diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index b17b5a584..ada874bb2 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -4,3 +4,6 @@ Doxygen
 prebuilt
 apps/openmw/config.hpp
 Docs/mainpage.hpp
+CMakeFiles
+*/CMakeFiles
+CMakeCache.txt
diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 91d3f7dd3..f4be17e90 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -90,6 +90,14 @@ set(BSA_HEADER
     ${COMP_DIR}/bsa/bsa_file.hpp)
 source_group(components\\bsa FILES ${BSA} ${BSA_HEADER})
 
+set(CFG
+    ${COMP_DIR}/cfg/configurationmanager.cpp
+    )
+set(CFG_HEADER
+    ${COMP_DIR}/cfg/configurationmanager.hpp
+    )
+source_group(components\\cfg FILES ${CFG} ${CFG_HEADER})
+
 set(NIF
     ${COMP_DIR}/nif/nif_file.cpp)
 set(NIF_HEADER
@@ -189,22 +197,29 @@ source_group(components\\esm FILES ${ESM_HEADER} ${ESM})
 
 set(MISC
     ${COMP_DIR}/misc/stringops.cpp
-    ${COMP_DIR}/misc/fileops.cpp)
+    )
 set(MISC_HEADER
-    ${COMP_DIR}/misc/fileops.hpp
     ${COMP_DIR}/misc/slice_array.hpp
-    ${COMP_DIR}/misc/stringops.hpp)
+    ${COMP_DIR}/misc/stringops.hpp
+    )
 source_group(components\\misc FILES ${MISC} ${MISC_HEADER})
 
 set(FILES
-    ${COMP_DIR}/files/path.cpp
+    ${COMP_DIR}/files/linuxpath.cpp
+    ${COMP_DIR}/files/windowspath.cpp
+    ${COMP_DIR}/files/macospath.cpp
     ${COMP_DIR}/files/multidircollection.cpp
     ${COMP_DIR}/files/collections.cpp
+    ${COMP_DIR}/files/fileops.cpp
     )
 set(FILES_HEADER
+    ${COMP_DIR}/files/linuxpath.hpp
+    ${COMP_DIR}/files/windowspath.hpp
+    ${COMP_DIR}/files/macospath.hpp
     ${COMP_DIR}/files/path.hpp
     ${COMP_DIR}/files/multidircollection.hpp
     ${COMP_DIR}/files/collections.hpp
+    ${COMP_DIR}/files/fileops.hpp
     )
 source_group(components\\files FILES ${FILES} ${FILES_HEADER})
 
@@ -217,10 +232,14 @@ file(GLOB INTERPRETER_HEADER ${COMP_DIR}/interpreter/*.hpp)
 source_group(components\\interpreter FILES ${INTERPRETER} ${INTERPRETER_HEADER})
 
 set(COMPONENTS ${BSA} ${NIF} ${NIFOGRE} ${ESM_STORE} ${MISC} ${TO_UTF8}
-    ${COMPILER} ${INTERPRETER} ${ESM} ${FILE_FINDER} ${NIFBULLET} ${FILES})
+    ${COMPILER} ${INTERPRETER} ${ESM} ${FILE_FINDER} ${NIFBULLET} ${FILES}
+    ${CFG}
+    )
 set(COMPONENTS_HEADER ${BSA_HEADER} ${NIF_HEADER} ${NIFOGRE_HEADER} ${ESM_STORE_HEADER}
     ${ESM_HEADER} ${MISC_HEADER} ${COMPILER_HEADER} ${TO_UTF8_HEADER}
-    ${INTERPRETER_HEADER} ${FILE_FINDER_HEADER} ${NIFBULLET_HEADER} ${FILES_HEADER})
+    ${INTERPRETER_HEADER} ${FILE_FINDER_HEADER} ${NIFBULLET_HEADER} ${FILES_HEADER}
+    ${CFG_HEADER}
+    )
 
 # source directory: libs
 
diff --git a/apps/launcher/CMakeLists.txt b/apps/launcher/CMakeLists.txt
index 5090c167d..38a894866 100644
--- a/apps/launcher/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/apps/launcher/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ add_executable(omwlauncher
     ${LAUNCHER}
     ${MISC} ${MISC_HEADER}
     ${FILES} ${FILES_HEADER}
+    ${CFG} ${CFG_HEADER}
     ${TO_UTF8}
     ${ESM}
     ${RCC_SRCS}
diff --git a/apps/launcher/datafilespage.cpp b/apps/launcher/datafilespage.cpp
index 2e8cdfbd2..2abe0aed4 100644
--- a/apps/launcher/datafilespage.cpp
+++ b/apps/launcher/datafilespage.cpp
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 #include <QtGui>
 
 #include <components/esm/esm_reader.hpp>
-#include <components/files/path.hpp>
 #include <components/files/collections.hpp>
 #include <components/files/multidircollection.hpp>
+#include <components/cfg/configurationmanager.hpp>
 
 #include "datafilespage.hpp"
 #include "lineedit.hpp"
@@ -211,12 +211,13 @@ void DataFilesPage::setupDataFiles(const QStringList &paths, bool strict)
 
 void DataFilesPage::setupConfig()
 {
-    QString config = "./launcher.cfg";
+    Cfg::ConfigurationManager cfg;
+
+    QString config = (cfg.getRuntimeConfigPath() / "launcher.cfg").string().c_str();
     QFile file(config);
 
     if (!file.exists()) {
-        config = QString::fromStdString(Files::getPath(Files::Path_ConfigUser,
-                                                       "openmw", "launcher.cfg"));
+        config = QString::fromStdString((cfg.getLocalConfigPath() / "launcher.cfg").string());
     }
 
     file.setFileName(config); // Just for displaying information
diff --git a/apps/launcher/graphicspage.cpp b/apps/launcher/graphicspage.cpp
index d97a915c9..622b00ef5 100644
--- a/apps/launcher/graphicspage.cpp
+++ b/apps/launcher/graphicspage.cpp
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 #include <QtGui>
 
-#include <components/files/path.hpp>
-
 #include "graphicspage.hpp"
 
 GraphicsPage::GraphicsPage(QWidget *parent) : QWidget(parent)
@@ -149,13 +147,11 @@ void GraphicsPage::createPages()
 
 void GraphicsPage::setupConfig()
 {
-    QString ogreCfg = "./ogre.cfg";
-
+    QString ogreCfg = (mCfg.getRuntimeConfigPath() / "ogre.cfg").string().c_str();
     QFile file(ogreCfg);
 
     if (!file.exists()) {
-        ogreCfg = QString::fromStdString(Files::getPath(Files::Path_ConfigUser,
-                                                        "openmw", "ogre.cfg"));
+        ogreCfg = QString::fromStdString((mCfg.getLocalConfigPath() / "ogre.cfg").string());
     }
 
     mOgreConfig = new QSettings(ogreCfg, QSettings::IniFormat);
@@ -164,12 +160,11 @@ void GraphicsPage::setupConfig()
 
 void GraphicsPage::setupOgre()
 {
-    QString pluginCfg = "./plugins.cfg";
+    QString pluginCfg = (mCfg.getRuntimeConfigPath() / "plugins.cfg").string().c_str();
     QFile file(pluginCfg);
 
     if (!file.exists()) {
-        pluginCfg = QString::fromStdString(Files::getPath(Files::Path_ConfigUser,
-                                                          "openmw", "plugins.cfg"));
+        pluginCfg = QString::fromStdString((mCfg.getLocalConfigPath() / "plugins.cfg").string());
     }
     
