diff --git a/src/fbutton.cpp b/src/fbutton.cpp
index 70b67040..d68266a0 100644
--- a/src/fbutton.cpp
+++ b/src/fbutton.cpp
@@ -265,7 +265,6 @@ void FButton::hide()
 {
   std::size_t s, f, size;
   short fg, bg;
-  char* blank;
   FWidget* parent_widget = getParentWidget();
   FWidget::hide();
 
@@ -288,18 +287,7 @@ void FButton::hide()
   if ( size == 0 )
     return;
 
-  try
-  {
-    blank = new char[size + 1];
-  }
-  catch (const std::bad_alloc& ex)
-  {
-    std::cerr << "not enough memory to alloc " << ex.what() << std::endl;
-    return;
-  }
-
-  std::memset(blank, ' ', size);
-  blank[size] = '\0';
+  char* blank = createBlankArray(size + 1);
 
   for (std::size_t y = 0; y < getHeight() + s + (f << 1); y++)
   {
@@ -307,7 +295,7 @@ void FButton::hide()
     print (blank);
   }
 
-  delete[] blank;
+  destroyBlankArray (blank);
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/fbuttongroup.cpp b/src/fbuttongroup.cpp
index 67f6dd6a..fcede4b7 100644
--- a/src/fbuttongroup.cpp
+++ b/src/fbuttongroup.cpp
@@ -191,7 +191,6 @@ void FButtonGroup::hide()
 {
   std::size_t size;
   short fg, bg;
-  char* blank;
   FWidget::hide();
   FWidget* parent_widget = getParentWidget();
 
@@ -226,18 +225,7 @@ void FButtonGroup::hide()
   if ( size == 0 )
     return;
 
-  try
-  {
-    blank = new char[size + 1];
-  }
-  catch (const std::bad_alloc& ex)
-  {
-    std::cerr << "not enough memory to alloc " << ex.what() << std::endl;
-    return;
-  }
-
-  std::memset(blank, ' ', size);
-  blank[size] = '\0';
+  char* blank = createBlankArray(size + 1);
 
   for (int y = 0; y < int(getHeight()); y++)
   {
@@ -245,7 +233,7 @@ void FButtonGroup::hide()
     print (blank);
   }
 
-  delete[] blank;
+  destroyBlankArray (blank);
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/flabel.cpp b/src/flabel.cpp
index 98ae734c..c2b1baec 100644
--- a/src/flabel.cpp
+++ b/src/flabel.cpp
@@ -243,7 +243,6 @@ void FLabel::hide()
 {
   short fg, bg;
   std::size_t size;
-  char* blank;
   FWidget* parent_widget = getParentWidget();
 
   FWidget::hide();
@@ -265,21 +264,10 @@ void FLabel::hide()
   if ( size == 0 )
     return;
 
-  try
-  {
-    blank = new char[size + 1];
-  }
-  catch (const std::bad_alloc& ex)
-  {
-    std::cerr << "not enough memory to alloc " << ex.what() << std::endl;
-    return;
-  }
-
-  std::memset(blank, ' ', size);
-  blank[getWidth()] = '\0';
+  char* blank = createBlankArray(size + 1);
   setPrintPos (1, 1);
   print (blank);
-  delete[] blank;
+  destroyBlankArray (blank);
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/flineedit.cpp b/src/flineedit.cpp
index bbe87892..050a376b 100644
--- a/src/flineedit.cpp
+++ b/src/flineedit.cpp
@@ -283,7 +283,6 @@ void FLineEdit::hide()
 {
   std::size_t s, size;
   short fg, bg;
-  char* blank;
   FWidget* parent_widget = getParentWidget();
 
   FWidget::hide();
@@ -306,18 +305,7 @@ void FLineEdit::hide()
   if ( size == 0 )
     return;
 
-  try
-  {
-    blank = new char[size + 1];
-  }
-  catch (const std::bad_alloc& ex)
-  {
-    std::cerr << "not enough memory to alloc " << ex.what() << std::endl;
-    return;
-  }
-
-  std::memset(blank, ' ', size);
-  blank[size] = '\0';
+  char* blank = createBlankArray(size + 1);
 
   for (std::size_t y = 0; y < getHeight() + s; y++)
   {
@@ -325,7 +313,7 @@ void FLineEdit::hide()
     print (blank);
   }
 
