diff --git a/src/ExportAssistant.py b/src/ExportAssistant.py
index 09d1a150d..c30c36340 100644
--- a/src/ExportAssistant.py
+++ b/src/ExportAssistant.py
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ from gui.pluginmanager import GuiPluginManager
 import Utils
 import ManagedWindow
 from QuestionDialog import ErrorDialog
+from gui.user import User
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
@@ -631,9 +632,8 @@ class ExportAssistant(gtk.Assistant, ManagedWindow.ManagedWindow) :
         export_function = self.map_exporters[ix].get_export_function()
         success = export_function(self.dbstate.db,
                                   filename,
-                                  ErrorDialog,
-                                  self.option_box_instance,
-                                  self.callback)
+                                  User(error=ErrorDialog, callback=self.callback),
+                                  self.option_box_instance)
         return success
     
     def pre_save(self,page):
diff --git a/src/cli/arghandler.py b/src/cli/arghandler.py
index fe37261cf..3ac23191b 100644
--- a/src/cli/arghandler.py
+++ b/src/cli/arghandler.py
@@ -562,7 +562,7 @@ class ArgHandler(object):
         for plugin in pmgr.get_export_plugins():
             if family_tree_format == plugin.get_extension():
                 export_function = plugin.get_export_function()
-                export_function(self.dbstate.db, filename, self.__error)
+                export_function(self.dbstate.db, filename, User(error=self.__error))
 
     #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     #
diff --git a/src/cli/user.py b/src/cli/user.py
index 698fbb823..c5a56becd 100644
--- a/src/cli/user.py
+++ b/src/cli/user.py
@@ -55,10 +55,11 @@ class User(gen.user.User):
     This class provides a means to interact with the user via CLI.
     It implements the interface in gen.user.User()
     """
-    def __init__(self, callback=None):
+    def __init__(self, callback=None, error=None):
         self.steps = 0;
         self.current_step = 0;
         self.callback_function = callback
+        self.error_function = error
     
     def begin_progress(self, title, message, steps):
         """
@@ -94,15 +95,25 @@ class User(gen.user.User):
             percent = int((float(self.current_step) / self.steps) * 100)
             sys.stdout.write("\r%02d%%" % percent)
 
-    def callback(self, percent):
+    def callback(self, *args):
         """
         Display progress meter.
         """
+    def callback(self, percentage, text=None):
+        """
+        Display the precentage.
+        """
         if self.callback_function:
-            self.callback_function(percent)
+            if text:
+                self.callback_function(percentage, text)
+            else:
+                self.callback_function(percentage)
         else:
-            sys.stdout.write("\r%02d%%" % percent)
-    
+            if text is None:
+                sys.stdout.write("\r%02d%%" % percentage)
+            else:
+                sys.stdout.write("\r%02d%% %s" % (percentage, text))
+
     def end_progress(self):
         """
         Stop showing the progress indicator to the user.
@@ -145,7 +156,10 @@ class User(gen.user.User):
         @type error: str
         @returns: none
         """
-        print "%s %s" % (title, error)
+        if self.error_function:
+            self.error_function(title, error)
+        else:
+            print "%s %s" % (title, error)
 
     def notify_db_error(self, error):
         """
diff --git a/src/gen/plug/_export.py b/src/gen/plug/_export.py
index 21ac37f28..bd42e9bcc 100644
--- a/src/gen/plug/_export.py
+++ b/src/gen/plug/_export.py
@@ -40,13 +40,11 @@ class ExportPlugin(Plugin):
         @type description: string
         @param export_function: A function to call to perform the export.
             The function must take the form:
-                def export_function(database, filename, option_box, callback):
+                def export_function(database, filename, user, option_box):
             where:
                 "db" is a Gramps database to import the data into
                 "filename" is the file that the data will be exported to
-                "callback" is a callable object that takes two parameters.
-                    The first parameter is a progress indicator.
-                    The second parameter is a text string.
+                "user" provides UI output (callback, errors, etc)
         @type export_function: callable
         @param extension: The extension for the output file.
             Example: "ged"
@@ -82,4 +80,4 @@ class ExportPlugin(Plugin):
         