     // Reopen the file from user directory
@@ -177,8 +172,7 @@ void GraphicsPage::setupOgre()
     
     if (!file.exists()) {
         // There's no plugins.cfg in the user directory, use global directory
-        pluginCfg = QString::fromStdString(Files::getPath(Files::Path_ConfigGlobal,
-                                                          "openmw", "plugins.cfg"));   
+        pluginCfg = QString::fromStdString((mCfg.getGlobalConfigPath() / "plugins.cfg").string());
     }
     
     // Create a log manager so we can surpress debug text to stdout/stderr
diff --git a/apps/launcher/graphicspage.hpp b/apps/launcher/graphicspage.hpp
index 49ed92ac0..5d50cfc61 100644
--- a/apps/launcher/graphicspage.hpp
+++ b/apps/launcher/graphicspage.hpp
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #include <OgreRenderSystem.h>
 #include <OgreConfigFile.h>
 #include <OgreConfigDialog.h>
+#include <components/cfg/configurationmanager.hpp>
 
 class QComboBox;
 class QCheckBox;
@@ -28,6 +29,7 @@ public slots:
     void rendererChanged(const QString &renderer);
 
 private:
+    Cfg::ConfigurationManager mCfg;
     Ogre::Root *mOgre;
     Ogre::RenderSystem *mSelectedRenderSystem;
     Ogre::RenderSystem *mOpenGLRenderSystem;
diff --git a/apps/launcher/maindialog.cpp b/apps/launcher/maindialog.cpp
index f51b3b549..b125bf13b 100644
--- a/apps/launcher/maindialog.cpp
+++ b/apps/launcher/maindialog.cpp
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 #include <QtGui>
 
-#include <components/files/path.hpp>
-
 #include "maindialog.hpp"
 #include "playpage.hpp"
 #include "graphicspage.hpp"
@@ -268,13 +266,14 @@ void MainDialog::play()
 
 void MainDialog::setupConfig()
 {
+    Cfg::ConfigurationManager cfg;
+
     // First we read the OpenMW config
-    QString config = "./openmw.cfg";
+    QString config = (cfg.getRuntimeConfigPath() / "openmw.cfg").string().c_str();
     QFile file(config);
 
     if (!file.exists()) {
-        config = QString::fromStdString(Files::getPath(Files::Path_ConfigUser,
-                                                       "openmw", "openmw.cfg"));
+        config = QString::fromStdString((cfg.getLocalConfigPath() / "openmw.cfg").string());
     }
 
     file.close();
diff --git a/apps/openmw/engine.cpp b/apps/openmw/engine.cpp
index d70631cf8..4854eae91 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/engine.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/engine.cpp
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
 #include "components/esm/records.hpp"
 #include <components/esm_store/cell_store.hpp>
-#include <components/misc/fileops.hpp>
+#include <components/files/fileops.hpp>
 #include <components/bsa/bsa_archive.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/loadregn.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/esm_reader.hpp>
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ bool OMW::Engine::frameRenderingQueued (const Ogre::FrameEvent& evt)
     return true;
 }
 
-OMW::Engine::Engine()
+OMW::Engine::Engine(Cfg::ConfigurationManager& configurationManager)
   : mPhysicEngine (0)
   , mShowFPS (false)
   , mDebug (false)
@@ -221,6 +221,7 @@ OMW::Engine::Engine()
   , mScriptContext (0)
   , mGuiManager (0)
   , mFSStrict (false)
+  , mCfgMgr(configurationManager)
 {
     MWClass::registerClasses();
 }
@@ -265,9 +266,9 @@ void OMW::Engine::addResourcesDirectory (const boost::filesystem::path& path)
         Ogre::ResourceGroupManager::DEFAULT_RESOURCE_GROUP_NAME, true);
 }
 
-void OMW::Engine::enableFSStrict()
+void OMW::Engine::enableFSStrict(bool fsStrict)
 {
-    mFSStrict = true;
+    mFSStrict = fsStrict;
 }
 
 // Set data dir
@@ -311,21 +312,40 @@ void OMW::Engine::addMaster (const std::string& master)
     }
 }
 
-void OMW::Engine::enableDebugMode()
+void OMW::Engine::setDebugMode(bool debugMode)
 {
-    mDebug = true;
+    mDebug = debugMode;
 }
 
-void OMW::Engine::enableVerboseScripts()
+void OMW::Engine::setScriptsVerbosity(bool scriptsVerbosity)
 {
-    mVerboseScripts = true;
+    mVerboseScripts = scriptsVerbosity;
 }
 
-void OMW::Engine::setNewGame()
+void OMW::Engine::setNewGame(bool newGame)
 {
-    mNewGame = true;
+    mNewGame = newGame;
 }
 
+std::string OMW::Engine::getOgreFilesDir(const std::string& ogreFile)
+{
+    boost::filesystem::path cfgPath(mCfgMgr.getRuntimeConfigPath());
+    if (!boost::filesystem::exists(cfgPath / ogreFile))
+    {
+        cfgPath = mCfgMgr.getLocalConfigPath();
+        if (!boost::filesystem::exists(cfgPath / ogreFile ))
+        {
+            cfgPath = mCfgMgr.getGlobalConfigPath();
+            if (!boost::filesystem::exists(cfgPath / ogreFile))
+            {
+                cfgPath.clear();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+   return (!cfgPath.empty()) ? cfgPath.string() + std::string("/") : std::string();
+ }
+
 // Initialise and enter main loop.
 
 void OMW::Engine::go()
@@ -337,19 +357,11 @@ void OMW::Engine::go()
     test.name = "";
     total = 0;
 
-    std::string cfgDir = Files::getPath (Files::Path_ConfigGlobal, "openmw", "");
-    std::string cfgUserDir = Files::getPath (Files::Path_ConfigUser, "openmw", "");
-    std::string plugCfg = "plugins.cfg";
-    std::string ogreCfg = "ogre.cfg";
-    ogreCfg.insert(0, cfgUserDir);
 
-    //A local plugins.cfg will be used if it exist, otherwise look in the default path
-    if(!Misc::isFile(plugCfg.c_str()))
-    {
-        plugCfg.insert(0, cfgDir);
-    }
+    std::string cfgDir(getOgreFilesDir("ogre.cfg"));
+    std::string pluginsFile(getOgreFilesDir("plugins.cfg") + std::string("plugins.cfg"));
 
-    mOgre.configure(!Misc::isFile(ogreCfg.c_str()), cfgUserDir, plugCfg, false);
+    mOgre.configure(cfgDir.empty(), cfgDir, pluginsFile, false);
 
     // This has to be added BEFORE MyGUI is initialized, as it needs
     // to find core.xml here.
@@ -516,7 +528,17 @@ void OMW::Engine::setCompileAll (bool all)
     mCompileAll = all;
 }
 
+void OMW::Engine::setSoundUsage(bool soundUsage)
+{
+    mUseSound = soundUsage;
+}
+
+void OMW::Engine::showFPS(bool showFps)
+{
+    mShowFPS = showFps;
+}
+
 void OMW::Engine::setEncoding(const std::string& encoding)
 {
     mEncoding = encoding;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/apps/openmw/engine.hpp b/apps/openmw/engine.hpp
index 9d1466655..9ee3298d7 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/engine.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/engine.hpp
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 #include "mwworld/environment.hpp"
 #include "mwworld/ptr.hpp"
 #include <boost/timer.hpp>
-
+#include <components/cfg/configurationmanager.hpp>
 
 namespace Compiler
 {
@@ -53,7 +53,6 @@ namespace OEngine
 namespace OMW
 {
     /// \brief Main engine class, that brings together all the components of OpenMW
-
     class Engine : private Ogre::FrameListener
     {
             std::string mEncoding;
@@ -106,49 +105,44 @@ namespace OMW
             /// Process pending commands
 
         public:
-
-            Engine();
-
-            ~Engine();
+            Engine(Cfg::ConfigurationManager& configurationManager);
+            virtual ~Engine();
 