-  delete[] blank;
+  destroyBlankArray(blank);
 
   if ( label )
     label->hide();
diff --git a/src/flistbox.cpp b/src/flistbox.cpp
index 909353c4..9cca9f6d 100644
--- a/src/flistbox.cpp
+++ b/src/flistbox.cpp
@@ -169,16 +169,16 @@ void FListBox::showInsideBrackets ( std::size_t index
   if ( b == fc::NoBrackets )
     return;
 
-  int len = int(iter->getText().getLength() + 2);
+  std::size_t len = iter->getText().getLength() + 2;
 
   if ( len > max_line_width )
   {
     max_line_width = len;
 
-    if ( len >= int(getWidth()) - nf_offset - 3 )
+    if ( len >= getWidth() - nf_offset - 3 )
     {
-      hbar->setMaximum (max_line_width - int(getWidth()) + nf_offset + 4);
-      hbar->setPageSize (max_line_width, int(getWidth()) - nf_offset - 4);
+      hbar->setMaximum (int(max_line_width - getWidth() + nf_offset + 4));
+      hbar->setPageSize (int(max_line_width), int(getWidth() - nf_offset - 4));
       hbar->setValue (xoffset);
 
       if ( ! hbar->isVisible() )
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ void FListBox::setGeometry (int x, int y, std::size_t w, std::size_t h, bool adj
   if ( isNewFont() )
   {
     vbar->setGeometry (int(getWidth()), 2, 2, getHeight() - 2);
-    hbar->setGeometry (1, int(getHeight()), getWidth() - 2 - std::size_t(nf_offset), 1);
+    hbar->setGeometry (1, int(getHeight()), getWidth() - 2 - nf_offset, 1);
   }
   else
   {
@@ -242,9 +242,7 @@ void FListBox::hide()
 {
   std::size_t n, size;
   short fg, bg;
-  char* blank;
   FWidget* parent_widget = getParentWidget();
-
   FWidget::hide();
 
   if ( parent_widget )
@@ -265,18 +263,7 @@ void FListBox::hide()
   if ( size == 0 )
     return;
 
-  try
-  {
-    blank = new char[size + 1];
-  }
-  catch (const std::bad_alloc& ex)
-  {
-    std::cerr << "not enough memory to alloc " << ex.what() << std::endl;
-    return;
-  }
-
-  std::memset (blank, ' ', size);
-  blank[size] = '\0';
+  char* blank = createBlankArray(size + 1);
 
   for (int y = 0; y < int(getHeight()); y++)
   {
@@ -284,19 +271,19 @@ void FListBox::hide()
     print (blank);
   }
 
-  delete[] blank;
+  destroyBlankArray (blank);
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
 void FListBox::insert (FListBoxItem listItem)
 {
-  int len = int(listItem.text.getLength());
+  std::size_t len = listItem.text.getLength();
   bool has_brackets = bool(listItem.brackets);
   recalculateHorizontalBar (len, has_brackets);
 
   itemlist.push_back (listItem);
 
-  int element_count = int(getCount());
+  std::size_t element_count = getCount();
   recalculateVerticalBar (element_count);
 }
 
@@ -337,7 +324,7 @@ void FListBox::remove (std::size_t item)
 
   while ( iter != itemlist.end() )
   {
-    int len = int(iter->getText().getLength());
+    std::size_t len = iter->getText().getLength();
 
     if ( len > max_line_width )
       max_line_width = len;
@@ -345,10 +332,10 @@ void FListBox::remove (std::size_t item)
     ++iter;
   }
 
-  hbar->setMaximum (max_line_width - int(getWidth()) + nf_offset + 4);
-  hbar->setPageSize (max_line_width, int(getWidth()) - nf_offset - 4);
+  hbar->setMaximum (int(max_line_width - getWidth() + nf_offset + 4));
+  hbar->setPageSize (int(max_line_width), int(getWidth() - nf_offset - 4));
 
-  if ( hbar->isVisible() && max_line_width < int(getWidth()) - nf_offset - 3 )
+  if ( hbar->isVisible() && max_line_width < getWidth() - nf_offset - 3 )
     hbar->hide();
 
   vbar->setMaximum (int(element_count - getHeight()) + 2);
@@ -374,10 +361,7 @@ void FListBox::remove (std::size_t item)
 void FListBox::clear()
 {
   std::size_t size;
-  char* blank;
-
   itemlist.clear();
-
   current = 0;
   xoffset = 0;
   yoffset = 0;
@@ -400,15 +384,7 @@ void FListBox::clear()
   if ( size == 0 )
     return;
 
