diff --git a/actions/cancelsubscription.php b/actions/cancelsubscription.php
index 4f4805814b..16654ea020 100644
--- a/actions/cancelsubscription.php
+++ b/actions/cancelsubscription.php
@@ -43,23 +43,17 @@ class CancelsubscriptionAction extends FormAction
 {
     protected $needPost = true;
 
-    protected function prepare(array $args=array())
+    protected function doPreparation()
     {
-        parent::prepare($args);
-
         $profile_id = $this->int('unsubscribeto');
         $this->target = Profile::getKV('id', $profile_id);
         if (!$this->target instanceof Profile) {
             throw new NoProfileException($profile_id);
         }
-
-        return true;
     }
 
-    protected function handlePost()
+    protected function doPost()
     {
-        parent::handlePost();
-
         try {
             $request = Subscription_queue::pkeyGet(array('subscriber' => $this->scoped->id,
                                                          'subscribed' => $this->target->id));
@@ -82,10 +76,7 @@ class CancelsubscriptionAction extends FormAction
             $this->elementEnd('body');
             $this->endHTML();
             exit();
-        } else {
-            common_redirect(common_local_url('subscriptions',
-                                             array('nickname' => $this->scoped->nickname)),
-                            303);
         }
+        common_redirect(common_local_url('subscriptions', array('nickname' => $this->scoped->getNickname())), 303);
     }
 }
diff --git a/actions/login.php b/actions/login.php
index 9c16ad2a07..10563dc56e 100644
--- a/actions/login.php
+++ b/actions/login.php
@@ -61,10 +61,8 @@ class LoginAction extends FormAction
      *
      * @return void
      */
-    protected function handlePost()
+    protected function doPost()
     {
-        parent::handlePost();
-
         // XXX: login throttle
 
         $nickname = $this->trimmed('nickname');
@@ -104,22 +102,6 @@ class LoginAction extends FormAction
         common_redirect($url, 303);
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Store an error and show the page
-     *
-     * This used to show the whole page; now, it's just a wrapper
-     * that stores the error in an attribute.
-     *
-     * @param string $error error, if any.
-     *
-     * @return void
-     */
-    public function showForm($msg=null, $success=false)
-    {
-        common_ensure_session();
-        return parent::showForm($msg, $success);
-    }
-
     function showScripts()
     {
         parent::showScripts();
diff --git a/actions/newapplication.php b/actions/newapplication.php
index d3dd9b291a..c3e6f2d244 100644
--- a/actions/newapplication.php
+++ b/actions/newapplication.php
@@ -61,27 +61,15 @@ class NewApplicationAction extends FormAction
         $this->clientError(_('Unexpected form submission.'));
     }
 
-    function showForm($msg=null)
+    protected function getForm()
     {
-        $this->msg = $msg;
-        $this->showPage();
+        return new ApplicationEditForm($this);
     }
 
-    function showContent()
+    public function getInstructions()
     {
-        $form = new ApplicationEditForm($this);
-        $form->show();
-    }
-
-    function showPageNotice()
-    {
-        if ($this->msg) {
-            $this->element('p', 'error', $this->msg);
-        } else {
-            $this->element('p', 'instructions',
-                           // TRANS: Form instructions for registering a new application.
-                           _('Use this form to register a new application.'));
-        }
+        // TRANS: Form instructions for registering a new application.
+        return _('Use this form to register a new application.');
     }
 
     private function trySave()
diff --git a/actions/newgroup.php b/actions/newgroup.php
index 07a302ef45..ef8346c03e 100644
--- a/actions/newgroup.php
+++ b/actions/newgroup.php
@@ -29,9 +29,7 @@
  * @link      http://status.net/
  */
 
-if (!defined('STATUSNET')) {
-    exit(1);
-}
+if (!defined('GNUSOCIAL')) { exit(1); }
 
 /**
  * Add a new group
@@ -48,6 +46,8 @@ class NewgroupAction extends FormAction
 {
     protected $group;
 