             /// Enable strict filesystem mode (do not fold case)
             ///
             /// \attention The strict mode must be specified before any path-related settings
             /// are given to the engine.
-            void enableFSStrict();
+            void enableFSStrict(bool fsStrict);
 
             /// Set data dirs
-            void setDataDirs (const std::vector<boost::filesystem::path>& dataDirs);
+            void setDataDirs(const Files::Collections::PathContainer& dataDirs);
 
             /// Set resource dir
-            void setResourceDir (const boost::filesystem::path& parResDir);
+            void setResourceDir(const boost::filesystem::path& parResDir);
 
             /// Set start cell name (only interiors for now)
-            void setCell (const std::string& cellName);
+            void setCell(const std::string& cellName);
 
             /// Set master file (esm)
             /// - If the given name does not have an extension, ".esm" is added automatically
             /// - Currently OpenMW only supports one master at the same time.
-            void addMaster (const std::string& master);
+            void addMaster(const std::string& master);
 
             /// Enable fps counter
-            void showFPS() { mShowFPS = true; }
+            void showFPS(bool showFps);
 
             /// Enable debug mode:
             /// - non-exclusive input
-            void enableDebugMode();
+            void setDebugMode(bool debugMode);
 
-            /// Enable the command server so external apps can send commands to the console.
-            /// Must be set before go().
+            /// Enable or disable verbose script output
+            void setScriptsVerbosity(bool scriptsVerbosity);
 
-            /// Enable verbose script output
-            void enableVerboseScripts();
-
-            /// Disable all sound
-            void disableSound() { mUseSound = false; }
+            /// Disable or enable all sounds
+            void setSoundUsage(bool soundUsage);
 
             /// Start as a new game.
-            void setNewGame();
+            void setNewGame(bool newGame);
 
             /// Initialise and enter main loop.
             void go();
@@ -161,7 +155,12 @@ namespace OMW
 
             /// Font encoding
             void setEncoding(const std::string& encoding);
+
+        private:
+            std::string getOgreFilesDir(const std::string& ogreFile);
+
+            Cfg::ConfigurationManager& mCfgMgr;
     };
 }
 
-#endif
+#endif /* ENGINE_H */
diff --git a/apps/openmw/main.cpp b/apps/openmw/main.cpp
index ed85f4beb..3fef2b0bd 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/main.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/main.cpp
@@ -5,8 +5,10 @@
 
 #include <boost/program_options.hpp>
 
-#include <components/misc/fileops.hpp>
+#include <components/files/fileops.hpp>
 #include <components/files/path.hpp>
+#include <components/files/collections.hpp>
+#include <components/cfg/configurationmanager.hpp>
 
 #include "engine.hpp"
 
@@ -35,56 +37,64 @@
 
 using namespace std;
 
-/// Parse command line options and openmw.cfg file (if one exists). Results are directly
-/// written to \a engine.
-/// \return Run OpenMW?
-
-bool parseOptions (int argc, char**argv, OMW::Engine& engine)
+/**
+ * \brief Parses application command line and calls \ref Cfg::ConfigurationManager
+ * to parse configuration files.
+ *
+ * Results are directly written to \ref Engine class.
+ *
+ * \retval true - Everything goes OK
+ * \retval false - Error
+ */
+bool parseOptions (int argc, char** argv, OMW::Engine& engine, Cfg::ConfigurationManager& cfgMgr)
 {
     // Create a local alias for brevity
     namespace bpo = boost::program_options;
+    typedef std::vector<std::string> StringsVector;
 
-    bpo::options_description desc (
-        "Syntax: openmw <options>\nAllowed options");
+    bpo::options_description desc("Syntax: openmw <options>\nAllowed options");
 
     desc.add_options()
-        ("help", "print help message and quit")
+        ("help", "print help message")
         ("version", "print version information and quit")
-        ("data", bpo::value<std::vector<std::string> >()
-            ->default_value (std::vector<std::string>(), "data")
-            ->multitoken(),
-            "set data directories (later directories have higher priority)")
-        ("data-local", bpo::value<std::string>()->default_value (""),
+        ("data", bpo::value<Files::Collections::PathContainer>()->default_value(Files::Collections::PathContainer(), "data")
+            ->multitoken(), "set data directories (later directories have higher priority)")
+
+        ("data-local", bpo::value<std::string>()->default_value(""),
             "set local data directory (highest priority)")
-        ("resources", bpo::value<std::string>()->default_value ("resources"),
+
+        ("resources", bpo::value<std::string>()->default_value("resources"),
             "set resources directory")
-        ("start", bpo::value<std::string>()->default_value ("Beshara"),
+
+        ("start", bpo::value<std::string>()->default_value("Beshara"),
             "set initial cell")
-        ("master", bpo::value<std::vector<std::string> >()
-            ->default_value (std::vector<std::string>(), "")
-            ->multitoken(),
-            "master file(s)")
-        ("plugin", bpo::value<std::vector<std::string> >()
-            ->default_value (std::vector<std::string>(), "")
-            ->multitoken(),
-            "plugin file(s)")
-        ( "fps", boost::program_options::value<bool>()->
-            implicit_value (true)->default_value (false), "show fps counter")
-        ( "debug", boost::program_options::value<bool>()->
-            implicit_value (true)->default_value (false), "debug mode" )
-        ( "nosound", boost::program_options::value<bool>()->
-            implicit_value (true)->default_value (false), "disable all sound" )
-        ( "script-verbose", boost::program_options::value<bool>()->
-            implicit_value (true)->default_value (false), "verbose script output" )
-        ( "new-game", boost::program_options::value<bool>()->
-            implicit_value (true)->default_value (false),
-            "activate char gen/new game mechanics" )
-        ( "script-all", boost::program_options::value<bool>()->
-            implicit_value (true)->default_value (false),
-            "compile all scripts (excluding dialogue scripts) at startup")
-        ( "fs-strict", boost::program_options::value<bool>()->
-            implicit_value (true)->default_value (false),
-            "strict file system handling (no case folding)")
+
+        ("master", bpo::value<StringsVector>()->default_value(StringsVector(), "")
+            ->multitoken(), "master file(s)")
+
+        ("plugin", bpo::value<StringsVector>()->default_value(StringsVector(), "")
+            ->multitoken(), "plugin file(s)")
+
+        ("fps", boost::program_options::value<bool>()->implicit_value(true)
+            ->default_value(false), "show fps counter")
+
+        ("debug", boost::program_options::value<bool>()->implicit_value(true)
+            ->default_value(false), "debug mode")
+
+        ("nosound", boost::program_options::value<bool>()->implicit_value(true)
+            ->default_value(false), "disable all sounds")
+
+        ("script-verbose", boost::program_options::value<bool>()->implicit_value(true)
+            ->default_value(false), "verbose script output")
+
+        ("new-game", boost::program_options::value<bool>()->implicit_value(true)
+            ->default_value(false), "activate char gen/new game mechanics")
+
+        ("script-all", boost::program_options::value<bool>()->implicit_value(true)
+            ->default_value(false), "compile all scripts (excluding dialogue scripts) at startup")
+
+        ("fs-strict", boost::program_options::value<bool>()->implicit_value(true)
+            ->default_value(false), "strict file system handling (no case folding)")
 
         ( "encoding", boost::program_options::value<std::string>()->
             default_value("win1252"),
@@ -94,32 +104,17 @@ bool parseOptions (int argc, char**argv, OMW::Engine& engine)
             "\n\twin1252 - Western European (Latin) alphabet, used by default")
         ;
 