-  try
-  {
-    blank = new char[size + 1];
-  }
-  catch (const std::bad_alloc& ex)
-  {
-    std::cerr << "not enough memory to alloc " << ex.what() << std::endl;
-    return;
-  }
+  char* blank = createBlankArray(size + 1);
 
   std::memset (blank, ' ', size);
   blank[size] = '\0';
@@ -419,7 +395,7 @@ void FListBox::clear()
     print (blank);
   }
 
-  delete[] blank;
+  destroyBlankArray (blank);
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -823,10 +799,10 @@ void FListBox::adjustSize()
   vbar->setHeight (getClientHeight(), false);
   vbar->resize();
 
-  hbar->setMaximum (max_line_width - int(getClientWidth()) + 2);
-  hbar->setPageSize (max_line_width, int(getClientWidth()) - 2);
+  hbar->setMaximum (int(max_line_width - getClientWidth() + 2));
+  hbar->setPageSize (int(max_line_width), int(getClientWidth()) - 2);
   hbar->setY (int(getHeight()));
-  hbar->setWidth (getClientWidth() + std::size_t(nf_offset), false);
+  hbar->setWidth (getClientWidth() + nf_offset, false);
   hbar->resize();
 
   if ( element_count <= getClientHeight() )
@@ -834,7 +810,7 @@ void FListBox::adjustSize()
   else
     vbar->setVisible();
 
-  if ( max_line_width < int(getClientWidth()) - 1 )
+  if ( max_line_width < getClientWidth() - 1 )
     hbar->hide();
   else
     hbar->setVisible();
@@ -890,7 +866,7 @@ void FListBox::init()
   setTopPadding(1);
   setLeftPadding(1);
   setBottomPadding(1);
-  setRightPadding(1 + nf_offset);
+  setRightPadding(1 + int(nf_offset));
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1043,8 +1019,8 @@ inline void FListBox::drawListLine ( int y
   bool isCurrentLine = bool(y + yoffset + 1 == int(current));
   bool isFocus = ((flags & fc::focus) != 0);
   FString element;
-  element = getString(iter).mid ( uInt(1 + xoffset)
-                                , uInt(getWidth() - std::size_t(nf_offset) - 4) );
+  element = getString(iter).mid ( std::size_t(1 + xoffset)
+                                , getWidth() - nf_offset - 4 );
   const wchar_t* const& element_str = element.wc_str();
   len = element.getLength();
 
@@ -1072,7 +1048,7 @@ inline void FListBox::drawListLine ( int y
     i++;
   }
 
-  for (; i < getWidth() - std::size_t(nf_offset) - 3; i++)
+  for (; i < getWidth() - nf_offset - 3; i++)
     print (' ');
 }
 
@@ -1153,11 +1129,11 @@ inline void FListBox::drawListBracketsLine ( int y
     printLeftBracket (iter->brackets);
 
     element = getString(iter).mid ( std::size_t(xoffset) + 1
-                                  , getWidth() - std::size_t(nf_offset) - 5 );
+                                  , getWidth() - nf_offset - 5 );
   }
   else
     element = getString(iter).mid ( std::size_t(xoffset)
-                                  , getWidth() - std::size_t(nf_offset) - 4 );
+                                  , getWidth() - nf_offset - 4 );
 
   const wchar_t* const& element_str = element.wc_str();
   len = element.getLength();
@@ -1177,7 +1153,7 @@ inline void FListBox::drawListBracketsLine ( int y
 
   full_length = getString(iter).getLength();
 
-  if ( b + i < getWidth() - std::size_t(nf_offset) - 4
+  if ( b + i < getWidth() - nf_offset - 4
     && std::size_t(xoffset) <= full_length + 1 )
   {
     if ( serach_mark && i == inc_len )
@@ -1194,7 +1170,7 @@ inline void FListBox::drawListBracketsLine ( int y
     i++;
   }
 
-  for (; b + i < getWidth() - std::size_t(nf_offset) - 3; i++)
+  for (; b + i < getWidth() - nf_offset - 3; i++)
     print (' ');
 }
 
