff / 365) + " years ago"
diff --git a/Code/irc/quote_bot.py b/Code/irc/quote_bot.py
index f17f8f5..af36fad 100755
--- a/Code/irc/quote_bot.py
+++ b/Code/irc/quote_bot.py
@@ -7,9 +7,7 @@ import os
 import sys
 from optparse import OptionParser
 
-import get_users
-import mentions
-import formatter
+import util
 
 parser = OptionParser()
 
@@ -17,7 +15,7 @@ parser.add_option(
     "-s",
     "--server",
     dest="server",
-    default="127.0.0.1",
+    default="127.0.0.1:6667",
     help="the server to connect to",
     metavar="SERVER",
 )
@@ -41,48 +39,16 @@ parser.add_option(
 (options, args) = parser.parse_args()
 
 
-def ping(pong):
-    ircsock.send("PONG {}\n".format(pong))
-
-
-def sendmsg(chan, msg):
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + chan + " :" + msg + "\n")
-
-
-def joinchan(chan):
-    ircsock.send("JOIN " + chan + "\n")
-
-
-def hello():
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :Hello!\n")
-
-
 def random_quote(channel):
     quote = os.popen("/home/frs/quotes/randquote.py").read()
     if len(quote) >= 256:
         quote = quote[:253] + "..."
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + quote + "\n")
+    util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, quote)
 
 
 def haiku(channel):
     h = os.popen("haiku").read().replace("\n", " // ")
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + h + "\n")
-
-
-def connect(server, channel, botnick):
-    ircsock.connect((server, 6667))
-    ircsock.send(
-        "USER "
-        + botnick
-        + " "
-        + botnick
-        + " "
-        + botnick
-        + " :This bot is a result of a tutoral covered on http://shellium.org/wiki.\n"
-    )  # user authentication
-    ircsock.send("NICK " + botnick + "\n")
-
-    joinchan(channel)
+    util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, h)
 
 
 def get_user_from_message(msg):
@@ -114,7 +80,7 @@ def say_chatty(channel):
     chattyOut = os.popen("/home/karlen/bin/chatty").read().split("\n")
     for line in chattyOut:
         if line:
-            ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + line + "\n")
+            util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, line)
 
 
 def listen():
@@ -123,20 +89,14 @@ def listen():
         ircmsg = ircsock.recv(2048)
         ircmsg = ircmsg.strip("\n\r")
 
-        if ircmsg[:4] == "PING":
-            ping(ircmsg.split(" ")[1])
-
-        formatted = formatter.format_message(ircmsg)
+        formatted = util.format_message(ircmsg)
 
         if "" == formatted:
             continue
 
         print(formatted)
 
-        split = formatted.split("\t")
-        time = split[0]
-        user = split[1]
-        messageText = split[2]
+        time, user, messageText = formatted.split("\t")
 
         if ircmsg.find(":!quote") != -1:
             random_quote(options.channel)
@@ -158,5 +118,5 @@ def listen():
 
 
 ircsock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
-connect(options.server, options.channel, options.nick)
+util.connect(ircsock, options)
 listen()
diff --git a/Code/irc/rainbow.py b/Code/irc/rainbow.py
deleted file mode 100644
index f439bb6..0000000
--- a/Code/irc/rainbow.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,19 +0,0 @@
-import random
-
-
-def makeRainbow(word):
-
-    word = word or "RAINBOW"
-    output = ""
-    rb = ["5", "7", "8", "3", "12", "13", "6"]
-    bg = "01"
-    idx = random.randrange(0, len(rb))
-
-    for l in word:
-        if l == " ":
-            output += " "
-        else:
-            output += "\x03" + rb[idx % len(rb)] + "," + bg + l
-            idx += 1
-
-    return output
diff --git a/Code/irc/run_wang.sh b/Code/irc/run_wang.sh
index ccc8658..6dd82ac 100755
--- a/Code/irc/run_wang.sh
+++ b/Code/irc/run_wang.sh
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
-nohup ./wangbot.py -s 127.0.0.1 -n numberwang_bot -c \#bots >> wanglog 2>> wanglog &
+nohup ./wangbot.py -n numberwang_bot -c \#bots >> wanglog 2>> wanglog &
 #nohup ./wangbot.py -s 127.0.0.1 -n numberwang_bot -c \#bot_test >> wanglog 2>> wanglog &
diff --git a/Code/irc/systemd/tildebot.service b/Code/irc/systemd/tildebot.service
index 75b1cf0..d44a791 100644
--- a/Code/irc/systemd/tildebot.service
+++ b/Code/irc/systemd/tildebot.service
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ After=tildebot.service
 
