diff --git a/IPython/Release.py b/IPython/Release.py
index 03da77f..57a549e 100644
--- a/IPython/Release.py
+++ b/IPython/Release.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 """Release data for the IPython project.
 
-$Id: Release.py 2010 2006-12-20 15:29:17Z vivainio $"""
+$Id: Release.py 2012 2006-12-24 10:28:29Z vivainio $"""
 
 #*****************************************************************************
 #       Copyright (C) 2001-2006 Fernando Perez <fperez@colorado.edu>
@@ -22,11 +22,11 @@ name = 'ipython'
 # because bdist_rpm does not accept dashes (an RPM) convention, and
 # bdist_deb does not accept underscores (a Debian convention).
 
-revision = '2007'
+revision = '2010M'
 
-version = '0.7.3'
+#version = '0.7.3'
 
-#version = '0.7.3rc2.r' + revision.rstrip('M')
+version = '0.7.4.svn.r' + revision.rstrip('M')
 
 description = "An enhanced interactive Python shell."
 
diff --git a/IPython/ipapi.py b/IPython/ipapi.py
index 91df0ee..4783845 100644
--- a/IPython/ipapi.py
+++ b/IPython/ipapi.py
@@ -275,6 +275,21 @@ class IPApi:
                 error('could not get var. %s from %s' %
                 (name,cf.f_code.co_name))
 
+    def expand_alias(self,line):
+        """ Expand an alias in the command line 
+        
+        Returns the provided command line, possibly with the first word 
+        (command) translated according to alias expansion rules.
+        
+        [ipython]|16> _ip.expand_aliases("np myfile.txt")
+                 <16> 'q:/opt/np/notepad++.exe myfile.txt'
+        """
+        
+        pre,fn,rest = self.IP.split_user_input(line)
+        res = pre + self.IP.expand_aliases(fn,rest)
+        
+        
+
 def launch_new_instance(user_ns = None):
     """ Make and start a new ipython instance.
     
diff --git a/IPython/ipmaker.py b/IPython/ipmaker.py
index 9d886f5..5c5fd5d 100644
--- a/IPython/ipmaker.py
+++ b/IPython/ipmaker.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Requires Python 2.1 or better.
 
 This file contains the main make_IPython() starter function.
 
-$Id: ipmaker.py 1979 2006-12-12 18:50:20Z vivainio $"""
+$Id: ipmaker.py 2012 2006-12-24 10:28:29Z vivainio $"""
 
 #*****************************************************************************
 #       Copyright (C) 2001-2006 Fernando Perez. <fperez@colorado.edu>
@@ -627,8 +627,8 @@ object? -> Details about 'object'. ?object also works, ?? prints more.
                 warn("Could not start with profile '%s'!\n"
                      "('%s/%s.py' does not exist? run '%%upgrade')" %
                      (opts_all.profile, opts_all.ipythondir, profmodname) )
-        except:
-            print "Error importing",profmodname
+        except:            
+            print "Error importing",profmodname,"- perhaps you should run %upgrade?"
             IP.InteractiveTB()
             import_fail_info(profmodname)
                       
@@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ object? -> Details about 'object'. ?object also works, ?? prints more.
              "('%s/ipy_user_conf.py' does not exist? Please run '%%upgrade')\n"
              % opts_all.ipythondir)
     except:
-        print "Error importing ipy_user_conf"
+        print "Error importing ipy_user_conf - perhaps you should run %upgrade?"
         IP.InteractiveTB()
         import_fail_info("ipy_user_conf")
     
diff --git a/doc/ChangeLog b/doc/ChangeLog
index 4a1567b..0339550 100644
--- a/doc/ChangeLog
+++ b/doc/ChangeLog
@@ -1,7 +1,16 @@
+2006-12-24  Ville Vainio  <vivainio@gmail.com>
+
+	* ipmaker.py: more informative message when ipy_user_conf
+	import fails (suggest running %upgrade).
+	
 2006-12-20  Ville Vainio  <vivainio@gmail.com>
 
 	* 0.7.3 is out - merge all from 0.7.3 branch to trunk
 
+	* ipapi.py: Add new ipapi method, expand_alias.
+	
+	* Release.py: Bump up version to 0.7.4.svn
+
 2006-12-17  Ville Vainio  <vivainio@gmail.com>
 
 	* Extensions/jobctrl.py: Fixed &cmd arg arg...