diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c6a7f6d2..f27c9835 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -14,13 +14,10 @@ spee.ch is a single-serving site that reads and publishes images and videos to a
 * start spee.ch
 	* clone this repo
 	* run `npm install`
-	* to start the server, from your command line run `node speech.js` while passing three environmental variables: 
-		* (1) your lbry wallet address (`LBRY_CLAIM_ADDRESS`), 
-		* (2) your mysql username (`MYSQL_USERNAME`),
-		* (2) your mysql password (`MYSQL_PASSWORD`), 
-		* (3) the environment to run (`NODE_ENV`).
-		* i.e. `LBRY_CLAIM_ADDRESS=<your wallet address here> MYSQL_USERNAME=<username here> MYSQL_PASSWORD=<password here> NODE_ENV=development node speech.js`
-		* e.g. `LBRY_CLAIM_ADDRESS=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX MYSQL_USERNAME="lbry" MYSQL_PASSWORD="xxxxxx" NODE_ENV=development node speech.js`
+	* create your `speechConfig.js` file
+	  * copy `speechConfig.js.example` and name it `speechConfig.js`
+	  * replace the `null` values in the config file with the appropriate values for your environement
+	* to start the server, from your command line run `node speech.js`
 		* To run hot, use `nodemon` instead of `node`
 * visit [localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000)
 
@@ -36,17 +33,17 @@ spee.ch is a single-serving site that reads and publishes images and videos to a
 
 #### POST
 * /api/publish
-  * example: `curl -X POST -F 'name=MyPictureName' -F 'nsfw=false' -F 'file=@/path/to/my/picture.jpeg' https://spee.ch/api/publish`
+  * example: `curl -X POST -F 'name=MyPictureName' -F 'file=@/path/to/myPicture.jpeg' https://spee.ch/api/publish`
   * Parameters:
-    * name (string)
-    * nsfw (boolean)
-    * file (.mp4, .jpeg, .jpg, .gif, or .png)
-    * license (string, optional)
-    * title (string, optional)
-    * description (string, optional)
-    * thumbnail (string, optional) (for .mp4 uploads only)
-    * channelName(string, optional)
-    * channelPassword (string, optional)
+    * `name`
+    * `file` (.mp4, .jpeg, .jpg, .gif, or .png)
+    * `nsfw` (optional)
+    * `license` (optional)
+    * `title` (optional)
+    * `description` (optional)
+    * `thumbnail` url to thumbnail image, for .mp4 uploads only (optional)
+    * `channelName`(optional)
+    * `channelPassword` (optional,; required if `channelName` is provided)
 
 ## bugs
 If you find a bug or experience a problem, please report your issue here on github and find us in the lbry slack!
diff --git a/auth/authentication.js b/auth/authentication.js
index 631aee66..f23d702e 100644
--- a/auth/authentication.js
+++ b/auth/authentication.js
@@ -4,10 +4,6 @@ const logger = require('winston');
 module.exports = {
   authenticateChannelCredentials (channelName, userPassword) {
     return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
-      if (!channelName) {
-        resolve(true);
-        return;
-      }
       const userName = channelName.substring(1);
       logger.debug(`authenticateChannelCredentials > channelName: ${channelName} username: ${userName} pass: ${userPassword}`);
       db.User
@@ -18,18 +14,32 @@ module.exports = {
               resolve(false);
               return;
             }
-            if (!user.validPassword(userPassword, user.password)) {
-              logger.debug('incorrect password');
-              resolve(false);
-              return;
-            }
-            logger.debug('user found:', user.dataValues);
-            resolve(true);
+            return user.comparePassword(userPassword, (passwordErr, isMatch) => {
+              if (passwordErr) {
+                logger.error('comparePassword error:', passwordErr);
+                resolve(false);
+                return;
+              }
+              if (!isMatch) {
+                logger.debug('incorrect password');
+                resolve(false);
+                return;
+              }
+              logger.debug('...password was a match...');
+              resolve(true);
+            });
           })
           .catch(error => {
-            logger.error(error);
-            reject();
+            reject(error);
           });
     });
   },
+  authenticateOrSkip (skipAuth, channelName, channelPassword) {
+    return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
+      if (skipAuth) {
+        return resolve(true);
+      }
+      return resolve(module.exports.authenticateChannelCredentials(channelName, channelPassword));
+    });
+  },
 };
diff --git a/config/custom-environment-variables.json b/config/custom-environment-variables.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 78faebbf..00000000
--- a/config/custom-environment-variables.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,15 +0,0 @@
-{
-	"WalletConfig": {
-		"LbryClaimAddress": "LBRY_CLAIM_ADDRESS"
-	},
-	"Database": {
-		"Username": "MYSQL_USERNAME",
-		"Password": "MYSQL_PASSWORD"
-	},
-	"Logging": {
-		"SlackWebHook": "SLACK_WEB_HOOK"
-	},
-	"Session": {
-		"SessionKey": "SESSION_KEY"
-	}
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/config/default-0.json b/config/default-0.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 9e26dfee..00000000
--- a/config/default-0.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-{}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/config/default.json b/config/default.json
deleted file mode 100644
index c5b65a20..00000000
--- a/config/default.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-{
-	"WalletConfig": {
-		"LbryClaimAddress": null,
-		"DefaultChannel": null
-	},
-	"AnalyticsConfig":{
-		"GoogleId": null
-	},
-	"Database": {
-		"Database": "lbry",
-		"Username": null,
-		"Password": null
-	},
-	"Logging": {
-		"LogLevel": null,
-		"SlackWebHook": null,
-		"SlackErrorChannel": null,
-		"SlackInfoChannel": null
-	},
-	"Session": {
-		"SessionKey": null
-	}
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/config/development.json b/config/development.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 4beca9ff..00000000
--- a/config/development.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,13 +0,0 @@
-{
-	"WalletConfig": {
-		"DefaultChannel": "@speechDev"
-	},
-	"AnalyticsConfig":{
-		"GoogleId": "UA-100747990-1"
-	},
-	"Logging": {
-		"LogLevel": "silly",
-		"SlackErrorChannel": "#staging_speech-errors",
-		"SlackInfoChannel": "none"
-	}
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/config/production.json b/config/production.json
deleted file mode 100644
index a5bc5074..00000000
--- a/config/production.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,13 +0,0 @@
-{
-	"WalletConfig": {
-		"DefaultChannel": "@speech"
-	},
-	"AnalyticsConfig":{
-		"GoogleId": "UA-60403362-3"
-	},
-	"Logging": {
-		"LogLevel": "verbose",
-		"SlackErrorChannel": "#speech-errors",
-		"SlackInfoChannel": "#speech-logs"
-	}
-}
diff --git a/config/slackConfig.js b/config/slackConfig.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..84ab3376
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config/slackConfig.js
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+const config = require('./speechConfig.js');
+const winstonSlackWebHook = require('winston-slack-webhook').SlackWebHook;
+
+module.exports = (winston) => {
+  if (config.logging.slackWebHook) {
+    // add a transport for errors to slack
+    winston.add(winstonSlackWebHook, {
+      name      : 'slack-errors-transport',
+      level     : 'warn',
+      webhookUrl: config.logging.slackWebHook,
+      channel   : config.logging.slackErrorChannel,
+      username  : 'spee.ch',
+      iconEmoji : ':face_with_head_bandage:',
+    });
+    winston.add(winstonSlackWebHook, {
+      name      : 'slack-info-transport',
+      level     : 'info',
+      webhookUrl: config.logging.slackWebHook,
+      channel   : config.logging.slackInfoChannel,
+      username  : 'spee.ch',
+      iconEmoji : ':nerd_face:',
+    });
+    // send test message
+    winston.error('Slack "error" logging is online.');
+    winston.warn('Slack "warning" logging is online.');
+    winston.info('Slack "info" logging is online.');
+  } else {
+    winston.warn('Slack logging is not enabled because no SLACK_WEB_HOOK env var provided.');
+  }
+};
diff --git a/config/slackLoggerConfig.js b/config/slackLoggerConfig.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 4bd88200..00000000
--- a/config/slackLoggerConfig.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,32 +0,0 @@
-const config = require('config');
-const SLACK_WEB_HOOK = config.get('Logging.SlackWebHook');
-const SLACK_ERROR_CHANNEL = config.get('Logging.SlackErrorChannel');
-const SLACK_INFO_CHANNEL = config.get('Logging.SlackInfoChannel');
-const winstonSlackWebHook = require('winston-slack-webhook').SlackWebHook;
-
-module.exports = (winston) => {
-  if (SLACK_WEB_HOOK) {
-      // add a transport for errors to slack
-    winston.add(winstonSlackWebHook, {
-      name      : 'slack-errors-transport',
-      level     : 'error',
-      webhookUrl: SLACK_WEB_HOOK,
-      channel   : SLACK_ERROR_CHANNEL,
-      username  : 'spee.ch',
-      iconEmoji : ':face_with_head_bandage:',
-    });
-    winston.add(winstonSlackWebHook, {
-      name      : 'slack-info-transport',
-      level     : 'info',
-      webhookUrl: SLACK_WEB_HOOK,
-      channel   : SLACK_INFO_CHANNEL,
-      username  : 'spee.ch',
-      iconEmoji : ':nerd_face:',
-    });
-      // send test message
-    winston.error('Slack error logging is online.');
-    winston.info('Slack info logging is online.');
-  } else {
-    winston.error('Slack logging is not enabled because no SLACK_WEB_HOOK env var provided.');
-  }
-};
diff --git a/config/speechConfig.js.example b/config/speechConfig.js.example
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d10745a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config/speechConfig.js.example
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+module.exports = {
+  wallet: {
+    lbryClaimAddress: null,  // choose an address from your lbry wallet
+  },
+  analytics: {
+    googleId: null, // google id for analytics tracking; leave `null` if not applicable
+  },
+  sql: {
+    database: null,  // name of mysql database
+    username: null,  // username for mysql
+    password: null,  // password for mysql
+  },
+  logging: {
+    logLevel         : null,  // options: silly, debug, verbose, info
+    slackWebHook     : null,  // enter a webhook if you wish to push logs to slack; otherwise leave as `null`
+    slackErrorChannel: null,  // enter a slack channel (#example) for errors to be sent to; otherwise leave null
+    slackInfoChannel : null,  // enter a slack channel (#info) for info level logs to be sent to otherwise leave null
+  },
+  session: {
+    sessionKey: null,  // enter a secret key to be used for session encryption
+  },
+};
diff --git a/controllers/publishController.js b/controllers/publishController.js
index 84c68750..d832c814 100644
--- a/controllers/publishController.js
+++ b/controllers/publishController.js
@@ -6,24 +6,33 @@ const publishHelpers = require('../helpers/publishHelpers.js');
 module.exports = {
   publish (publishParams, fileName, fileType) {
     return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
-      let publishResults = {};
-      // 1. publish the file
+      let publishResults, certificateId, channelName;
+      // publish the file
       return lbryApi.publishClaim(publishParams)
-      // 2. upsert File record (update is in case the claim has been published before by this daemon)
       .then(tx => {
         logger.info(`Successfully published ${fileName}`, tx);
         publishResults = tx;
-        return db.Channel.findOne({where: {channelName: publishParams.channel_name}});  // note: should this be db.User ??
+        // get the channel information
+        if (publishParams.channel_name) {
+          logger.debug(`this claim was published in channel: ${publishParams.channel_name}`);
+          return db.Channel.findOne({where: {channelName: publishParams.channel_name}});
+        } else {
+          logger.debug('this claim was published in channel: n/a');
+          return null;
+        }
       })
       .then(channel => {
-        let certificateId;
+        // set channel information
+        certificateId = null;
+        channelName = null;
         if (channel) {
           certificateId = channel.channelClaimId;
-          logger.debug('successfully found channel in Channel table');
-        } else {
-          certificateId = null;
-          logger.debug('channel for publish not found in Channel table');
-        };
+          channelName = channel.channelName;
+        }
+        logger.debug(`certificateId: ${certificateId}`);
+      })
+      .then(() => {
+        // create the File record
         const fileRecord = {
           name       : publishParams.name,
           claimId    : publishResults.claim_id,
@@ -37,6 +46,7 @@ module.exports = {
           fileType,
           nsfw       : publishParams.metadata.nsfw,
         };
+        // create the Claim record
         const claimRecord = {
           name       : publishParams.name,
           claimId    : publishResults.claim_id,
@@ -48,14 +58,16 @@ module.exports = {
           height     : 0,
           contentType: fileType,
           nsfw       : publishParams.metadata.nsfw,
-          certificateId,
           amount     : publishParams.bid,
+          certificateId,
+          channelName,
         };
+        // upsert criteria
         const upsertCriteria = {
           name   : publishParams.name,
           claimId: publishResults.claim_id,
         };
-        // create the records
+        // upsert the records
         return Promise.all([db.upsert(db.File, fileRecord, upsertCriteria, 'File'), db.upsert(db.Claim, claimRecord, upsertCriteria, 'Claim')]);
       })
       .then(([file, claim]) => {
@@ -67,7 +79,6 @@ module.exports = {
         resolve(publishResults); // resolve the promise with the result from lbryApi.publishClaim;
       })
       .catch(error => {
-        logger.error('publishController.publish, error', error);
         publishHelpers.deleteTemporaryFile(publishParams.file_path); // delete the local file
         reject(error);
       });
diff --git a/controllers/statsController.js b/controllers/statsController.js
index 50dcc36d..6f3d4475 100644
--- a/controllers/statsController.js
+++ b/controllers/statsController.js
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 const logger = require('winston');
 const ua = require('universal-analytics');
-const config = require('config');
+const config = require('../config/speechConfig.js');
 const db = require('../models');
-const googleApiKey = config.get('AnalyticsConfig.GoogleId');
+const googleApiKey = config.analytics.googleId;
 