         @return: (??,??)
         """
-        return self.__config
\ No newline at end of file
+        return self.__config
diff --git a/src/gui/dbman.py b/src/gui/dbman.py
index 975f0c819..5a9dc0a21 100644
--- a/src/gui/dbman.py
+++ b/src/gui/dbman.py
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ class DbManager(CLIDbManager):
         else:
             base_path = self.dbstate.db.get_save_path()
             archive = os.path.join(base_path, ARCHIVE) 
-            check_in(self.dbstate.db, archive, None, self.__start_cursor)
+            check_in(self.dbstate.db, archive, User(), self.__start_cursor)
             self.__end_cursor()
 
         self.__populate()
@@ -837,7 +837,7 @@ def check_out(dbase, rev, path, user):
     rdr(dbase, xml_file, user)
     os.unlink(xml_file)
 
-def check_in(dbase, filename, callback, cursor_func = None):
+def check_in(dbase, filename, user, cursor_func = None):
     """
     Checks in the specified file into RCS
     """
@@ -875,7 +875,7 @@ def check_in(dbase, filename, callback, cursor_func = None):
     for plugin in plugin_manager.get_export_plugins():
         if plugin.get_extension() == "gramps":
             export_function = plugin.get_export_function()
-            export_function(dbase, filename, None, callback)
+            export_function(dbase, filename, user)
 
     if cursor_func:
         cursor_func(_("Saving archive..."))
diff --git a/src/gui/user.py b/src/gui/user.py
index abb3d0778..bd40aacf8 100644
--- a/src/gui/user.py
+++ b/src/gui/user.py
@@ -51,9 +51,10 @@ class User(gen.user.User):
     This class provides a means to interact with the user via GTK.
     It implements the interface in gen.user.User()
     """
-    def __init__(self, callback=None):
+    def __init__(self, callback=None, error=None):
         self.progress = None
         self.callback_function = callback
+        self.error_function = error
     
     def begin_progress(self, title, message, steps):
         """
@@ -82,14 +83,20 @@ class User(gen.user.User):
         if self.progress:
             self.progress.step()
 
-    def callback(self, percentage):
+    def callback(self, percentage, text=None):
         """
         Display the precentage.
         """
         if self.callback_function:
-            self.callback_function(percentage)
+            if text:
+                self.callback_function(percentage, text)
+            else:
+                self.callback_function(percentage)
         else:
-            sys.stdout.write("\r%02d%%" % percent)
+            if text is None:
+                sys.stdout.write("\r%02d%%" % percentage)
+            else:
+                sys.stdout.write("\r%02d%% %s" % (percentage, text))
 
     def end_progress(self):
         """
@@ -135,7 +142,10 @@ class User(gen.user.User):
         @type error: str
         @returns: none
         """
-        ErrorDialog(title, error)
+        if self.error_function:
+            self.error_function(title, error)
+        else:
+            ErrorDialog(title, error)
 
     def notify_db_error(self, error):
         """
diff --git a/src/gui/viewmanager.py b/src/gui/viewmanager.py
index ee6d182d4..5319209c4 100644
--- a/src/gui/viewmanager.py
+++ b/src/gui/viewmanager.py
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ from gen.ggettext import sgettext as _
 from gen.ggettext import ngettext
 from cStringIO import StringIO
 from collections import defaultdict
+from gui.user import User
 import sys
 import posixpath
 