+    protected $form = 'GroupEdit';
+
     function getGroup() {
         return $this->group;
     }
@@ -58,39 +58,23 @@ class NewgroupAction extends FormAction
         return _('New group');
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Prepare to run
-     */
-    protected function prepare(array $args=array())
+    protected function doPreparation()
     {
-        parent::prepare($args);
-
         // $this->scoped is the current user profile
         if (!$this->scoped->hasRight(Right::CREATEGROUP)) {
             // TRANS: Client exception thrown when a user tries to create a group while banned.
             $this->clientError(_('You are not allowed to create groups on this site.'), 403);
         }
-
-        return true;
     }
 
-    public function showContent()
+    protected function getInstructions()
     {
-        $form = new GroupEditForm($this);
-        $form->show();
+        // TRANS: Form instructions for group create form.
+        return _('Use this form to create a new group.');
     }
 
-    public function showInstructions()
+    protected function doPost()
     {
-        $this->element('p', 'instructions',
-                       // TRANS: Form instructions for group create form.
-                       _('Use this form to create a new group.'));
-    }
-
-    protected function handlePost()
-    {
-        parent::handlePost();
-
         if (Event::handle('StartGroupSaveForm', array($this))) {
             $nickname = Nickname::normalize($this->trimmed('newnickname'), true);
 
@@ -133,7 +117,6 @@ class NewgroupAction extends FormAction
                                            'Too many aliases! Maximum %d allowed.',
                                            common_config('group', 'maxaliases')),
                                         common_config('group', 'maxaliases')));
-                return;
             }
 
             if ($private) {
diff --git a/actions/newnotice.php b/actions/newnotice.php
index ff1af63442..ccc3f94fd4 100644
--- a/actions/newnotice.php
+++ b/actions/newnotice.php
@@ -30,9 +30,7 @@
  * @link      http://status.net/
  */
 
-if (!defined('STATUSNET')) {
-    exit(1);
-}
+if (!defined('GNUSOCIAL')) { exit(1); }
 
 /**
  * Action for posting new notices
@@ -83,7 +81,7 @@ class NewnoticeAction extends FormAction
     }
 
     /**
-     * This handlePost saves a new notice, based on arguments
+     * This doPost saves a new notice, based on arguments
      *
      * If successful, will show the notice, or return an Ajax-y result.
      * If not, it will show an error message -- possibly Ajax-y.
@@ -93,17 +91,15 @@ class NewnoticeAction extends FormAction
      *
      * @return void
      */
-    protected function handlePost()
+    protected function doPost()
     {
-        parent::handlePost();
-
-        assert($this->scoped); // XXX: maybe an error instead...
+        assert($this->scoped instanceof Profile); // XXX: maybe an error instead...
         $user = $this->scoped->getUser();
         $content = $this->trimmed('status_textarea');
         $options = array();
         Event::handle('StartSaveNewNoticeWeb', array($this, $user, &$content, &$options));
 
-        if (!$content) {
+        if (empty($content)) {
             // TRANS: Client error displayed trying to send a notice without content.
             $this->clientError(_('No content!'));
         }
diff --git a/actions/repeat.php b/actions/repeat.php
index 501570ebf0..49132e9b81 100644
--- a/actions/repeat.php
+++ b/actions/repeat.php
@@ -40,15 +40,16 @@ if (!defined('GNUSOCIAL')) { exit(1); }
  */
 class RepeatAction extends FormAction
 {
-    protected $needPost = true; // At least for now, until repeat interface is available
-
     protected $notice = null;   // Notice that is being repeated.
     protected $repeat = null;   // The resulting repeat object/notice.
 
-    protected function prepare(array $args=array())
+    function title()
     {
-        parent::prepare($args);
+        return _m('TITLE', 'Repeat notice');
+    }
 
+    protected function doPreparation()
+    {
         $id = $this->trimmed('notice');
 
         if (empty($id)) {
diff --git a/lib/formaction.php b/lib/formaction.php
index 73576bf46a..7c68583268 100644
--- a/lib/formaction.php
+++ b/lib/formaction.php
@@ -27,9 +27,7 @@
  * along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-if (!defined('STATUSNET')) {
-    exit(1);
-}
+if (!defined('GNUSOCIAL')) { exit(1); }
 