 [Service]
 Type=simple
-ExecStart=/home/krowbar/Code/irc/tildebot.py -s 127.0.0.1 -n tildebot -c \#tildetown
+ExecStart=/home/krowbar/Code/irc/tildebot.py -n tildebot -c \#tildetown
 WorkingDirectory=/home/krowbar/Code/irc/
 Restart=always
 RestartSec=5
diff --git a/Code/irc/tildebot.py b/Code/irc/tildebot.py
index 1b61938..7ce279b 100755
--- a/Code/irc/tildebot.py
+++ b/Code/irc/tildebot.py
@@ -10,11 +10,6 @@ from optparse import OptionParser
 import fileinput
 import random
 
-import formatter
-import get_users
-import names
-import mentions
-import pretty_date
 import inflect
 import puzzle
 import util
@@ -25,7 +20,7 @@ parser.add_option(
     "-s",
     "--server",
     dest="server",
-    default="127.0.0.1",
+    default="127.0.0.1:6667",
     help="the server to connect to",
     metavar="SERVER",
 )
@@ -56,10 +51,6 @@ JACKPOT_MIN = 3
 DEBUG = False
 
 
-def hello():
-    util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, "Hello!")
-
-
 def too_recent(time1, time2):
     return int(time1) - int(time2) < 60 * 60
 
@@ -197,14 +188,12 @@ def get_prize(name, isHuman, bonus=0):
     ):  # 80% of the time it's a normal prize (40% for not humans)
         return [
             prize,
-            name
-            + ": "
-            + (get_positive() if isHuman else get_negative())
-            + "! You are "
-            + get_superlative(prize)
-            + " and get "
-            + p.number_to_words(prize)
-            + " tildes!",
+            "{}: {}! You are {} and get {} tildes!".format(
+                name,
+                (get_positive() if isHuman else get_negative),
+                get_superlative(prize),
+                p.number_to_words(prize),
+            ),
         ]
     else:  # 20% of the time its a jackpot situation
         with open(JACKPOT_FILE, "r+") as jackpotfile:
@@ -220,21 +209,17 @@ def get_prize(name, isHuman, bonus=0):
                 )  # increase the jackpot by the prize size
                 return [
                     0,
-                    name
-                    + " "
-                    + get_bad_thing()
-                    + " and gets no tildes! (Jackpot is now "
-                    + str(new_jackpot)
-                    + " tildes)",
+                    "{} {} and gets no tildes! (Jackpot is now {} tildes)".format(
+                        name, get_bad_thing(), new_jackpot
+                    ),
                 ]
             else:  # hit jackpot!
                 jackpotfile.write(str(JACKPOT_MIN))
                 return [
                     jackpot,
-                    name
-                    + " hit the jackpot and won **"
-                    + p.number_to_words(jackpot)
-                    + " tildes!**",
+                    "{} hit the jackpot and won **{}**".format(
+                        name, p.number_to_words(jackpot)
+                    ),
                 ]
 
 
@@ -268,13 +253,8 @@ def give_tilde(channel, user, name, time, human, bonus=0):
                     )
                 else:
                     prize = get_prize(name, human, bonus)
-                    score = (
-                        person[0]
-                        + "&^%"
-                        + str(int(person[1]) + prize[0])
-                        + "&^%"
-                        + time
-                        + "\n"
+                    score = "{}&^%{}&^%{}\n".format(
+                        person[0], int(person[1] + prize[0]), time
                     )
                     util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, prize[1])
             scorefile.write(score)
@@ -287,7 +267,7 @@ def give_tilde(channel, user, name, time, human, bonus=0):
                     p.number_to_words(prize[0] + 1)
                 ),
             )
-            scorefile.write(user + "&^%" + str(prize[0] + 1) + "&^%" + time + "\n")
+            scorefile.write("{}&^%{}&^%{}\n".format(user, str(prize[0] + 1), time))
 
 
 def show_tildescore(channel, user, name):
@@ -344,7 +324,8 @@ def rollcall(channel):
 
 
 def connect(server, channel, botnick):
-    ircsock.connect((server, 6667))
+    server, port = server.split(":")
+    ircsock.connect((server, port))
     ircsock.send("USER {0} {0} {0} :krowbar\r\n".format(botnick))  # user authentication
     ircsock.send("NICK {}\r\n".format(botnick))
     ircsock.send("MODE +B {}\r\n".format(botnick))
@@ -372,21 +353,17 @@ def listen():
 
             if msg[:4] == "PING":
                 util.ping(ircsock, msg)
+                continue
 