 module.exports = {
   postToStats (action, url, ipAddress, name, claimId, result) {
diff --git a/helpers/configVarCheck.js b/helpers/configVarCheck.js
index b4b40e51..b849245f 100644
--- a/helpers/configVarCheck.js
+++ b/helpers/configVarCheck.js
@@ -1,15 +1,13 @@
-const config = require('config');
+const config = require('../config/speechConfig.js');
 const logger = require('winston');
-const fs = require('fs');
 
 module.exports = function () {
   // get the config file
-  const defaultConfigFile = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync('./config/default.json'));
 
-  for (let configCategoryKey in defaultConfigFile) {
-    if (defaultConfigFile.hasOwnProperty(configCategoryKey)) {
+  for (let configCategoryKey in config) {
+    if (config.hasOwnProperty(configCategoryKey)) {
         // get the final variables for each config category
-      const configVariables = config.get(configCategoryKey);
+      const configVariables = config[configCategoryKey];
       for (let configVarKey in configVariables) {
         if (configVariables.hasOwnProperty(configVarKey)) {
             // print each variable
diff --git a/helpers/errorHandlers.js b/helpers/errorHandlers.js
index 3778eeeb..de970625 100644
--- a/helpers/errorHandlers.js
+++ b/helpers/errorHandlers.js
@@ -2,38 +2,54 @@ const logger = require('winston');
 const { postToStats } = require('../controllers/statsController.js');
 
 module.exports = {
-  handleRequestError (action, originalUrl, ip, error, res) {
-    logger.error(`Request Error: ${originalUrl}`, module.exports.useObjectPropertiesIfNoKeys(error));
-    postToStats(action, originalUrl, ip, null, null, error);
-    if (error.response) {
-      res.status(error.response.status).render('requestError', {message: error.response.data.error.message, status: error.response.status});
-    } else if (error.code === 'ECONNREFUSED') {
-      res.status(503).render('requestError', {message: 'Connection refused.  The daemon may not be running.', status: 503});
-    } else if (error.message) {
-      res.status(500).render('requestError', {message: error.message, status: 500});
-    } else {
-      res.status(400).render('requestError', {message: error, status: 400});
-    }
-  },
-  handlePublishError (error) {
-    logger.error('Publish Error:', module.exports.useObjectPropertiesIfNoKeys(error));
+  returnErrorMessageAndStatus: function (error) {
+    let status, message;
+    // check for daemon being turned off
     if (error.code === 'ECONNREFUSED') {
-      return 'Connection refused.  The daemon may not be running.';
+      status = 503;
+      message = 'Connection refused.  The daemon may not be running.';
+    // check for errors from the deamon
     } else if (error.response) {
+      status = error.response.status || 500;
       if (error.response.data) {
         if (error.response.data.message) {
-          return error.response.data.message;
+          message = error.response.data.message;
         } else if (error.response.data.error) {
-          return error.response.data.error.message;
+          message = error.response.data.error.message;
+        } else {
+          message = error.response.data;
         }
-        return error.response.data;
+      } else {
+        message = error.response;
       }
-      return error.response;
+    // check for spee.ch thrown errors
+    } else if (error.message) {
+      status = 400;
+      message = error.message;
+    // fallback for everything else
     } else {
-      return error;
+      status = 400;
+      message = error;
     }
+    return [status, message];
   },
-  useObjectPropertiesIfNoKeys (err) {
+  handleRequestError: function (action, originalUrl, ip, error, res) {
+    logger.error(`Request Error on ${originalUrl}`, module.exports.useObjectPropertiesIfNoKeys(error));
+    postToStats(action, originalUrl, ip, null, null, error);
+    const [status, message] = this.returnErrorMessageAndStatus(error);
+    res
+      .status(status)
+      .render('requestError', this.createErrorResponsePayload(status, message));
+  },
+  handleApiError: function (action, originalUrl, ip, error, res) {
+    logger.error(`Api ${action} Error on ${originalUrl}`, module.exports.useObjectPropertiesIfNoKeys(error));
+    postToStats(action, originalUrl, ip, null, null, error);
+    const [status, message] = this.returnErrorMessageAndStatus(error);
+    res
+      .status(status)
+      .json(this.createErrorResponsePayload(status, message));
+  },
+  useObjectPropertiesIfNoKeys: function (err) {
     if (Object.keys(err).length === 0) {
       let newErrorObject = {};
       Object.getOwnPropertyNames(err).forEach((key) => {
@@ -43,4 +59,11 @@ module.exports = {
     }
     return err;
   },
+  createErrorResponsePayload (status, message) {
+    return {
+      status,
+      success: false,
+      message,
+    };
+  },
 };
diff --git a/helpers/handlebarsHelpers.js b/helpers/handlebarsHelpers.js
index b4fb3c42..33ccb49d 100644
--- a/helpers/handlebarsHelpers.js
+++ b/helpers/handlebarsHelpers.js
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 const Handlebars = require('handlebars');
-const config = require('config');
+const config = require('../config/speechConfig.js');
 
 module.exports = {
     // define any extra helpers you may need
   googleAnalytics () {
-    const googleApiKey = config.get('AnalyticsConfig.GoogleId');
+    const googleApiKey = config.analytics.googleId;
     return new Handlebars.SafeString(
             `<script>
         (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
diff --git a/helpers/publishHelpers.js b/helpers/publishHelpers.js
index 1ba54ddc..25c715c1 100644
--- a/helpers/publishHelpers.js
+++ b/helpers/publishHelpers.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 const logger = require('winston');
 const fs = require('fs');
 const db = require('../models');
-const config = require('config');
+const config = require('../config/speechConfig.js');
 