-    bpo::variables_map variables;
-
-    //If there is an openmw.cfg in the current path use that as global config
-    //Otherwise try getPath
-    std::string cfgFile = "openmw.cfg";
-    if(!Misc::isFile(cfgFile.c_str()))
-    {
-        cfgFile = Files::getPath (Files::Path_ConfigGlobal, "openmw", "openmw.cfg");
-    }
-    std::cout << "Using global config file: " << cfgFile << std::endl;
-    std::ifstream globalConfigFile(cfgFile.c_str());
+    bpo::parsed_options valid_opts = bpo::command_line_parser(argc, argv)
+        .options(desc).allow_unregistered().run();
 
-    cfgFile = Files::getPath (Files::Path_ConfigUser, "openmw", "openmw.cfg");
-    std::cout << "Using user config file: " << cfgFile << std::endl;
-    std::ifstream userConfigFile(cfgFile.c_str());
+    bpo::variables_map variables;
 
-    bpo::parsed_options valid_opts = bpo::command_line_parser(argc, argv).options(desc).allow_unregistered().run();
+    cfgMgr.readConfiguration(variables, desc);
 
+    // Runtime options override settings from all configs
     bpo::store(valid_opts, variables);
     bpo::notify(variables);
 
-    if (userConfigFile.is_open())
-        bpo::store ( bpo::parse_config_file (userConfigFile, desc), variables);
-    if (globalConfigFile.is_open())
-        bpo::store ( bpo::parse_config_file (globalConfigFile, desc), variables);
-
     bool run = true;
 
     if (variables.count ("help"))
@@ -156,63 +151,57 @@ bool parseOptions (int argc, char**argv, OMW::Engine& engine)
     }
 
     // directory settings
-    if (variables["fs-strict"].as<bool>()==true)
-        engine.enableFSStrict();
+    engine.enableFSStrict(variables["fs-strict"].as<bool>());
 
-    std::vector<std::string> dataDirs = variables["data"].as<std::vector<std::string> >();
-    std::vector<boost::filesystem::path> dataDirs2 (dataDirs.begin(), dataDirs.end());
+    Files::Collections::PathContainer dataDirs = variables["data"].as<Files::Collections::PathContainer>();
 
-    std::string local = variables["data-local"].as<std::string>();
+    std::string local(variables["data-local"].as<std::string>());
     if (!local.empty())
-        dataDirs.push_back (local);
+    {
+        dataDirs.push_back(local);
+    }
 
-    engine.setDataDirs (dataDirs2);
+    if (dataDirs.empty())
+    {
+        dataDirs.push_back(cfgMgr.getLocalDataPath().string());
+    }
 
-    engine.setResourceDir (variables["resources"].as<std::string>());
+    engine.setDataDirs(dataDirs);
+
+    engine.setResourceDir(variables["resources"].as<std::string>());
 
     // master and plugin
-    std::vector<std::string> master = variables["master"].as<std::vector<std::string> >();
+    StringsVector master = variables["master"].as<StringsVector>();
     if (master.empty())
     {
         std::cout << "No master file given. Assuming Morrowind.esm" << std::endl;
-        master.push_back ("Morrowind");
+        master.push_back("Morrowind");
     }
 
-    if (master.size()>1)
+    if (master.size() > 1)
     {
         std::cout
             << "Ignoring all but the first master file (multiple master files not yet supported)."
             << std::endl;
     }
+    engine.addMaster(master[0]);
 
-    engine.addMaster (master[0]);
-
-    std::vector<std::string> plugin = variables["plugin"].as<std::vector<std::string> >();
-
+    StringsVector plugin = variables["plugin"].as<StringsVector>();
     if (!plugin.empty())
+    {
         std::cout << "Ignoring plugin files (plugins not yet supported)." << std::endl;
+    }
 
     // startup-settings
-    engine.setCell (variables["start"].as<std::string>());
-
-    if (variables["new-game"].as<bool>()==true)
-        engine.setNewGame();
+    engine.setCell(variables["start"].as<std::string>());
+    engine.setNewGame(variables["new-game"].as<bool>());
 
     // other settings
-    if (variables["fps"].as<bool>()==true)
-        engine.showFPS();
-
-    if (variables["debug"].as<bool>()==true)
-        engine.enableDebugMode();
-
-    if (variables["nosound"].as<bool>()==true)
-        engine.disableSound();
-
-    if (variables["script-verbose"].as<bool>()==true)
-        engine.enableVerboseScripts();
-
-    if (variables["script-all"].as<bool>()==true)
-        engine.setCompileAll (true);
+    engine.showFPS(variables["fps"].as<bool>());
+    engine.setDebugMode(variables["debug"].as<bool>());
+    engine.setSoundUsage(!variables["nosound"].as<bool>());
+    engine.setScriptsVerbosity(variables["script-verbose"].as<bool>());
+    engine.setCompileAll(variables["script-all"].as<bool>());
 
     return true;
 }
@@ -227,16 +216,17 @@ int main(int argc, char**argv)
 
     try
     {
-        OMW::Engine engine;
+        Cfg::ConfigurationManager cfgMgr;
+        OMW::Engine engine(cfgMgr);
 
-        if (parseOptions (argc, argv, engine))
+        if (parseOptions(argc, argv, engine, cfgMgr))
         {
             engine.go();
         }
     }
-    catch(exception &e)
+    catch (std::exception &e)
     {
-        cout << "\nERROR: " << e.what() << endl;
+        std::cout << "\nERROR: " << e.what() << std::endl;
         return 1;
     }
 