-            formatted = formatter.format_message(msg)
+            formatted = util.format_message(msg)
 
             if "" == formatted:
                 continue
 
             # print formatted
 
-            split = formatted.split("\t")
-            iTime = split[0]
-            user = split[1]
-            name = names.get_name(user)
-            command = split[2]
-            channel = split[3]
-            messageText = split[4]
+            iTime, user, command, channel, messageText = formatted.split("\t")
+            name = util.get_name(user)
 
             if msg.find(":!tildescore") != -1:
                 show_tildescore(channel, user, name)
@@ -394,7 +371,6 @@ def listen():
                 challenge(channel, user, name, iTime)
             elif challenges.has_key(user) and (channel == "#bots" or DEBUG):
                 challenge_response(channel, user, name, iTime, messageText)
-                # give_tilde(channel, user, name, iTime)
 
             if msg.find(":!jackpot") != -1:
                 show_jackpot(channel)
@@ -402,13 +378,10 @@ def listen():
             if msg.find(":!rollcall") != -1:
                 rollcall(channel)
 
-            if msg[:4] == "PING":
-                util.ping(ircsock, msg)
-
     sys.stdout.flush()
     time.sleep(1)
 
 
 ircsock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
-connect(options.server, options.channel, options.nick)
+util.connect(ircsock, options)
 listen()
diff --git a/Code/irc/util.py b/Code/irc/util.py
index f8e4ad3..96dceee 100644
--- a/Code/irc/util.py
+++ b/Code/irc/util.py
@@ -1,7 +1,13 @@
+import json
 import time
+import random
 import re
 
 
+def hello(ircsock, chan):
+    sendmsg(ircsock, chan, "Hello!")
+
+
 def ping(pong):
     ircsock.send("PONG {}\n".format(pong.split(" ")[1]))
 
@@ -11,7 +17,17 @@ def sendmsg(ircsock, chan, msg):
 
 
 def joinchan(ircsock, chan):
-    ircsock.send("JOIN {}\n".format(chan))
+    ircsock.send("JOIN {}\r\n".format(chan))
+
+
+def connect(ircsock, options):
+    server, channel, botnick = options
+    server, port = server.split(":")
+    ircsock.connect((server, port))
+    ircsock.send("USER {0} {0} {0} :krowbar".format(botnick))
+    ircsock.send("NICK {}\r\n".format(botnick))
+    ircsock.send("MODE +B {}\r\n".format(botnick))
+    joinchan(channel)
 
 
 # integer number to english word conversion
@@ -158,6 +174,19 @@ def get_users():
     return users
 
 
+def get_name(name):
+    names_file = "/home/jumblesale/Code/canonical_names/canonical_names.json"
+    try:
+        with open(names_file) as names_data:
+            names = json.load(names_data)
+            try:
+                return names[name]["userName"]
+            except KeyError:
+                return name
+    except IOError:
+        return name  # if we didn't already
+
+
 def pretty_date(time=False):
     """
   Get a datetime object or a int() Epoch timestamp and return a
@@ -201,3 +230,21 @@ def pretty_date(time=False):
     if day_diff < 365:
         return str(day_diff / 30) + " months ago"
     return str(day_diff / 365) + " years ago"
+
+
+def makeRainbow(word):
+
+    word = word or "RAINBOW"
+    output = ""
+    rb = ["5", "7", "8", "3", "12", "13", "6"]
+    bg = "01"
+    idx = random.randrange(0, len(rb))
+
+    for l in word:
+        if l == " ":
+            output += " "
+        else:
+            output += "\x03" + rb[idx % len(rb)] + "," + bg + l
+            idx += 1
+
+    return output
diff --git a/Code/irc/wangbot.py b/Code/irc/wangbot.py
index ad32d31..8249cd2 100755
--- a/Code/irc/wangbot.py
+++ b/Code/irc/wangbot.py
@@ -12,11 +12,8 @@ import time
 import re
 import operator
 
-import formatter
-import get_users
-import mentions
-import pretty_date
 import inflect
+import util
 
 parser = OptionParser()
 
@@ -24,7 +21,7 @@ parser.add_option(
     "-s",
     "--server",
     dest="server",
-    default="127.0.0.1",
+    default="127.0.0.1:6667",
     help="the server to connect to",
     metavar="SERVER",
 )
@@ -75,64 +72,41 @@ def resetGlobals():
     currentScores.clear()
 
