diff --git a/py/test/collect.py b/py/test/collect.py
index 55d81284e..1efd6baab 100644
--- a/py/test/collect.py
+++ b/py/test/collect.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ import py
 def configproperty(name):
     def fget(self):
         #print "retrieving %r property from %s" %(name, self.fspath)
-        return self.config.getvalue(name, self.fspath) 
+        return self._config.getvalue(name, self.fspath) 
     return property(fget)
 
 class Collector(object): 
@@ -43,8 +43,11 @@ class Collector(object):
     """
     def __init__(self, name, parent=None):
         self.name = name 
-        self.parent = parent 
-        self.config = getattr(parent, 'config', py.test.config)
+        self.parent = parent
+        self._config = getattr(parent, '_config', py.test.config)
+        if parent is not None:
+            if hasattr(parent, 'config'):
+                py.test.pdb()
         self.fspath = getattr(parent, 'fspath', None) 
 
     Module = configproperty('Module')
@@ -73,8 +76,8 @@ class Collector(object):
         return not self == other
 
     def __cmp__(self, other): 
-        s1 = self.getsortvalue()
-        s2 = other.getsortvalue()
+        s1 = self._getsortvalue()
+        s2 = other._getsortvalue()
         #print "cmp", s1, s2
         return cmp(s1, s2) 
 
@@ -116,7 +119,7 @@ class Collector(object):
         """ return a list of colitems for the given namelist. """ 
         return [self.join(name) for name in namelist]
 
-    def getpathlineno(self): 
+    def _getpathlineno(self): 
         return self.fspath, py.std.sys.maxint 
 
     def setup(self): 
@@ -139,7 +142,7 @@ class Collector(object):
     def listnames(self): 
         return [x.name for x in self.listchain()]
 
-    def getitembynames(self, namelist):
+    def _getitembynames(self, namelist):
         if isinstance(namelist, str):
             namelist = namelist.split("/")
         cur = self
@@ -150,10 +153,10 @@ class Collector(object):
                 cur = next
         return cur
 
-    def haskeyword(self, keyword): 
+    def _haskeyword(self, keyword): 
         return keyword in self.name
 
-    def getmodpath(self):
+    def _getmodpath(self):
         """ return dotted module path (relative to the containing). """ 
         inmodule = False 
         newl = []
@@ -169,7 +172,7 @@ class Collector(object):
                 newl.append(x.name) 
         return ".".join(newl) 
 
-    def skipbykeyword(self, keyword): 
+    def _skipbykeyword(self, keyword): 
         """ raise Skipped() exception if the given keyword 
             matches for this collector. 
         """
@@ -184,8 +187,8 @@ class Collector(object):
                 py.test.skip("test not selected by keyword %r" %(keyword,))
 
     def _matchonekeyword(self, key, chain): 
-        for subitem in chain: 
-            if subitem.haskeyword(key): 
+        for subitem in chain:
+            if subitem._haskeyword(key): 
                 return True 
         return False
 
@@ -198,7 +201,7 @@ class Collector(object):
             yieldtype = py.test.Item 
         if isinstance(self, yieldtype):
             try:
-                self.skipbykeyword(keyword)
+                self._skipbykeyword(keyword)
                 yield self
             except py.test.Item.Skipped:
                 if reporterror is not None:
@@ -220,21 +223,23 @@ class Collector(object):
                         excinfo = py.code.ExceptionInfo()
                         reporterror((excinfo, self)) 
 
-    def getsortvalue(self): 
+    def _getsortvalue(self): 
         return self.name 
 
     captured_out = captured_err = None
     def startcapture(self): 
-        return None # by default collectors don't capture output 
+        return None # by default collectors don't capture output
+
     def finishcapture(self): 
-        return None # by default collectors don't capture output 
-    def getouterr(self): 
+        return None # by default collectors don't capture output
+
+    def _getouterr(self): 
         return self.captured_out, self.captured_err
 
     def _get_collector_trail(self):
         """ Shortcut
         """
-        return self.config.get_collector_trail(self)
+        return self._config.get_collector_trail(self)
 
 class FSCollector(Collector): 
     def __init__(self, fspath, parent=None): 
@@ -356,7 +361,7 @@ class Module(FSCollector, PyCollectorMixin):
         return res
     
     def startcapture(self): 
-        if not self.config.option.nocapture:
+        if not self._config.option.nocapture:
             assert not hasattr(self, '_capture')
             self._capture = py.io.StdCaptureFD() 
 
