diff --git a/database/audit.go b/database/audit.go
index 22a34e7..68b0b38 100644
--- a/database/audit.go
+++ b/database/audit.go
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ package database
 
 import (
 	"context"
-	"database/sql"
 	_ "embed"
 	"fmt"
 	"time"
@@ -240,14 +239,13 @@ func AmStoreAudit(rec *AuditRecord) {
 
 // AmListAuditRecords lists a section of the audit records.
 func AmListAuditRecords(ctx context.Context, comm *Community, offset, max int) ([]AuditRecord, int, error) {
-	var row *sql.Row
-	if comm != nil {
-		row = amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM audit WHERE commid = ?", comm.Id)
-	} else {
-		row = amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM audit")
-	}
+	var err error
 	var count int
-	err := row.Scan(&count)
+	if comm != nil {
+		err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &count, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM audit WHERE commid = ?", comm.Id)
+	} else {
+		err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &count, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM audit")
+	}
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, -1, err
 	}
diff --git a/database/category.go b/database/category.go
index 6073119..39accd9 100644
--- a/database/category.go
+++ b/database/category.go
@@ -65,9 +65,8 @@ func loadCategories(ctx context.Context) error {
 	categoryMutex.Lock()
 	defer categoryMutex.Unlock()
 	if allCategories == nil {
-		row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM refcategory")
-		var ncats int32
-		if err := row.Scan(&ncats); err != nil {
+		var ncats int
+		if err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &ncats, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM refcategory"); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 		allCategories = make([]Category, 0, ncats)
@@ -226,10 +225,9 @@ func AmSearchCategories(ctx context.Context, oper int, term string, offset int,
 		queryString.WriteString(" AND hide_search = 0")
 	}
 	q := queryString.String()
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM refcategory WHERE "+q)
 	var total int
-	if err = row.Scan(&total); err != nil {
-		return nil, total, err
+	if err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &total, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM refcategory WHERE "+q); err != nil {
+		return nil, -1, err
 	}
 	if total == 0 {
 		return make([]*Category, 0), 0, nil
diff --git a/database/community.go b/database/community.go
index 60eee10..24a8620 100644
--- a/database/community.go
+++ b/database/community.go
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@ import (
 	"golang.org/x/text/language"
 )
 
+// ErrNoCommunity is an error returned for "no community found" errors
+var ErrNoCommunity error = errors.New("no such community")
+
 // Community struct contains the high level data for a community.
 type Community struct {
 	Mutex             sync.RWMutex
@@ -221,18 +224,17 @@ func (c *Community) Membership(ctx context.Context, u *User) (bool, bool, uint16
 
 // MemberCount returns the number of members in the community.
 func (c *Community) MemberCount(ctx context.Context, hidden bool) (int, error) {
-	var row *sql.Row
-	if hidden {
-		row = amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM commmember WHERE commid = ?", c.Id)
-	} else {
-		row = amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM commmember WHERE commid = ? AND hidden = 0", c.Id)
-	}
 	var rc int
-	if err := row.Scan(&rc); err == nil {
-		return rc, nil
+	var err error
+	if hidden {
+		err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &rc, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM commmember WHERE commid = ?", c.Id)
 	} else {
-		return -1, err
+		err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &rc, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM commmember WHERE commid = ? AND hidden = 0", c.Id)
 	}
+	if err == nil {
+		return rc, nil
+	}
+	return -1, err
 }
 
 /* ListMembers lists or searches for community members matching certain criteria.
@@ -294,12 +296,11 @@ func (c *Community) ListMembers(ctx context.Context, field int, oper int, term s
 		query.WriteString(" AND m.hidden = 0")
 	}
 	q := query.String()
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, `SELECT COUNT(*) FROM commmember m, users u, contacts c WHERE m.commid = ? AND m.uid = u.uid
-		AND u.contactid = c.contactid`+q, c.Id)
 	var total int
 	var err error
 	var rs *sql.Rows
-	if err = row.Scan(&total); err == nil {
+	if err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &total, `SELECT COUNT(*) FROM commmember m, users u, contacts c WHERE m.commid = ? AND m.uid = u.uid
+		AND u.contactid = c.contactid`+q, c.Id); err == nil {
 		if offset > 0 {
 			rs, err = amdb.QueryContext(ctx, `SELECT m.uid FROM commmember m, users u, contacts c WHERE m.commid = ? AND m.uid = u.uid
 				AND u.contactid = c.contactid`+q+" ORDER BY u.username LIMIT ? OFFSET ?", c.Id, max, offset)
@@ -519,8 +520,7 @@ func (c *Community) SetProfileData(ctx context.Context, name string, alias strin
 		c.CreateLevel = create_lvl
 		c.DeleteLevel = delete_lvl
 		c.JoinLevel = join_lvl
-		row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT lastupdate FROM communities WHERE commid = ?", c.Id)
-		err2 := row.Scan(&(c.LastUpdate))
+		err2 := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &(c.LastUpdate), "SELECT lastupdate FROM communities WHERE commid = ?", c.Id)
 		if err2 != nil {
 			log.Errorf("SetProfileData scan error: %v", err2)
 		}
@@ -545,9 +545,8 @@ func (c *Community) Touch(ctx context.Context) error {
 	defer c.Mutex.Unlock()
 	_, err := amdb.ExecContext(ctx, "UPDATE communities SET lastaccess = NOW() WHERE commid = ?", c.Id)
 	if err == nil {
-		row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT lastaccess FROM communities WHERE commid = ?", c.Id)
 		var na time.Time
-		if err = row.Scan(&na); err == nil {
+		if err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &na, "SELECT lastaccess FROM communities WHERE commid = ?", c.Id); err == nil {
 			c.LastAccess = &na
 		}
 	}
@@ -603,16 +602,19 @@ func (c *Community) GetMemberEMailAddrs(ctx context.Context) ([]string, error) {
 func AmGetCommunity(ctx context.Context, id int32) (*Community, error) {
 	getCommunityMutex.Lock()
 	defer getCommunityMutex.Unlock()
-	rc, ok := communityCache.Get(id)
-	if !ok {
-		var newcomm Community
-		if err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &newcomm, "SELECT * from communities WHERE commid = ?", id); err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-		rc = &newcomm
-		communityCache.Add(id, rc)
+	if rc, ok := communityCache.Get(id); ok {
+		return rc.(*Community), nil
 	}
-	return rc.(*Community), nil
+	var newcomm Community
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &newcomm, "SELECT * from communities WHERE commid = ?", id)
+	switch err {
+	case nil:
+		communityCache.Add(id, &newcomm)
+		return &newcomm, nil
+	case sql.ErrNoRows:
+		return nil, ErrNoCommunity
+	}
+	return nil, err
 }
 
 /* AmGetCommunityTx returns a reference to the specified community, in a transaction.
@@ -627,16 +629,19 @@ func AmGetCommunity(ctx context.Context, id int32) (*Community, error) {
 func AmGetCommunityTx(ctx context.Context, tx *sqlx.Tx, id int32) (*Community, error) {
 	getCommunityMutex.Lock()
 	defer getCommunityMutex.Unlock()
-	rc, ok := communityCache.Get(id)
-	if !ok {
-		var newcomm Community
-		if err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &newcomm, "SELECT * from communities WHERE commid = ?", id); err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-		rc = &newcomm
-		communityCache.Add(id, rc)
+	if rc, ok := communityCache.Get(id); ok {
+		return rc.(*Community), nil
 	}
-	return rc.(*Community), nil
+	var newcomm Community
+	err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &newcomm, "SELECT * from communities WHERE commid = ?", id)
+	switch err {
+	case nil:
+		communityCache.Add(id, &newcomm)
+		return &newcomm, nil
+	case sql.ErrNoRows:
+		return nil, ErrNoCommunity
+	}
+	return nil, err
 }
 