@@ -1310,7 +1286,7 @@ inline void FListBox::updateDrawing (bool draw_vbar, bool draw_hbar)
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-void FListBox::recalculateHorizontalBar (int len, bool has_brackets)
+void FListBox::recalculateHorizontalBar (std::size_t len, bool has_brackets)
 {
   if ( has_brackets )
     len += 2;
@@ -1320,10 +1296,10 @@ void FListBox::recalculateHorizontalBar (int len, bool has_brackets)
 
   max_line_width = len;
 
-  if ( len >= int(getWidth()) - nf_offset - 3 )
+  if ( len >= getWidth() - nf_offset - 3 )
   {
-    hbar->setMaximum (max_line_width - int(getWidth()) + nf_offset + 4);
-    hbar->setPageSize (max_line_width, int(getWidth()) - nf_offset - 4);
+    hbar->setMaximum (int(max_line_width - getWidth() + nf_offset + 4));
+    hbar->setPageSize (int(max_line_width), int(getWidth() - nf_offset - 4));
     hbar->calculateSliderValues();
 
     if ( ! hbar->isVisible() )
@@ -1332,13 +1308,13 @@ void FListBox::recalculateHorizontalBar (int len, bool has_brackets)
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-void FListBox::recalculateVerticalBar (int element_count)
+void FListBox::recalculateVerticalBar (std::size_t element_count)
 {
-  vbar->setMaximum (element_count - int(getHeight()) + 2);
-  vbar->setPageSize (element_count, int(getHeight()) - 2);
+  vbar->setMaximum (int(element_count - getHeight() + 2));
+  vbar->setPageSize (int(element_count), int(getHeight()) - 2);
   vbar->calculateSliderValues();
 
-  if ( ! vbar->isVisible() && element_count >= int(getHeight()) - 1 )
+  if ( ! vbar->isVisible() && element_count >= getHeight() - 1 )
     vbar->setVisible();
 }
 
@@ -1595,16 +1571,16 @@ void FListBox::nextListItem (int distance)
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
 void FListBox::scrollToX (int val)
 {
-  static const int padding_space = 2;  // 1 leading space + 1 trailing space
-  int xoffset_end = max_line_width - int(getClientWidth()) + padding_space;
+  static const std::size_t padding_space = 2;  // 1 leading space + 1 trailing space
+  std::size_t xoffset_end = max_line_width - getClientWidth() + padding_space;
 
   if ( xoffset == val )
     return;
 
   xoffset = val;
 
-  if ( xoffset > xoffset_end )
-    xoffset = xoffset_end;
+  if ( xoffset > int(xoffset_end) )
+    xoffset = int(xoffset_end);
 
   if ( xoffset < 0 )
     xoffset = 0;
@@ -1652,15 +1628,15 @@ void FListBox::scrollLeft (int distance)
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
 void FListBox::scrollRight (int distance)
 {
-  static const int padding_space = 2;  // 1 leading space + 1 trailing space
-  int xoffset_end = max_line_width - int(getClientWidth()) + padding_space;
+  static const std::size_t padding_space = 2;  // 1 leading space + 1 trailing space
+  std::size_t xoffset_end = max_line_width - getClientWidth() + padding_space;
   xoffset += distance;
 
-  if ( xoffset == xoffset_end )
+  if ( xoffset == int(xoffset_end) )
     return;
 
-  if ( xoffset > xoffset_end )
-    xoffset = xoffset_end;
+  if ( xoffset > int(xoffset_end) )
+    xoffset = int(xoffset_end);
 
   if ( xoffset < 0 )
     xoffset = 0;
@@ -1923,7 +1899,7 @@ void FListBox::lazyConvert(listBoxItems::iterator iter, int y)
     return;
 
   convertToItem (*iter, source_container, y + yoffset);
-  int len = int(iter->text.getLength());
+  std::size_t len = iter->text.getLength();
   recalculateHorizontalBar (len, hasBrackets(iter));
 
   if ( hbar->isVisible() )
diff --git a/src/flistview.cpp b/src/flistview.cpp
index bbbcbab9..7eb67cfb 100644
--- a/src/flistview.cpp
+++ b/src/flistview.cpp
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ void FListViewItem::collapse()
 