@@ -418,7 +423,7 @@ class Class(PyCollectorMixin, Collector):
             teardown_class = getattr(teardown_class, 'im_func', teardown_class) 
             teardown_class(self.obj) 
 
-    def getsortvalue(self):
+    def _getsortvalue(self):
         # try to locate the class in the source - not nice, but probably
         # the most useful "solution" that we have
         try:
@@ -432,7 +437,7 @@ class Class(PyCollectorMixin, Collector):
             pass
         # fall back...
         for x in self.tryiter((py.test.collect.Generator, py.test.Item)):
-            return x.getsortvalue()
+            return x._getsortvalue()
 
 class Instance(PyCollectorMixin, Collector): 
     def _getobj(self): 
@@ -468,12 +473,12 @@ class Generator(PyCollectorMixin, Collector):
             call, args = obj, ()
         return call, args 
 
-    def getpathlineno(self): 
+    def _getpathlineno(self): 
         code = py.code.Code(self.obj) 
         return code.path, code.firstlineno 
 
-    def getsortvalue(self):  
-        return self.getpathlineno() 
+    def _getsortvalue(self):  
+        return self._getpathlineno() 
 
 class DoctestFile(PyCollectorMixin, FSCollector): 
     def run(self):
diff --git a/py/test/config.py b/py/test/config.py
index 876fb1a9d..5e3a427c7 100644
--- a/py/test/config.py
+++ b/py/test/config.py
@@ -75,14 +75,14 @@ class Config(object):
             assert path.check(), "%s: path does not exist" %(path,)
             col = self._getrootcollector(path)
             names = path.relto(col.fspath).split(path.sep)
-        return col.getitembynames(names)
+        return col._getitembynames(names)
 
     def _getrootcollector(self, path):
         pkgpath = path.pypkgpath()
         if pkgpath is None:
             pkgpath = path.check(file=1) and path.dirpath() or path
         col = self.conftest.rget("Directory", pkgpath)(pkgpath)
-        col.config = self
+        col._config = self
         return col 
              
     def addoptions(self, groupname, *specs): 
diff --git a/py/test/item.py b/py/test/item.py
index 2c2732100..eb68103ba 100644
--- a/py/test/item.py
+++ b/py/test/item.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class SetupState(object):
 
 class Item(py.test.collect.Collector): 
     def startcapture(self): 
-        if not self.config.option.nocapture:
+        if not self._config.option.nocapture:
             self._capture = py.io.StdCaptureFD() 
 
     def finishcapture(self): 
@@ -57,13 +57,13 @@ class Function(Item):
     def __repr__(self): 
         return "<%s %r>" %(self.__class__.__name__, self.name)
 
-    def getpathlineno(self):
+    def _getpathlineno(self):
         code = py.code.Code(self.obj) 
         return code.path, code.firstlineno 
 
-    def getsortvalue(self):  
+    def _getsortvalue(self):  
         if self.sort_value is None:
-            return self.getpathlineno()
+            return self._getpathlineno()
         return self.sort_value
 
