diff --git a/drracket-core-lib/drracket/private/bindings-browser.rkt b/drracket-core-lib/drracket/private/bindings-browser.rkt
index ac17223fa..59e018992 100644
--- a/drracket-core-lib/drracket/private/bindings-browser.rkt
+++ b/drracket-core-lib/drracket/private/bindings-browser.rkt
@@ -53,23 +53,22 @@ Marshalling (and hence the 'read' method of the snipclass omitted for fast proto
       
       (begin (parameterize ([current-output-port output-port]
                             [pretty-print-columns 30])
-               (for-each
-                (λ (binding-pair)
-                  (let* ([stx (car binding-pair)]
-                         [value (cadr binding-pair)])
-                    ; this totally destroys the 'output-port' abstraction.  I don't know
-                    ; how to enrich the notion of an output-port to get 'bold'ing to 
-                    ; work otherwise...
-                    (let* ([before (send output-text last-position)])
-                      (pretty-print (syntax->datum stx))
-                      (let* ([post-newline (send output-text last-position)])
-                        (send output-text delete post-newline) ; delete the trailing \n. yuck!
-                        (send output-text insert " ")
-                        (send output-text change-style 
-                              (make-object style-delta% 'change-bold)
-                              before (- post-newline 1)))
-                      (pretty-print value))))
-                bindings))
+               (for ([binding-pair (in-list bindings)])
+                 (define stx (car binding-pair))
+                 (define value (cadr binding-pair))
+                 ; this totally destroys the 'output-port' abstraction.  I don't know
+                 ; how to enrich the notion of an output-port to get 'bold'ing to
+                 ; work otherwise...
+                 (define before (send output-text last-position))
+                 (pretty-print (syntax->datum stx))
+                 (let* ([post-newline (send output-text last-position)])
+                   (send output-text delete post-newline) ; delete the trailing \n. yuck!
+                   (send output-text insert " ")
+                   (send output-text change-style
+                         (make-object style-delta% 'change-bold)
+                         before
+                         (- post-newline 1)))
+                 (pretty-print value)))
              (send output-text delete (send output-text last-position))  ; delete final trailing \n
              (make-modern output-text))
     
@@ -88,17 +87,17 @@ Marshalling (and hence the 'read' method of the snipclass omitted for fast proto
        (bottom-inset 0))
       
       (define inner-t (make-object text%))
-      (define inner-es (instantiate editor-snip% ()
-                         (editor inner-t)
-                         (with-border? #f)
-                         (left-margin 0)
-                         (top-margin 0)
-                         (right-margin 0)
-                         (bottom-margin 0)
-                         (left-inset 0)
-                         (top-inset 0)
-                         (right-inset 0)
-                         (bottom-inset 0)))
+      (define inner-es (new editor-snip%
+                            (editor inner-t)
+                            (with-border? #f)
+                            (left-margin 0)
+                            (top-margin 0)
+                            (right-margin 0)
+                            (bottom-margin 0)
+                            (left-inset 0)
+                            (top-inset 0)
+                            (right-inset 0)
+                            (bottom-inset 0)))
       
       (define details-shown? #t)
       
@@ -134,17 +133,17 @@ Marshalling (and hence the 'read' method of the snipclass omitted for fast proto
       (send outer-t insert inner-es)
       (make-modern outer-t)
       
-      (send inner-t insert (instantiate editor-snip% ()
-                             (editor output-text)
-                             (with-border? #f)
-                             (left-margin 0)
-                             (top-margin 0)
-                             (right-margin 0)
-                             (bottom-margin 0)
-                             (left-inset 0)
-                             (top-inset 0)
-                             (right-inset 0)
-                             (bottom-inset 0)))
+      (send inner-t insert (new editor-snip%
+                                (editor output-text)
+                                (with-border? #f)
+                                (left-margin 0)
+                                (top-margin 0)
+                                (right-margin 0)
+                                (bottom-margin 0)
+                                (left-inset 0)
+                                (top-inset 0)
+                                (right-inset 0)
+                                (bottom-inset 0)))
       (send inner-t change-style (make-object style-delta% 'change-alignment 'top) 0 2)
 
       (send output-text hide-caret #t)
@@ -172,10 +171,7 @@ Marshalling (and hence the 'read' method of the snipclass omitted for fast proto
       (init-field [state 'up])
       
       (define/override (copy)
-        (instantiate turn-snip% ()
-          (on-up on-up)
-          (on-down on-down)
-          (state state)))
+        (new turn-snip% (on-up on-up) (on-down on-down) (state state)))
       
       (define/override (draw dc x y left top right bottom dx dy draw-caret)
         (define bitmap
diff --git a/drracket-core-lib/drracket/private/language.rkt b/drracket-core-lib/drracket/private/language.rkt
index 3f0cc2323..a33530467 100644
--- a/drracket-core-lib/drracket/private/language.rkt
+++ b/drracket-core-lib/drracket/private/language.rkt
@@ -233,25 +233,23 @@
            ;; are put into the preferences dialog (which doesn't have an explicit
            ;; close action that the user takes)
            #:something-changed [something-changed void])
-    (letrec ([parent (instantiate vertical-panel% ()
-                       (parent _parent)
-                       (alignment '(center center)))]
+    (letrec ([parent (new vertical-panel% (parent _parent) (alignment '(center center)))]
              