 /* AmGetCommunityByAlias returns a reference to the specified community.
@@ -648,13 +653,11 @@ func AmGetCommunityTx(ctx context.Context, tx *sqlx.Tx, id int32) (*Community, e
  *     Standard Go error status (nil if community not found)
  */
 func AmGetCommunityByAlias(ctx context.Context, alias string) (*Community, error) {
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT commid FROM communities WHERE alias = ?", alias)
 	var cid int32
-	err := row.Scan(&cid)
-	if err == nil {
-		return AmGetCommunity(ctx, cid)
+	if err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &cid, "SELECT commid FROM communities WHERE alias = ?", alias); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
 	}
-	return nil, err
+	return AmGetCommunity(ctx, cid)
 }
 
 /* AmGetCommunityByAliasTx returns a reference to the specified community, within a transaction.
@@ -667,13 +670,11 @@ func AmGetCommunityByAlias(ctx context.Context, alias string) (*Community, error
  *     Standard Go error status (nil if community not found)
  */
 func AmGetCommunityByAliasTx(ctx context.Context, tx *sqlx.Tx, alias string) (*Community, error) {
-	row := tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT commid FROM communities WHERE alias = ?", alias)
 	var cid int32
-	err := row.Scan(&cid)
-	if err == nil {
-		return AmGetCommunityTx(ctx, tx, cid)
+	if err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &cid, "SELECT commid FROM communities WHERE alias = ?", alias); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
 	}
-	return nil, err
+	return AmGetCommunityTx(ctx, tx, cid)
 }
 
 /* AmGetCommunityFromParam returns a reference to the specified community based on the parameter.
@@ -793,20 +794,22 @@ func AmAutoJoinCommunities(ctx context.Context, user *User) error {
 
 // internalGetCommProp is a helper used by the community property functions.
 func internalGetCommProp(ctx context.Context, cid int32, ndx int32) (*CommunityProperties, error) {
-	var err error = nil
 	key := fmt.Sprintf("%d:%d", cid, ndx)
 	getCommunityPropMutex.Lock()
 	defer getCommunityPropMutex.Unlock()
-	rc, ok := communityPropCache.Get(key)
-	if !ok {
-		var prop CommunityProperties
-		if err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &prop, "SELECT * from propcomm WHERE cid = ? AND ndx = ?", cid, ndx); err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-		rc = &prop
-		communityPropCache.Add(key, rc)
+	if rc, ok := communityPropCache.Get(key); ok {
+		return rc.(*CommunityProperties), nil
 	}
-	return rc.(*CommunityProperties), nil
+	var prop CommunityProperties
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &prop, "SELECT * from propcomm WHERE cid = ? AND ndx = ?", cid, ndx)
+	switch err {
+	case nil:
+		communityPropCache.Add(key, &prop)
+		return &prop, nil
+	case sql.ErrNoRows:
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	return nil, err
 }
 
 /* AmGetCommunityProperty retrieves the value of a community property.
@@ -882,10 +885,8 @@ func AmCreateCommunity(ctx context.Context, name string, alias string, hostUid i
 	defer rollback()
 
 	// validate alias does not already exist
-	row := tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT commid FROM communities WHERE alias = ?", alias)
 	var tmpcid int32
-	err := row.Scan(&tmpcid)
-	if err != sql.ErrNoRows {
+	if err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &tmpcid, "SELECT commid FROM communities WHERE alias = ?", alias); err != sql.ErrNoRows {
 		if err == nil {
 			err = errors.New("a community with that alias already exists")
 		}
@@ -893,7 +894,7 @@ func AmCreateCommunity(ctx context.Context, name string, alias string, hostUid i
 	}
 
 	// establish the community record
-	_, err = tx.ExecContext(ctx, `INSERT INTO communities (createdate, lastaccess, lastupdate, read_lvl, write_lvl,
+	_, err := tx.ExecContext(ctx, `INSERT INTO communities (createdate, lastaccess, lastupdate, read_lvl, write_lvl,
 		create_lvl, delete_lvl, join_lvl, host_uid, hide_dir, hide_search, commname, language,
 		synopsis, rules, joinkey, alias) VALUES (NOW(), NOW(), NOW(), ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)`,
 		AmRoleList("Community.Read").Default().Level(), AmRoleList("Community.Write").Default().Level(),
@@ -950,14 +951,12 @@ func AmCreateCommunity(ctx context.Context, name string, alias string, hostUid i
  */
 func AmGetCommunitiesForCategory(ctx context.Context, catid int32, offset int, max int, showAll bool) ([]*Community, int, error) {
 	var err error
-	var row *sql.Row
-	if showAll {
-		row = amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM communities WHERE catid = ?", catid)
-	} else {
-		row = amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM communities WHERE catid = ? AND hide_dir = 0", catid)
-	}
 	var total int
-	err = row.Scan(&total)
+	if showAll {
+		err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &total, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM communities WHERE catid = ?", catid)
+	} else {
+		err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &total, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM communities WHERE catid = ? AND hide_dir = 0", catid)
+	}
 	if err != nil || total == 0 {
 		return make([]*Community, 0), 0, err // short-circuit return
 	}
@@ -1043,9 +1042,8 @@ func AmSearchCommunities(ctx context.Context, field int, oper int, term string,
 		queryPortion.WriteString(" AND hide_search = 0")
 	}
 	q := queryPortion.String()
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM communities "+q)
 	var total int
-	err := row.Scan(&total)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &total, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM communities "+q)
 	if err != nil || total == 0 {
 		return make([]*Community, 0), 0, err // short-circuit return
 	}
@@ -1123,10 +1121,9 @@ func AmSearchCommunityMembers(ctx context.Context, c *Community, field int, oper
 		return nil, -1, errors.New("invalid operator selector")
 	}
 	q := queryPortion.String()
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, `SELECT COUNT(*) FROM users u, contacts c, commmember m WHERE u.contactid = c.contactid AND u.uid = m.uid
-		AND m.commid = ? AND u.is_anon = 0 AND `+q, c.Id)
 	var total int
-	err := row.Scan(&total)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &total, `SELECT COUNT(*) FROM users u, contacts c, commmember m WHERE u.contactid = c.contactid AND u.uid = m.uid
+		AND m.commid = ? AND u.is_anon = 0 AND `+q, c.Id)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, -1, err
 	}
diff --git a/database/conference.go b/database/conference.go
index a3e9c22..a4a1fa0 100644
--- a/database/conference.go
+++ b/database/conference.go
@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@ import (
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 )
 
+// ErrNoConference is an error thrown when a conference is not found.
+var ErrNoConference error = errors.New("no such conference")
+
 // Conference struct is the top-level structure for a conference.
 type Conference struct {
 	Mutex       sync.Mutex
@@ -172,17 +175,14 @@ func (c *Conference) AliasesQ(ctx context.Context) []string {
 
 // AddAlias adds an alias to the conference.
 func (c *Conference) AddAlias(ctx context.Context, alias string, u *User, comm *Community, ipaddr string) error {
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT alias FROM confalias WHERE confid = ? AND alias = ?", c.ConfId, alias)
 	tmp := ""
-	err := row.Scan(&tmp)
-	if err != sql.ErrNoRows {
+	if err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &tmp, "SELECT alias FROM confalias WHERE confid = ? AND alias = ?", c.ConfId, alias); err != sql.ErrNoRows {
 		if err == nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("the alias '%s' is already in use by another conference", alias)
 		}
 		return err
 	}
-	_, err = amdb.ExecContext(ctx, "INSERT INTO confalias (confid, alias) VALUES (?, ?)", c.ConfId, alias)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err := amdb.ExecContext(ctx, "INSERT INTO confalias (confid, alias) VALUES (?, ?)", c.ConfId, alias); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -192,17 +192,14 @@ func (c *Conference) AddAlias(ctx context.Context, alias string, u *User, comm *
 