 /**
  * Form action extendable class
@@ -125,8 +123,6 @@ class FormAction extends ManagedAction
      */
     protected function handlePost()
     {
-        parent::handlePost();
-
         // check for this before token since all POST and FILES data
         // is losts when size is exceeded
         if (empty($_POST) && $_SERVER['CONTENT_LENGTH']>0) {
@@ -138,6 +134,6 @@ class FormAction extends ManagedAction
             throw new ClientException($msg);
         }
 
-        $this->checkSessionToken();
+        return parent::handlePost();
     }
 }
diff --git a/lib/managedaction.php b/lib/managedaction.php
index 278131b7a6..22752aff61 100644
--- a/lib/managedaction.php
+++ b/lib/managedaction.php
@@ -64,9 +64,27 @@ class ManagedAction extends Action
         $this->showPage();
     }
 
+    /**
+     * If this is extended in child classes, they should
+     * end with 'return parent::handlePost();' - and they
+     * should only extend this function if what they do
+     * cannot be handled in ->doPost()
+     */
     protected function handlePost()
     {
         // This will only be run if the Action has the property canPost==true
         assert($this->canPost);
+
+        $this->checkSessionToken();
+        return $this->doPost();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Do Post stuff. Return a string if successful,
+     * describing what has been done. Always throw an
+     * exception on failure, with a descriptive message.
+     */
+    protected function doPost() {
+        throw new Exception('Unhandled POST');
     }
 }
diff --git a/plugins/DirectMessage/actions/newmessage.php b/plugins/DirectMessage/actions/newmessage.php
index 18ec51e446..8d1e5920fa 100644
--- a/plugins/DirectMessage/actions/newmessage.php
+++ b/plugins/DirectMessage/actions/newmessage.php
@@ -30,9 +30,7 @@
  * @link      http://status.net/
  */
 
-if (!defined('STATUSNET')) {
-    exit(1);
-}
+if (!defined('GNUSOCIAL')) { exit(1); }
 
 /**
  * Action for posting new direct messages
@@ -52,7 +50,7 @@ class NewmessageAction extends FormAction
     var $to = null;
     var $other = null;
 
-    protected $form = 'message';    // will become MessageForm later
+    protected $form = 'Message';    // will become MessageForm later
 
     /**
      * Title of the page
@@ -68,18 +66,8 @@ class NewmessageAction extends FormAction
         return _('New message');
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Handle input, produce output
-     *
-     * @param array $args $_REQUEST contents
-     *
-     * @return void
-     */
-
-    protected function prepare(array $args=array())
+    protected function doPreparation()
     {
-        parent::prepare($args);
-
         $this->content = $this->trimmed('content');
         $this->to = $this->trimmed('to');
 
@@ -107,29 +95,27 @@ class NewmessageAction extends FormAction
         return true;
     }
 
-    protected function handlePost()
+    protected function doPost()
     {
-        parent::handlePost();
-
         assert($this->scoped instanceof Profile); // XXX: maybe an error instead...
 
-        if (!$this->content) {
+        if (empty($this->content)) {
             // TRANS: Form validator error displayed trying to send a direct message without content.
             $this->clientError(_('No content!'));
-        } else {
-            $content_shortened = $this->scoped->shortenLinks($this->content);
-
-            if (Message::contentTooLong($content_shortened)) {
-                // TRANS: Form validation error displayed when message content is too long.
-                // TRANS: %d is the maximum number of characters for a message.
-                $this->clientError(sprintf(_m('That\'s too long. Maximum message size is %d character.',
-                                           'That\'s too long. Maximum message size is %d characters.',
-                                           Message::maxContent()),
-                                        Message::maxContent()));
-            }
         }
 
-        if (!$this->other) {
+        $content_shortened = $this->scoped->shortenLinks($this->content);
+
+        if (Message::contentTooLong($content_shortened)) {
+            // TRANS: Form validation error displayed when message content is too long.
+            // TRANS: %d is the maximum number of characters for a message.
+            $this->clientError(sprintf(_m('That\'s too long. Maximum message size is %d character.',
+                                       'That\'s too long. Maximum message size is %d characters.',
+                                       Message::maxContent()),
+                                    Message::maxContent()));
+        }
+
+        if (!$this->other instanceof Profile) {
             // TRANS: Form validation error displayed trying to send a direct message without specifying a recipient.
             $this->clientError(_('No recipient specified.'));
         } else if (!$this->scoped->mutuallySubscribed($this->other)) {
@@ -145,86 +131,18 @@ class NewmessageAction extends FormAction
         $message = Message::saveNew($this->scoped->id, $this->other->id, $this->content, 'web');
         $message->notify();
 