@@ -1575,15 +1576,15 @@ class ViewManager(CLIManager):
             if include.get_active():
                 from ExportPkg import PackageWriter
                 writer = PackageWriter(self.dbstate.db, filename,
-                       msg_callback=lambda m1, m2: ErrorDialog(m1, m2),
-                       callback=self.pulse_progressbar)
+                                       User(error=ErrorDialog,
+                                            callback=self.pulse_progressbar))
                 writer.export()
             else:
                 from ExportXml import XmlWriter
                 writer = XmlWriter(self.dbstate.db,
-                       msg_callback=lambda m1, m2: ErrorDialog(m1, m2),
-                       callback=self.pulse_progressbar,
-                       strip_photos=0, compress=1)
+                                   User(error=ErrorDialog,
+                                        callback=self.pulse_progressbar),
+                                   strip_photos=0, compress=1)
                 writer.write(filename)
             self.uistate.set_busy_cursor(0)
             self.uistate.progress.hide()
diff --git a/src/plugins/export/ExportCsv.py b/src/plugins/export/ExportCsv.py
index 46e425ab6..c61bc1020 100644
--- a/src/plugins/export/ExportCsv.py
+++ b/src/plugins/export/ExportCsv.py
@@ -62,8 +62,8 @@ from glade import Glade
 # The function that does the exporting
 #
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-def exportData(database, filename, msg_callback, option_box=None, callback=None):
-    gw = CSVWriter(database, filename, msg_callback, option_box, callback)
+def exportData(database, filename, user, option_box=None):
+    gw = CSVWriter(database, filename, user, option_box)
     return gw.export_data()
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -224,13 +224,12 @@ class CSVWriterOptionBox(WriterOptionBox):
 #
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 class CSVWriter(object):
-    def __init__(self, database, filename, msg_callback, option_box=None, callback=None):
+    def __init__(self, database, filename, user, option_box=None):
         self.db = database
         self.option_box = option_box
         self.filename = filename
-        self.callback = callback
-        self.msg_callback = msg_callback
-        if callable(self.callback): # callback is really callable
+        self.user = user
+        if callable(self.user.callback): # callback is really callable
             self.update = self.update_real
         else:
             self.update = self.update_empty
@@ -281,7 +280,7 @@ class CSVWriter(object):
         self.count += 1
         newval = int(100*self.count/self.total)
         if newval != self.oldval:
-            self.callback(newval)
+            self.user.callback(newval)
             self.oldval = newval
 
     def writeln(self):
@@ -298,10 +297,10 @@ class CSVWriter(object):
             self.g = UnicodeWriter(self.fp)
         except IOError,msg:
             msg2 = _("Could not create %s") % self.filename
-            self.msg_callback(msg2,str(msg))
+            self.user.notify_error(msg2,str(msg))
             return False
         except:
-            self.msg_callback(_("Could not create %s") % self.filename)
+            self.user.notify_error(_("Could not create %s") % self.filename)
             return False
         ######################### initialize progress bar
         self.count = 0
diff --git a/src/plugins/export/ExportFtree.py b/src/plugins/export/ExportFtree.py
index 9486c89a0..8eec38e5d 100644
--- a/src/plugins/export/ExportFtree.py
+++ b/src/plugins/export/ExportFtree.py
@@ -56,8 +56,8 @@ from glade import Glade
 # writeData
 #
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-def writeData(database, filename, msg_callback, option_box=None, callback=None):
-    writer = FtreeWriter(database, filename, msg_callback, option_box, callback)
+def writeData(database, filename, user, option_box=None):
+    writer = FtreeWriter(database, filename, user, option_box)
     return writer.export_data()
     
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -67,14 +67,12 @@ def writeData(database, filename, msg_callback, option_box=None, callback=None):
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 class FtreeWriter(object):
 