diff --git a/components/cfg/configurationmanager.cpp b/components/cfg/configurationmanager.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7c210f72c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/cfg/configurationmanager.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+#include "configurationmanager.hpp"
+
+#include <string>
+#include <fstream>
+#include <iostream>
+
+namespace Cfg
+{
+
+static const char* const openmwCfgFile = "openmw.cfg";
+static const char* const ogreCfgFile = "ogre.cfg";
+static const char* const pluginsCfgFile = "plugins.cfg";
+
+
+ConfigurationManager::ConfigurationManager()
+    : mPath("openmw")
+{
+}
+
+ConfigurationManager::~ConfigurationManager()
+{
+}
+
+void ConfigurationManager::readConfiguration(boost::program_options::variables_map& variables,
+    boost::program_options::options_description& description)
+{
+    loadConfig(mPath.getGlobalConfigPath(), variables, description);
+    loadConfig(mPath.getLocalConfigPath(), variables, description);
+    loadConfig(mPath.getRuntimeConfigPath(), variables, description);
+    boost::program_options::notify(variables);
+}
+
+void ConfigurationManager::loadConfig(const boost::filesystem::path& path,
+    boost::program_options::variables_map& variables,
+    boost::program_options::options_description& description)
+{
+    boost::filesystem::path cfgFile(path);
+    cfgFile /= std::string(openmwCfgFile);
+    if (boost::filesystem::is_regular_file(cfgFile))
+    {
+        std::cout << "Loading config file: " << cfgFile.string() << "... ";
+
+        std::ifstream configFileStream(cfgFile.string().c_str());
+        if (configFileStream.is_open())
+        {
+            boost::program_options::store(boost::program_options::parse_config_file(
+                configFileStream, description), variables);
+
+            std::cout << "done." << std::endl;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            std::cout << "failed." << std::endl;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+const boost::filesystem::path& ConfigurationManager::getGlobalConfigPath() const
+{
+    return mPath.getGlobalConfigPath();
+}
+
+void ConfigurationManager::setGlobalConfigPath(const boost::filesystem::path& newPath)
+{
+    mPath.setGlobalConfigPath(newPath);
+}
+
+const boost::filesystem::path& ConfigurationManager::getLocalConfigPath() const
+{
+    return mPath.getLocalConfigPath();
+}
+
+void ConfigurationManager::setLocalConfigPath(const boost::filesystem::path& newPath)
+{
+    mPath.setLocalConfigPath(newPath);
+}
+
+const boost::filesystem::path& ConfigurationManager::getRuntimeConfigPath() const
+{
+    return mPath.getRuntimeConfigPath();
+}
+
+void ConfigurationManager::setRuntimeConfigPath(const boost::filesystem::path& newPath)
+{
+    mPath.setRuntimeConfigPath(newPath);
+}
+
+const boost::filesystem::path& ConfigurationManager::getGlobalDataPath() const
+{
+    return mPath.getGlobalDataPath();
+}
+
+void ConfigurationManager::setGlobalDataPath(const boost::filesystem::path& newPath)
+{
+    mPath.setGlobalDataPath(newPath);
+}
+
+const boost::filesystem::path& ConfigurationManager::getLocalDataPath() const
+{
+    return mPath.getLocalDataPath();
+}
+
+void ConfigurationManager::setLocalDataPath(const boost::filesystem::path& newPath)
+{
+    mPath.setLocalDataPath(newPath);
+}
+
+const boost::filesystem::path& ConfigurationManager::getRuntimeDataPath() const
+{
+    return mPath.getRuntimeDataPath();
+}
+
+void ConfigurationManager::setRuntimeDataPath(const boost::filesystem::path& newPath)
+{
+    mPath.setRuntimeDataPath(newPath);
+}
+
+} /* namespace Cfg */
diff --git a/components/cfg/configurationmanager.hpp b/components/cfg/configurationmanager.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f0123d48a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/cfg/configurationmanager.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+#ifndef COMPONENTS_CFG_CONFIGURATIONMANAGER_HPP
+#define COMPONENTS_CFG_CONFIGURATIONMANAGER_HPP
+
+#include <boost/program_options.hpp>
+#include <boost/filesystem.hpp>
+
+#include <components/files/path.hpp>
+
+/**
+ * \namespace Cfg
+ */
+namespace Cfg
+{
+
+/**
+ * \struct ConfigurationManager
+ */
+struct ConfigurationManager
+{
+    ConfigurationManager();
+    virtual ~ConfigurationManager();
+
+    void readConfiguration(boost::program_options::variables_map& variables,
+        boost::program_options::options_description& description);
+
+    const boost::filesystem::path& getGlobalConfigPath() const;
+    void setGlobalConfigPath(const boost::filesystem::path& newPath);
+
+    const boost::filesystem::path& getLocalConfigPath() const;
+    void setLocalConfigPath(const boost::filesystem::path& newPath);
+
+    const boost::filesystem::path& getRuntimeConfigPath() const;
+    void setRuntimeConfigPath(const boost::filesystem::path& newPath);
+
+    const boost::filesystem::path& getGlobalDataPath() const;
+    void setGlobalDataPath(const boost::filesystem::path& newPath);
+
+    const boost::filesystem::path& getLocalDataPath() const;
+    void setLocalDataPath(const boost::filesystem::path& newPath);
+
+    const boost::filesystem::path& getRuntimeDataPath() const;
+    void setRuntimeDataPath(const boost::filesystem::path& newPath);
+
+    private:
+        void loadConfig(const boost::filesystem::path& path,
+            boost::program_options::variables_map& variables,
+            boost::program_options::options_description& description);
+
+        Files::Path<> mPath;
+};
+
+} /* namespace Cfg */
+
+#endif /* COMPONENTS_CFG_CONFIGURATIONMANAGER_HPP */
diff --git a/components/files/collections.cpp b/components/files/collections.cpp
index 8cd4865b3..cb32768b4 100644
--- a/components/files/collections.cpp
+++ b/components/files/collections.cpp
@@ -3,21 +3,27 @@
 
 namespace Files
 {
-    Collections::Collections() : mFoldCase (false) {}
-
-    Collections::Collections (const std::vector<boost::filesystem::path>& directories, bool foldCase)
-    : mDirectories (directories), mFoldCase (foldCase)
-    {}
+    Collections::Collections()
+        : mDirectories()
+        , mFoldCase(false)
+        , mCollections()
+    {
+    }
 
-    const MultiDirCollection& Collections::getCollection (const std::string& extension) const
+    Collections::Collections(const std::vector<boost::filesystem::path>& directories, bool foldCase)
+        : mDirectories(directories)
+        , mFoldCase(foldCase)
+        , mCollections()
     {
-        std::map<std::string, MultiDirCollection>::iterator iter = mCollections.find (extension);
+    }
 
+    const MultiDirCollection& Collections::getCollection(const std::string& extension) const
+    {
+        MultiDirCollectionContainer::iterator iter = mCollections.find(extension);
         if (iter==mCollections.end())
         {
-            std::pair<std::map<std::string, MultiDirCollection>::iterator, bool> result =
-                mCollections.insert (std::make_pair (extension,
-                MultiDirCollection (mDirectories, extension, mFoldCase)));
+            std::pair<MultiDirCollectionContainer::iterator, bool> result =
+                mCollections.insert(std::make_pair(extension, MultiDirCollection(mDirectories, extension, mFoldCase)));
 
             iter = result.first;
         }
diff --git a/components/files/collections.hpp b/components/files/collections.hpp
index 6eaf0303e..102ab3050 100644
--- a/components/files/collections.hpp
+++ b/components/files/collections.hpp
@@ -1,27 +1,35 @@
 #ifndef COMPONENTS_FILES_COLLECTION_HPP
 #define COMPONENTS_FILES_COLLECTION_HPP
 
+#include <vector>
+#include <string>
+#include <map>
+#include <boost/filesystem.hpp>
+
 #include "multidircollection.hpp"
 
 namespace Files
 {
     class Collections
     {
-            std::vector<boost::filesystem::path> mDirectories;
-            bool mFoldCase;
-            mutable std::map<std::string, MultiDirCollection> mCollections;
-
         public:
+            typedef std::vector<boost::filesystem::path> PathContainer;
 
             Collections();
 
-            Collections (const std::vector<boost::filesystem::path>& directories, bool foldCase);
             ///< Directories are listed with increasing priority.
+            Collections(const PathContainer& directories, bool foldCase);
 
-            const MultiDirCollection& getCollection (const std::string& extension) const;
             ///< Return a file collection for the given extension. Extension must contain the
             /// leading dot and must be all lower-case.
+            const MultiDirCollection& getCollection(const std::string& extension) const;
 