     def run(self):
diff --git a/py/test/representation.py b/py/test/representation.py
index 4ea3ee52e..619c2225d 100644
--- a/py/test/representation.py
+++ b/py/test/representation.py
@@ -43,13 +43,13 @@ class Presenter(object):
         """ This method represents py.test.Item info (path and module)
         """
         root = item.fspath 
-        modpath = item.getmodpath() 
+        modpath = item._getmodpath() 
         try: 
-            fn, lineno = item.getpathlineno() 
+            fn, lineno = item._getpathlineno() 
         except TypeError: 
             assert isinstance(item.parent, py.test.collect.Generator) 
             # a generative test yielded a non-callable 
-            fn, lineno = item.parent.getpathlineno() 
+            fn, lineno = item.parent._getpathlineno() 
         if root == fn:
             self.out.sep("_", "entrypoint: %s" %(modpath))
         else:
diff --git a/py/test/rsession/reporter.py b/py/test/rsession/reporter.py
index aa98843f1..d3b3cc3db 100644
--- a/py/test/rsession/reporter.py
+++ b/py/test/rsession/reporter.py
@@ -128,8 +128,6 @@ class AbstractReporter(object):
     def repr_failure(self, item, outcome):
         excinfo = outcome.excinfo
         traceback = excinfo.traceback
-        #if item and not self.config.option.fulltrace: 
-        #    path, firstlineno = item.getpathlineno()
         if not traceback: 
             self.out.line("empty traceback from item %r" % (item,)) 
             return
diff --git a/py/test/rsession/slave.py b/py/test/rsession/slave.py
index 5d9f33965..e61e12dca 100644
--- a/py/test/rsession/slave.py
+++ b/py/test/rsession/slave.py
@@ -52,11 +52,7 @@ class SlaveNode(object):
         self.pidinfo = pidinfo
 
     def execute(self, itemspec):
-        #item = self.rootcollector.getitembynames(itemspec)
         item = self.config._getcollector(itemspec)
-        #if isinstance(item, py.test.Function):
-        #    ex = Executor(item.obj, setup=item.setup)
-        #else:
         ex = self.executor(item, config=self.config)
         if self.executor is AsyncExecutor:
             cont, pid = ex.execute()
diff --git a/py/test/rsession/testing/test_executor.py b/py/test/rsession/testing/test_executor.py
index f09ae804f..12ed74eb9 100644
--- a/py/test/rsession/testing/test_executor.py
+++ b/py/test/rsession/testing/test_executor.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ def test_box_executor():
 
 def test_box_executor_stdout():
     rootcol = py.test.collect.Directory(rootdir)
-    item = rootcol.getitembynames(funcprint_spec)
+    item = rootcol._getitembynames(funcprint_spec)
     ex = BoxExecutor(item, config=config)
     outcome_repr = ex.execute()
     outcome = ReprOutcome(outcome_repr)
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ def test_box_executor_stdout():
 
 def test_box_executor_stdout_error():
     rootcol = py.test.collect.Directory(rootdir)
-    item = rootcol.getitembynames(funcprintfail_spec)
+    item = rootcol._getitembynames(funcprintfail_spec)
     ex = BoxExecutor(item, config=config)
     outcome_repr = ex.execute()
     outcome = ReprOutcome(outcome_repr)
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ def test_box_executor_stdout_error():
 
 def test_cont_executor():
     rootcol = py.test.collect.Directory(rootdir)
-    item = rootcol.getitembynames(funcprintfail_spec)
+    item = rootcol._getitembynames(funcprintfail_spec)
     ex = AsyncExecutor(item, config=config)
     cont, pid = ex.execute()
     assert pid
@@ -154,13 +154,13 @@ def test_apigen_executor():
     """))
     rootcol = py.test.collect.Directory(tmpdir)
     tracer = Tracer()
-    item = rootcol.getitembynames("test_one.py/test_1")
+    item = rootcol._getitembynames("test_one.py/test_1")
     ex = ApigenExecutor(item, config=config)
     out1 = ex.execute(tracer)
-    item = rootcol.getitembynames("test_one.py/TestX/()/test_one")
+    item = rootcol._getitembynames("test_one.py/TestX/()/test_one")
     ex = ApigenExecutor(item, config=config)
     out2 = ex.execute(tracer)
-    item = rootcol.getitembynames("test_one.py/TestX/()/test_raise")
+    item = rootcol._getitembynames("test_one.py/TestX/()/test_raise")
     ex = ApigenExecutor(item, config=config)
     out3 = ex.execute(tracer)
     assert tracer.starts == 3
diff --git a/py/test/rsession/testing/test_master.py b/py/test/rsession/testing/test_master.py
index a3bd5d624..c45310fda 100644
--- a/py/test/rsession/testing/test_master.py
+++ b/py/test/rsession/testing/test_master.py
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ def test_slave_setup():
     gw = py.execnet.PopenGateway()
     config = py.test.config._reparse([])
     channel = setup_slave(gw, pkgdir, config)
-    spec = rootcol.getitembynames(funcpass_spec)._get_collector_trail()
+    spec = rootcol._getitembynames(funcpass_spec)._get_collector_trail()
     channel.send(spec)
     output = ReprOutcome(channel.receive())
     assert output.passed
@@ -124,8 +124,8 @@ def test_slave_running():
         return mn
     