-    def __init__(self, database, filename, msg_callback, option_box=None,
-                 callback = None):
+    def __init__(self, database, filename, user, option_box=None):
         self.db = database
         self.filename = filename
-        self.msg_callback = msg_callback
+        self.user = user
         self.option_box = option_box
-        self.callback = callback
-        if callable(self.callback): # callback is really callable
+        if callable(self.user.callback): # callback is really callable
             self.update = self.update_real
         else:
             self.update = self.update_empty
@@ -92,7 +90,7 @@ class FtreeWriter(object):
         self.count += 1
         newval = int(100*self.count/self.total)
         if newval != self.oldval:
-            self.callback(newval)
+            self.user.callback(newval)
             self.oldval = newval
 
     def export_data(self):
diff --git a/src/plugins/export/ExportGedcom.py b/src/plugins/export/ExportGedcom.py
index cfd7c6879..95f3c4480 100644
--- a/src/plugins/export/ExportGedcom.py
+++ b/src/plugins/export/ExportGedcom.py
@@ -213,12 +213,10 @@ class GedcomWriter(UpdateCallback):
     so that it can provide visual feedback via a progress bar if needed.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, database, cmd_line=0,
-                 option_box=None, callback=None):
-        UpdateCallback.__init__(self, callback)
-
+    def __init__(self, database, user, option_box=None):
+        UpdateCallback.__init__(self, user.callback)
+        self.total = 100
         self.dbase = database
-        self.cmd_line = cmd_line
         self.dirname = None
         self.gedcom_file = None
 
@@ -1435,17 +1433,17 @@ class GedcomWriter(UpdateCallback):
 #
 #
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-def export_data(database, filename, msg_callback, option_box=None, callback=None):
+def export_data(database, filename, user, option_box=None):
     """
     External interface used to register with the plugin system.
     """
     ret = False
     try:
-        ged_write = GedcomWriter(database, 0, option_box, callback)
+        ged_write = GedcomWriter(database, user, option_box)
         ret = ged_write.write_gedcom_file(filename)
     except IOError, msg:
         msg2 = _("Could not create %s") % filename
-        msg_callback(msg2, str(msg))
+        user.notify_error(msg2, str(msg))
     except Errors.DatabaseError, msg:
-        msg_callback(_("Export failed"), str(msg))
+        user.notify_db_error(_("Export failed"), str(msg))
     return ret
diff --git a/src/plugins/export/ExportGeneWeb.py b/src/plugins/export/ExportGeneWeb.py
index ea3e55701..0752eee3e 100644
--- a/src/plugins/export/ExportGeneWeb.py
+++ b/src/plugins/export/ExportGeneWeb.py
@@ -55,14 +55,12 @@ from glade import Glade
 import config
 
 class GeneWebWriter(object):
-    def __init__(self, database, filename, msg_callback, option_box=None,
-                 callback=None):
+    def __init__(self, database, filename, user, option_box=None):
         self.db = database
         self.filename = filename
-        self.msg_callback = msg_callback
+        self.user = user
         self.option_box = option_box
-        self.callback = callback
-        if callable(self.callback): # callback is really callable
+        if callable(self.user.callback): # callback is really callable
             self.update = self.update_real
         else:
             self.update = self.update_empty
@@ -82,7 +80,7 @@ class GeneWebWriter(object):
         self.count += 1
         newval = int(100*self.count/self.total)
         if newval != self.oldval:
-            self.callback(newval)
+            self.user.callback(newval)
             self.oldval = newval
 
     def writeln(self, text):
@@ -95,15 +93,15 @@ class GeneWebWriter(object):
             self.g = open(self.filename, "w")
         except IOError,msg:
             msg2 = _("Could not create %s") % self.filename
-            self.msg_callback(msg2, str(msg))
+            self.user.notify_error(msg2, str(msg))
             return False
         except:
-            self.msg_callback(_("Could not create %s") % self.filename)
+            self.user.notify_error(_("Could not create %s") % self.filename)
             return False
 
         self.flist = [x for x in self.db.iter_family_handles()]
         if len(self.flist) < 1:
-            self.msg_callback(_("No families matched by selected filter"))
+            self.notify_error(_("No families matched by selected filter"))
             return False
         