 // private methods of FListView
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-template<typename Compare>
+template <typename Compare>
 void FListViewItem::sort (Compare cmp)
 {
   if ( ! expandable )
@@ -1429,7 +1429,7 @@ void FListView::init()
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-template<typename Compare>
+template <typename Compare>
 void FListView::sort (Compare cmp)
 {
   // Sort the top level
@@ -1462,7 +1462,7 @@ std::size_t FListView::getAlignOffset ( fc::text_alignment align
 
     case fc::alignCenter:
       if ( txt_length < width )
-        return std::size_t((width - txt_length) / 2);
+        return (width - txt_length) / 2;
       else
         return 0;
 
diff --git a/src/fmenubar.cpp b/src/fmenubar.cpp
index dfaf07b9..0564fd31 100644
--- a/src/fmenubar.cpp
+++ b/src/fmenubar.cpp
@@ -64,29 +64,15 @@ void FMenuBar::resetMenu()
 void FMenuBar::hide()
 {
   short fg, bg;
-  char* blank;
-
   FWindow::hide();
   fg = wc.term_fg;
   bg = wc.term_bg;
   setColor (fg, bg);
   screenWidth = getDesktopWidth();
-
-  try
-  {
-    blank = new char[screenWidth + 1];
-  }
-  catch (const std::bad_alloc& ex)
-  {
-    std::cerr << "not enough memory to alloc " << ex.what() << std::endl;
-    return;
-  }
-
-  std::memset(blank, ' ', screenWidth);
-  blank[screenWidth] = '\0';
+  char* blank = createBlankArray (screenWidth + 1);
   setPrintPos (1, 1);
   print (blank);
-  delete[] blank;
+  destroyBlankArray (blank);
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/fmenuitem.cpp b/src/fmenuitem.cpp
index 7bd62ff7..c856196a 100644
--- a/src/fmenuitem.cpp
+++ b/src/fmenuitem.cpp
@@ -724,7 +724,7 @@ void FMenuItem::createDialogList (FMenu* winmenu)
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-template<class T>
+template <typename T>
 void FMenuItem::passMouseEvent ( T widget, FMouseEvent* ev
                                , fc::events ev_type )
 {
diff --git a/src/fprogressbar.cpp b/src/fprogressbar.cpp
index 54e70396..821ee5db 100644
--- a/src/fprogressbar.cpp
+++ b/src/fprogressbar.cpp
@@ -100,7 +100,6 @@ void FProgressbar::hide()
 {
   std::size_t s, size;
   short fg, bg;
-  char* blank;
   FWidget* parent_widget = getParentWidget();
 
   FWidget::hide();
@@ -123,18 +122,7 @@ void FProgressbar::hide()
   if ( size == 0 )
     return;
 
-  try
-  {
-    blank = new char[size + 1];
-  }
-  catch (const std::bad_alloc& ex)
-  {
-    std::cerr << "not enough memory to alloc " << ex.what() << std::endl;
-    return;
-  }
-
-  std::memset(blank, ' ', size);
-  blank[size] = '\0';
+  char* blank = createBlankArray(size + 1);
 
   for (std::size_t y = 0; y < getHeight() + s; y++)
   {
@@ -142,7 +130,7 @@ void FProgressbar::hide()
     print (blank);
   }
 
-  delete[] blank;
+  destroyBlankArray (blank);
   setPrintPos (int(getWidth()) - 4, 0);
   print ("     ");  // hide percentage
 }
diff --git a/src/fstatusbar.cpp b/src/fstatusbar.cpp
index 2d073909..8011a876 100644
--- a/src/fstatusbar.cpp
+++ b/src/fstatusbar.cpp
@@ -197,29 +197,15 @@ bool FStatusBar::hasActivatedKey()
 void FStatusBar::hide()
 {
   short fg, bg;
-  char* blank;
-
   FWindow::hide();
   fg = wc.term_fg;
   bg = wc.term_bg;
   setColor (fg, bg);
   screenWidth = getDesktopWidth();
-
-  try
-  {
-    blank = new char[screenWidth + 1];
-  }
-  catch (const std::bad_alloc& ex)
-  {
-    std::cerr << "not enough memory to alloc " << ex.what() << std::endl;
-    return;
-  }
-
-  std::memset(blank, ' ', screenWidth);
-  blank[screenWidth] = '\0';
+  char* blank = createBlankArray(screenWidth + 1);
   setPrintPos (1, 1);
   print (blank);
-  delete[] blank;
+  destroyBlankArray (blank);
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/ftextview.cpp b/src/ftextview.cpp
index d7fe4640..01c2b98e 100644
--- a/src/ftextview.cpp
+++ b/src/ftextview.cpp
@@ -195,7 +195,6 @@ void FTextView::hide()
 {
   std::size_t n, size;
   short fg, bg;
-  char* blank;
   FWidget* parent_widget = getParentWidget();
 