 module.exports = {
   validateApiPublishRequest (body, files) {
@@ -11,9 +11,6 @@ module.exports = {
     if (!body.name) {
       throw new Error('no name field found in request');
     }
-    if (!body.nsfw) {
-      throw new Error('no nsfw field found in request');
-    }
     if (!files) {
       throw new Error('no files found in request');
     }
@@ -21,11 +18,10 @@ module.exports = {
       throw new Error('no file with key of [file] found in request');
     }
   },
-  validatePublishSubmission (file, claimName, nsfw) {
+  validatePublishSubmission (file, claimName) {
     try {
       module.exports.validateFile(file);
       module.exports.validateClaimName(claimName);
-      module.exports.validateNSFW(nsfw);
     } catch (error) {
       throw error;
     }
@@ -79,24 +75,6 @@ module.exports = {
       throw new Error('Only posts with a "Public Domain" or "Creative Commons" license are eligible for publishing through spee.ch');
     }
   },
-  cleanseNSFW (nsfw) {
-    switch (nsfw) {
-      case true:
-      case 'on':
-      case 'true':
-      case 1:
-      case '1':
-        return true;
-      case false:
-      case 'false':
-      case 'off':
-      case 0:
-      case '0':
-        return false;
-      default:
-        return null;
-    }
-  },
   cleanseChannelName (channelName) {
     if (channelName) {
       if (channelName.indexOf('@') !== 0) {
@@ -105,12 +83,6 @@ module.exports = {
     }
     return channelName;
   },
-  validateNSFW (nsfw) {
-    if (nsfw === true || nsfw === false) {
-      return;
-    }
-    throw new Error('NSFW must be set to either true or false');
-  },
   createPublishParams (filePath, name, title, description, license, nsfw, thumbnail, channelName) {
     logger.debug(`Creating Publish Parameters`);
     // provide defaults for title
@@ -138,7 +110,7 @@ module.exports = {
         license,
         nsfw,
       },
-      claim_address: config.get('WalletConfig.LbryClaimAddress'),
+      claim_address: config.wallet.lbryClaimAddress,
     };
     // add thumbnail to channel if video
     if (thumbnail !== null) {
@@ -165,7 +137,7 @@ module.exports = {
       db.File.findAll({ where: { name } })
       .then(result => {
         if (result.length >= 1) {
-          const claimAddress = config.get('WalletConfig.LbryClaimAddress');
+          const claimAddress = config.wallet.lbryClaimAddress;
           // filter out any results that were not published from spee.ch's wallet address
           const filteredResult = result.filter((claim) => {
             return (claim.address === claimAddress);
diff --git a/models/claim.js b/models/claim.js
index 3ebd3adb..d7f13739 100644
--- a/models/claim.js
+++ b/models/claim.js
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ module.exports = (sequelize, { STRING, BOOLEAN, INTEGER, TEXT, ARRAY, DECIMAL, D
             case 1:
               return resolve(result[0]);
             default:
-              logger.error('more than one entry matches that name and claimID');
+              logger.warn(`more than one entry matches that name (${name}) and claimID (${claimId})`);
               return resolve(result[0]);
           }
         })
diff --git a/models/index.js b/models/index.js
index f8293431..83f277e9 100644
--- a/models/index.js
+++ b/models/index.js
@@ -2,13 +2,13 @@ const fs = require('fs');
 const path = require('path');
 const Sequelize = require('sequelize');
 const basename = path.basename(module.filename);
-const config = require('config');
+const config = require('../config/speechConfig.js');
 const db = {};
 const logger = require('winston');
 
-const database = config.get('Database.Database');
-const username = config.get('Database.Username');
-const password = config.get('Database.Password');
+const database = config.sql.database;
+const username = config.sql.username;
+const password = config.sql.password;
 
 const sequelize = new Sequelize(database, username, password, {
   host   : 'localhost',
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ db.upsert = (Model, values, condition, tableName) => {
       }
     })
     .catch(function (error) {
-      logger.error('Sequelize findOne error', error);
+      logger.error(`${tableName}.upsert error`, error);
     });
 };
 
diff --git a/models/user.js b/models/user.js
index ddad3524..7c7bfe13 100644
--- a/models/user.js
+++ b/models/user.js
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ module.exports = (sequelize, { STRING }) => {
   };
 
   User.prototype.comparePassword = function (password, callback) {
-    logger.debug(`User.prototype.comparePassword ${password} ${this.password}`);
     bcrypt.compare(password, this.password, callback);
   };
 
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index f9acff82..9bf792f2 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@
     "cookie-session": "^2.0.0-beta.3",
     "express": "^4.15.2",
     "express-handlebars": "^3.0.0",
-    "express-session": "^1.15.5",
     "form-data": "^2.3.1",
     "helmet": "^3.8.1",
     "mysql2": "^1.3.5",
@@ -44,8 +43,6 @@
     "sequelize": "^4.1.0",
     "sequelize-cli": "^3.0.0-3",
     "sleep": "^5.1.1",
-    "socket.io": "^2.0.1",
-    "socketio-file-upload": "^0.6.0",
     "universal-analytics": "^0.4.13",
     "winston": "^2.3.1",
     "winston-slack-webhook": "billbitt/winston-slack-webhook"
diff --git a/public/assets/js/createChannelFunctions.js b/public/assets/js/createChannelFunctions.js
index faef7189..379c9430 100644
--- a/public/assets/js/createChannelFunctions.js
+++ b/public/assets/js/createChannelFunctions.js
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ function publishNewChannel (event) {
     // prevent default so this script can handle submission
     event.preventDefault();
     // validate submission
-    validateNewChannelSubmission(userName, password)
+    validationFunctions.validateNewChannelSubmission(userName, password)
         .then(() => {
             showChannelCreateInProgressDisplay();
             return sendAuthRequest(userName, password, '/signup') // post the request
diff --git a/public/assets/js/dropzoneFunctions.js b/public/assets/js/dropzoneFunctions.js
index f1a8ddf6..b0ab1abb 100644
--- a/public/assets/js/dropzoneFunctions.js
+++ b/public/assets/js/dropzoneFunctions.js
@@ -1,6 +1,3 @@
-function triggerFileChooser(fileInputId, event) {
-    document.getElementById(fileInputId).click();
-}
 
 function drop_handler(event) {
     event.preventDefault();
@@ -9,7 +6,7 @@ function drop_handler(event) {
     if (dt.items) {
         if (dt.items[0].kind == 'file') {
             var droppedFile = dt.items[0].getAsFile();
-            previewAndStageFile(droppedFile);
+            publishFileFunctions.previewAndStageFile(droppedFile);
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/public/assets/js/generalFunctions.js b/public/assets/js/generalFunctions.js
index 89782d75..d591a0ee 100644
--- a/public/assets/js/generalFunctions.js
+++ b/public/assets/js/generalFunctions.js
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ function getRequest (url) {
                 if ( xhttp.status == 200) {
                     resolve(xhttp.response);
                 } else if (xhttp.status == 401) {
-                    reject('Wrong username or password');
+                    reject('Wrong channel name or password');
                 } else {
                     reject('request failed with status:' + xhttp.status);
                 };
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ function postRequest (url, params) {
                 if ( xhttp.status == 200) {
                     resolve(xhttp.response);
                 } else if (xhttp.status == 401) {
-                    reject( new AuthenticationError('Wrong username or password'));
+                    reject( new AuthenticationError('Wrong channel name or password'));
                 } else {
                     reject('request failed with status:' + xhttp.status);
                 };
diff --git a/public/assets/js/loginFunctions.js b/public/assets/js/loginFunctions.js
index 4dfa3a20..5f3a13b0 100644
--- a/public/assets/js/loginFunctions.js
+++ b/public/assets/js/loginFunctions.js
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ function loginToChannel (event) {
     const password = document.getElementById('channel-login-password-input').value;
     // prevent default
     event.preventDefault()
-    validateNewChannelLogin(userName, password)
+    validationFunctions.validateNewChannelLogin(userName, password)
         .then(() => {
             // send request
             return sendAuthRequest(userName, password, '/login')
@@ -71,9 +71,9 @@ function loginToChannel (event) {
         .catch(error => {
             const loginErrorDisplayElement = document.getElementById('login-error-display-element');
             if (error.name){
-                showError(loginErrorDisplayElement, error.message);
+                validationFunctions.showError(loginErrorDisplayElement, error.message);
             } else {
-                showError(loginErrorDisplayElement, 'There was an error logging into your channel');
+                validationFunctions.showError(loginErrorDisplayElement, 'There was an error logging into your channel');
             }
         })
 }
diff --git a/public/assets/js/publishFileFunctions.js b/public/assets/js/publishFileFunctions.js
index 0a84b8a5..19c273ab 100644
--- a/public/assets/js/publishFileFunctions.js
+++ b/public/assets/js/publishFileFunctions.js
@@ -1,99 +1,231 @@
-/* publish functions */
+var stagedFiles = null;
 