+        private:
+            typedef std::map<std::string, MultiDirCollection> MultiDirCollectionContainer;
+            PathContainer mDirectories;
+
+            bool mFoldCase;
+            mutable MultiDirCollectionContainer mCollections;
     };
 }
 
diff --git a/components/files/fileops.cpp b/components/files/fileops.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..329e4eb05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/files/fileops.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+#include "fileops.hpp"
+#include <boost/filesystem.hpp>
+
+namespace Files
+{
+
+bool isFile(const char *name)
+{
+    return boost::filesystem::exists(boost::filesystem::path(name));
+}
+
+}
diff --git a/components/files/fileops.hpp b/components/files/fileops.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a541beffc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/files/fileops.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+#ifndef COMPONENTS_FILES_FILEOPS_HPP
+#define COMPONENTS_FILES_FILEOPS_HPP
+
+namespace Files
+{
+
+///\brief Check if a given path is an existing file (not a directory)
+///\param [in] name - filename
+bool isFile(const char *name);
+
+}
+
+#endif /* COMPONENTS_FILES_FILEOPS_HPP */
diff --git a/components/files/linuxpath.cpp b/components/files/linuxpath.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9786e3898
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/files/linuxpath.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,159 @@
+/**
+ *  Open Morrowind - an opensource Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
+ *  engine implementation.
+ *
+ *  Copyright (C) 2011 Open Morrowind Team
+ *
+ *  This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *  it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ *  the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ *  (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ *  This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *  but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *  MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *  GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ *  along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+/** \file components/files/linuxpath.cpp */
+
+#include "linuxpath.hpp"
+
+#if defined(__linux__)
+
+#include <cstdlib>
+#include <pwd.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+
+/**
+ * \namespace Files
+ */
+namespace Files
+{
+
+boost::filesystem::path LinuxPath::getLocalConfigPath() const
+{
+    boost::filesystem::path localConfigPath(".");
+    boost::filesystem::path suffix("/");
+
+    const char* theDir = getenv("OPENMW_CONFIG");
+    if (theDir == NULL)
+    {
+        theDir = getenv("XDG_CONFIG_HOME");
+        if (theDir == NULL)
+        {
+            theDir = getenv("HOME");
+            if (theDir == NULL)
+            {
+                struct passwd* pwd = getpwuid(getuid());
+                if (pwd != NULL)
+                {
+                    theDir = pwd->pw_dir;
+                }
+            }
+            if (theDir != NULL)
+            {
+                suffix = boost::filesystem::path("/.config/");
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (theDir != NULL) {
+        localConfigPath = boost::filesystem::path(theDir);
+    }
+
+    localConfigPath /= suffix;
+
+    return localConfigPath;
+}
+
+boost::filesystem::path LinuxPath::getGlobalConfigPath() const
+{
+    boost::filesystem::path globalConfigPath("/etc/xdg/");
+
+    char* theDir = getenv("XDG_CONFIG_DIRS");
+    if (theDir != NULL)
+    {
+        // We take only first path from list
+        char* ptr = strtok(theDir, ":");
+        if (ptr != NULL)
+        {
+            globalConfigPath = boost::filesystem::path(ptr);
+            globalConfigPath /= boost::filesystem::path("/");
+        }
+    }
+
+    return globalConfigPath;
+}
+
+boost::filesystem::path LinuxPath::getRuntimeConfigPath() const
+{
+    return boost::filesystem::path("./");
+}
+
+boost::filesystem::path LinuxPath::getLocalDataPath() const
+{
+    boost::filesystem::path localDataPath(".");
+    boost::filesystem::path suffix("/");
+
+    const char* theDir = getenv("OPENMW_DATA");
+    if (theDir == NULL)
+    {
+        theDir = getenv("XDG_DATA_HOME");
+        if (theDir == NULL)
+        {
+            theDir = getenv("HOME");
+            if (theDir == NULL)
+            {
+                struct passwd* pwd = getpwuid(getuid());
+                if (pwd != NULL)
+                {
+                    theDir = pwd->pw_dir;
+                }
+            }
+            if (theDir != NULL)
+            {
+                suffix = boost::filesystem::path("/.local/share/");
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (theDir != NULL) {
+        localDataPath = boost::filesystem::path(theDir);
+    }
+
+    localDataPath /= suffix;
+    return localDataPath;
+}
+
+boost::filesystem::path LinuxPath::getGlobalDataPath() const
+{
+    boost::filesystem::path globalDataPath("/usr/local/share/");
+
+    char* theDir = getenv("XDG_DATA_DIRS");
+    if (theDir != NULL)
+    {
+        // We take only first path from list
+        char* ptr = strtok(theDir, ":");
+        if (ptr != NULL)
+        {
+            globalDataPath = boost::filesystem::path(ptr);
+            globalDataPath /= boost::filesystem::path("/");
+        }
+    }
+
+    return globalDataPath;
+}
+
+boost::filesystem::path LinuxPath::getRuntimeDataPath() const
+{
+    return boost::filesystem::path("./data/");
+}
+
+
+} /* namespace Files */
+
+#endif /* defined(__linux__) */
diff --git a/components/files/linuxpath.hpp b/components/files/linuxpath.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d6e717fc4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/files/linuxpath.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+/**
+ *  Open Morrowind - an opensource Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
+ *  engine implementation.
+ *
+ *  Copyright (C) 2011 Open Morrowind Team
+ *
+ *  This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *  it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ *  the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ *  (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ *  This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *  but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *  MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *  GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ *  along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+/** \file components/files/linuxpath.hpp */
+
+#ifndef COMPONENTS_FILES_LINUXPATH_H
+#define COMPONENTS_FILES_LINUXPATH_H
+
+#if defined(__linux__)
+
+#include <boost/filesystem.hpp>
+
+/**
+ * \namespace Files
+ */
+namespace Files
+{
+
+/**
+ * \struct LinuxPath
+ */
+struct LinuxPath
+{
+    /**
+     * \brief Return path to the local configuration directory.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getLocalConfigPath() const;
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return path to the global (system) configuration directory.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getGlobalConfigPath() const;
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return path to the runtime configuration directory which is the
+     * place where an application was started.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getRuntimeConfigPath() const;
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return path to the local data directory.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getLocalDataPath() const;
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return path to the global (system) data directory.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getGlobalDataPath() const;
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return runtime data path which is a location where
+     * an application was started with 'data' suffix.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getRuntimeDataPath() const;
+};
+
+} /* namespace Files */
+
+#endif /* defined(__linux__) */
+
+#endif /* COMPONENTS_FILES_LINUXPATH_H */
diff --git a/components/files/macospath.cpp b/components/files/macospath.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..46e775030
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/files/macospath.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+/**
+ *  Open Morrowind - an opensource Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
+ *  engine implementation.
+ *
+ *  Copyright (C) 2011 Open Morrowind Team
+ *
+ *  This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *  it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ *  the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ *  (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ *  This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *  but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *  MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *  GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ *  along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+/** \file components/files/macospath.cpp */
+
+#include "macospath.hpp"
+
+#if defined(macintosh) || defined(Macintosh) || defined(__APPLE__) || defined(__MACH__)
+
+#include <cstdlib>
+#include <pwd.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+
+/**
+ * \namespace Files
+ */
+namespace Files
+{
+
+boost::filesystem::path MacOsPath::getLocalConfigPath() const
+{
+    boost::filesystem::path localConfigPath(".");
+    boost::filesystem::path suffix("/");
+
+    const char* theDir = getenv("HOME");
+    if (theDir == NULL)
+    {
+        struct passwd* pwd = getpwuid(getuid());
+        if (pwd != NULL)
+        {
+            theDir = pwd->pw_dir;
+        }
+    }
+    if (theDir != NULL)
+    {
+        localConfigPath = boost::filesystem::path(theDir) / "Library/Preferences/";
+    }
+
+    localConfigPath /= suffix;
+
+    return localConfigPath;
+}
+
+boost::filesystem::path MacOsPath::getGlobalConfigPath() const
+{
+    boost::filesystem::path globalConfigPath("/Library/Preferences/");
+    return globalConfigPath;
+}
+
+boost::filesystem::path MacOsPath::getRuntimeConfigPath() const
+{
+    return boost::filesystem::path("./");
+}
+
+boost::filesystem::path MacOsPath::getLocalDataPath() const
+{
+    boost::filesystem::path localDataPath(".");
+    boost::filesystem::path suffix("/");
+
+    const char* theDir = getenv("OPENMW_DATA");
+    if (theDir == NULL)
+    {
+        theDir = getenv("HOME");
+        if (theDir == NULL)
+        {
+            struct passwd* pwd = getpwuid(getuid());
+            if (pwd != NULL)
+            {
+                theDir = pwd->pw_dir;
+            }
+        }
+        if (theDir != NULL)
+        {
+            suffix = boost::filesystem::path("/Library/Application Support/");
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (theDir != NULL)
+    {
+        localDataPath = boost::filesystem::path(theDir);
+    }
+
+    localDataPath /= suffix;
+    return localDataPath;
+}
+
+boost::filesystem::path MacOsPath::getGlobalDataPath() const
+{
+    boost::filesystem::path globalDataPath("/Library/Application Support/");
+    return globalDataPath;
+}
+
+boost::filesystem::path MacOsPath::getRuntimeDataPath() const
+{
+    return boost::filesystem::path("./data/");
+}
+
+
+} /* namespace Files */
+
+#endif /* defined(macintosh) || defined(Macintosh) || defined(__APPLE__) || defined(__MACH__) */
diff --git a/components/files/macospath.hpp b/components/files/macospath.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..26f2c907f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/files/macospath.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+/**
+ *  Open Morrowind - an opensource Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
+ *  engine implementation.
+ *
+ *  Copyright (C) 2011 Open Morrowind Team
+ *
+ *  This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *  it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ *  the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ *  (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ *  This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *  but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *  MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *  GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ *  along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+/** \file components/files/macospath.hpp */
+
+#ifndef COMPONENTS_FILES_MACOSPATH_H
+#define COMPONENTS_FILES_MACOSPATH_H
+
+#if defined(macintosh) || defined(Macintosh) || defined(__APPLE__) || defined(__MACH__)
+
+#include <boost/filesystem.hpp>
+
+/**
+ * \namespace Files
+ */
+namespace Files
+{
+
+/**
+ * \struct MacOsPath
+ */
+struct MacOsPath
+{
+    /**
+     * \brief Return path to the local configuration directory.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getLocalConfigPath() const;
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return path to the global (system) configuration directory.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getGlobalConfigPath() const;
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return path to the runtime configuration directory which is the
+     * place where an application was started.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getRuntimeConfigPath() const;
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return path to the local data directory.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getLocalDataPath() const;
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return path to the global (system) data directory.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getGlobalDataPath() const;
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return runtime data path which is a location where
+     * an application was started with 'data' suffix.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getRuntimeDataPath() const;
+};
+
+} /* namespace Files */
+
+#endif /* defined(macintosh) || defined(Macintosh) || defined(__APPLE__) || defined(__MACH__) */
+
+#endif /* COMPONENTS_FILES_MACOSPATH_H */
diff --git a/components/files/path.cpp b/components/files/path.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index d540f1c14..000000000
--- a/components/files/path.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,61 +0,0 @@
-#include "path.hpp"
-
-#include <boost/filesystem.hpp>
-
-#include <OgrePlatform.h>
-#include <string>
-
-#if OGRE_PLATFORM == OGRE_PLATFORM_APPLE
-#include <OSX/macUtils.h>
-#endif
-
-#if OGRE_PLATFORM == OGRE_PLATFORM_LINUX || OGRE_PLATFORM == OGRE_PLATFORM_APPLE
-#include <stdlib.h> //getenv
-#endif
-
-std::string Files::getPath (PathTypeEnum parType, const std::string parApp, const std::string parFile)
-{
-    std::string theBasePath;
-    if (parType==Path_ConfigGlobal)
-    {
-#if OGRE_PLATFORM == OGRE_PLATFORM_APPLE
-    	boost::filesystem::path path(Ogre::macBundlePath());
-    	path = path.parent_path();
-        theBasePath = path.string() + "/";
-#elif OGRE_PLATFORM == OGRE_PLATFORM_LINUX
-        theBasePath = "/etc/"+parApp+"/";
-#else
-        theBasePath = "";
-#endif
-
-    }
-    else if (parType==Path_ConfigUser)
-    {
-#if OGRE_PLATFORM == OGRE_PLATFORM_LINUX || OGRE_PLATFORM == OGRE_PLATFORM_APPLE
-        const char* theDir;
-        if ((theDir = getenv("OPENMW_HOME")) != NULL)
-        {
-            theBasePath = std::string(theDir)+"/";
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            if ((theDir = getenv("XDG_CONFIG_HOME")))
-            {
-                theBasePath = std::string(theDir)+"/"+parApp+"/";
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                if ((theDir = getenv("HOME")) == NULL)
-                    return parFile;
-                theBasePath = std::string(theDir)+"/.config/"+parApp+"/";
-            }
-        }
-        boost::filesystem::create_directories(boost::filesystem::path(theBasePath));
-#else
-        theBasePath = "";
-#endif
-    }
-
-    theBasePath.append(parFile);
-    return theBasePath;
-}
diff --git a/components/files/path.hpp b/components/files/path.hpp
index a42646404..0788cefb1 100644
--- a/components/files/path.hpp
+++ b/components/files/path.hpp
@@ -1,17 +1,232 @@
+/**
+ *  Open Morrowind - an opensource Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
+ *  engine implementation.
+ *
+ *  Copyright (C) 2011 Open Morrowind Team
+ *
+ *  This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *  it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ *  the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ *  (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ *  This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *  but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *  MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *  GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ *  along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+/** \file components/files/path.hpp */
+
 #ifndef COMPONENTS_FILES_PATH_HPP
 #define COMPONENTS_FILES_PATH_HPP
 