 
-def ping(pong):
-    ircsock.send("PONG {}\n".format(pong))
-
-
-def sendmsg(chan, msg):
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + chan + " :" + msg + "\n")
-
-
-def joinchan(chan):
-    ircsock.send("JOIN " + chan + "\n")
-
-
-def hello():
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :Hello!\n")
-
-
 def start_numberwang(channel, user):
     if channel != "#bots":
-        ircsock.send(
-            "PRIVMSG "
-            + channel
-            + " :Numberwang has been disabled for "
-            + channel
-            + " due to spamminess. Please join "
-            + GOOD_CHAN
-            + " to start a game.\n"
+        util.sendmsg(
+            ircsock,
+            channel,
+            "Numberwang has been disabled in {} due to spamminess. Please join {} to start a game.".format(
+                channel, GOOD_CHAN
+            ),
         )
         return
 
     print(user + " started a game")
     resetGlobals()
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :It's time for Numberwang!\n")
+    util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, "It's time for Numberwang!")
     time.sleep(1)
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :Here's how to play:\n")
+    util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, "Here's how to play:")
 
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :1. There are 10 rounds\n")
-    ircsock.send(
-        "PRIVMSG "
-        + channel
-        + " :2. Each round lasts 10 seconds. You're up against the clock!\n"
+    util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, "1. There are 10 rounds")
+    util.sendmsg(
+        ircsock, channel, "2. Each round lasts 10 seconds. You're up against the clock!"
     )
-    ircsock.send(
-        "PRIVMSG "
-        + channel
-        + " :3. Play your numbers, as long as they're between 0 and 99.\n"
+    util.sendmsg(
+        ircsock, channel, "3. Play your numbers, as long as they're between 0 and 99."
     )
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :4. That's Numberwang!\n")
+    util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, "4. That's Numberwang!")
     time.sleep(2)
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :Let's get started!\n")
+    util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, "Let's get started!")
     global roundsLeft
     global bonusRound
     roundsLeft = random.randint(MIN_ROUNDS, MAX_ROUNDS)
     bonusRound = random.randint(2, roundsLeft - 1)
     print(
-        "There will be "
-        + str(roundsLeft)
-        + " rounds with the bonus on round "
-        + str(roundsLeft - bonusRound + 1)
+        "There will be {} rounds with the bonus on round {}".format(
+            str(roundsLeft), str(roundsLeft - bonusRound + 1)
+        )
     )
 
 
@@ -141,14 +115,14 @@ def print_scores(channel):
     first = True
     for name in currentScores:
         scoreStrs.append(
-            name
-            + " is "
-            + ("also " if not first and random.randint(1, 3) == 3 else "")
-            + "on "
-            + str(currentScores[name])
+            "{} is {} on {}".format(
+                name,
+                ("also " if not first and random.randint(1, 3) == 3 else ""),
+                currentScores[name],
+            )
         )
         first = False
-    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + p.join(scoreStrs) + "!\n")
+    util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, p.join(scoreStrs))
 
 
 def guess_numberwang(channel, user, messageText):
@@ -162,12 +136,10 @@ def guess_numberwang(channel, user, messageText):
     )  # must have a number in the first 'word'
     if guess:
         if LIMIT_GUESSING and user == lastGuesser:
-            ircsock.send(
-                "PRIVMSG "
-                + channel
-                + " :"
-                + user
-                + ", you just guessed! Give another player a try!\n"
+            util.sendmsg(
+                ircsock,
+                channel,
+                "{}, you just guessed! Give another player a try!".format(user),
             )
         else:
             guesses += 1
@@ -178,9 +150,7 @@ def guess_numberwang(channel, user, messageText):
             ):  # the more guesses, the higher the probability
                 guesses = 0
                 lastGuesser = ""
-                ircsock.send(
-                    "PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + user + ": THAT'S NUMBERWANG!\n"
-                )
+                util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, "{}: THAT'S NUMBERWANG!".format(user))
                 points = random.randint(2, 10) * (
                     random.randint(2, 4) if roundsLeft == bonusRound else 1
                 )
@@ -191,12 +161,12 @@ def guess_numberwang(channel, user, messageText):
                 roundsLeft -= 1
                 time.sleep(2)
                 if roundsLeft == 0:
-                    ircsock.send(
-                        "PRIVMSG "
-                        + channel
-                        + " :Numberwang is now over. Thank you for playing!\n"
+                    util.sendmsg(
+                        ircsock,
+                        channel,
+                        "Numberwang is now over. Thank you for playing!",
                     )
-                    ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :Final scores:\n")
+                    util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, "Final scores:")
                     print_scores(channel)
                     save_scores()
                 else:
@@ -210,43 +180,41 @@ def guess_numberwang(channel, user, messageText):
                         newRoundStr += "New Round!"
                     if random.randint(1, 10) > 8:
                         newRoundStr += " Let's rotate the board!"
-                    ircsock.send(
-                        "PRIVMSG " + channel + " :" + newRoundStr + " Start guessing!\n"
+                    util.sendmsg(
+                        ircsock, channel, "{} Start guessing!".format(newRoundStr)
                     )
 