-function cancelPublish () {
-    window.location.href = '/';
-}
-
-// When a file is selected for publish, validate that file and
-// stage it so it will be ready when the publish button is clicked.
-function previewAndStageFile(selectedFile){
-	const publishForm = document.getElementById('publish-form');
-    const assetPreview = document.getElementById('asset-preview-target');
-    const primaryDropzone = document.getElementById('primary-dropzone');
-    const previewReader = new FileReader();
-    const nameInput = document.getElementById('claim-name-input');
-	const fileSelectionInputError = document.getElementById('input-error-file-selection');
-	const thumbnailSelectionTool = document.getElementById('publish-thumbnail');
-    const thumbnailSelectionInput = document.getElementById('claim-thumbnail-input');
-	// validate the file's name, type, and size
-	try {
-		validateFile(selectedFile);
-	} catch (error) {
-		showError(fileSelectionInputError, error.message);
-		return;
-	}
-	// set the image preview, if an image was provided
-    if (selectedFile.type !== 'video/mp4') {
-		if (selectedFile.type === 'image/gif') {
-            assetPreview.innerHTML = `<p>loading preview...</p>`
-		}
-		previewReader.readAsDataURL(selectedFile);
-		previewReader.onloadend = function () {
-            assetPreview.innerHTML = '<img id="asset-preview" src="' + previewReader.result + '" alt="image preview"/>';
-		};
-		// clear & hide the thumbnail selection input
-        thumbnailSelectionInput.value = '';
-		thumbnailSelectionTool.hidden = true;
-	} else {
-        assetPreview.innerHTML = `<img id="asset-preview" src="/assets/img/video_thumb_default.png"/>`;
-        // clear & show the thumbnail selection input
-        thumbnailSelectionInput.value = '';
-        thumbnailSelectionTool.hidden = false;
-	}
-    // hide the drop zone
-    primaryDropzone.setAttribute('class', 'hidden');
-    publishForm.setAttribute('class', 'row')
-	// set the name input value to the image name if none is set yet
-	if (nameInput.value === "") {
-		var filename = selectedFile.name.substring(0, selectedFile.name.indexOf('.'))
-		nameInput.value = cleanseClaimName(filename);
-		checkClaimName(nameInput.value);
-	}
-	// store the selected file for upload
-	stagedFiles = [selectedFile];
-}
-
-// Validate the publish submission and then trigger upload
-function publishStagedFile(event) {
-    // prevent default so this script can handle submission
-    event.preventDefault();
-    // declare variables
-    const claimName = document.getElementById('claim-name-input').value;
-    let channelName = document.getElementById('channel-name-select').value;
-    const fileSelectionInputError = document.getElementById('input-error-file-selection');
-    const claimNameError = document.getElementById('input-error-claim-name');
-    const channelSelectError = document.getElementById('input-error-channel-select');
-    const publishSubmitError = document.getElementById('input-error-publish-submit');
-    let anonymousOrInChannel;
-    // replace channelName with 'anonymous' if appropriate
-    const radios = document.getElementsByName('anonymous-or-channel');
-    for (let i = 0; i < radios.length; i++) {
-        if (radios[i].checked) {
-            // do whatever you want with the checked radio
-            anonymousOrInChannel = radios[i].value;
-            // only one radio can be logically checked, don't check the rest
-            break;
+const publishFileFunctions = {
+    triggerFileChooser: function (fileInputId) {
+        document.getElementById(fileInputId).click();
+    },
+    cancelPublish: function () {
+        window.location.href = '/';
+    },
+    previewAndStageFile: function (selectedFile) {
+        const fileSelectionInputError = document.getElementById('input-error-file-selection');
+        // When a file is selected for publish, validate that file and
+        // stage it so it will be ready when the publish button is clicked
+        try {
+            validationFunctions.validateFile(selectedFile); // validate the file's name, type, and size
+        } catch (error) {
+            validationFunctions.showError(fileSelectionInputError, error.message);
+            return;
         }
-    }
-    if (anonymousOrInChannel === 'anonymous') {
-    	channelName = null;
-    };
-	// validate, submit, and handle response
-	validateFilePublishSubmission(stagedFiles, claimName, channelName)
-		.then(() => {
-			uploader.submitFiles(stagedFiles);
-		})
-		.catch(error => {
-			if (error.name === 'FileError') {
-                showError(fileSelectionInputError, error.message);
-			} else if (error.name === 'NameError') {
-				showError(claimNameError, error.message);
-            } else if (error.name === 'ChannelNameError'){
-				console.log(error);
-                showError(channelSelectError, error.message);
-			} else {
-				showError(publishSubmitError, error.message);
-			}
-			return;
-		})
-};
\ No newline at end of file
+        // set image preview, if an image was provided
+        this.setImagePreview(selectedFile);
+        // hide the primary drop zone
+        this.hidePrimaryDropzone();
+        // set the name input value to the image name if none is set yet
+        this.updateClaimNameInputWithFileName(selectedFile);
+        // store the selected file for upload
+        stagedFiles = [selectedFile];
+    },
+    hidePrimaryDropzone: function () {
+        const primaryDropzone = document.getElementById('primary-dropzone');
+        const publishForm = document.getElementById('publish-form');
+        primaryDropzone.setAttribute('class', 'hidden');
+        publishForm.setAttribute('class', 'row')
+    },
+    updateClaimNameInputWithFileName: function (selectedFile) {
+        const nameInput = document.getElementById('claim-name-input');
+        if (nameInput.value === "") {
+            var filename = selectedFile.name.substring(0, selectedFile.name.indexOf('.'))
+            nameInput.value = validationFunctions.cleanseClaimName(filename);
+            validationFunctions.checkClaimName(nameInput.value);
+        }
+    },
+    setImagePreview: function (selectedFile) {
+        const assetPreview = document.getElementById('asset-preview-target');
+        const thumbnailInput = document.getElementById('claim-thumbnail-input');
+        const thumbnailInputTool = document.getElementById('publish-thumbnail');
+        if (selectedFile.type !== 'video/mp4') {
+            const previewReader = new FileReader();
+            if (selectedFile.type === 'image/gif') {
+                assetPreview.innerHTML = `<p>loading preview...</p>`
+            }
+            previewReader.readAsDataURL(selectedFile);
+            previewReader.onloadend = function () {
+                assetPreview.innerHTML = '<img id="asset-preview" src="' + previewReader.result + '" alt="image preview"/>';
+            };
+            // clear & hide the thumbnail selection input
+            thumbnailInput.value = '';
+            thumbnailInputTool.hidden = true;
+        } else {
+            assetPreview.innerHTML = `<img id="asset-preview" src="/assets/img/video_thumb_default.png"/>`;
+            // clear & show the thumbnail selection input
+            thumbnailInput.value = '';
+            thumbnailInputTool.hidden = false;
+        }
+    },
+    returnNullOrChannel: function () {
+        const channelRadio = document.getElementById('channel-radio');
+        if (channelRadio.checked) {
+            const channelInput = document.getElementById('channel-name-select');
+            return channelInput.value.trim();
+        }
+        return null;
+    },
+    createMetadata: function() {
+        const nameInput = document.getElementById('claim-name-input');
+        const titleInput = document.getElementById('publish-title');
+        const descriptionInput = document.getElementById('publish-description');
+        const licenseInput = document.getElementById('publish-license');
+        const nsfwInput = document.getElementById('publish-nsfw');
+        const thumbnailInput = document.getElementById('claim-thumbnail-input');
+
+        return {
+            name: nameInput.value.trim(),
+            channelName: this.returnNullOrChannel(),
+            title: titleInput.value.trim(),
+            description: descriptionInput.value.trim(),
+            license: licenseInput.value.trim(),
+            nsfw: nsfwInput.checked,
+            type: stagedFiles[0].type,
+            thumbnail: thumbnailInput.value.trim(),
+        }
+    },
+    appendDataToFormData: function (file, metadata) {
+        var fd = new FormData();
+        fd.append('file', file)
+        for (var key in metadata) {
+            if (metadata.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
+                console.log(key, metadata[key]);
+                fd.append(key, metadata[key]);
+            }
+        }
+        return fd;
+    },
+    publishFile: function (file, metadata) {
+        var uri = "/api/publish";
+        var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest();
+        var fd = this.appendDataToFormData(file, metadata);
+        var that = this;
+        xhr.upload.addEventListener("loadstart", function(e) {
+            that.showUploadStartedMessage();
+        })
+        xhr.upload.addEventListener("progress", function(e) {
+            if (e.lengthComputable) {
+                var percentage = Math.round((e.loaded * 100) / e.total);
+                console.log('progress:', percentage);
+                that.showUploadProgressMessage(percentage);
+            }
+        }, false);
+        xhr.upload.addEventListener("load", function(e){
+            console.log('loaded 100%');
+            that.showFilePublishUpdate("Your file has been loaded, and is now being published to the blockchain.  Sit tight...")
+        }, false);
+        xhr.open("POST", uri, true);
+        xhr.onreadystatechange = function() {
+            if (xhr.readyState == 4) {
+                if (xhr.status == 200) {
+                    console.log('publish complete!');
+                    that.showFilePublishComplete(JSON.parse(xhr.response).message);
+                } else {
+                    console.log(xhr.response);
+                    that.showFilePublishFailure(JSON.parse(xhr.response).message);
+                }
+            } else {
+                console.log('xhr.readyState', xhr.readyState, 'xhr.status', xhr.status);
+            }
+        };
+        // Initiate a multipart/form-data upload
+        xhr.send(fd);
+    },
+    // Validate the publish submission and then trigger upload
+    publishStagedFile: function (event) {
+        event.preventDefault();  // prevent default so this script can handle submission
+        const metadata = this.createMetadata();
+        const that = this; // note: necessary ?
+        const fileSelectionInputError = document.getElementById('input-error-file-selection');
+        const claimNameError = document.getElementById('input-error-claim-name');
+        const channelSelectError = document.getElementById('input-error-channel-select');
+        const publishSubmitError = document.getElementById('input-error-publish-submit');
+        // validate, submit, and handle response
+        validationFunctions.validateFilePublishSubmission(stagedFiles, metadata)
+            .then( function() {
+                that.publishFile(stagedFiles[0], metadata);
+            })
+            .catch(error => {
+                if (error.name === 'FileError') {
+                    validationFunctions.showError(fileSelectionInputError, error.message);
+                } else if (error.name === 'NameError') {
+                    validationFunctions.showError(claimNameError, error.message);
+                } else if (error.name === 'ChannelNameError'){
+                    console.log(error);
+                    validationFunctions.showError(channelSelectError, error.message);
+                } else {
+                    validationFunctions.showError(publishSubmitError, error.message);
+                }
+                return;
+            })
+    },
+    showUploadStartedMessage: function (){
+        console.log('starting upload');
+        // hide the publish tool
+        this.hidePublishTools();
+        // show the progress status and animation
+        this.showPublishStatus();
+        this.showPublishProgressBar();
+    },
+    showUploadProgressMessage: function (percentage){
+        this.updatePublishStatus('<p>File is loading to server</p>');
+        this.updateUploadPercent('<p class="blue">' + percentage + '% </p>');
+    },
+    showFilePublishUpdate: function (msg) {
+        this.updatePublishStatus('<p>' + msg + '</p>');
+        this.updateUploadPercent('<p>Curious what magic is happening here? <a class="link--primary" target="blank" href="https://lbry.io/faq/what-is-lbry">Learn more.</a></p>');
+    },
+    showFilePublishFailure: function (msg){
+        this.updatePublishStatus('<p>Something went wrong...</p><p><strong>' + msg + '</strong></p><p>For help, post the above error text in the #speech channel on the <a class="link--primary" href="https://discord.gg/YjYbwhS" target="_blank">lbry discord</a>');
+        this.hidePublishProgressBar();
+        this.hideUploadPercent();
+    },
+    showFilePublishComplete: function (msg) {
+        console.log('Publish complete!');
+        const showUrl = msg.lbryTx.claim_id + "/" + msg.name;
+        // update status
+        this.updatePublishStatus('<p>Your publish is complete! You are being redirected to it now.</p>');
+        this.updateUploadPercent('<p><a class="link--primary" target="_blank" href="' + showUrl + '">If you do not get redirected, click here.</a></p>')
+        // redirect the user
+        window.location.href = showUrl;
+    },
+    hidePublishTools: function () {
+        const publishFormWrapper = document.getElementById('publish-form');
+        publishFormWrapper.setAttribute('class', 'hidden');
+    },
+    // publish status functions
+    showPublishStatus: function () {
+        const publishStatus = document.getElementById('publish-status');
+        publishStatus.setAttribute('class', 'row row--tall flex-container--column flex-container--center-center');
+    },
+    updatePublishStatus: function (msg){
+        const publishUpdate = document.getElementById('publish-update');
+        publishUpdate.innerHTML = msg;
+    },
+    // progress bar functions
+    showPublishProgressBar: function (){
+        const publishProgressBar = document.getElementById('publish-progress-bar');
+        createProgressBar(publishProgressBar, 12);
+    },
+    hidePublishProgressBar: function (){
+        const publishProgressBar = document.getElementById('publish-progress-bar');
+        publishProgressBar.hidden = true;
+    },
+    // upload percent functions
+    updateUploadPercent: function (msg){
+        const uploadPercent = document.getElementById('upload-percent');
+        uploadPercent.innerHTML = msg;
+    },
+    hideUploadPercent: function (){
+        const uploadPercent = document.getElementById('upload-percent');
+        uploadPercent.hidden = true;
+    },
+}
+
+
diff --git a/public/assets/js/validationFunctions.js b/public/assets/js/validationFunctions.js
index e8204776..3cb2fcaf 100644
--- a/public/assets/js/validationFunctions.js
+++ b/public/assets/js/validationFunctions.js
@@ -1,236 +1,231 @@
 // validation function which checks the proposed file's type, size, and name
-function validateFile(file) {
-    if (!file) {
-        console.log('no file found');
-        throw new Error('no file provided');
-    }
-    if (/'/.test(file.name)) {
-        console.log('file name had apostrophe in it');
-        throw new Error('apostrophes are not allowed in the file name');
-    }
-    // validate size and type
-    switch (file.type) {
-        case 'image/jpeg':
-        case 'image/jpg':
-        case 'image/png':
-            if (file.size > 10000000){
-                console.log('file was too big');
-                throw new Error('Sorry, images are limited to 10 megabytes.');
-            }
-            break;
-        case 'image/gif':
-            if (file.size > 50000000){
-                console.log('file was too big');
-                throw new Error('Sorry, .gifs are limited to 50 megabytes.');
-            }
-            break;
-        case 'video/mp4':
-            if (file.size > 50000000){
-                console.log('file was too big');
-                throw new Error('Sorry, videos are limited to 50 megabytes.');
-            }
-            break;
-        default:
-            console.log('file type is not supported');
-            throw new Error(file.type + ' is not a supported file type. Only, .jpeg, .png, .gif, and .mp4 files are currently supported.')
-    }
-}
-
-// validation function that checks to make sure the claim name is valid
-function validateClaimName (name) {
-    // ensure a name was entered
-    if (name.length < 1) {
-        throw new NameError("You must enter a name for your url");
-    }
-    // validate the characters in the 'name' field
-    const invalidCharacters = /[^A-Za-z0-9,-]/g.exec(name);
-    if (invalidCharacters) {
-        throw new NameError('"' + invalidCharacters + '" characters are not allowed');
-    }
-}
-
-function validateChannelName (name) {
-    name = name.substring(name.indexOf('@') + 1);
-    // ensure a name was entered
-    if (name.length < 1) {
-        throw new ChannelNameError("You must enter a name for your channel");
-    }
-    // validate the characters in the 'name' field
-    const invalidCharacters = /[^A-Za-z0-9,-,@]/g.exec(name);
-    if (invalidCharacters) {
-        throw new ChannelNameError('"' + invalidCharacters + '" characters are not allowed');
-    }
-}
-
-function validatePassword (password) {
-    if (password.length < 1) {
-        throw new ChannelPasswordError("You must enter a password for you channel");
-    }
-}
-
-function cleanseClaimName(name) {
-    name = name.replace(/\s+/g, '-'); // replace spaces with dashes
-    name = name.replace(/[^A-Za-z0-9-]/g, '');  // remove all characters that are not A-Z, a-z, 0-9, or '-'
-    return name;
-}
-
-// validation functions to check claim & channel name eligibility as the inputs change
-
-function isNameAvailable (name, apiUrl) {
-    const url = apiUrl + name;
-    return getRequest(url)
-}
-
-function showError(errorDisplay, errorMsg) {
-    errorDisplay.hidden = false;
-    errorDisplay.innerText = errorMsg;
-}
-
-function hideError(errorDisplay) {
-    errorDisplay.hidden = true;
-    errorDisplay.innerText = '';
-}
-
-function showSuccess (successElement) {
-    successElement.hidden = false;
-    successElement.innerHTML = "&#x2714";
-}
-
-function hideSuccess (successElement) {
-    successElement.hidden = true;
-    successElement.innerHTML = "";
-}
-
-function checkAvailability(name, successDisplayElement, errorDisplayElement, validateName, isNameAvailable, errorMessage, apiUrl) {
-    try {
-        // check to make sure the characters are valid
-        validateName(name);
-        // check to make sure it is available
-        isNameAvailable(name, apiUrl)
-            .then(result => {
-                if (result === true) {
-                    hideError(errorDisplayElement);
-                    showSuccess(successDisplayElement)
-                } else {
-                    hideSuccess(successDisplayElement);
-                    showError(errorDisplayElement, errorMessage);
+const validationFunctions = {
+    validateFile: function (file) {
+        if (!file) {
+            console.log('no file found');
+            throw new Error('no file provided');
+        }
+        if (/'/.test(file.name)) {
+            console.log('file name had apostrophe in it');
+            throw new Error('apostrophes are not allowed in the file name');
+        }
+        // validate size and type
+        switch (file.type) {
+            case 'image/jpeg':
+            case 'image/jpg':
+            case 'image/png':
+                if (file.size > 10000000) {
+                    console.log('file was too big');
+                    throw new Error('Sorry, images are limited to 10 megabytes.');
                 }
-            })
-            .catch(error => {
-                hideSuccess(successDisplayElement);
-                showError(errorDisplayElement, error.message);
-            });
-    } catch (error) {
-        hideSuccess(successDisplayElement);
-        showError(errorDisplayElement, error.message);
-    }
-}
-
-function checkClaimName(name){
-    const successDisplayElement = document.getElementById('input-success-claim-name');
-    const errorDisplayElement = document.getElementById('input-error-claim-name');
-    checkAvailability(name, successDisplayElement, errorDisplayElement, validateClaimName, isNameAvailable, 'Sorry, that ending is already taken', '/api/isClaimAvailable/');
-}
-
-function checkChannelName(name){
-    const successDisplayElement = document.getElementById('input-success-channel-name');
-    const errorDisplayElement = document.getElementById('input-error-channel-name');
-    name = `@${name}`;
-    checkAvailability(name, successDisplayElement, errorDisplayElement, validateChannelName, isNameAvailable, 'Sorry, that name is already taken', '/api/isChannelAvailable/');
-}
-
-// validation function which checks all aspects of the publish submission
-function validateFilePublishSubmission(stagedFiles, claimName, channelName){
-    return new Promise(function (resolve, reject) {
-        // 1. make sure 1 file was staged
-        if (!stagedFiles) {
-            reject(new FileError("Please select a file"));
-            return;
-        } else if (stagedFiles.length > 1) {
-            reject(new FileError("Only one file is allowed at a time"));
-            return;
-        }
-        // 2. validate the file's name, type, and size
-        try {
-            validateFile(stagedFiles[0]);
-        } catch (error) {
-            reject(error);
-            return;
-        }
-        // 3. validate that a channel was chosen
-        if (channelName === 'new' || channelName === 'login') {
-            reject(new ChannelNameError("Please log in to a channel"));
-            return;
-        };
-        // 4. validate the claim name
-        try {
-            validateClaimName(claimName);
-        } catch (error) {
-            reject(error);
-            return;
-        }
-        // if all validation passes, check availability of the name (note: do we need to re-validate channel name vs. credentials as well?)
-        return isNameAvailable(claimName, '/api/isClaimAvailable/')
-            .then(result => {
-                if (result) {
-                    resolve();
-                } else {
-                    reject(new NameError('Sorry, that ending is already taken'));
+                break;
+            case 'image/gif':
+                if (file.size > 50000000) {
+                    console.log('file was too big');
+                    throw new Error('Sorry, .gifs are limited to 50 megabytes.');
                 }
-            })
-            .catch(error => {
+                break;
+            case 'video/mp4':
+                if (file.size > 50000000) {
+                    console.log('file was too big');
+                    throw new Error('Sorry, videos are limited to 50 megabytes.');
+                }
+                break;
+            default:
+                console.log('file type is not supported');
+                throw new Error(file.type + ' is not a supported file type. Only, .jpeg, .png, .gif, and .mp4 files are currently supported.')
+        }
+    },
+    // validation function that checks to make sure the claim name is valid
+    validateClaimName: function (name) {
+        console.log('validating the claim name');
+        // ensure a name was entered
+        if (name.length < 1) {
+            throw new NameError("You must enter a name for your url");
+        }
+        // validate the characters in the 'name' field
+        const invalidCharacters = /[^A-Za-z0-9,-]/g.exec(name);
+        if (invalidCharacters) {
+            throw new NameError('"' + invalidCharacters + '" characters are not allowed');
+        }
+    },
+    validateChannelName: function (name) {
+        name = name.substring(name.indexOf('@') + 1);
+        // ensure a name was entered
+        if (name.length < 1) {
+            throw new ChannelNameError("You must enter a name for your channel");
+        }
+        // validate the characters in the 'name' field
+        const invalidCharacters = /[^A-Za-z0-9,-,@]/g.exec(name);
+        if (invalidCharacters) {
+            throw new ChannelNameError('"' + invalidCharacters + '" characters are not allowed');
+        }
+    },
+    validatePassword: function (password) {
+        if (password.length < 1) {
+            throw new ChannelPasswordError("You must enter a password for you channel");
+        }
+    },
+    cleanseClaimName: function (name) {
+        name = name.replace(/\s+/g, '-'); // replace spaces with dashes
+        name = name.replace(/[^A-Za-z0-9-]/g, '');  // remove all characters that are not A-Z, a-z, 0-9, or '-'
+        return name;
+    },
+    // validation functions to check claim & channel name eligibility as the inputs change
+    isNameAvailable: function (name, apiUrl) {
+        const url = apiUrl + name;
+        return getRequest(url)
+    },
+    showError: function (errorDisplay, errorMsg) {
+        errorDisplay.hidden = false;
+        errorDisplay.innerText = errorMsg;
+    },
+    hideError: function (errorDisplay) {
+        errorDisplay.hidden = true;
+        errorDisplay.innerText = '';
+    },
+    showSuccess: function (successElement) {
+        successElement.hidden = false;
+        successElement.innerHTML = "&#x2714";
+    },
+    hideSuccess: function (successElement) {
+        successElement.hidden = true;
+        successElement.innerHTML = "";
+    },
+    checkAvailability: function (name, successDisplayElement, errorDisplayElement, validateName, errorMessage, apiUrl) {
+        var that = this;
+        try {
+            // check to make sure the characters are valid
+            validateName(name);
+            // check to make sure it is available
+            that.isNameAvailable(name, apiUrl)
+                .then(function (result) {
+                    if (result === true) {
+                        that.hideError(errorDisplayElement);
+                        that.showSuccess(successDisplayElement)
+                    } else {
+                        that.hideSuccess(successDisplayElement);
+                        that.showError(errorDisplayElement, errorMessage);
+                    }
+                })
+                .catch(error => {
+                    that.hideSuccess(successDisplayElement);
+                    that.showError(errorDisplayElement, error.message);
+                });
+        } catch (error) {
+            that.hideSuccess(successDisplayElement);
+            that.showError(errorDisplayElement, error.message);
+        }
+    },
+    checkClaimName: function (name) {
+        const successDisplayElement = document.getElementById('input-success-claim-name');
+        const errorDisplayElement = document.getElementById('input-error-claim-name');
+        this.checkAvailability(name, successDisplayElement, errorDisplayElement, this.validateClaimName, 'Sorry, that ending is already taken', '/api/isClaimAvailable/');
+    },
+    checkChannelName: function (name) {
+        const successDisplayElement = document.getElementById('input-success-channel-name');
+        const errorDisplayElement = document.getElementById('input-error-channel-name');
+        name = `@${name}`;
+        this.checkAvailability(name, successDisplayElement, errorDisplayElement, this.validateChannelName, 'Sorry, that name is already taken', '/api/isChannelAvailable/');
+    },
+    // validation function which checks all aspects of the publish submission
+    validateFilePublishSubmission: function (stagedFiles, metadata) {
+        const channelName = metadata.channelName;
+        const claimName = metadata.name;
+        var that = this;
+        return new Promise(function (resolve, reject) {
+            // 1. make sure 1 file was staged
+            if (!stagedFiles) {
+                reject(new FileError("Please select a file"));
+                return;
+            } else if (stagedFiles.length > 1) {
+                reject(new FileError("Only one file is allowed at a time"));
+                return;
+            }
+            // 2. validate the file's name, type, and size
+            try {
+                that.validateFile(stagedFiles[0]);
+            } catch (error) {
                 reject(error);
-            });
-    });
-}
-
-// validation function which checks all aspects of a new channel submission
-function validateNewChannelSubmission(userName, password){
-    const channelName = `@${userName}`;
-    return new Promise(function (resolve, reject) {
-        // 1. validate name
-        try {
-            validateChannelName(channelName);
-        } catch (error) {
-            return reject(error);
-        }
-        // 2. validate password
-        try {
-            validatePassword(password);
-        } catch (error) {
-            return reject(error);
-        }
-        // 3. if all validation passes, check availability of the name
-        isNameAvailable(channelName, '/api/isChannelAvailable/')  // validate the availability
-            .then(result => {
-                if (result) {
-                    resolve();
-                } else {
-                    reject(new ChannelNameError('Sorry, that name is already taken'));
-                }
-            })
-            .catch( error => {
-                console.log('error evaluating channel name availability', error);
+                return;
+            }
+            // 3. validate that a channel was chosen
+            if (channelName === 'new' || channelName === 'login') {
+                reject(new ChannelNameError("Please log in to a channel"));
+                return;
+            }
+            ;
+            // 4. validate the claim name
+            try {
+                that.validateClaimName(claimName);
+            } catch (error) {
                 reject(error);
-            });
-    });
-}
-// validation function which checks all aspects of a new channel login
-function validateNewChannelLogin(userName, password){
-    const channelName = `@${userName}`;
-    return new Promise(function (resolve, reject) {
-        // 1. validate name
-        try {
-            validateChannelName(channelName);
-        } catch (error) {
-            return reject(error);
-        }
-        // 2. validate password
-        try {
-            validatePassword(password);
-        } catch (error) {
-            return reject(error);
-        }
-        resolve();
-    });
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+                return;
+            }
+            // if all validation passes, check availability of the name (note: do we need to re-validate channel name vs. credentials as well?)
+            return that.isNameAvailable(claimName, '/api/isClaimAvailable/')
+                .then(result => {
+                    if (result) {
+                        resolve();
+                    } else {
+                        reject(new NameError('Sorry, that ending is already taken'));
+                    }
+                })
+                .catch(error => {
+                    reject(error);
+                });
+        });
+    },
+    // validation function which checks all aspects of a new channel submission
+    validateNewChannelSubmission: function (userName, password) {
+        const channelName = `@${userName}`;
+        var that = this;
+        return new Promise(function (resolve, reject) {
+            // 1. validate name
+            try {
+                that.validateChannelName(channelName);
+            } catch (error) {
+                return reject(error);
+            }
+            // 2. validate password
+            try {
+                that.validatePassword(password);
+            } catch (error) {
+                return reject(error);
+            }
+            // 3. if all validation passes, check availability of the name
+            that.isNameAvailable(channelName, '/api/isChannelAvailable/')  // validate the availability
+                .then(function(result) {
+                    if (result) {
+                        resolve();
+                    } else {
+                        reject(new ChannelNameError('Sorry, that name is already taken'));
+                    }
+                })
+                .catch(function(error) {
+                    console.log('error evaluating channel name availability', error);
+                    reject(error);
+                });
+        });
+    },
+    // validation function which checks all aspects of a new channel login
+    validateNewChannelLogin: function (userName, password) {
+        const channelName = `@${userName}`;
+        var that = this;
+        return new Promise(function (resolve, reject) {
+            // 1. validate name
+            try {
+                that.validateChannelName(channelName);
+            } catch (error) {
+                return reject(error);
+            }
+            // 2. validate password
+            try {
+                that.validatePassword(password);
+            } catch (error) {
+                return reject(error);
+            }
+            resolve();
+        });
+    }
+};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/routes/api-routes.js b/routes/api-routes.js
index 68fbf387..821caf07 100644
--- a/routes/api-routes.js
+++ b/routes/api-routes.js
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 const logger = require('winston');
 const multipart = require('connect-multiparty');
-const multipartMiddleware = multipart();
+const multipartMiddleware = multipart({uploadDir: '/home/lbry/test/'});
 const db = require('../models');
 const { publish } = require('../controllers/publishController.js');
 const { getClaimList, resolveUri } = require('../helpers/lbryApi.js');
-const { createPublishParams, validateApiPublishRequest, validatePublishSubmission, cleanseNSFW, cleanseChannelName, checkClaimNameAvailability, checkChannelAvailability } = require('../helpers/publishHelpers.js');
+const { createPublishParams, validateApiPublishRequest, validatePublishSubmission, cleanseChannelName, checkClaimNameAvailability, checkChannelAvailability } = require('../helpers/publishHelpers.js');
 const errorHandlers = require('../helpers/errorHandlers.js');
 const { postToStats, sendGoogleAnalytics } = require('../controllers/statsController.js');
-const { authenticateChannelCredentials } = require('../auth/authentication.js');
+const { authenticateOrSkip } = require('../auth/authentication.js');
 