   FWidget::hide();
@@ -218,18 +217,7 @@ void FTextView::hide()
   if ( size == 0 )
     return;
 
-  try
-  {
-    blank = new char[size + 1];
-  }
-  catch (const std::bad_alloc& ex)
-  {
-    std::cerr << "not enough memory to alloc " << ex.what() << std::endl;
-    return;
-  }
-
-  std::memset(blank, ' ', size);
-  blank[size] = '\0';
+  char* blank = createBlankArray(size + 1);
 
   for (std::size_t y = 0; y < getHeight(); y++)
   {
@@ -237,7 +225,7 @@ void FTextView::hide()
     print (blank);
   }
 
-  delete[] blank;
+  destroyBlankArray (blank);
   flush_out();
 }
 
@@ -325,8 +313,6 @@ void FTextView::replaceRange (const FString& str, int from, int to)
 void FTextView::clear()
 {
   std::size_t size;
-  char* blank;
-
   data.clear();
   xoffset = 0;
   yoffset = 0;
@@ -347,18 +333,7 @@ void FTextView::clear()
   if ( size == 0 )
     return;
 
-  try
-  {
-    blank = new char[size + 1];
-  }
-  catch (const std::bad_alloc& ex)
-  {
-    std::cerr << "not enough memory to alloc " << ex.what() << std::endl;
-    return;
-  }
-
-  std::memset(blank, ' ', size);
-  blank[size] = '\0';
+  char* blank = createBlankArray(size + 1);
 
   for (int y = 0; y < int(getTextHeight()); y++)
   {
@@ -366,7 +341,7 @@ void FTextView::clear()
     print (blank);
   }
 
-  delete[] blank;
+  destroyBlankArray (blank);
   processChanged();
 }
 
diff --git a/src/ftogglebutton.cpp b/src/ftogglebutton.cpp
index 15f8ba8e..b86bec1e 100644
--- a/src/ftogglebutton.cpp
+++ b/src/ftogglebutton.cpp
@@ -219,9 +219,7 @@ void FToggleButton::hide()
 {
   std::size_t size;
   short fg, bg;
-  char* blank;
   FWidget* parent_widget = getParentWidget();
-
   FWidget::hide();
 
   if ( parent_widget )
@@ -241,21 +239,10 @@ void FToggleButton::hide()
   if ( size == 0 )
     return;
 
-  try
-  {
-    blank = new char[size + 1];
-  }
-  catch (const std::bad_alloc& ex)
-  {
-    std::cerr << "not enough memory to alloc " << ex.what() << std::endl;
-    return;
-  }
-
-  std::memset(blank, ' ', size);
-  blank[size] = '\0';
+  char* blank = createBlankArray(size + 1);
   setPrintPos (1, 1);
   print (blank);
-  delete[] blank;
+  destroyBlankArray (blank);
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/include/final/flistbox.h b/src/include/final/flistbox.h
index a8cd7da2..37db0f41 100644
--- a/src/include/final/flistbox.h
+++ b/src/include/final/flistbox.h
@@ -147,9 +147,9 @@ class FListBox : public FWidget
 
     // Constructor
     explicit FListBox (FWidget* = 0);
-    template <class Iterator, class InsertConverter>
+    template <typename Iterator, typename InsertConverter>
     FListBox (Iterator, Iterator, InsertConverter, FWidget* = 0);
-    template <class Container, class LazyConverter>
+    template <typename Container, typename LazyConverter>
     FListBox (Container, LazyConverter, FWidget* = 0);
 