 #include <string>
+#include <boost/filesystem.hpp>
+
+#if defined(__linux__)
+    #include <components/files/linuxpath.hpp>
+    namespace Files { typedef LinuxPath TargetPathType; }
 
+#elif defined(__WIN32) || defined(__WINDOWS__)
+    #include <components/files/windowspath.hpp>
+    namespace Files { typedef WindowsPath TargetPathType; }
+
+#elif defined(macintosh) || defined(Macintosh) || defined(__APPLE__) || defined(__MACH__)
+    #include <components/files/macospath.hpp>
+    namespace Files { typedef MacOsPath TargetPathType; }
+
+#else
+    #error "Unknown platform!"
+#endif
+
+
+/**
+ * \namespace Files
+ */
 namespace Files
 {
-    enum PathTypeEnum
+
+/**
+ * \struct Path
+ *
+ * \tparam P - Path strategy class type (depends on target system)
+ *
+ */
+template
+<
+    class P = TargetPathType
+>
+struct Path
+{
+    typedef P PathType;
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Path constructor.
+     *
+     * \param [in] application_name - Name of the application
+     */
+    Path(const std::string& application_name)
+        : mPath()
+        , mLocalConfigPath(mPath.getLocalConfigPath())
+        , mGlobalConfigPath(mPath.getGlobalConfigPath())
+        , mRuntimeConfigPath(mPath.getRuntimeConfigPath())
+        , mLocalDataPath(mPath.getLocalDataPath())
+        , mGlobalDataPath(mPath.getGlobalDataPath())
+        , mRuntimeDataPath(mPath.getRuntimeDataPath())
     {
-        Path_ConfigUser,
-        Path_ConfigGlobal
-    };
+        if (!application_name.empty())
+        {
+            boost::filesystem::path suffix(application_name + std::string("/"));
 
-    std::string getPath (PathTypeEnum parType, const std::string parApp, const std::string parFile);
-}
+            mLocalConfigPath /= suffix;
+            mGlobalConfigPath /= suffix;
 