 module.exports = (app) => {
   // route to run a claim_list request on the daemon
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ module.exports = (app) => {
       res.status(200).json(claimsList);
     })
     .catch(error => {
-      errorHandlers.handleRequestError('publish', originalUrl, ip, error, res);
+      errorHandlers.handleApiError('claim_list', originalUrl, ip, error, res);
     });
   });
   // route to check whether spee.ch has published to a claim
@@ -67,15 +67,13 @@ module.exports = (app) => {
       res.status(200).json(resolvedUri);
     })
     .catch(error => {
-      errorHandlers.handleRequestError('publish', originalUrl, ip, error, res);
+      errorHandlers.handleApiError('resolve', originalUrl, ip, error, res);
     });
   });
   // route to run a publish request on the daemon
-  app.post('/api/publish', multipartMiddleware, (req, res) => {
-    logger.debug('req:', req);
+  app.post('/api/publish', multipartMiddleware, ({ body, files, ip, originalUrl, user }, res) => {
+    let file, fileName, filePath, fileType, name, nsfw, license, title, description, thumbnail, anonymous, skipAuth, channelName, channelPassword;
     // validate that mandatory parts of the request are present
-    const body = req.body;
-    const files = req.files;
     try {
       validateApiPublishRequest(body, files);
     } catch (error) {
@@ -84,13 +82,12 @@ module.exports = (app) => {
       return;
     }
     // validate file, name, license, and nsfw
-    const file = files.file;
-    const fileName = file.name;
-    const filePath = file.path;
-    const fileType = file.type;
-    const name = body.name;
-    let nsfw = body.nsfw;
-    nsfw = cleanseNSFW(nsfw);  // cleanse nsfw
+    file = files.file;
+    fileName = file.path.substring(file.path.lastIndexOf('/') + 1);
+    filePath = file.path;
+    fileType = file.type;
+    name = body.name;
+    nsfw = (body.nsfw === 'true');
     try {
       validatePublishSubmission(file, name, nsfw);
     } catch (error) {
@@ -98,20 +95,38 @@ module.exports = (app) => {
       res.status(400).json({success: false, message: error.message});
       return;
     }
-    logger.debug(`name: ${name}, nsfw: ${nsfw}`);
     // optional inputs
-    const license = body.license || null;
-    const title = body.title || null;
-    const description = body.description || null;
-    const thumbnail = body.thumbnail || null;
-    let channelName = body.channelName || null;
+    license = body.license || null;
+    title = body.title || null;
+    description = body.description || null;
+    thumbnail = body.thumbnail || null;
+    anonymous = (body.channelName === 'null') || (body.channelName === undefined);
+    if (user) {
+      channelName = user.channelName || null;
+    } else {
+      channelName = body.channelName || null;
+    }
+    channelPassword = body.channelPassword || null;
+    skipAuth = false;
+    // case 1: publish from spee.ch, client logged in
+    if (user) {
+      skipAuth = true;
+      if (anonymous) {
+        channelName = null;
+      }
+    // case 2: publish from api or spee.ch, client not logged in
+    } else {
+      if (anonymous) {
+        skipAuth = true;
+        channelName = null;
+      }
+    }
     channelName = cleanseChannelName(channelName);
-    const channelPassword = body.channelPassword || null;
-    logger.debug(`license: ${license} title: "${title}" description: "${description}" channelName: "${channelName}" channelPassword: "${channelPassword}"`);
+    logger.debug(`/api/publish > name: ${name}, license: ${license} title: "${title}" description: "${description}" channelName: "${channelName}" channelPassword: "${channelPassword}" nsfw: "${nsfw}"`);
     // check channel authorization
-    authenticateChannelCredentials(channelName, channelPassword)
-    .then(result => {
-      if (!result) {
+    authenticateOrSkip(skipAuth, channelName, channelPassword)
+    .then(authenticated => {
+      if (!authenticated) {
         throw new Error('Authentication failed, you do not have access to that channel');
       }
       // make sure the claim name is available
@@ -133,14 +148,14 @@ module.exports = (app) => {
       res.status(200).json({
         success: true,
         message: {
+          name,
           url   : `spee.ch/${result.claim_id}/${name}`,
           lbryTx: result,
         },
       });
     })
     .catch(error => {
-      logger.error('publish api error', error);
-      res.status(400).json({success: false, message: error.message});
+      errorHandlers.handleApiError('publish', originalUrl, ip, error, res);
     });
   });
 