-        if ($this->boolean('ajax')) {
-            $this->startHTML('text/xml;charset=utf-8');
-            $this->elementStart('head');
-            // TRANS: Page title after sending a direct message.
-            $this->element('title', null, _('Message sent'));
-            $this->elementEnd('head');
-            $this->elementStart('body');
-            $this->element('p', array('id' => 'command_result'),
-                // TRANS: Confirmation text after sending a direct message.
-                // TRANS: %s is the direct message recipient.
-                sprintf(_('Direct message to %s sent.'),
-                    $this->other->nickname));
-            $this->elementEnd('body');
-            $this->endHTML();
-        } else {
-            $url = common_local_url('outbox',
-                array('nickname' => $this->scoped->nickname));
-            common_redirect($url, 303);
+        if (GNUsocial::isAjax()) {
+            // TRANS: Confirmation text after sending a direct message.
+            // TRANS: %s is the direct message recipient.
+            return sprintf(_('Direct message to %s sent.'), $this->other->getNickname());
         }
+
+        $url = common_local_url('outbox', array('nickname' => $this->scoped->getNickname()));
+        common_redirect($url, 303);
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Show an Ajax-y error message
-     *
-     * Goes back to the browser, where it's shown in a popup.
-     *
-     * @param string $msg Message to show
-     *
-     * @return void
-     */
-
-    function ajaxErrorMsg($msg)
-    {
-        $this->startHTML('text/xml;charset=utf-8', true);
-        $this->elementStart('head');
-        // TRANS: Page title after an AJAX error occurred on the "send direct message" page.
-        $this->element('title', null, _('Ajax Error'));
-        $this->elementEnd('head');
-        $this->elementStart('body');
-        $this->element('p', array('id' => 'error'), $msg);
-        $this->elementEnd('body');
-        $this->endHTML();
-    }
-
-    function showForm($msg = null)
-    {
-        if ($msg && $this->boolean('ajax')) {
-            $this->ajaxErrorMsg($msg);
-            return;
-        }
-
-        $this->msg = $msg;
-        if ($this->trimmed('ajax')) {
-            $this->startHTML('text/xml;charset=utf-8');
-            $this->elementStart('head');
-            // TRANS: Page title on page for sending a direct message.
-            $this->element('title', null, _('New message'));
-            $this->elementEnd('head');
-            $this->elementStart('body');
-            $this->showNoticeForm();
-            $this->elementEnd('body');
-            $this->endHTML();
-        }
-        else {
-            $this->showPage();
-        }
-    }
-
-    function showPageNotice()
-    {
-        if ($this->msg) {
-            $this->element('p', 'error', $this->msg);
-        }
-    }
-
-    // Do nothing (override)
-
     function showNoticeForm()
     {
-        $message_form = new MessageForm($this, $this->other, $this->content);
-        $message_form->show();
+        // Just don't show a NoticeForm
     }
 }
diff --git a/plugins/Favorite/actions/disfavor.php b/plugins/Favorite/actions/disfavor.php
index b39453b5aa..926bbeca58 100644
--- a/plugins/Favorite/actions/disfavor.php
+++ b/plugins/Favorite/actions/disfavor.php
@@ -44,48 +44,41 @@ if (!defined('GNUSOCIAL')) { exit(1); }
  */
 class DisfavorAction extends FormAction
 {
-    public function showForm($msg=null, $success=false)
+    protected $needPost = true;
+
+    protected function doPreparation()
     {
-        if ($success) {
-            common_redirect(common_local_url('showfavorites',
-                array('nickname' => $this->scoped->nickname)), 303);
+        $this->target = Notice::getKV($this->trimmed('notice'));
+        if (!$this->target instanceof Notice) {
+            throw new ServerException(_m('No such notice.'));
         }
-        parent::showForm($msg, $success);
     }
 