         self.count = 0
@@ -491,6 +489,6 @@ class GeneWebWriter(object):
 #
 #
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-def exportData(database, filename, msg_callback, option_box=None, callback=None):
-    gw = GeneWebWriter(database, filename, msg_callback, option_box, callback)
+def exportData(database, filename, user, option_box=None):
+    gw = GeneWebWriter(database, filename, user, option_box)
     return gw.export_data()
diff --git a/src/plugins/export/ExportPkg.py b/src/plugins/export/ExportPkg.py
index f1af3616e..05165fbfd 100644
--- a/src/plugins/export/ExportPkg.py
+++ b/src/plugins/export/ExportPkg.py
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ import constfunc
 # writeData
 #
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-def writeData(database, filename, msg_callback, option_box=None, callback=None):
+def writeData(database, filename, user, option_box=None):
 
 # Rename file, if it exists already, with <filename>.bak
 # as it it for normal XML export.
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ def writeData(database, filename, msg_callback, option_box=None, callback=None):
         option_box.parse_options()
         database = option_box.get_filtered_database(database)
 
-    writer = PackageWriter(database, filename, msg_callback, callback)
+    writer = PackageWriter(database, filename, user)
     return writer.export()
     
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -95,91 +95,90 @@ def writeData(database, filename, msg_callback, option_box=None, callback=None):
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 class PackageWriter(object):
 
-    def __init__(self, database, filename, msg_callback, callback=None):
+    def __init__(self, database, filename, user):
         self.db = database
-        self.callback = callback
-        self.msg_callback = msg_callback
+        self.user = user
         self.filename = filename
             
     def export(self):
 #        missmedia_action = 0
         #--------------------------------------------------------------
-        def remove_clicked():
-            # File is lost => remove all references and the object itself
-            for p_id in self.db.iter_family_handles():
-                p = self.db.get_family_from_handle(p_id)
-                nl = p.get_media_list()
-                for o in nl:
-                    if o.get_reference_handle() == m_id:
-                        nl.remove(o) 
-                p.set_media_list(nl)
-                self.db.commit_family(p,None)
-            for key in self.db.iter_person_handles():
-                p = self.db.get_person_from_handle(key)
-                nl = p.get_media_list()
-                for o in nl:
-                    if o.get_reference_handle() == m_id:
-                        nl.remove(o) 
-                p.set_media_list(nl)
-                self.db.commit_person(p,None)
-            for key in self.db.get_source_handles():
-                p = self.db.get_source_from_handle(key)
-                nl = p.get_media_list()
-                for o in nl:
-                    if o.get_reference_handle() == m_id:
-                        nl.remove(o) 
-                p.set_media_list(nl)
-                self.db.commit_source(p,None)
-            for key in self.db.get_place_handles():
-                p = self.db.get_place_from_handle(key)
-                nl = p.get_media_list()
-                for o in nl:
-                    if o.get_reference_handle() == m_id:
-                        nl.remove(o) 
-                p.set_media_list(nl)
-                self.db.commit_place(p,None)
-            for key in self.db.get_event_handles():
-                p = self.db.get_event_from_handle(key)
-                nl = p.get_media_list()
-                for o in nl:
-                    if o.get_reference_handle() == m_id:
-                        nl.remove(o) 
-                p.set_media_list(nl)
-                self.db.commit_event(p,None)
-            self.db.remove_object(m_id,None)
+        # def remove_clicked():
+        #     # File is lost => remove all references and the object itself
+        #     for p_id in self.db.iter_family_handles():
+        #         p = self.db.get_family_from_handle(p_id)
+        #         nl = p.get_media_list()
+        #         for o in nl:
+        #             if o.get_reference_handle() == m_id:
+        #                 nl.remove(o) 
+        #         p.set_media_list(nl)
+        #         self.db.commit_family(p,None)
+        #     for key in self.db.iter_person_handles():
+        #         p = self.db.get_person_from_handle(key)
+        #         nl = p.get_media_list()
+        #         for o in nl:
+        #             if o.get_reference_handle() == m_id:
+        #                 nl.remove(o) 
+        #         p.set_media_list(nl)
+        #         self.db.commit_person(p,None)
+        #     for key in self.db.get_source_handles():
+        #         p = self.db.get_source_from_handle(key)
+        #         nl = p.get_media_list()
+        #         for o in nl:
+        #             if o.get_reference_handle() == m_id:
+        #                 nl.remove(o) 
+        #         p.set_media_list(nl)
+        #         self.db.commit_source(p,None)
+        #     for key in self.db.get_place_handles():
+        #         p = self.db.get_place_from_handle(key)
+        #         nl = p.get_media_list()
+        #         for o in nl:
+        #             if o.get_reference_handle() == m_id:
+        #                 nl.remove(o) 
+        #         p.set_media_list(nl)
+        #         self.db.commit_place(p,None)
+        #     for key in self.db.get_event_handles():
+        #         p = self.db.get_event_from_handle(key)
+        #         nl = p.get_media_list()
+        #         for o in nl:
+        #             if o.get_reference_handle() == m_id:
+        #                 nl.remove(o) 
+        #         p.set_media_list(nl)
+        #         self.db.commit_event(p,None)
+        #     self.db.remove_object(m_id,None)
 