-#endif
+            mLocalDataPath /= suffix;
+            mGlobalDataPath /= suffix;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return path pointing to the user local configuration directory.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    const boost::filesystem::path& getLocalConfigPath() const
+    {
+        return mLocalConfigPath;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Sets new local configuration path.
+     *
+     * \param [in] path - New path
+     */
+    void setLocalConfigPath(const boost::filesystem::path& path)
+    {
+        mLocalConfigPath = path;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return path pointing to the global (system) configuration directory.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    const boost::filesystem::path& getGlobalConfigPath() const
+    {
+        return mGlobalConfigPath;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Sets new global configuration path.
+     *
+     * \param [in] path - New path
+     */
+    void setGlobalConfigPath(const boost::filesystem::path& path)
+    {
+        mGlobalConfigPath = path;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return path pointing to the directory where application was started.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    const boost::filesystem::path& getRuntimeConfigPath() const
+    {
+        return mRuntimeConfigPath;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Sets new runtime configuration path.
+     *
+     * \param [in] path - New path
+     */
+    void setRuntimeConfigPath(const boost::filesystem::path& path)
+    {
+        mRuntimeConfigPath = path;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return path pointing to the user local data directory.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    const boost::filesystem::path& getLocalDataPath() const
+    {
+        return mLocalDataPath;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Sets new local data path.
+     *
+     * \param [in] path - New path
+     */
+    void setLocalDataPath(const boost::filesystem::path& path)
+    {
+        mLocalDataPath = path;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return path pointing to the global (system) data directory.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    const boost::filesystem::path& getGlobalDataPath() const
+    {
+        return mGlobalDataPath;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Sets new global (system) data directory.
+     *
+     * \param [in] path - New path
+     */
+    void setGlobalDataPath(const boost::filesystem::path& path)
+    {
+        mGlobalDataPath = path;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return path pointing to the directory where application was started.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    const boost::filesystem::path& getRuntimeDataPath() const
+    {
+        return mRuntimeDataPath;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Sets new runtime data directory.
+     *
+     * \param [in] path - New path
+     */
+    void setRuntimeDataPath(const boost::filesystem::path& path)
+    {
+        mRuntimeDataPath = path;
+    }
+
+    private:
+        PathType mPath;
+
+        boost::filesystem::path mLocalConfigPath;        /**< User local path to the configuration files */
+        boost::filesystem::path mGlobalConfigPath;       /**< Global path to the configuration files */
+        boost::filesystem::path mRuntimeConfigPath;      /**< Runtime path to the configuration files.
+                                                              By default it is the same directory where
+                                                              application was run */
+
+        boost::filesystem::path mLocalDataPath;          /**< User local application data path (user plugins / mods / etc.) */
+        boost::filesystem::path mGlobalDataPath;         /**< Global application data path */
+        boost::filesystem::path mRuntimeDataPath;        /**< Runtime path to the configuration files.
+                                                              By default it is a 'data' directory in same
+                                                              directory where application was run */
+
+};
+
+
+} /* namespace Files */
+
+#endif /* COMPONENTS_FILES_PATH_HPP */
diff --git a/components/files/windowspath.cpp b/components/files/windowspath.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f42f149c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/files/windowspath.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+#include "windowspath.hpp"
+
+#if defined(_WIN32) || defined(__WINDOWS__)
+
+#include <cstring>
+
+#include <windows.h>
+#include <shobj.h>
+
+namespace Files
+{
+
+boost::filesystem::path WindowsPath::getLocalConfigPath() const
+{
+    boost::filesystem::path localConfigPath(".");
+    boost::filesystem::path suffix("/");
+
+    TCHAR path[MAX_PATH];
+    memset(path, 0, sizeof(path));
+
+    if(SUCCEEDED(SHGetFolderPath(NULL, CSIDL_PERSONAL | CSIDL_FLAG_CREATE, NULL, 0, path)))
+    {
+        PathAppend(path, TEXT("My Games"));
+        localConfigPath = boost::filesystem::path(path);
+    }
+
+    localConfigPath /= suffix;
+
+    return localConfigPath;
+}
+
+boost::filesystem::path WindowsPath::getGlobalConfigPath() const
+{
+    boost::filesystem::path globalConfigPath(".");
+    boost::filesystem::path suffix("/");
+
+    TCHAR path[MAX_PATH];
+    memset(path, 0, sizeof(path));
+
+    if(SUCCEEDED(SHGetFolderPath(NULL, CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES | CSIDL_FLAG_CREATE, NULL, 0, path)))
+    {
+        globalConfigPath = boost::filesystem::path(path);
+    }
+
+    globalConfigPath /= suffix;
+
+    return globalConfigPath;
+}
+
+boost::filesystem::path WindowsPath::getRuntimeConfigPath() const
+{
+    return boost::filesystem::path("./");
+}
+
+boost::filesystem::path WindowsPath::getLocalDataPath() const
+{
+    return getLocalConfigPath();
+}
+
+boost::filesystem::path WindowsPath::getGlobalDataPath() const
+{
+    return getGlobalConfigPath();
+}
+
+boost::filesystem::path WindowsPath::getRuntimeDataPath() const
+{
+    return boost::filesystem::path("./data/");
+}
+
+} /* namespace Files */
+
+#endif /* defined(_WIN32) || defined(__WINDOWS__) */
diff --git a/components/files/windowspath.hpp b/components/files/windowspath.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..47dfc08d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/files/windowspath.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+/**
+ *  Open Morrowind - an opensource Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
+ *  engine implementation.
+ *
+ *  Copyright (C) 2011 Open Morrowind Team
+ *
+ *  This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *  it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ *  the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ *  (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ *  This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *  but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *  MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *  GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ *  along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+/** \file components/files/windowspath.hpp */
+
+#ifndef COMPONENTS_FILES_WINDOWSPATH_HPP
+#define COMPONENTS_FILES_WINDOWSPATH_HPP
+
+#if defined(_WIN32) || defined(__WINDOWS__)
+
+#include <boost/filesystem.hpp>
+
+/**
+ * \namespace Files
+ */
+namespace Files
+{
+
+/**
+ * \struct WindowsPath
+ */
+struct WindowsPath
+{
+    /**
+     * \brief Returns "X:\Documents And Settings\<User name>\My Documents\My Games\"
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getLocalConfigPath() const;
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Returns "X:\Program Files\"
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getGlobalConfigPath() const;
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return runtime configuration path which is a location where
+     * an application was started
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getRuntimeConfigPath() const;
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return same path like getLocalConfigPath
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getLocalDataPath() const;
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return same path like getGlobalConfigPath
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getGlobalDataPath() const;
+
+    /**
+     * \brief Return runtime data path which is a location where
+     * an application was started with 'data' suffix.
+     *
+     * \return boost::filesystem::path
+     */
+    boost::filesystem::path getRuntimeDataPath() const;
+};
+
+} /* namespace Files */
+
+#endif /* defined(_WIN32) || defined(__WINDOWS__) */
+
+#endif /* COMPONENTS_FILES_WINDOWSPATH_HPP */
diff --git a/components/misc/fileops.cpp b/components/misc/fileops.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index eb3b58d84..000000000
--- a/components/misc/fileops.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,16 +0,0 @@
-#include "fileops.hpp"
-#include <boost/filesystem.hpp>
-#include <string>
-
-#include <OgrePrerequisites.h>
-
-namespace Misc
-{
-
-bool isFile(const char *name)
-{
-  boost::filesystem::path cfg_file_path(name);
-  return boost::filesystem::exists(cfg_file_path);
-}
-
-}
diff --git a/components/misc/fileops.hpp b/components/misc/fileops.hpp
deleted file mode 100644
index f4e7701bb..000000000
--- a/components/misc/fileops.hpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,18 +0,0 @@
-#ifndef MISC_FILEOPS_H
-#define MISC_FILEOPS_H
-
-#include <string>
-
-namespace Misc
-{
-
-/// Check if a given path is an existing file (not a directory)
-bool isFile(const char *name);
-
-#if OGRE_PLATFORM == OGRE_PLATFORM_APPLE
-std::string macBundlePath();
-#endif
-
-}
-
-#endif