@@ -157,7 +172,7 @@ module.exports = (app) => {
       });
   });
   // route to get a short channel id from long channel Id
-  app.get('/api/shortChannelId/:longId/:name', ({ params }, res) => {
+  app.get('/api/shortChannelId/:longId/:name', ({ ip, originalUrl, params }, res) => {
     // serve content
     db.Certificate.getShortChannelIdFromLongChannelId(params.longId, params.name)
       .then(shortId => {
@@ -166,7 +181,7 @@ module.exports = (app) => {
       })
       .catch(error => {
         logger.error('api error getting short channel id', error);
-        res.status(400).json(error.message);
+        errorHandlers.handleApiError('short channel id', originalUrl, ip, error, res);
       });
   });
 };
diff --git a/routes/page-routes.js b/routes/page-routes.js
index 6b0368e9..ac56b889 100644
--- a/routes/page-routes.js
+++ b/routes/page-routes.js
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ module.exports = (app) => {
   app.get('/trending', (req, res) => {
     res.status(301).redirect('/popular');
   });
-  app.get('/popular', (req, res) => {
+  app.get('/popular', ({ ip, originalUrl }, res) => {
     const startDate = new Date();
     startDate.setDate(startDate.getDate() - 1);
     const dateTime = startDate.toISOString().slice(0, 19).replace('T', ' ');
@@ -36,20 +36,18 @@ module.exports = (app) => {
         });
       })
       .catch(error => {
-        errorHandlers.handleRequestError(null, null, null, error, res);
+        errorHandlers.handleRequestError('popular', originalUrl, ip, error, res);
       });
   });
   // route to display a list of the trending images
-  app.get('/new', (req, res) => {
+  app.get('/new', ({ ip, originalUrl }, res) => {
     getRecentClaims()
       .then(result => {
         // logger.debug(result);
-        res.status(200).render('new', {
-          newClaims: result,
-        });
+        res.status(200).render('new', { newClaims: result });
       })
       .catch(error => {
-        errorHandlers.handleRequestError(null, null, null, error, res);
+        errorHandlers.handleRequestError('new', originalUrl, ip, error, res);
       });
   });
   // route to send embedable video player (for twitter)
diff --git a/routes/serve-routes.js b/routes/serve-routes.js
index 2e2ea652..4f080004 100644
--- a/routes/serve-routes.js
+++ b/routes/serve-routes.js
@@ -49,7 +49,6 @@ function extractPageFromClaims (claims, pageNumber) {
   const claimStartIndex = (pageNumber - 1) * CLAIMS_PER_PAGE;
   const claimEndIndex = claimStartIndex + 10;
   const pageOfClaims = claims.slice(claimStartIndex, claimEndIndex);
-  logger.debug('page of claims:', pageOfClaims);
   return pageOfClaims;
 }
 