-        def leave_clicked():
-            # File is lost => do nothing, leave as is
-            pass
+        # def leave_clicked():
+        #     # File is lost => do nothing, leave as is
+        #     pass
 
-        def select_clicked():
-            # File is lost => select a file to replace the lost one
-            def fs_close_window(obj):
-                pass
+        # def select_clicked():
+        #     # File is lost => select a file to replace the lost one
+        #     def fs_close_window(obj):
+        #         pass
 
-            def fs_ok_clicked(obj):
-                name = Utils.get_unicode_path_from_file_chooser(fs_top.get_filename())
-                if os.path.isfile(name):
-                    archive.add(name)
+        #     def fs_ok_clicked(obj):
+        #         name = Utils.get_unicode_path_from_file_chooser(fs_top.get_filename())
+        #         if os.path.isfile(name):
+        #             archive.add(name)
                     
-            fs_top = gtk.FileChooserDialog("%s - GRAMPS" % _("Select file"),
-                        buttons=(gtk.STOCK_CANCEL, gtk.RESPONSE_CANCEL,
-                                 gtk.STOCK_OK, gtk.RESPONSE_OK)
-                        )
-            response = fs_top.run()
-            if response == gtk.RESPONSE_OK:
-                fs_ok_clicked(fs_top)
-            elif response == gtk.RESPONSE_CANCEL:
-                fs_close_window(fs_top)
+        #     fs_top = gtk.FileChooserDialog("%s - GRAMPS" % _("Select file"),
+        #                 buttons=(gtk.STOCK_CANCEL, gtk.RESPONSE_CANCEL,
+        #                          gtk.STOCK_OK, gtk.RESPONSE_OK)
+        #                 )
+        #     response = fs_top.run()
+        #     if response == gtk.RESPONSE_OK:
+        #         fs_ok_clicked(fs_top)
+        #     elif response == gtk.RESPONSE_CANCEL:
+        #         fs_close_window(fs_top)
 
-            fs_top.destroy()
+        #     fs_top.destroy()
         #---------------------------------------------------------------
 
         try:
             archive = tarfile.open(self.filename,'w:gz')
         except EnvironmentError, msg:
             log.warn(str(msg))
-            self.msg_callback(_('Failure writing %s') % self.filename, str(msg))
+            self.user.notify_error(_('Failure writing %s') % self.filename, str(msg))
             return 0
         