             ###INCORRECT GUESS###
             else:
-                ircsock.send(
-                    "PRIVMSG "
-                    + channel
-                    + " :"
-                    + random.choice(["Sorry", "I'm sorry", "No", "Nope"])
-                    + ", "
-                    + user
-                    + ", "
-                    + random.choice(
-                        [
-                            "that's not",
-                            "that is not",
-                            "that isn't",
-                            "that is not",
-                            "that won't make",
-                            "that will not make",
-                        ]
-                    )
-                    + " Numberwang!\n"
+                util.sendmsg(
+                    ircsock,
+                    channel,
+                    "{}, {}, {} Numberwang!".format(
+                        random.choice(["Sorry", "I'm sorry", "No", "Nope"]),
+                        user,
+                        random.choice(
+                            [
+                                "that's not",
+                                "that is not",
+                                "that isn't",
+                                "that is not",
+                                "that won't make",
+                                "that will not make",
+                            ]
+                        ),
+                    ),
                 )
 
 
 def stop_numberwang(channel, user):
     print(user + " stopped a game")
     resetGlobals()
-    ircsock.send(
-        "PRIVMSG "
-        + channel
-        + " :Numberwang has been stopped. No points have been awarded. "
-        + user
-        + " is such a party pooper!\n"
+    util.sendmsg(
+        ircsock,
+        channel,
+        "Numberwang has been stopped. No points have been awarded. {} is such a party pooper!".format(
+            user
+        ),
     )
 
 
@@ -259,19 +227,15 @@ def save_scores():
             for name in currentScores:
                 score = line.strip("\n").split("&^%")
                 if score[0] == name:
-                    line = (
-                        score[0]
-                        + "&^%"
-                        + str(int(score[1]) + currentScores[name])
-                        + "\n"
+                    line = "{}&^%{}\n".format(
+                        score[0], int(score[1]) + currentScores[name]
                     )
                     del currentScores[name]
                     break
             scorefile.write(line)
 
         for name in currentScores:  # new wangers
-            line = name + "&^%" + str(currentScores[name]) + "\n"
-            scorefile.write(line)
+            scorefile.write("{}&^%{}\n".format(name, currentScores[name]))
 
 
 def show_highscores(channel):
@@ -282,16 +246,10 @@ def show_highscores(channel):
             scores.append((int(sline[1]), sline[0]))
         scores = sorted(scores, reverse=True)[:SHOW_TOP_NUM]
 
-        ircsock.send("PRIVMSG " + channel + " :   ====TOP WANGERS====\n")
+        util.sendmsg(ircsock, channel, "====TOP WANGERS====")
         for score in scores:
-            ircsock.send(
-                "PRIVMSG "
-                + channel
-                + " :== ~"
-                + score[1]
-                + " ("
-                + str(score[0])
-                + " points!) ==\n"
+            util.sendmsg(
+                ircsock, channel, " :== ~{} ({} points!) ==".format(score[1], score[0])
             )
 
 
@@ -300,45 +258,26 @@ def show_user_score(channel, user):
         for line in scorefile.readlines():
             score = line.strip("\n").split("&^%")
             if user == score[0]:
-                ircsock.send(
-                    "PRIVMSG "
-                    + channel
-                    + " :"
-                    + user
-                    + ": Your global numberwang score is "
-                    + str(score[1])
-                    + "!\n"
+                util.sendmsg(
+                    ircsock,
+                    channel,
+                    "{}: Your global numberwang score is {}!".format(user, score[1]),
                 )
                 return
         # if we don't find a score line
-        ircsock.send(
-            "PRIVMSG "
-            + channel
-            + " :"
-            + user
-            + ": You haven't scored any points yet!\n"
+        util.sendmsg(
+            ircsock, channel, "{} You haven't scored any points yet!".format(user)
         )
 
 
 def rollcall(channel):
-    ircsock.send(
-        "PRIVMSG "
-        + channel
-        + " :Is it time for Numberwang? It might be! Start a new game with !numberwang or stop a current game with !wangernumb Get your score with !myscore and the list of top wangers with !topwangers\n"
+    util.sendmsg(
+        ircsock,
+        channel,
+        " :Is it time for Numberwang? It might be! Start a new game with !numberwang or stop a current game with !wangernumb Get your score with !myscore and the list of top wangers with !topwangers",
     )
 