     // Destructor
@@ -192,9 +192,9 @@ class FListBox : public FWidget
 
     // Methods
     virtual void hide();
-    template <class Iterator, class InsertConverter>
+    template <typename Iterator, typename InsertConverter>
     void         insert (Iterator, Iterator, InsertConverter);
-    template <class Container, class LazyConverter>
+    template <typename Container, typename LazyConverter>
     void         insert (Container, LazyConverter);
     void         insert (FListBoxItem);
     void         insert ( const FString&
@@ -254,8 +254,8 @@ class FListBox : public FWidget
     void         setLineAttributes (int, bool, bool, bool&);
     void         unsetAttributes();
     void         updateDrawing (bool, bool);
-    void         recalculateHorizontalBar (int, bool);
-    void         recalculateVerticalBar (int);
+    void         recalculateHorizontalBar (std::size_t, bool);
+    void         recalculateVerticalBar (std::size_t);
     void         getWidgetFocus();
     void         multiSelection (std::size_t);
     void         multiSelectionUpTo (std::size_t);
@@ -321,15 +321,15 @@ class FListBox : public FWidget
     int               xoffset;
     int               yoffset;
     int               last_yoffset;
-    int               nf_offset;
-    int               max_line_width;
+    std::size_t       nf_offset;
+    std::size_t       max_line_width;
 };
 #pragma pack(pop)
 
 
 // FListBox inline functions
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-template <class Iterator, class InsertConverter>
+template <typename Iterator, typename InsertConverter>
 inline FListBox::FListBox ( Iterator first
                           , Iterator last
                           , InsertConverter convert
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ inline FListBox::FListBox ( Iterator first
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-template <class Container, class LazyConverter>
+template <typename Container, typename LazyConverter>
 inline FListBox::FListBox ( Container container
                           , LazyConverter convert
                           , FWidget* parent )
@@ -496,7 +496,7 @@ inline bool FListBox::hasBrackets(listBoxItems::iterator iter) const
 { return bool(iter->brackets > 0); }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-template <class Iterator, class InsertConverter>
+template <typename Iterator, typename InsertConverter>
 inline void FListBox::insert ( Iterator first
                              , Iterator last
                              , InsertConverter convert )
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ inline void FListBox::insert ( Iterator first
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-template <class Container, class LazyConverter>
+template <typename Container, typename LazyConverter>
 void FListBox::insert (Container container, LazyConverter convert)
 {
   conv_type = lazy_convert;
@@ -522,7 +522,7 @@ void FListBox::insert (Container container, LazyConverter convert)
   if ( size > 0 )
     itemlist.resize(size);
 
-  recalculateVerticalBar(int(size));
+  recalculateVerticalBar(size);
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/include/final/flistview.h b/src/include/final/flistview.h
index 6453705d..57a81ecb 100644
--- a/src/include/final/flistview.h
+++ b/src/include/final/flistview.h
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ class FListViewItem : public FObject
     bool              isExpandable() const;
 
     // Methods
-    template<typename Compare>
+    template <typename Compare>
     void              sort (Compare);
     FObjectIterator   appendItem (FListViewItem*);
     void              replaceControlCodes();
@@ -276,9 +276,9 @@ class FListView : public FWidget
                                                     = fc::by_name);
     void                 setColumnSort (int, fc::sorting_order \
                                                  = fc::ascending);
-    template<typename Compare>
+    template <typename Compare>
     void                 setUserAscendingCompare (Compare);
-    template<typename Compare>
+    template <typename Compare>
     void                 setUserDescendingCompare (Compare);
     bool                 setTreeView (bool);
     bool                 setTreeView();
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ class FListView : public FWidget
 
     // Methods
     void                 init();
-    template<typename Compare>
+    template <typename Compare>
     void                 sort (Compare);
     std::size_t          getAlignOffset ( fc::text_alignment
                                         , std::size_t
@@ -465,12 +465,12 @@ inline FListViewItem* FListView::getCurrentItem()
 { return static_cast<FListViewItem*>(*current_iter); }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-template<typename Compare>
+template <typename Compare>
 inline void FListView::setUserAscendingCompare (Compare cmp)
 { user_defined_ascending = cmp; }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-template<typename Compare>
+template <typename Compare>
 inline void FListView::setUserDescendingCompare (Compare cmp)
 { user_defined_descending = cmp; }
 
diff --git a/src/include/final/fmenuitem.h b/src/include/final/fmenuitem.h
index bec1e29f..7f5a891d 100644
--- a/src/include/final/fmenuitem.h
+++ b/src/include/final/fmenuitem.h
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ class FMenuItem : public FWidget
     void         processActivate();
     void         processDeactivate();
     void         createDialogList (FMenu*);
-    template<class T>
+    template <typename T>
     void         passMouseEvent (T, FMouseEvent*, fc::events);
 