         # Write media files first, since the database may be modified 
@@ -213,7 +212,7 @@ class PackageWriter(object):
         
         # Write XML now
         g = StringIO()
-        gfile = XmlWriter(self.db, self.msg_callback, self.callback, 2)
+        gfile = XmlWriter(self.db, self.user, 2)
         gfile.write_handle(g)
         tarinfo = tarfile.TarInfo('data.gramps')
         tarinfo.size = len(g.getvalue())
diff --git a/src/plugins/export/ExportVCalendar.py b/src/plugins/export/ExportVCalendar.py
index 707615e7f..10813face 100644
--- a/src/plugins/export/ExportVCalendar.py
+++ b/src/plugins/export/ExportVCalendar.py
@@ -55,14 +55,12 @@ import Errors
 from glade import Glade
 
 class CalendarWriter(object):
-    def __init__(self, database, filename, msg_callback, option_box=None,
-                 callback=None):
+    def __init__(self, database, filename, user, option_box=None):
         self.db = database
         self.filename = filename
-        self.msg_callback = msg_callback
+        self.user = user
         self.option_box = option_box
-        self.callback = callback
-        if callable(self.callback): # callback is really callable
+        if callable(self.user.callback): # callback is really callable
             self.update = self.update_real
         else:
             self.update = self.update_empty
@@ -88,7 +86,7 @@ class CalendarWriter(object):
         self.count += 1
         newval = int(100 * self.count / self.total)
         if newval != self.oldval:
-            self.callback(newval)
+            self.user.callback(newval)
             self.oldval = newval
 
     def writeln(self, text):
@@ -102,10 +100,10 @@ class CalendarWriter(object):
             self.g = open(filename,"w")
         except IOError,msg:
             msg2 = _("Could not create %s") % filename
-            self.msg_callback(msg2, str(msg))
+            self.user.notify_error(msg2, str(msg))
             return False
         except:
-            self.msg_callback(_("Could not create %s") % filename)
+            self.user.notify_error(_("Could not create %s") % filename)
             return False
 
         self.writeln("BEGIN:VCALENDAR")
@@ -252,6 +250,6 @@ class CalendarWriter(object):
 #
 #
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-def exportData(database, filename, msg_callback, option_box=None, callback=None):
-    cw = CalendarWriter(database, 0, filename, option_box, callback)
+def exportData(database, filename, user, option_box=None):
+    cw = CalendarWriter(database, filename, user, option_box)
     return cw.export_data(filename)
diff --git a/src/plugins/export/ExportVCard.py b/src/plugins/export/ExportVCard.py
index b82b4aacb..44129466e 100644
--- a/src/plugins/export/ExportVCard.py
+++ b/src/plugins/export/ExportVCard.py
@@ -61,17 +61,17 @@ from gen.plug.utils import OpenFileOrStdout
 # Support Functions
 #
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-def exportData(database, filename, msg_callback, option_box=None, callback=None):
+def exportData(database, filename, user, option_box=None):
     """Function called by Gramps to export data on persons in VCard format."""
-    cardw = VCardWriter(database, filename, option_box, callback)
+    cardw = VCardWriter(database, filename, option_box, user)
     try:
         cardw.export_data()
     except EnvironmentError, msg:
-        msg_callback(_("Could not create %s") % filename, str(msg))
+        user.notify_error(_("Could not create %s") % filename, str(msg))
         return False
     except:
         # Export shouldn't bring Gramps down.
-        msg_callback(_("Could not create %s") % filename)
+        user.notify_error(_("Could not create %s") % filename)
         return False
     return True
 
@@ -102,13 +102,13 @@ class VCardWriter(object):
             raise TypeError("VCard escaping is not implemented for "
                               "data type %s." % str(type(data)))
 