diff --git a/routes/sockets-routes.js b/routes/sockets-routes.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 88bffef2..00000000
--- a/routes/sockets-routes.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,79 +0,0 @@
-const logger = require('winston');
-const { publish } = require('../controllers/publishController.js');
-const { createPublishParams } = require('../helpers/publishHelpers.js');
-const { useObjectPropertiesIfNoKeys } = require('../helpers/errorHandlers.js');
-const { postToStats } = require('../controllers/statsController.js');
-
-module.exports = (app, siofu, hostedContentPath) => {
-  const http = require('http');
-  const server = http.Server(app);
-  const io = require('socket.io')(server);
-
-  io.on('connection', socket => {
-    logger.silly('a user connected via sockets');
-    // attach upload listeners
-    const uploader = new siofu();
-    uploader.dir = hostedContentPath;
-    uploader.listen(socket);
-    // listener for when file upload starts
-    uploader.on('start', ({ file }) => {
-      // log
-      logger.info('client started an upload:', file.name);
-      // server side test to make sure file is not a bad file type
-      if (/\.exe$/.test(file.name)) {
-        uploader.abort(file.id, socket);
-      }
-    });
-    // listener for when file upload encounters an error
-    uploader.on('error', ({ error }) => {
-      logger.error('an error occured while uploading', error);
-      postToStats('PUBLISH', '/', null, null, null, error);
-      socket.emit('publish-status', error);
-    });
-    // listener for when file has been uploaded
-    uploader.on('saved', ({ file }) => {
-      if (file.success) {
-        logger.debug(`Client successfully uploaded ${file.name}`);
-        socket.emit('publish-update', 'File upload successfully completed. Your image is being published to LBRY (this might take a second)...');
-        // /*
-        // NOTE: need to validate that client has the credentials to the channel they chose
-        // otherwise they could circumvent security.
-        //  */
-        let thumbnail;
-        if (file.meta.thumbnail) {
-          thumbnail = file.meta.thumbnail;
-        } else {
-          thumbnail = null;
-        }
-        let channelName;
-        if (file.meta.channel) {
-          channelName = file.meta.channel;
-        } else {
-          channelName = null;
-        }
-        // prepare the publish parameters
-        const publishParams = createPublishParams(file.pathName, file.meta.name, file.meta.title, file.meta.description, file.meta.license, file.meta.nsfw, thumbnail, channelName);
-        logger.debug('publish parameters:', publishParams);
-        // publish the file
-        publish(publishParams, file.name, file.meta.type)
-        .then(result => {
-          socket.emit('publish-complete', { name: publishParams.name, result });
-        })
-        .catch(error => {
-          logger.error('Publish Error:', useObjectPropertiesIfNoKeys(error));
-          socket.emit('publish-failure', error.message);
-        });
-      } else {
-        socket.emit('publish-failure', 'File uploaded, but with errors');
-        logger.error(`An error occurred in uploading the client's file`);
-        // to-do: remove the file, if not done automatically
-      }
-    });
-    // handle disconnect
-    socket.on('disconnect', () => {
-      logger.silly('a user disconnected via sockets');
-    });
-  });
-
-  return server;
-};
diff --git a/speech.js b/speech.js
index b6e00a7b..19253e10 100644
--- a/speech.js
+++ b/speech.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ const expressHandlebars = require('express-handlebars');
 const Handlebars = require('handlebars');
 const handlebarsHelpers = require('./helpers/handlebarsHelpers.js');
 const { populateLocalsDotUser, serializeSpeechUser, deserializeSpeechUser } = require('./helpers/authHelpers.js');
-const config = require('config');
+const config = require('./config/speechConfig.js');
 const logger = require('winston');
 const { getDownloadDirectory } = require('./helpers/lbryApi');
 const helmet = require('helmet');
@@ -17,9 +17,9 @@ const passport = require('passport');
 const cookieSession = require('cookie-session');
 
 // configure logging
-const logLevel = config.get('Logging.LogLevel');
+const logLevel = config.logging.logLevel;
 require('./config/loggerConfig.js')(logger, logLevel);
-require('./config/slackLoggerConfig.js')(logger);
+require('./config/slackConfig.js')(logger);
 