 // RemoveAlias removes an alias from the conference.
 func (c *Conference) RemoveAlias(ctx context.Context, alias string, u *User, comm *Community, ipaddr string) error {
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM confalias WHERE confid = ?", c.ConfId)
 	aliasCount := 0
-	err := row.Scan(&aliasCount)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &aliasCount, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM confalias WHERE confid = ?", c.ConfId); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	if aliasCount == 1 {
-		row = amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT alias FROM confalias WHERE confid = ? AND alias = ?", c.ConfId, alias)
 		tmp := ""
-		err = row.Scan(&tmp)
+		err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &tmp, "SELECT alias FROM confalias WHERE confid = ? AND alias = ?", c.ConfId, alias)
 		if err == nil {
 			return errors.New("the conference must have at least one alias")
 		} else if err != sql.ErrNoRows {
@@ -254,9 +251,8 @@ func (c *Conference) HostsQ(ctx context.Context) []*User {
 
 // InCommunity returns true if the specified conference is in the community.
 func (c *Conference) InCommunity(ctx context.Context, comm *Community) (bool, error) {
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT commid FROM commtoconf WHERE commid = ? AND confid = ?", comm.Id, c.ConfId)
 	var tmp int32
-	err := row.Scan(&tmp)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &tmp, "SELECT commid FROM commtoconf WHERE commid = ? AND confid = ?", comm.Id, c.ConfId)
 	switch err {
 	case nil:
 		return true, nil
@@ -268,9 +264,8 @@ func (c *Conference) InCommunity(ctx context.Context, comm *Community) (bool, er
 
 // HiddenInList returns whether or not this conference is hidden in the community's conference list.
 func (c *Conference) HiddenInList(ctx context.Context, comm *Community) (bool, error) {
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT hide_list FROM commtoconf WHERE commid = ? AND confid = ?", comm.Id, c.ConfId)
 	var rc bool
-	err := row.Scan(&rc)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &rc, "SELECT hide_list FROM commtoconf WHERE commid = ? AND confid = ?", comm.Id, c.ConfId)
 	switch err {
 	case nil:
 		return rc, nil
@@ -317,9 +312,8 @@ func (c *Conference) Members(ctx context.Context) ([]ConferenceMember, error) {
 
 // Membership returns a membership flag and granted level for the user in this conference.
 func (c *Conference) Membership(ctx context.Context, u *User) (bool, uint16, error) {
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT granted_lvl FROM confmember WHERE confid = ? AND uid = ?", c.ConfId, u.Uid)
 	var level uint16
-	err := row.Scan(&level)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &level, "SELECT granted_lvl FROM confmember WHERE confid = ? AND uid = ?", c.ConfId, u.Uid)
 	switch err {
 	case nil:
 		return true, level, nil
@@ -335,9 +329,8 @@ func (c *Conference) SetMembership(ctx context.Context, u *User, level uint16, b
 		_, err := amdb.ExecContext(ctx, "DELETE FROM confmember WHERE confid = ? AND uid = ?", c.ConfId, u.Uid)
 		return err
 	}
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT granted_lvl FROM confmember WHERE confid = ? AND uid = ?", c.ConfId, u.Uid)
 	var oldLevel uint16
-	err := row.Scan(&oldLevel)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &oldLevel, "SELECT granted_lvl FROM confmember WHERE confid = ? AND uid = ?", c.ConfId, u.Uid)
 	switch err {
 	case nil:
 		if oldLevel == level {
@@ -464,8 +457,7 @@ func (c *Conference) SetInfo(ctx context.Context, name, descr string, read_lvl,
 		create_lvl, hide_lvl, nuke_lvl, change_lvl, delete_lvl, c.ConfId)
 	if err == nil {
 		var tmp Conference
-		err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &tmp, "SELECT * FROM confs WHERE confid = ?", c.ConfId)
-		if err == nil {
+		if err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &tmp, "SELECT * FROM confs WHERE confid = ?", c.ConfId); err == nil {
 			if c.Name != tmp.Name {
 				AmStoreAudit(AmNewCommAudit(AuditConferenceName, u.Uid, comm.Id, ipaddr, fmt.Sprintf("confid=%d", c.ConfId), fmt.Sprintf("name='%s'", tmp.Name)))
 			}
@@ -576,11 +568,10 @@ func (c *Conference) TouchPost(ctx context.Context, tx *sqlx.Tx, u *User, lastPo
 
 // UnreadMessages returns the total number of unread messages in a conference for a user.
 func (c *Conference) UnreadMessages(ctx context.Context, u *User) (int32, error) {
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, `SELECT SUM(t.top_message - IFNULL(s.last_message,-1))
+	var rc int32
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &rc, `SELECT SUM(t.top_message - IFNULL(s.last_message,-1))
 		FROM topics t LEFT JOIN topicsettings s ON t.topicid = s.topicid AND s.uid = ?
 		WHERE t.confid = ? AND t.archived = 0 AND (s.hidden IS NULL OR s.hidden = 0)`, u.Uid, c.ConfId)
-	var rc int32
-	err := row.Scan(&rc)
 	return rc, err
 }
 
@@ -600,10 +591,8 @@ func (c *Conference) Fixseen(ctx context.Context, u *User) error {
 	defer rollback()
 
 	// Get a count of topics beforehand.
-	row := tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM topics WHERE confid = ?", c.ConfId)
 	count := 0
-	err := row.Scan(&count)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &count, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM topics WHERE confid = ?", c.ConfId); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -661,9 +650,8 @@ func (c *Conference) GetCustomBlocks(ctx context.Context) (string, string, error
 func (c *Conference) SetCustomBlocks(ctx context.Context, topBlock, bottomBlock string) error {
 	tx, commit, rollback := transaction(ctx)
 	defer rollback()
-	row := tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM confcustom WHERE confid = ?", c.ConfId)
 	ct := 0
-	err := row.Scan(&ct)
+	err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &ct, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM confcustom WHERE confid = ?", c.ConfId)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -872,18 +860,17 @@ func (c *Conference) Delete(ctx context.Context, comm *Community, u *User, ipadd
 	defer getConferenceMutex.Unlock()
 
 	// any references to conference other than this community?
-	row := tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM commtoconf WHERE confid = ? AND commid <> ?", c.ConfId, comm.Id)
 	refCount := 0
-	err := row.Scan(&refCount)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &refCount, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM commtoconf WHERE confid = ? AND commid <> ?", c.ConfId, comm.Id); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	// break the link with the community
-	if _, err = tx.ExecContext(ctx, "DELETE FROM commtoconf WHERE commid = ? AND confid = ?", comm.Id, c.ConfId); err != nil {
+	if _, err := tx.ExecContext(ctx, "DELETE FROM commtoconf WHERE commid = ? AND confid = ?", comm.Id, c.ConfId); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	var err error
 	if refCount == 0 {
 		// We have to delete all the conference core data now.
 		_, err = tx.ExecContext(ctx, "DELETE FROM confs WHERE confid = ?", c.ConfId)
@@ -943,9 +930,8 @@ func (*conferenceServiceVTable) OnDeleteCommunity(ctx context.Context, tx *sqlx.
 	}
 	for i, confid := range confids {
 		// any references to conference other than this community?
-		row := tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM commtoconf WHERE confid = ? AND commid <> ?", confid, commid)
 		refCount := 0
-		err = row.Scan(&refCount)
+		err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &refCount, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM commtoconf WHERE confid = ? AND commid <> ?", confid, commid)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -1011,19 +997,21 @@ func (*conferenceServiceVTable) OnUserLeaveCommunity(context.Context, *sqlx.Tx,
  *     Standard Go error status.
  */
 func AmGetConference(ctx context.Context, id int32) (*Conference, error) {
-	var err error = nil
 	getConferenceMutex.Lock()
 	defer getConferenceMutex.Unlock()
-	rc, ok := conferenceCache.Get(id)
-	if !ok {
-		var conf Conference
-		if err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &conf, "SELECT * from confs where confid = ?"); err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-		rc = &conf
-		conferenceCache.Add(id, rc)
+	if rc, ok := conferenceCache.Get(id); ok {
+		return rc.(*Conference), nil
 	}
-	return rc.(*Conference), err
+	var conf Conference
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &conf, "SELECT * from confs where confid = ?")
+	switch err {
+	case nil:
+		conferenceCache.Add(id, &conf)
+		return &conf, nil
+	case sql.ErrNoRows:
+		return nil, ErrNoConference
+	}
+	return nil, err
 }
 