-    def __init__(self, database, filename, option_box=None, callback=None):
+    def __init__(self, database, filename, option_box=None, user=None):
         self.db = database
         self.filename = filename
+        self.user = user
         self.filehandle = None
         self.option_box = option_box
-        self.callback = callback
-        if callable(self.callback): # callback is really callable
+        if callable(self.user.callback): # callback is really callable
             self.update = self.update_real
         else:
             self.update = self.update_empty
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ class VCardWriter(object):
         self.count += 1
         newval = int(100*self.count/self.total)
         if newval != self.oldval:
-            self.callback(newval)
+            self.user.callback(newval)
             self.oldval = newval
 
     def writeln(self, text):
diff --git a/src/plugins/export/ExportXml.py b/src/plugins/export/ExportXml.py
index c88e17ada..dc133f6f0 100644
--- a/src/plugins/export/ExportXml.py
+++ b/src/plugins/export/ExportXml.py
@@ -62,7 +62,6 @@ from gen.updatecallback import UpdateCallback
 from gen.db.exceptions import DbWriteFailure
 import const
 import constfunc
-#from QuestionDialog import ErrorDialog
 from ExportOptions import WriterOptionBox
 import libgrampsxml
 
@@ -99,7 +98,7 @@ class GrampsXmlWriter(UpdateCallback):
     """
 
     def __init__(self, db, strip_photos=0, compress=1, version="unknown",
-                 callback=None):
+                 user=None):
         """
         Initialize, but does not write, an XML file.
 
@@ -110,7 +109,8 @@ class GrampsXmlWriter(UpdateCallback):
         >              2: remove leading slash (quick write)
         compress - attempt to compress the database
         """
-        UpdateCallback.__init__(self, callback)
+        UpdateCallback.__init__(self, user.callback)
+        self.user = user
         self.compress = compress
         if not _gzip_ok:
             self.compress = False
@@ -1247,7 +1247,7 @@ def conf_priv(obj):
 # export_data
 #
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-def export_data(database, filename, msg_callback, option_box=None, callback=None):
+def export_data(database, filename, user, option_box=None):
     """
     Call the XML writer with the syntax expected by the export plugin.
     """
@@ -1264,7 +1264,7 @@ def export_data(database, filename, msg_callback, option_box=None, callback=None
         option_box.parse_options()
         database = option_box.get_filtered_database(database)
 
-    g = XmlWriter(database, msg_callback, callback, 0, compress)
+    g = XmlWriter(database, user, 0, compress)
     return g.write(filename)
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1277,11 +1277,11 @@ class XmlWriter(GrampsXmlWriter):
     Writes a database to the XML file.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, dbase, msg_callback, callback, strip_photos, compress=1):
+    def __init__(self, dbase, user, strip_photos, compress=1):
         GrampsXmlWriter.__init__(
-            self, dbase, strip_photos, compress, const.VERSION, callback)
-        self.msg_callback = msg_callback
-        
+            self, dbase, strip_photos, compress, const.VERSION, user)
+        self.user = user
+
     def write(self, filename):
         """
         Write the database to the specified file.
@@ -1291,5 +1291,5 @@ class XmlWriter(GrampsXmlWriter):
             ret = GrampsXmlWriter.write(self, filename)
         except DbWriteFailure, msg:
             (m1,m2) = msg.messages()
-            self.msg_callback(m1, m2)
+            self.user.notify_db_error(m1, m2)
         return ret
diff --git a/src/webapp/reports.py b/src/webapp/reports.py
index 228088104..188b82689 100644
--- a/src/webapp/reports.py
+++ b/src/webapp/reports.py
@@ -102,11 +102,11 @@ def download(url, filename=None):
         r.close()
     return success
 
-def export_file(db, filename, callback):
+def export_file(db, filename, user):
     """
     Export the db to a file (such as a GEDCOM file).
 
-    >>> export_file(DbDjango(), "/home/user/Untitled_1.ged", lambda a: a)
+    >>> export_file(DbDjango(), "/home/user/Untitled_1.ged", User())
     """
     dbstate = DbState.DbState()
     climanager = CLIManager(dbstate, False) # do not load db_loader
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ def export_file(db, filename, callback):
                     print "ERROR:", name, exception
                 return False
             export_function = getattr(mod, pdata.export_function)
-            export_function(db, filename, callback)
+            export_function(db, filename, user)
             return True
     return False