-    protected function handlePost()
+    protected function doPost()
     {
-        $id     = $this->trimmed('notice');
-        $notice = Notice::getKV($id);
-        if (!$notice instanceof Notice) {
-            $this->serverError(_('Notice not found'));
-        }
-
         $fave            = new Fave();
-        $fave->user_id   = $this->scoped->id;
-        $fave->notice_id = $notice->id;
+        $fave->user_id   = $this->scoped->getID();
+        $fave->notice_id = $this->target->getID();
         if (!$fave->find(true)) {
-            throw new NoResultException($fave);
+            // TRANS: Client error displayed when trying to remove a 'favor' when there is none in the first place.
+            throw new AlreadyFulfilledException(_('This is already not favorited.'));
         }
         $result = $fave->delete();
-        if (!$result) {
+        if ($result === false) {
             common_log_db_error($fave, 'DELETE', __FILE__);
             // TRANS: Server error displayed when removing a favorite from the database fails.
-            $this->serverError(_('Could not delete favorite.'));
-        }
-        Fave::blowCacheForProfileId($this->scoped->id);
-        if (GNUsocial::isAjax()) {
-            $this->startHTML('text/xml;charset=utf-8');
-            $this->elementStart('head');
-            // TRANS: Title for page on which favorites can be added.
-            $this->element('title', null, _('Add to favorites'));
-            $this->elementEnd('head');
-            $this->elementStart('body');
-            $favor = new FavorForm($this, $notice);
-            $favor->show();
-            $this->elementEnd('body');
-            $this->endHTML();
-            exit;
+            throw new ServerException(_('Could not delete favorite.'));
         }
+        Fave::blowCacheForProfileId($this->scoped->getID());
+
+        // TRANS: Message when a disfavor action has been taken for a notice.
+        return _('Disfavored the notice.');
+    }
+
+    protected function showContent()
+    {
+        // We show the 'Favor' form because right now all calls to Disfavor will directly disfavor a notice.
+        $disfavor = new FavorForm($this, $this->target);
+        $disfavor->show();
     }
 }
diff --git a/plugins/Favorite/actions/favor.php b/plugins/Favorite/actions/favor.php
index d1c9df34f5..f659078450 100644
--- a/plugins/Favorite/actions/favor.php
+++ b/plugins/Favorite/actions/favor.php
@@ -46,29 +46,21 @@ class FavorAction extends FormAction
 {
     protected $needPost = true;
 
-    protected $object = null;
-
-    protected function prepare(array $args=array())
+    protected function doPreparation()
     {
-        parent::prepare($args);
-
         $this->target = Notice::getKV($this->trimmed('notice'));
         if (!$this->target instanceof Notice) {
             throw new ServerException(_m('No such notice.'));
         }
         if (!$this->target->inScope($this->scoped)) {
-            // TRANS: Client error displayed when trying to reply to a notice a the target has no access to.
+            // TRANS: Client error displayed when trying to interact with a notice a the target has no access to.
             // TRANS: %1$s is a user nickname, %2$d is a notice ID (number).
-            throw new ClientException(sprintf(_m('%1$s has no right to reply to notice %2$d.'), $this->scoped->getNickname(), $this->target->id), 403);
+            throw new ClientException(sprintf(_m('%1$s has no right to interact with notice %2$d.'), $this->scoped->getNickname(), $this->target->getID()), 403);
         }
-
-        return true;
     }
 
-    protected function handlePost()
+    protected function doPost()
     {
-        parent::handlePost();
-
         if (Fave::existsForProfile($this->target, $this->scoped)) {
             // TRANS: Client error displayed when trying to mark a notice as favorite that already is a favorite.
             throw new AlreadyFulfilledException(_('You have already favorited this!'));
@@ -77,14 +69,13 @@ class FavorAction extends FormAction
         // throws exception on failure
         $stored = Fave::addNew($this->scoped, $this->target);
 
+        // TRANS: Message when a favor action has been taken for a notice.
         return _('Favorited the notice');
     }
 
     protected function showContent()
     {
-        if ($this->target instanceof Notice) {
-            $disfavor = new DisfavorForm($this, $this->target);
-            $disfavor->show();
-        }
+        $disfavor = new DisfavorForm($this, $this->target);
+        $disfavor->show();
     }
 }