     master_nodes = [open_gw(), open_gw(), open_gw()]
-    funcpass_item = rootcol.getitembynames(funcpass_spec)
-    funcfail_item = rootcol.getitembynames(funcfail_spec)
+    funcpass_item = rootcol._getitembynames(funcpass_spec)
+    funcfail_item = rootcol._getitembynames(funcfail_spec)
     itemgenerator = iter([funcfail_item] + 
                          [funcpass_item] * 5 + [funcfail_item] * 5)
     shouldstop = lambda : False
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ def test_slave_running_interrupted():
 
     mn, gw, channel = open_gw()
     rootcol = py.test.collect.Directory(pkgdir)
-    funchang_item = rootcol.getitembynames(funchang_spec)
+    funchang_item = rootcol._getitembynames(funchang_spec)
     mn.send(funchang_item)
     mn.send(StopIteration)
     # XXX: We have to wait here a bit to make sure that it really did happen
diff --git a/py/test/rsession/testing/test_reporter.py b/py/test/rsession/testing/test_reporter.py
index d104039f3..8da388743 100644
--- a/py/test/rsession/testing/test_reporter.py
+++ b/py/test/rsession/testing/test_reporter.py
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class AbstractTestReporter(object):
         config = py.test.config._reparse(["some_sub"])
         # we just go...
         rootcol = py.test.collect.Directory(self.pkgdir.dirpath())
-        item = rootcol.getitembynames(funcpass_spec)
+        item = rootcol._getitembynames(funcpass_spec)
         outcomes = self.prepare_outcomes()
         
         def boxfun(config, item, outcomes):
@@ -84,8 +84,8 @@ class AbstractTestReporter(object):
         config = py.test.config._reparse(["some_sub"])
         # we just go...
         rootcol = py.test.collect.Directory(self.pkgdir.dirpath())
-        funcitem = rootcol.getitembynames(funcpass_spec)
-        moditem = rootcol.getitembynames(mod_spec)
+        funcitem = rootcol._getitembynames(funcpass_spec)
+        moditem = rootcol._getitembynames(mod_spec)
         outcomes = self.prepare_outcomes()
         
         def boxfun(pkgdir, config, item, funcitem, outcomes):
diff --git a/py/test/rsession/testing/test_rsession.py b/py/test/rsession/testing/test_rsession.py
index 077331363..2ac0edd0f 100644
--- a/py/test/rsession/testing/test_rsession.py
+++ b/py/test/rsession/testing/test_rsession.py
@@ -196,10 +196,10 @@ class TestRSessionRemote:
             import ItemTestPassing, ItemTestFailing, ItemTestSkipping
         
         rootcol = py.test.collect.Directory(pkgdir.dirpath())
-        itempass = rootcol.getitembynames(funcpass_spec)
-        itemfail = rootcol.getitembynames(funcfail_spec)
-        itemskip = rootcol.getitembynames(funcskip_spec)
-        itemprint = rootcol.getitembynames(funcprint_spec)
+        itempass = rootcol._getitembynames(funcpass_spec)
+        itemfail = rootcol._getitembynames(funcfail_spec)
+        itemskip = rootcol._getitembynames(funcskip_spec)
+        itemprint = rootcol._getitembynames(funcprint_spec)
 