 /* AmGetConferenceByAlias returns a conference given its alias.
@@ -1040,8 +1028,7 @@ func AmGetConferenceByAlias(ctx context.Context, alias string) (*Conference, err
 	if ok {
 		confid = xconf.(int32)
 	} else {
-		row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT confid FROM confalias WHERE alias = ?", alias)
-		err := row.Scan(&confid)
+		err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &confid, "SELECT confid FROM confalias WHERE alias = ?", alias)
 		if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("alias not found: %s", alias)
 		} else if err != nil {
@@ -1061,9 +1048,8 @@ func AmGetConferenceByAlias(ctx context.Context, alias string) (*Conference, err
  *     Standard Go error status.
  */
 func AmGetConferenceContainingPost(ctx context.Context, postId int64) (*Conference, error) {
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT t.confid FROM topics t, posts p WHERE p.postid = ? AND p.topicid = t.topicid", postId)
 	var confId int32
-	err := row.Scan(&confId)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &confId, "SELECT t.confid FROM topics t, posts p WHERE p.postid = ? AND p.topicid = t.topicid", postId)
 	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("post not found: %d", postId)
 	} else if err != nil {
@@ -1082,10 +1068,9 @@ func AmGetConferenceContainingPost(ctx context.Context, postId int64) (*Conferen
  *     Standard Go error status.
  */
 func AmGetConferenceByAliasInCommunity(ctx context.Context, cid int32, alias string) (*Conference, error) {
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, `SELECT c.confid FROM commtoconf c, confalias a WHERE c.confid = a.confid
-		AND c.commid = ? AND a.alias = ?`, cid, alias)
 	var confid int32
-	err := row.Scan(&confid)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &confid, `SELECT c.confid FROM commtoconf c, confalias a WHERE c.confid = a.confid
+		AND c.commid = ? AND a.alias = ?`, cid, alias)
 	switch err {
 	case nil:
 		return AmGetConference(ctx, confid)
@@ -1124,8 +1109,7 @@ func AmListConferences(ctx context.Context, cid int32, showHidden bool) ([]*Conf
 		}
 	}
 	for i := range rc {
-		row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT alias FROM confalias WHERE confid = ?", rc[i].ConfId)
-		err = row.Scan(&(rc[i].Alias))
+		err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &(rc[i].Alias), "SELECT alias FROM confalias WHERE confid = ?", rc[i].ConfId)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -1140,20 +1124,22 @@ func AmListConferences(ctx context.Context, cid int32, showHidden bool) ([]*Conf
 
 // internalGetConfProp is a helper used by the conference property functions.
 func internalGetConfProp(ctx context.Context, confid int32, ndx int32) (*ConferenceProperties, error) {
-	var err error = nil
 	key := fmt.Sprintf("%d:%d", confid, ndx)
 	getConferencePropMutex.Lock()
 	defer getConferencePropMutex.Unlock()
-	rc, ok := conferencePropCache.Get(key)
-	if !ok {
-		var prop ConferenceProperties
-		if err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &prop, "SELECT * from propconf WHERE confid = ? AND ndx = ?", confid, ndx); err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-		rc = &prop
-		conferencePropCache.Add(key, rc)
+	if rc, ok := conferencePropCache.Get(key); ok {
+		return rc.(*ConferenceProperties), nil
 	}
-	return rc.(*ConferenceProperties), nil
+	var prop ConferenceProperties
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &prop, "SELECT * from propconf WHERE confid = ? AND ndx = ?", confid, ndx)
+	switch err {
+	case nil:
+		conferencePropCache.Add(key, &prop)
+		return &prop, nil
+	case sql.ErrNoRows:
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	return nil, err
 }
 
 /* AmGetConferenceProperty retrieves the value of a conference property.
@@ -1268,9 +1254,8 @@ func AmCreateConference(ctx context.Context, comm *Community, name, alias, descr
 	defer getConferenceMutex.Unlock()
 
 	// Ensure the alias is not in use.
-	row := tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT confid FROM confalias WHERE alias = ?", alias)
 	var tmp int32
-	err := row.Scan(&tmp)
+	err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &tmp, "SELECT confid FROM confalias WHERE alias = ?", alias)
 	if err == nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the alias '%s' is already in use by a different conference", alias)
 	} else if err != sql.ErrNoRows {
@@ -1294,29 +1279,24 @@ func AmCreateConference(ctx context.Context, comm *Community, name, alias, descr
 	}
 