 
-def connect(server, channel, botnick):
-    ircsock.connect((server, 6667))
-    ircsock.send(
-        "USER " + botnick + " " + botnick + " " + botnick + " :krowbar\n"
-    )  # user authentication
-    ircsock.send("NICK " + botnick + "\n")
-
-    joinchan(channel)
-    joinchan(GOOD_CHAN)
-
-
 def get_user_from_message(msg):
     try:
         i1 = msg.index(":") + 1
@@ -357,19 +296,14 @@ def listen():
         if ircmsg[:4] == "PING":
             ping(ircmsg.split(" ")[1])
 
-        formatted = formatter.format_message(ircmsg)
+        formatted = util.format_message(ircmsg)
 
         if "" == formatted:
             continue
 
         # print formatted
 
-        split = formatted.split("\t")
-        time = split[0]
-        user = split[1]
-        command = split[2]
-        channel = split[3]
-        messageText = split[4]
+        time, user, command, channel, messageText = formatted.split("\t")
 
         if ircmsg.find(":!numberwang") != -1 and roundsLeft == 0:
             start_numberwang(channel, user)
@@ -388,13 +322,10 @@ def listen():
         if ircmsg.find(":!rollcall") != -1:
             rollcall(channel)
 
-        if ircmsg[:4] == "PING":
-            ping(ircmsg.split(" ")[1])
-
         sys.stdout.flush()
         time.sleep(1)
 
 
 ircsock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
-connect(options.server, options.channel, options.nick)
+util.connect(ircsock, options)
 listen()
diff --git a/Code/irc/whosaid.py b/Code/irc/whosaid.py
index 468aae8..e16f19b 100755
--- a/Code/irc/whosaid.py
+++ b/Code/irc/whosaid.py
@@ -22,7 +22,9 @@ nameFix = {
 
 def whoSaid(word):
     word = word.lower()
-    userData = {}  # hash keyed by "user" that contains a hash of mentioned other users with count
+    userData = (
+        {}
+    )  # hash keyed by "user" that contains a hash of mentioned other users with count
     # Get a list of all user names by checking the logs for people who have said things
     with open(logfile, "r") as log:
         for line in log:
diff --git a/Code/python/chatbesties.py b/Code/python/chatbesties.py
index bdbfca0..8a6b0d9 100755
--- a/Code/python/chatbesties.py
+++ b/Code/python/chatbesties.py
@@ -16,7 +16,9 @@ outfile = "/home/krowbar/logs/chatBesties.json"
 outCircle = "/home/krowbar/logs/chatcircle.json"
 timePeriod = calendar.timegm(time.gmtime()) - (2 * 7 * 24 * 60 * 60)  # 2 weeks
 
-userData = {}  # hash keyed by "user" that contains a hash of mentioned other users with count
+userData = (
+    {}
+)  # hash keyed by "user" that contains a hash of mentioned other users with count
 nameFix = {
     "jumblesal": "jumblesale",
     "hardmath1": "kc",
diff --git a/Code/python/chatstats.py b/Code/python/chatstats.py
index 88d5b63..bf20212 100755
--- a/Code/python/chatstats.py
+++ b/Code/python/chatstats.py
@@ -9,7 +9,9 @@ import re
 logfile = "/home/archangelic/irc/log"
 # logfile = "/home/jumblesale/Code/irc/log"
 outfile = "/home/krowbar/logs/chatStats.json"
-userData = {}  # hash keyed by "user" that contains a start timestamp, last timestamp, last said string, chat count, letter count, and word count
+userData = (
+    {}
+)  # hash keyed by "user" that contains a start timestamp, last timestamp, last said string, chat count, letter count, and word count
 # also now happy emotes and sad emotes
 rejectRegexp = "http[s]?://|[0-9]{2}[;:][0-9]{2}"
 happyRegexp = ":[-]?[])}]"