         # actually run some tests
         for node in nodes:
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ class TestRSessionRemote:
             nodes = hm.init_hosts(allevents.append)
 
             rootcol = py.test.collect.Directory(pkgdir.dirpath())
-            itempass = rootcol.getitembynames(funcoptioncustom_spec)
+            itempass = rootcol._getitembynames(funcoptioncustom_spec)
 
             for node in nodes:
                 node.send(itempass)
diff --git a/py/test/rsession/testing/test_slave.py b/py/test/rsession/testing/test_slave.py
index 62959d6c3..4a73742d3 100644
--- a/py/test/rsession/testing/test_slave.py
+++ b/py/test/rsession/testing/test_slave.py
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ def gettestnode():
 
 def test_slave_run_passing():
     node = gettestnode()
-    item = rootcol.getitembynames(funcpass_spec)
+    item = rootcol._getitembynames(funcpass_spec)
     outcome = node.execute(item._get_collector_trail())
     assert outcome.passed 
     assert not outcome.setupfailure 
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ def test_slave_run_passing():
 
 def test_slave_run_failing():
     node = gettestnode()
-    item = rootcol.getitembynames(funcfail_spec)
+    item = rootcol._getitembynames(funcfail_spec)
     outcome = node.execute(item._get_collector_trail())
     assert not outcome.passed 
     assert not outcome.setupfailure 
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ def test_slave_run_failing():
     
 def test_slave_run_skipping():
     node = gettestnode()
-    item = rootcol.getitembynames(funcskip_spec)    
+    item = rootcol._getitembynames(funcskip_spec)    
     outcome = node.execute(item._get_collector_trail())
     assert not outcome.passed
     assert outcome.skipped
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ def test_slave_run_skipping():
 
 def test_slave_run_failing_wrapped():
     node = gettestnode()
-    item = rootcol.getitembynames(funcfail_spec)
+    item = rootcol._getitembynames(funcfail_spec)
     repr_outcome = node.run(item._get_collector_trail()) 
     outcome = ReprOutcome(repr_outcome)  
     assert not outcome.passed 
@@ -109,8 +109,8 @@ def test_slave_run_failing_wrapped():
 
 def test_slave_main_simple(): 
     res = []
-    failitem = rootcol.getitembynames(funcfail_spec)
-    passitem = rootcol.getitembynames(funcpass_spec)
+    failitem = rootcol._getitembynames(funcfail_spec)
+    passitem = rootcol._getitembynames(funcpass_spec)
     q = [None, 
          passitem._get_collector_trail(),
          failitem._get_collector_trail()
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ def test_slave_main_simple():
 
 def test_slave_run_different_stuff():
     node = gettestnode()
-    node.run(rootcol.getitembynames("py doc log.txt".split()).
+    node.run(rootcol._getitembynames("py doc log.txt".split()).
              _get_collector_trail())
 
 def test_slave_setup_exit():
diff --git a/py/test/session.py b/py/test/session.py
index cfea1ea83..216e2ab69 100644
--- a/py/test/session.py
+++ b/py/test/session.py
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ class Session(object):
         if self.config.option.collectonly and isinstance(colitem, py.test.Item): 
             return 
         if isinstance(colitem, py.test.Item): 
-            colitem.skipbykeyword(self.config.option.keyword)
+            colitem._skipbykeyword(self.config.option.keyword)
         res = colitem.run() 
         if res is None: 
             return Passed() 
diff --git a/py/test/terminal/terminal.py b/py/test/terminal/terminal.py
index 430dc3200..97f767aa2 100644
--- a/py/test/terminal/terminal.py
+++ b/py/test/terminal/terminal.py
@@ -77,9 +77,9 @@ class TerminalSession(Session):
     def start_Item(self, colitem): 
         if self.config.option.verbose >= 1: 
             if isinstance(colitem, py.test.Item): 
-                realpath, lineno = colitem.getpathlineno()
+                realpath, lineno = colitem._getpathlineno()
                 location = "%s:%d" % (realpath.basename, lineno+1)
-                self.out.write("%-20s %s " % (location, colitem.getmodpath()))
+                self.out.write("%-20s %s " % (location, colitem._getmodpath()))
   
     def finish(self, colitem, outcome):
         end = now()
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ class TerminalSession(Session):
         #print "repr_failures sees traceback"
         #py.std.pprint.pprint(traceback)
         if item and not self.config.option.fulltrace: 
-            path, firstlineno = item.getpathlineno()
+            path, firstlineno = item._getpathlineno()
             ntraceback = traceback.cut(path=path, firstlineno=firstlineno)
             if ntraceback == traceback:
                 ntraceback = ntraceback.cut(path=path)
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ class TerminalSession(Session):
 