 	// Attach the alias to the conference.
-	_, err = tx.ExecContext(ctx, "INSERT INTO confalias (confid, alias) VALUES (?, ?)", rc.ConfId, alias)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err = tx.ExecContext(ctx, "INSERT INTO confalias (confid, alias) VALUES (?, ?)", rc.ConfId, alias); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	// Get the current "last" sequence number.
-	row = tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT MAX(sequence) FROM commtoconf WHERE commid = ?", comm.Id)
 	var seq int
-	err = row.Scan(&seq)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err = tx.GetContext(ctx, &seq, "SELECT MAX(sequence) FROM commtoconf WHERE commid = ?", comm.Id); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	// Link the conference into the community, and set the hide flag.
-	_, err = tx.ExecContext(ctx, "INSERT INTO commtoconf (commid, confid, sequence, hide_list) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?)", comm.Id, rc.ConfId,
-		int16(seq+COMMTOCONF_SEQ_SPACING), hide_list)
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err = tx.ExecContext(ctx, "INSERT INTO commtoconf (commid, confid, sequence, hide_list) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?)", comm.Id, rc.ConfId,
+		int16(seq+COMMTOCONF_SEQ_SPACING), hide_list); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	// Make the specified user the first host of the conference.
-	_, err = tx.ExecContext(ctx, "INSERT INTO confmember (confid, uid, granted_lvl) VALUES (?, ?, ?)", rc.ConfId, u.Uid, AmDefaultRole("Conference.NewHost").Level())
-	if err != nil {
+	if _, err = tx.ExecContext(ctx, "INSERT INTO confmember (confid, uid, granted_lvl) VALUES (?, ?, ?)", rc.ConfId, u.Uid, AmDefaultRole("Conference.NewHost").Level()); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
diff --git a/database/contactinfo.go b/database/contactinfo.go
index 99ab872..93db6d7 100644
--- a/database/contactinfo.go
+++ b/database/contactinfo.go
@@ -56,8 +56,7 @@ type ContactInfo struct {
 // lookupCommunityContact looks up the ID of a contact for a community.
 func lookupCommunityContact(ctx context.Context, id int32) (int32, error) {
 	var rc int32 = -1
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT contactid FROM contacts WHERE owner_commid = ?", id)
-	err := row.Scan(&rc)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &rc, "SELECT contactid FROM contacts WHERE owner_commid = ?", id)
 	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
 		return -1, nil
 	}
@@ -67,8 +66,7 @@ func lookupCommunityContact(ctx context.Context, id int32) (int32, error) {
 // lookupUserContact looks up the ID of a contact for a user.
 func lookupUserContact(ctx context.Context, uid int32) (int32, error) {
 	var rc int32 = -1
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT contactid FROM contacts WHERE owner_uid = ? AND owner_commid = -1", uid)
-	err := row.Scan(&rc)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &rc, "SELECT contactid FROM contacts WHERE owner_uid = ? AND owner_commid = -1", uid)
 	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
 		return -1, nil
 	}
@@ -150,9 +148,8 @@ func (ci *ContactInfo) Save(ctx context.Context, changer *User, ipaddr string) (
 	}
 	if !emailChange {
 		// we don't THINK the E-mail address is changing, but we could be wrong...
-		row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT contactid FROM contacts WHERE contactid = ? AND email = ?", ci.ContactId, ci.Email)
 		var tmpcid int32
-		err := row.Scan(&tmpcid)
+		err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &tmpcid, "SELECT contactid FROM contacts WHERE contactid = ? AND email = ?", ci.ContactId, ci.Email)
 		if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
 			emailChange = true
 		} else if err != nil {
@@ -185,9 +182,7 @@ func (ci *ContactInfo) Save(ctx context.Context, changer *User, ipaddr string) (
 		contactCache.Add(ci.ContactId, ci)
 	}
 	// Refresh the last update date.
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT lastupdate FROM contacts WHERE contactid = ?", ci.ContactId)
-	err := row.Scan(&(ci.LastUpdate))
-	if err != nil {
+	if err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &(ci.LastUpdate), "SELECT lastupdate FROM contacts WHERE contactid = ?", ci.ContactId); err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
 	if ci.OwnerCommId < 0 {
@@ -197,7 +192,7 @@ func (ci *ContactInfo) Save(ctx context.Context, changer *User, ipaddr string) (
 	} else {
 		AmStoreAudit(AmNewCommAudit(AuditCommunityContactInfo, changer.Uid, ci.OwnerCommId, ipaddr, fmt.Sprintf("contactid=%d", ci.ContactId)))
 	}
-	return emailChange, err
+	return emailChange, nil
 }
 
 // Clone makes a copy of the ContactInfo.
@@ -251,11 +246,10 @@ func setupContactsCache() {
 // internalContactInfo retrieves the contact info from the database.
 func internalContactInfo(ctx context.Context, id int32) (*ContactInfo, error) {
 	var cinf ContactInfo
-	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &cinf, "SELECT * from contacts WHERE contactid = ?", id)
-	if err == nil {
-		return &cinf, nil
+	if err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &cinf, "SELECT * from contacts WHERE contactid = ?", id); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
 	}
-	return nil, err
+	return &cinf, nil
 }
 
 /* AmGetContactInfo retrieves the contact info for a given identifier.
@@ -292,9 +286,8 @@ func AmGetContactInfo(ctx context.Context, id int32) (*ContactInfo, error) {
  *     Standard Go error status.
  */
 func AmGetContactInfoForUser(ctx context.Context, uid int32) (*ContactInfo, error) {
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT contactid FROM contacts WHERE owner_uid = ? AND owner_commid = -1", uid)
 	var cid int32
-	err := row.Scan(&cid)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &cid, "SELECT contactid FROM contacts WHERE owner_uid = ? AND owner_commid = -1", uid)
 	switch err {
 	case nil:
 		return AmGetContactInfo(ctx, cid)
diff --git a/database/emailban.go b/database/emailban.go
index c852853..70494f4 100644
--- a/database/emailban.go
+++ b/database/emailban.go
@@ -23,9 +23,8 @@ import (
  *     Standard Go error status.
  */
 func AmIsEmailAddressBanned(ctx context.Context, address string) (bool, error) {
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT by_uid FROM emailban WHERE address = ?", address)
 	var uid int32
-	err := row.Scan(&uid)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &uid, "SELECT by_uid FROM emailban WHERE address = ?", address)
 	switch err {
 	case nil:
 		return true, nil
diff --git a/database/globals.go b/database/globals.go
index 6711df5..35d4147 100644
--- a/database/globals.go
+++ b/database/globals.go
@@ -108,8 +108,7 @@ func AmGlobals(ctx context.Context) (*Globals, error) {
 	defer globalsMutex.Unlock()
 	if theGlobals == nil {
 		var g Globals
-		err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &g, "SELECT * FROM globals")
-		if err != nil {
+		if err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &g, "SELECT * FROM globals"); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 		theGlobals = &g
@@ -146,8 +145,7 @@ func AmGetGlobalProperty(ctx context.Context, index int32) (string, error) {
 	var err error = nil
 	rc, ok := globalProps[index]
 	if !ok {
-		row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT data FROM propglobal WHERE ndx = ?", index)
-		err = row.Scan(&rc)
+		err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &rc, "SELECT data FROM propglobal WHERE ndx = ?", index)
 		switch err {
 		case nil:
 			globalProps[index] = rc
@@ -172,9 +170,8 @@ func AmSetGlobalProperty(ctx context.Context, index int32, value string) error {
 	defer globalPropMutex.Unlock()
 	_, updateMode := globalProps[index]
 	if !updateMode {
-		row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT data FROM propglobal WHERE ndx = ?", index)
 		var tmpdata string
-		err := row.Scan(&tmpdata)
+		err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &tmpdata, "SELECT data FROM propglobal WHERE ndx = ?", index)
 		switch err {
 		case nil:
 			updateMode = true
diff --git a/database/hotlist.go b/database/hotlist.go
index d188f6f..3af5666 100644
--- a/database/hotlist.go
+++ b/database/hotlist.go
@@ -108,15 +108,13 @@ func AmAppendToHotlist(ctx context.Context, u *User, commid, confid int32) error
 	defer rollback()
 
 	var newseq int16
-	row := tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT sequence FROM confhotlist WHERE uid = ? AND commid = ? AND confid = ?", u.Uid, commid, confid)
-	err := row.Scan(&newseq)
+	err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &newseq, "SELECT sequence FROM confhotlist WHERE uid = ? AND commid = ? AND confid = ?", u.Uid, commid, confid)
 	if err == nil {
 		return errors.New("community/conference already exist in hotlist")
 	} else if err != sql.ErrNoRows {
 		return err
 	}
-	row = tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT MAX(sequence) FROM confhotlist WHERE uid = ?", u.Uid)
-	err = row.Scan(&newseq)
+	err = tx.GetContext(ctx, &newseq, "SELECT MAX(sequence) FROM confhotlist WHERE uid = ?", u.Uid)
 	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
 		newseq = 0
 	} else if err != nil {
@@ -135,9 +133,8 @@ func AmAppendToHotlist(ctx context.Context, u *User, commid, confid int32) error
 