     // Callback methods
diff --git a/src/include/final/fstring.h b/src/include/final/fstring.h
index 73ac4866..9fd56227 100644
--- a/src/include/final/fstring.h
+++ b/src/include/final/fstring.h
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ inline const wchar_t& FString::operator [] (IndexT pos) const
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-template <class CharT>
+template <typename CharT>
 inline bool FString::operator < (CharT& s) const
 {
   const FString tmp(s);
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@ inline bool FString::operator < (CharT& s) const
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-template <class CharT>
+template <typename CharT>
 inline bool FString::operator <= (CharT& s) const
 {
   const FString tmp(s);
@@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ inline bool FString::operator <= (CharT& s) const
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-template <class CharT>
+template <typename CharT>
 inline bool FString::operator == (CharT& s) const
 {
   const FString tmp(s);
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ inline bool FString::operator == (CharT& s) const
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-template <class CharT>
+template <typename CharT>
 inline bool FString::operator != (CharT& s) const
 {
   const FString tmp(s);
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ inline bool FString::operator != (CharT& s) const
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-template <class CharT>
+template <typename CharT>
 inline bool FString::operator >= (CharT& s) const
 {
   const FString tmp(s);
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ inline bool FString::operator >= (CharT& s) const
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-template <class CharT>
+template <typename CharT>
 inline bool FString::operator > (CharT& s) const
 {
   const FString tmp(s);
diff --git a/src/include/final/ftermbuffer.h b/src/include/final/ftermbuffer.h
index f6952246..c2dd5618 100644
--- a/src/include/final/ftermbuffer.h
+++ b/src/include/final/ftermbuffer.h
@@ -65,7 +65,8 @@ class FTermBuffer
     virtual ~FTermBuffer();
 
     // Overloaded operators
-    template<class type> FTermBuffer& operator << (const type&);
+    template <typename type>
+    FTermBuffer& operator << (const type&);
     // Non-member operators
     friend std::vector<charData>& operator << ( std::vector<charData>&
                                               , const FTermBuffer& );
@@ -93,7 +94,7 @@ class FTermBuffer
 
 // FTermBuffer inline functions
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-template<class type>
+template <typename type>
 inline FTermBuffer& FTermBuffer::operator << (const type& s)
 {
   std::wostringstream outstream;
diff --git a/src/include/final/fvterm.h b/src/include/final/fvterm.h
index 389530f3..a60612e3 100644
--- a/src/include/final/fvterm.h
+++ b/src/include/final/fvterm.h
@@ -120,7 +120,8 @@ class FVTerm : public FTerm
     virtual ~FVTerm();
 
     // Overloaded operators
-    template<class type> FVTerm& operator << (const type&);
+    template <typename type>
+    FVTerm& operator << (const type&);
     FVTerm& operator << (const std::vector<charData>&);
 
     // Accessors
@@ -503,7 +504,7 @@ struct FVTerm::term_area  // define virtual terminal character properties
 
 // FVTerm inline functions
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
-template<class type>
+template <typename type>
 inline FVTerm& FVTerm::operator << (const type& s)
 {
   std::wostringstream outstream;
diff --git a/src/include/final/fwidget.h b/src/include/final/fwidget.h
index 90154c6d..69fbef5f 100644
--- a/src/include/final/fwidget.h
+++ b/src/include/final/fwidget.h
@@ -932,6 +932,33 @@ const wchar_t CHECKED_RADIO_BUTTON[4] =
   '\0'
 };
 
+// non-member functions
+//----------------------------------------------------------------------
+inline char* createBlankArray (std::size_t size)
+{
+  char* blank;
+
+  try
+  {
+    blank = new char[size + 1];
+  }
+  catch (const std::bad_alloc& ex)
+  {
+    std::cerr << "not enough memory to alloc " << ex.what() << std::endl;
+    return 0;
+  }
+
+  std::memset(blank, ' ', size);
+  blank[size] = '\0';
+  return blank;
+}
+
+//----------------------------------------------------------------------
+inline void destroyBlankArray (char blank[])
+{
+  delete[] blank;
+}
+
 }  // namespace finalcut
 
 #endif  // FWIDGET_H