     def repr_out_err(self, colitem): 
         for parent in colitem.listchain(): 
-            for name, obj in zip(['out', 'err'], parent.getouterr()): 
+            for name, obj in zip(['out', 'err'], parent._getouterr()): 
                 if obj: 
                     self.out.sep("- ", "%s: recorded std%s" % (parent.name, name))
                     self.out.line(obj)
diff --git a/py/test/testing/test_collect.py b/py/test/testing/test_collect.py
index c2a2bf21d..ed19e190d 100644
--- a/py/test/testing/test_collect.py
+++ b/py/test/testing/test_collect.py
@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@ def test_collect_listnames_and_back():
     col3 = col2.join('filetest.py')
     l = col3.listnames()
     assert len(l) == 3
-    x = col1.getitembynames(l[1:])
+    x = col1._getitembynames(l[1:])
     assert x.name == "filetest.py"
-    x = col1.getitembynames("/".join(l[1:]))
+    x = col1._getitembynames("/".join(l[1:]))
     assert x.name == "filetest.py"
     l2 = x.listnames()
     assert len(l2) == 3
diff --git a/py/test/testing/test_config.py b/py/test/testing/test_config.py
index 0d906d803..62acc7cb0 100644
--- a/py/test/testing/test_config.py
+++ b/py/test/testing/test_config.py
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ class TestConfigColitems:
         col = colitems[0]
         assert isinstance(col, py.test.collect.Directory)
         for col in col.listchain():
-            assert col.config is config 
+            assert col._config is config 
 
     def test_getcolitems_twodirs(self):
         config = py.test.config._reparse([self.tmpdir, self.tmpdir])
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ class TestConfigColitems:
         assert col2.name == 'a'
         for col in colitems:
             for subcol in col.listchain():
-                assert col.config is config 
+                assert col._config is config 
 
     def test__getcol_global_file(self):
         x = self.tmpdir.ensure("x.py")
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@ class TestConfigColitems:
         assert col.parent.name == self.tmpdir.basename 
         assert col.parent.parent is None
         for col in col.listchain():
-            assert col.config is config 
+            assert col._config is config 
 
     def test__getcol_global_dir(self):
         x = self.tmpdir.ensure("a", dir=1)
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ class TestConfigColitems:
         print col.listchain()
         assert col.name == 'a'
         assert col.parent is None
-        assert col.config is config 
+        assert col._config is config 
 
     def test__getcol_pkgfile(self):
         x = self.tmpdir.ensure("x.py")
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ class TestConfigColitems:
         assert col.parent.name == x.dirpath().basename 
         assert col.parent.parent is None
         for col in col.listchain():
-            assert col.config is config 
+            assert col._config is config 
 
     def test_get_collector_trail_and_back(self):
         a = self.tmpdir.ensure("a", dir=1)
diff --git a/py/test/testing/test_session.py b/py/test/testing/test_session.py
index ce02980af..6ff27c88a 100644
--- a/py/test/testing/test_session.py
+++ b/py/test/testing/test_session.py
@@ -76,9 +76,9 @@ class TestKeywordSelection:
         conftest = o.join('conftest.py').write(py.code.Source("""
             import py
             class Class(py.test.collect.Class): 
-                def haskeyword(self, keyword): 
+                def _haskeyword(self, keyword): 
                     return keyword == 'xxx' or \
-                           super(Class, self).haskeyword(keyword) 
+                           super(Class, self)._haskeyword(keyword) 
         """))
         for keyword in ('xxx', 'xxx test_2', 'TestClass', 'xxx -test_1', 
                         'TestClass test_2', 'xxx TestClass test_2',): 
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ class TestTerminalSession:
         assert int(err.strip()) == 23 
 
         assert isinstance(item.parent, py.test.collect.Module)
-        out, err = item.parent.getouterr()
+        out, err = item.parent._getouterr()
         assert out.find('module level output') != -1 
         allout = self.file.getvalue()
         print "allout:", allout