 // AmIsInHotlist returns true if the community/conference pair is in the hotlist.
 func AmIsInHotlist(ctx context.Context, u *User, commid, confid int32) (bool, error) {
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT sequence FROM confhotlist WHERE uid = ? AND commid = ? AND confid = ?", u.Uid, commid, confid)
 	var tmp int16
-	err := row.Scan(&tmp)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &tmp, "SELECT sequence FROM confhotlist WHERE uid = ? AND commid = ? AND confid = ?", u.Uid, commid, confid)
 	switch err {
 	case nil:
 		return true, nil
diff --git a/database/imagestore.go b/database/imagestore.go
index 3fb67d4..b2ff4be 100644
--- a/database/imagestore.go
+++ b/database/imagestore.go
@@ -61,8 +61,7 @@ func (img *ImageStore) Save(ctx context.Context) error {
  */
 func AmLoadImage(ctx context.Context, id int32) (*ImageStore, error) {
 	var imgdata ImageStore
-	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &imgdata, "SELECT * FROM imagestore WHERE imgid = ?", id)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &imgdata, "SELECT * FROM imagestore WHERE imgid = ?", id); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	return &imgdata, nil
@@ -81,9 +80,8 @@ func AmLoadImage(ctx context.Context, id int32) (*ImageStore, error) {
  */
 func AmStoreImage(ctx context.Context, typecode int16, owner int32, mimetype string, data []byte) (*ImageStore, error) {
 	var img *ImageStore
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT imgid FROM imagestore WHERE typecode = ? AND ownerid = ?", typecode, owner)
 	var id int32
-	err := row.Scan(&id)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &id, "SELECT imgid FROM imagestore WHERE typecode = ? AND ownerid = ?", typecode, owner)
 	switch err {
 	case nil:
 		img, err = AmLoadImage(ctx, id)
diff --git a/database/ipban.go b/database/ipban.go
index aadebbc..5ae5ce1 100644
--- a/database/ipban.go
+++ b/database/ipban.go
@@ -273,8 +273,7 @@ func AmListIPBans(ctx context.Context) ([]IPBanEntry, error) {
 // AmGetIPBan returns a single IP address ban structure.
 func AmGetIPBan(ctx context.Context, id int32) (*IPBanEntry, error) {
 	var ban IPBanEntry
-	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &ban, "SELECT * FROM ipban WHERE id = ?", id)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &ban, "SELECT * FROM ipban WHERE id = ?", id); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	return &ban, nil
diff --git a/database/post.go b/database/post.go
index bb8d3d0..07148c9 100644
--- a/database/post.go
+++ b/database/post.go
@@ -71,9 +71,8 @@ func (p *PostHeader) IsScribbled() bool {
 
 // IsPublished returns true if the post has been published to the front page.
 func (p *PostHeader) IsPublished(ctx context.Context) (bool, error) {
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM postpublish WHERE postid = ?", p.PostId)
 	ct := 0
-	err := row.Scan(&ct)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &ct, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM postpublish WHERE postid = ?", p.PostId)
 	return ct > 0, err
 }
 
@@ -237,16 +236,17 @@ func (p *PostHeader) PruneAttachment(ctx context.Context, u *User, comm *Communi
 // Text returns the text associated with a post.
 func (p *PostHeader) Text(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 	var pd PostData
-	if err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &pd, "SELECT * FROM postdata WHERE postid = ?", p.PostId); err != nil {
-		if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &pd, "SELECT * FROM postdata WHERE postid = ?", p.PostId)
+	switch err {
+	case nil:
+		if pd.Data == nil {
 			return "", ErrNoPostData
 		}
-		return "", err
-	}
-	if pd.Data == nil {
+		return *pd.Data, nil
+	case sql.ErrNoRows:
 		return "", ErrNoPostData
 	}
-	return *pd.Data, nil
+	return "", err
 }
 
 // Link returns a link string to this post.
@@ -304,9 +304,8 @@ func (p *PostHeader) Scribble(ctx context.Context, u *User, comm *Community, ipa
 	}
 
 	// Reread the scribble date.
-	row := tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT scribble_date FROM posts WHERE postid = ?", p.PostId)
 	var newScribbleDate time.Time
-	if err = row.Scan(&newScribbleDate); err != nil {
+	if err = tx.GetContext(ctx, &newScribbleDate, "SELECT scribble_date FROM posts WHERE postid = ?", p.PostId); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -367,10 +366,9 @@ func (p *PostHeader) Nuke(ctx context.Context, u *User, comm *Community, ipaddr
 	if _, err = tx.ExecContext(ctx, "UPDATE posts SET num = (num - 1) WHERE topicid = ? AND num > ?", p.TopicId, p.Num); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	row := tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT top_message FROM topics WHERE topicid = ?", p.TopicId)
 	// Renumber phase 2 - reset the top message in this topic
 	var topMessage int32
-	if err = row.Scan(&topMessage); err != nil {
+	if err = tx.GetContext(ctx, &topMessage, "SELECT top_message FROM topics WHERE topicid = ?", p.TopicId); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	topMessage--
@@ -400,9 +398,8 @@ func (p *PostHeader) Publish(ctx context.Context, comm *Community, publisher *Us
 	defer rollback()
 
 	// Check if we were already published.
-	row := tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT by_uid FROM postpublish WHERE postid = ?", p.PostId)
 	var tmp int32
-	err := row.Scan(&tmp)
+	err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &tmp, "SELECT by_uid FROM postpublish WHERE postid = ?", p.PostId)
 	if err == nil {
 		return errors.New("post already published")
 	} else if err != sql.ErrNoRows {
@@ -459,10 +456,8 @@ func (p *PostHeader) MoveTo(ctx context.Context, target *Topic, u *User, comm *C
 		return err
 	}
 	// Read back the last update.
-	row := tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT lastupdate FROM topics WHERE topicid = ?", target.TopicId)
 	var lastUpdate time.Time
-	err = row.Scan(&lastUpdate)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err = tx.GetContext(ctx, &lastUpdate, "SELECT lastupdate FROM topics WHERE topicid = ?", target.TopicId); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -574,11 +569,10 @@ func AmNewPost(ctx context.Context, conf *Conference, topic *Topic, user *User,
 	}
 
 	// Read back the post header.
-	var pd PostHeader
-	if err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &pd, "SELECT * FROM posts WHERE postid = ?", xid); err != nil {
+	var hdr PostHeader
+	if err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &hdr, "SELECT * FROM posts WHERE postid = ?", xid); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	hdr := &pd
 
 	// Add the post data.
 	_, err = tx.ExecContext(ctx, "INSERT INTO postdata (postid, data) VALUES (?, ?)", hdr.PostId, post)
@@ -611,7 +605,7 @@ func AmNewPost(ctx context.Context, conf *Conference, topic *Topic, user *User,
 	AmStoreAudit(AmNewCommAudit(AuditConferencePostMessage, user.Uid, comm.Id, ipaddr, fmt.Sprintf("confid=%d", conf.ConfId),
 		fmt.Sprintf("topic=%d", topic.Number), fmt.Sprintf("post=%d", hdr.PostId), fmt.Sprintf("pseud=%s", *hdr.Pseud)))
 
-	return hdr, nil
+	return &hdr, nil
 }
 
 /* AmGetPublishedPosts gets all posts published to the front page, up to the maximum number configured in the database.
@@ -785,10 +779,10 @@ func AmSearchPosts(ctx context.Context, searchTerms string, u *User, offset, max
 	}
 