 // check for global config variables
 require('./helpers/configVarCheck.js')();
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ app.use((req, res, next) => {  // custom logging middleware to log all incoming
 // initialize passport
 app.use(cookieSession({
   name  : 'session',
-  keys  : [config.get('Session.SessionKey')],
+  keys  : [config.session.sessionKey],
   maxAge: 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000, // 24 hours
 }));
 app.use(passport.initialize());
@@ -82,7 +82,8 @@ db.sequelize
     require('./routes/page-routes.js')(app);
     require('./routes/serve-routes.js')(app);
     require('./routes/home-routes.js')(app);
-    return require('./routes/sockets-routes.js')(app, siofu, hostedContentPath);
+    const http = require('http');
+    return http.Server(app);
   })
   .then(server => { // start the server
     server.listen(PORT, () => {
diff --git a/views/fourOhFour.handlebars b/views/fourOhFour.handlebars
index eeb979ac..30d8ed8c 100644
--- a/views/fourOhFour.handlebars
+++ b/views/fourOhFour.handlebars
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-<div class="row">
+<div class="row row--padded">
     <h3>404: Not Found</h3>
     <p>That page does not exist.  Return <a class="link--primary" href="/">home</a>.</p>
 </div>
diff --git a/views/index.handlebars b/views/index.handlebars
index ba66b4ef..09c01c0e 100644
--- a/views/index.handlebars
+++ b/views/index.handlebars
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 <div class="row row--tall flex-container--column">
     <form>
-        <input class="input-file" type="file" id="siofu_input" name="siofu_input" accept="video/*,image/*" onchange="previewAndStageFile(event.target.files[0])" enctype="multipart/form-data"/>
+        <input class="input-file" type="file" id="siofu_input" name="siofu_input" accept="video/*,image/*" onchange="publishFileFunctions.previewAndStageFile(event.target.files[0])" enctype="multipart/form-data"/>
     </form>
-    <div id="primary-dropzone" class="dropzone row row--margined row--padded row--tall flex-container--column flex-container--center-center" ondrop="drop_handler(event);" ondragover="dragover_handler(event);" ondragend="dragend_handler(event)" ondragenter="dragenter_handler(event)" ondragleave="dragexit_handler(event)" onclick="triggerFileChooser('siofu_input', event)">
+    <div id="primary-dropzone" class="dropzone row row--margined row--padded row--tall flex-container--column flex-container--center-center" ondrop="drop_handler(event);" ondragover="dragover_handler(event);" ondragend="dragend_handler(event)" ondragenter="dragenter_handler(event)" ondragleave="dragexit_handler(event)" onclick="publishFileFunctions.triggerFileChooser('siofu_input', event)">
         <div id="primary-dropzone-instructions">
             <p class="info-message-placeholder info-message--failure" id="input-error-file-selection" hidden="true"></p>
             <p>Drag & drop image or video here to publish</p>
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
             <div class="column column--5 column--sml-10" >
                 <!-- preview -->
                 <div class="row row--padded">
-                    <div id="asset-preview-holder" class="dropzone" ondrop="drop_handler(event);" ondragover="dragover_handler(event);" ondragend="dragend_handler(event)"  ondragenter="preview_onmouseenter_handler()" ondragleave="preview_onmouseleave_handler()" onmouseenter="preview_onmouseenter_handler()" onmouseleave="preview_onmouseleave_handler()" onclick="triggerFileChooser('siofu_input', event)">
+                    <div id="asset-preview-holder" class="dropzone" ondrop="drop_handler(event);" ondragover="dragover_handler(event);" ondragend="dragend_handler(event)"  ondragenter="preview_onmouseenter_handler()" ondragleave="preview_onmouseleave_handler()" onmouseenter="preview_onmouseenter_handler()" onmouseleave="preview_onmouseleave_handler()" onclick="publishFileFunctions.triggerFileChooser('siofu_input', event)">
                         <div id="asset-preview-dropzone-instructions" class="hidden">
                             <p>Drag & drop image or video here</p>
                             <p class="fine-print">OR</p>
@@ -50,105 +50,3 @@
         </div>
     </div>
 </div>
-
-
-<script src="/socket.io/socket.io.js"></script>
-<script src="/siofu/client.js"></script>
-<script typ="text/javascript">
-
-    checkCookie();
-
-    const socket = io();
-    const uploader = new SocketIOFileUpload(socket);
-    let stagedFiles = null;
-
-    const publishFormWrapper = document.getElementById('publish-form');
-    const publishStatus = document.getElementById('publish-status');
-    const publishUpdate = document.getElementById('publish-update');
-    const publishProgressBar = document.getElementById('publish-progress-bar');
-    const uploadPercent = document.getElementById('upload-percent');
-
-	/* socketio-file-upload listeners */
-	uploader.addEventListener('start', function(event){
-	    console.log('starting upload');
-        addInputValuesToFileMetaData(event)
-        // hide the publish tool
-        hidePublishTools();
-		// show the progress status and animation
-        showPublishStatus();
-        showPublishProgressBar();
-	});
-	uploader.addEventListener('progress', function(event){
-		var percent = event.bytesLoaded / event.file.size * 100;
-        updatePublishStatus('<p>File is loading to server</p>')
-		updateUploadPercent(`<p class="blue">${percent.toFixed(2)}%</p>`)
-	});
-	/* socket.io message listeners */
-	socket.on('publish-update', function(msg){
-		updatePublishStatus(`<p>${msg}</p>`);
-        updateUploadPercent(`<p>Curious what magic is happening here? <a class="link--primary" target="blank" href="https://lbry.io/faq/what-is-lbry">Learn more.</a></p>`);
-	});
-	socket.on('publish-failure', function(msg){
-        updatePublishStatus('<p> --(✖╭╮✖)→ </p><p>' + JSON.stringify(msg) + '</p><strong>For help, post the above error text in the #speech channel on the <a class="link--primary" href="https://discord.gg/YjYbwhS" target="_blank">lbry discord</a></strong>');
-	    hidePublishProgressBar();
-	    hideUploadPercent();
-	});
-	socket.on('publish-complete', function(msg){
-		const showUrl = msg.result.claim_id + "/" + msg.name;
-		// update status
-		updatePublishStatus('<p>Your publish is complete! You are being redirected to it now.</p>');
-        updateUploadPercent('<p><a class="link--primary" target="_blank" href="\' + showUrl + \'">If you do not get redirected, click here.</a></p>')
-        // redirect the user
-		window.location.href = showUrl;
-	});
-
-	function hidePublishTools() {
-        publishFormWrapper.setAttribute('class', 'hidden');
-    }
-    // publish status functions
-    function showPublishStatus() {
-        publishStatus.setAttribute('class', 'row row--tall flex-container--column flex-container--center-center');
-    }
-    function updatePublishStatus(msg){
-        publishUpdate.innerHTML = msg;
-    }
-    // progress bar functions
-    function showPublishProgressBar(){
-        createProgressBar(publishProgressBar, 12);
-    }
-    function hidePublishProgressBar(){
-        publishProgressBar.hidden = true;
-    }
-    // upload percent functions
-    function updateUploadPercent(msg){
-        uploadPercent.innerHTML = msg;
-    }
-    function hideUploadPercent(){
-        uploadPercent.hidden = true;
-    }
-
-    function addInputValuesToFileMetaData(event) {
-        // get values from inputs
-        const name = document.getElementById('claim-name-input').value.trim();
-        const title = document.getElementById('publish-title').value.trim();
-        const description = document.getElementById('publish-description').value.trim();
-        const license = document.getElementById('publish-license').value.trim();
-        const nsfw = document.getElementById('publish-nsfw').checked;
-        const anonymous = document.getElementById('anonymous-select').checked;
-        const channel = document.getElementById('channel-name-select').value.trim();
-        const thumbnail = document.getElementById('claim-thumbnail-input').value.trim();
-        // set values on file meta data
-        event.file.meta.name = name;
-        event.file.meta.title = title;
-        event.file.meta.description = description;
-        event.file.meta.license = license;
-        event.file.meta.nsfw = nsfw;
-        event.file.meta.type = stagedFiles[0].type;
-        if (!anonymous) {
-            event.file.meta.channel = channel;
-        }
-        if (thumbnail && (thumbnail.trim !== '')){
-            event.file.meta.thumbnail = thumbnail;
-        }
-    }
-</script>
diff --git a/views/partials/channelCreationForm.handlebars b/views/partials/channelCreationForm.handlebars
index 685edad9..911deae5 100644
--- a/views/partials/channelCreationForm.handlebars
+++ b/views/partials/channelCreationForm.handlebars
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
         </div><div class="column column--6 column--sml-10">
             <div class="input-text--primary flex-container--row flex-container--left-bottom">
                 <span>@</span>
-                <input type="text" name="new-channel-name" id="new-channel-name" class="input-text" placeholder="exampleChannelName" value="" oninput="checkChannelName(event.target.value)">
+                <input type="text" name="new-channel-name" id="new-channel-name" class="input-text" placeholder="exampleChannelName" value="" oninput="validationFunctions.checkChannelName(event.target.value)">
                 <span id="input-success-channel-name" class="info-message--success"></span>
             </div>
         </div>
diff --git a/views/partials/publishForm-Channel.handlebars b/views/partials/publishForm-Channel.handlebars
index 222726b6..43fb5d70 100644
--- a/views/partials/publishForm-Channel.handlebars
+++ b/views/partials/publishForm-Channel.handlebars
@@ -3,11 +3,11 @@
     <div class="column column--10">
         <form>
             <div class="column column--3 column--med-10">
-                <input type="radio" name="anonymous-or-channel" id="anonymous-select" class="input-radio" value="anonymous" {{#unless user}}checked {{/unless}} onchange="toggleChannel(event.target.value)"/>
-                <label class="label label--pointer" for="anonymous-select">Anonymous</label>
+                <input type="radio" name="anonymous-or-channel" id="anonymous-radio" class="input-radio" value="anonymous" {{#unless user}}checked {{/unless}} onchange="toggleChannel(event.target.value)"/>
+                <label class="label label--pointer" for="anonymous-radio">Anonymous</label>
             </div><div class="column column--7 column--med-10">
-                <input type="radio" name="anonymous-or-channel" id="in-a-channel-select" class="input-radio" value="in a channel" {{#if user}}checked {{/if}} onchange="toggleChannel(event.target.value)"/>
-                <label class="label label--pointer" for="in-a-channel-select">In a channel</label>
+                <input type="radio" name="anonymous-or-channel" id="channel-radio" class="input-radio" value="in a channel" {{#if user}}checked {{/if}} onchange="toggleChannel(event.target.value)"/>
+                <label class="label label--pointer" for="channel-radio">In a channel</label>
             </div>
         </form>
     </div>
diff --git a/views/partials/publishForm-Submit.handlebars b/views/partials/publishForm-Submit.handlebars
index 486e8841..e4248c89 100644
--- a/views/partials/publishForm-Submit.handlebars
+++ b/views/partials/publishForm-Submit.handlebars
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 <div class="row row--padded row--wide">
     <div class="input-error" id="input-error-publish-submit" hidden="true"></div>
-    <button id="publish-submit" class="button--primary button--large" onclick="publishStagedFile(event)">Upload</button>
+    <button id="publish-submit" class="button--primary button--large" onclick="publishFileFunctions.publishStagedFile(event)">Upload</button>
 </div>
 <div class="row row--short align-content-center">
-    <button class="button--cancel" onclick="cancelPublish()">Cancel</button>
+    <button class="button--cancel" onclick="publishFileFunctions.cancelPublish()">Cancel</button>
 </div>
 <div class="row row--short align-content-center">
     <p class="fine-print">By clicking 'Upload', you affirm that you have the rights to publish this content to the LBRY network, and that you understand the properties of publishing it to a decentralized, user-controlled network. <a class="link--primary" target="_blank" href="https://lbry.io/learn">Read more.</a></p>
diff --git a/views/partials/publishForm-Url.handlebars b/views/partials/publishForm-Url.handlebars
index 5e88224b..d5200ae4 100644
--- a/views/partials/publishForm-Url.handlebars
+++ b/views/partials/publishForm-Url.handlebars
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
             <span id="url-channel" class="url-text--secondary" {{#if user}}{{else}}hidden="true"{{/if}}>{{user.channelName}}:{{user.shortChannelId}}</span>
             <span id="url-no-channel-placeholder" class="url-text--secondary tooltip" {{#if user}}hidden="true"{{else}}{{/if}}>xyz<span class="tooltip-text">This will be a random id</span></span>
             <span id="url-channel-placeholder" class="url-text--secondary tooltip" hidden="true">@channel<span class="tooltip-text">Select a channel above</span></span> /
-            <input type="text" id="claim-name-input" class="input-text" placeholder="your-url-here" oninput="checkClaimName(event.target.value)">
+            <input type="text" id="claim-name-input" class="input-text" placeholder="your-url-here" oninput="validationFunctions.checkClaimName(event.target.value)">
             <span id="input-success-claim-name" class="info-message--success span--absolute"></span>
     </div>