 	// Get the count of matching posts.
-	var row *sql.Row
+	var count int
 	switch scope {
 	case "global":
-		row = amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, `SELECT COUNT(*)
+		err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &count, `SELECT COUNT(*)
 			FROM communities q JOIN commtoconf s ON s.commid = q.commid JOIN confs c ON c.confid = s.confid
 			JOIN commmember m ON m.commid = q.commid JOIN users u ON u.uid = m.uid JOIN commftrs f ON f.commid = q.commid
 			JOIN topics t ON t.confid = c.confid JOIN posts p ON p.topicid = t.topicid JOIN postdata d ON d.postid = p.postid JOIN users u2 ON u2.uid = p.creator_uid
@@ -796,7 +790,7 @@ func AmSearchPosts(ctx context.Context, searchTerms string, u *User, offset, max
 			WHERE u.uid = ? AND f.ftr_code = ? AND GREATEST(u.base_lvl,m.granted_lvl,s.granted_lvl,IFNULL(x.granted_lvl,0)) >= c.read_lvl
 			AND p.scribble_uid IS NULL AND MATCH(d.data) AGAINST (?)`, u.Uid, confService, searchTerms)
 	case "community":
-		row = amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, `SELECT COUNT(*)
+		err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &count, `SELECT COUNT(*)
 			FROM communities q JOIN commtoconf s ON s.commid = q.commid JOIN confs c ON c.confid = s.confid
 			JOIN commmember m ON m.commid = q.commid JOIN users u ON u.uid = m.uid JOIN commftrs f ON f.commid = q.commid
 			JOIN topics t ON t.confid = c.confid JOIN posts p ON p.topicid = t.topicid JOIN postdata d ON d.postid = p.postid JOIN users u2 ON u2.uid = p.creator_uid
@@ -804,7 +798,7 @@ func AmSearchPosts(ctx context.Context, searchTerms string, u *User, offset, max
 			WHERE u.uid = ? AND f.ftr_code = ? AND GREATEST(u.base_lvl,m.granted_lvl,s.granted_lvl,IFNULL(x.granted_lvl,0)) >= c.read_lvl
 			AND q.commid = ? AND p.scribble_uid IS NULL AND MATCH(d.data) AGAINST (?)`, u.Uid, confService, comm.Id, searchTerms)
 	case "conference":
-		row = amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, `SELECT COUNT(*)
+		err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &count, `SELECT COUNT(*)
 			FROM communities q JOIN commtoconf s ON s.commid = q.commid JOIN confs c ON c.confid = s.confid
 			JOIN commmember m ON m.commid = q.commid JOIN users u ON u.uid = m.uid JOIN commftrs f ON f.commid = q.commid
 			JOIN topics t ON t.confid = c.confid JOIN posts p ON p.topicid = t.topicid JOIN postdata d ON d.postid = p.postid JOIN users u2 ON u2.uid = p.creator_uid
@@ -812,7 +806,7 @@ func AmSearchPosts(ctx context.Context, searchTerms string, u *User, offset, max
 			WHERE u.uid = ? AND f.ftr_code = ? AND GREATEST(u.base_lvl,m.granted_lvl,s.granted_lvl,IFNULL(x.granted_lvl,0)) >= c.read_lvl
 			AND q.commid = ? AND c.confid = ? AND p.scribble_uid IS NULL AND MATCH(d.data) AGAINST (?)`, u.Uid, confService, comm.Id, conf.ConfId, searchTerms)
 	case "topic":
-		row = amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, `SELECT COUNT(*)
+		err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &count, `SELECT COUNT(*)
 			FROM communities q JOIN commtoconf s ON s.commid = q.commid JOIN confs c ON c.confid = s.confid
 			JOIN commmember m ON m.commid = q.commid JOIN users u ON u.uid = m.uid JOIN commftrs f ON f.commid = q.commid
 			JOIN topics t ON t.confid = c.confid JOIN posts p ON p.topicid = t.topicid JOIN postdata d ON d.postid = p.postid JOIN users u2 ON u2.uid = p.creator_uid
@@ -821,8 +815,6 @@ func AmSearchPosts(ctx context.Context, searchTerms string, u *User, offset, max
 			AND q.commid = ? AND c.confid = ? AND t.topicid = ? AND p.scribble_uid IS NULL AND MATCH(d.data) AGAINST (?)`,
 			u.Uid, confService, comm.Id, conf.ConfId, topic.TopicId, searchTerms)
 	}
-	var count int
-	err = row.Scan(&count)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("AmSearchPosts query 1 error %v", err)
 		return nil, -1, err
diff --git a/database/sidebox.go b/database/sidebox.go
index 73654ab..3a17fec 100644
--- a/database/sidebox.go
+++ b/database/sidebox.go
@@ -91,9 +91,8 @@ func AmRemoveSidebox(ctx context.Context, uid int32, boxid int32) error {
 	defer rollback()
 
 	// Get the old sequence number.
-	row := tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT sequence FROM sideboxes WHERE uid = ? AND boxid = ?", uid, boxid)
 	var oldseq int32
-	err := row.Scan(&oldseq)
+	err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &oldseq, "SELECT sequence FROM sideboxes WHERE uid = ? AND boxid = ?", uid, boxid)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -118,9 +117,8 @@ func AmAppendSidebox(ctx context.Context, uid int32, boxid int32, param *string)
 	tx, commit, rollback := transaction(ctx)
 	defer rollback()
 
-	row := tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT MAX(sequence) FROM sideboxes WHERE uid = ?", uid)
 	var topseq int32
-	err := row.Scan(&topseq)
+	err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &topseq, "SELECT MAX(sequence) FROM sideboxes WHERE uid = ?", uid)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/database/topic.go b/database/topic.go
index 91a6e00..4cde109 100644
--- a/database/topic.go
+++ b/database/topic.go
@@ -66,11 +66,10 @@ func (t *Topic) GetPost(ctx context.Context, num int32) (*PostHeader, error) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("no post %d in topic %d", num, t.TopicId)
 	}
 	var pd PostHeader
-	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &pd, "SELECT * FROM posts WHERE topicid = ? AND num = ?", t.TopicId, num)
-	if err == nil {
-		return &pd, nil
+	if err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &pd, "SELECT * FROM posts WHERE topicid = ? AND num = ?", t.TopicId, num); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
 	}
-	return nil, err
+	return &pd, nil
 }
 
 // GetLastRead returns the "last read" message for a user on a topic.
@@ -78,9 +77,8 @@ func (t *Topic) GetLastRead(ctx context.Context, u *User) (int32, error) {
 	if u.IsAnon {
 		return -1, nil
 	}
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT last_message FROM topicsettings WHERE topicid = ? AND uid = ?", t.TopicId, u.Uid)
 	var rc int32 = -1
-	err := row.Scan(&rc)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &rc, "SELECT last_message FROM topicsettings WHERE topicid = ? AND uid = ?", t.TopicId, u.Uid)
 	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
 		return -1, nil
 	}
@@ -106,9 +104,8 @@ func (t *Topic) SetLastRead(ctx context.Context, u *User, postNum int32) error {
 
 // IsHidden tells us whether the user has the topic hidden.
 func (t *Topic) IsHidden(ctx context.Context, u *User) (bool, error) {
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT hidden FROM topicsettings WHERE topicid = ? AND uid = ?", t.TopicId, u.Uid)
 	rc := false
-	err := row.Scan(&rc)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &rc, "SELECT hidden FROM topicsettings WHERE topicid = ? AND uid = ?", t.TopicId, u.Uid)
 	return rc, err
 }
 
@@ -159,9 +156,8 @@ func (t *Topic) IsBozo(ctx context.Context, u *User, testUid int32) (bool, error
 	if u.IsAnon {
 		return false, nil
 	}
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT bozo_uid FROM topicbozo WHERE topicid = ? AND uid = ? AND bozo_uid = ?", t.TopicId, u.Uid, testUid)
 	var tmp int32
-	err := row.Scan(&tmp)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &tmp, "SELECT bozo_uid FROM topicbozo WHERE topicid = ? AND uid = ? AND bozo_uid = ?", t.TopicId, u.Uid, testUid)
 	switch err {
 	case nil:
 		return true, nil
@@ -176,9 +172,8 @@ func (t *Topic) SetBozo(ctx context.Context, u *User, subjectUid int32, bozo boo
 	var err error = nil
 	if !u.IsAnon {
 		if bozo { // Flipping the bozo bit!
-			row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT bozo_uid FROM topicbozo WHERE topicid = ? AND uid = ? AND bozo_uid = ?", t.TopicId, u.Uid, subjectUid)
 			var tmp int32
-			err = row.Scan(&tmp)
+			err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &tmp, "SELECT bozo_uid FROM topicbozo WHERE topicid = ? AND uid = ? AND bozo_uid = ?", t.TopicId, u.Uid, subjectUid)
 			switch err {
 			case nil:
 				return nil
@@ -225,9 +220,8 @@ func (t *Topic) GetBozos(ctx context.Context, u *User) ([]TopicBozo, error) {
 
 // IsSubscribed returns true if the given user is subscribed to receive E-mails of topic posts.
 func (t *Topic) IsSubscribed(ctx context.Context, u *User) (bool, error) {
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT subscribe FROM topicsettings WHERE topicid = ? AND uid = ?", t.TopicId, u.Uid)
 	var rc bool
-	err := row.Scan(&rc)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &rc, "SELECT subscribe FROM topicsettings WHERE topicid = ? AND uid = ?", t.TopicId, u.Uid)
 	switch err {
 	case nil:
 		return rc, nil
@@ -370,9 +364,8 @@ func backgroundPurgeTopic(ctx context.Context, topicid int32) error {
 	defer rollback()
 
 	// Get some stats on the posts we have to remove.
-	row := tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT MAX(postid) FROM posts WHERE topicid = ?", topicid)
 	var postMax int32
-	err := row.Scan(&postMax)
+	err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &postMax, "SELECT MAX(postid) FROM posts WHERE topicid = ?", topicid)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/database/user.go b/database/user.go
index 3bceff7..4e0d0d7 100644
--- a/database/user.go
+++ b/database/user.go
@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@ import (
 	"golang.org/x/text/message"
 )
 
+// ErrNoUser is an error returned if the user is not found in the database.
+var ErrNoUser error = errors.New("no such user")
+
 // UserPrefs represents the user's preferences in a table (one row per user).
 type UserPrefs struct {
 	Uid        int32  `db:"uid"`      // user ID
@@ -434,19 +437,21 @@ func (u *User) SetSecurityData(ctx context.Context, baseLevel uint16, lockout, v
  *     Standard Go error status
  */
 func AmGetUser(ctx context.Context, uid int32) (*User, error) {
-	var err error = nil
 	getUserMutex.Lock()
 	defer getUserMutex.Unlock()
-	rc, ok := userCache.Get(uid)
-	if !ok {
-		var user User
-		if err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &user, "SELECT * from users WHERE uid = ?", uid); err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-		rc = &user
-		userCache.Add(uid, rc)
+	if rc, ok := userCache.Get(uid); ok {
+		return rc.(*User), nil
 	}
-	return rc.(*User), err
+	var user User
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &user, "SELECT * from users WHERE uid = ?", uid)
+	switch err {
+	case nil:
+		userCache.Add(uid, &user)
+		return &user, nil
+	case sql.ErrNoRows:
+		return nil, ErrNoUser
+	}
+	return nil, err
 }
 
 /* AmGetUserTx returns a reference to the specified user inside a transaction.
@@ -459,19 +464,21 @@ func AmGetUser(ctx context.Context, uid int32) (*User, error) {
  *     Standard Go error status
  */
 func AmGetUserTx(ctx context.Context, tx *sqlx.Tx, uid int32) (*User, error) {
-	var err error = nil
 	getUserMutex.Lock()
 	defer getUserMutex.Unlock()
-	rc, ok := userCache.Get(uid)
-	if !ok {
-		var user User
-		if err = tx.GetContext(ctx, &user, "SELECT * from users WHERE uid = ?", uid); err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-		rc = &user
-		userCache.Add(uid, rc)
+	if rc, ok := userCache.Get(uid); ok {
+		return rc.(*User), nil
 	}
-	return rc.(*User), err
+	var user User
+	err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &user, "SELECT * from users WHERE uid = ?", uid)
+	switch err {
+	case nil:
+		userCache.Add(uid, &user)
+		return &user, nil
+	case sql.ErrNoRows:
+		return nil, ErrNoUser
+	}
+	return nil, err
 }
 
 /* AmGetUserByName returns a reference to the specified user.
@@ -491,25 +498,26 @@ func AmGetUserByName(ctx context.Context, name string, tx *sqlx.Tx) (*User, erro
 	} else {
 		err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &user, "SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = ?", name)
 	}
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+	switch err {
+	case nil:
+		getUserMutex.Lock()
+		defer getUserMutex.Unlock()
+		if rc, ok := userCache.Get(user.Uid); ok {
+			return rc.(*User), nil
+		} else {
+			userCache.Add(user.Uid, &user)
+		}
+		return &user, nil
+	case sql.ErrNoRows:
+		return nil, ErrNoUser
 	}
-	getUserMutex.Lock()
-	rc, ok := userCache.Get(user.Uid)
-	if !ok {
-		rc = &user
-		userCache.Add(user.Uid, rc)
-	}
-	getUserMutex.Unlock()
-	return rc.(*User), nil
+	return nil, err
 }
 
 // getAnonUserID retrieves the UID of the "anonymous" user from the database.
 func getAnonUserID(ctx context.Context) (int32, error) {
 	if anonUid < 0 {
-		row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT uid FROM users WHERE is_anon = 1")
-		err := row.Scan(&anonUid)
-		if err != nil {
+		if err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &anonUid, "SELECT uid FROM users WHERE is_anon = 1"); err != nil {
 			return -1, err
 		}
 	}
@@ -708,9 +716,8 @@ func AmCreateNewUser(ctx context.Context, username string, password string, remi
 	defer rollback()
 
 	// Test if the user name is already taken.
-	row := tx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT uid FROM users WHERE username = ?", username)
 	var tmpuid int32
-	err := row.Scan(&tmpuid)
+	err := tx.GetContext(ctx, &tmpuid, "SELECT uid FROM users WHERE username = ?", username)
 	if err == nil {
 		log.Warnf("username \"%s\" already exists", username)
 		return nil, errors.New("that user name already exists. Please try again")
@@ -775,20 +782,18 @@ func AmCreateNewUser(ctx context.Context, username string, password string, remi
 
 // internalGetProp is a helper used by the property functions.
 func internalGetProp(ctx context.Context, uid int32, ndx int32) (*UserProperties, error) {
-	var err error = nil
 	key := fmt.Sprintf("%d:%d", uid, ndx)
 	getUserPropMutex.Lock()
 	defer getUserPropMutex.Unlock()
-	rc, ok := userPropCache.Get(key)
-	if !ok {
-		var prop UserProperties
-		if err = amdb.GetContext(ctx, &prop, "SELECT * from propuser WHERE uid = ? AND ndx = ?", uid, ndx); err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-		rc = &prop
-		userPropCache.Add(key, rc)
+	if rc, ok := userPropCache.Get(key); ok {
+		return rc.(*UserProperties), nil
 	}
-	return rc.(*UserProperties), nil
+	var prop UserProperties
+	if err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &prop, "SELECT * from propuser WHERE uid = ? AND ndx = ?", uid, ndx); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	userPropCache.Add(key, &prop)
+	return &prop, nil
 }
 
 /* AmGetUserProperty retrieves the value of a user property.
@@ -890,9 +895,8 @@ func AmSearchUsers(ctx context.Context, field int, oper int, term string, offset
 		return nil, -1, errors.New("invalid operator selector")
 	}
 	q := queryPortion.String()
-	row := amdb.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM users u, contacts c WHERE u.contactid = c.contactid AND u.is_anon = 0 AND "+q)
 	var total int
-	err := row.Scan(&total)
+	err := amdb.GetContext(ctx, &total, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM users u, contacts c WHERE u.contactid = c.contactid AND u.is_anon = 0 AND "+q)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, -1, err
 	}