              [input-panel (and (eq? *case-sensitive '?)
-                               (instantiate group-box-panel% ()
-                                 (label (string-constant input-syntax))
-                                 (parent parent)
-                                 (alignment '(left center))))]
+                               (new group-box-panel%
+                                    (label (string-constant input-syntax))
+                                    (parent parent)
+                                    (alignment '(left center))))]
              
-             [dynamic-panel (instantiate group-box-panel% ()
-                              (label (string-constant dynamic-properties))
-                              (parent parent)
-                              (alignment '(left center)))]
+             [dynamic-panel (new group-box-panel%
+                                 (label (string-constant dynamic-properties))
+                                 (parent parent)
+                                 (alignment '(left center)))]
              
-             [output-panel (instantiate group-box-panel% ()
-                             (label (string-constant output-syntax))
-                             (parent parent)
-                             (alignment '(left center)))]
+             [output-panel (new group-box-panel%
+                                (label (string-constant output-syntax))
+                                (parent parent)
+                                (alignment '(left center)))]
              
              [case-sensitive (and input-panel
                                   (make-object check-box%
@@ -298,9 +296,9 @@
                              '(horizontal vertical-label))]
              [enable-fraction-style 
               (lambda ()
-                (let ([on? (member (send output-style get-selection) '(0 1))])
-                  (send fraction-style enable on?)
-                  (something-changed)))]
+                (define on? (member (send output-style get-selection) '(0 1)))
+                (send fraction-style enable on?)
+                (something-changed))]
              [show-sharing (make-object check-box%
                              (string-constant sharing-printing-label)
                              output-panel
@@ -362,28 +360,25 @@
   
   ;; simple-module-based-language-render-value/format : TST settings port (union #f (snip% -> void)) (union 'infinity number) -> void
   (define (simple-module-based-language-render-value/format value settings port width)
-    (let-values ([(converted-value write?)
-                  (call-with-values
-                      (lambda ()
-                        (simple-module-based-language-convert-value value settings))
-                    (case-lambda
-                     [(converted-value) (values converted-value #t)]
-                     [(converted-value write?) (values converted-value write?)]))])
-      (let ([pretty-out (if write? pretty-write pretty-print)])
-        (setup-printing-parameters
-         (λ ()
-            (cond
-             [(simple-settings-insert-newlines settings)
-              (if (number? width)
-                  (parameterize ([pretty-print-columns width])
-                    (pretty-out converted-value port))
-                  (pretty-out converted-value port))]
-             [else
-              (parameterize ([pretty-print-columns 'infinity])
-                (pretty-out converted-value port))
-              (newline port)]))
-         settings
-         width))))
+    (define-values (converted-value write?)
+      (call-with-values (lambda () (simple-module-based-language-convert-value value settings))
+                        (case-lambda
+                          [(converted-value) (values converted-value #t)]
+                          [(converted-value write?) (values converted-value write?)])))
+    (define pretty-out (if write? pretty-write pretty-print))
+    (setup-printing-parameters (λ ()
+                                 (cond
+                                   [(simple-settings-insert-newlines settings)
+                                    (if (number? width)
+                                        (parameterize ([pretty-print-columns width])
+                                          (pretty-out converted-value port))
+                                        (pretty-out converted-value port))]
+                                   [else
+                                    (parameterize ([pretty-print-columns 'infinity])
+                                      (pretty-out converted-value port))
+                                    (newline port)]))
+                               settings
+                               width))
   
   (define default-pretty-print-current-style-table (pretty-print-current-style-table))
   
@@ -433,8 +428,8 @@
       (send rdc set-smoothing 'aligned)
       (send rdc set-clipping-rect 0 0 aw ah)
       (draw-pict pict rdc
-                 (+ (if (< w 0) aw 0) l-pad)
-                 (+ (if (< h 0) ah 0) t-pad))
+                 (+ (if (negative? w) aw 0) l-pad)
+                 (+ (if (negative? h) ah 0) t-pad))
       (define recorded-datum (send rdc get-recorded-datum))
       (new pict-snip:pict-snip% [w aw] [h ah] [d d] [a a] [recorded-datum recorded-datum]))
 
@@ -621,49 +616,44 @@
        (define first-time? (make-parameter #t))
        (global-port-print-handler
         (λ (value port [depth 0])
-          (let-values ([(converted-value write?)
-                        (call-with-values 
-                            (lambda () (simple-module-based-language-convert-value value setting))
-                          (case-lambda
-                           [(converted-value) (values converted-value #t)]
-                           [(converted-value write?) (values converted-value write?)]))])
-            (define cols
-              (cond
-                [(not (simple-settings-insert-newlines setting))
-                 'infinity]
-                [(exact-integer? (print-value-columns))
-                 (print-value-columns)]
-                [else
-                 (drracket:module-language:drracket-determined-width)]))
-
-            (my-setup-printing-parameters
-             (λ ()
-               (define (do-print)
-                 (if write?
-                     (pretty-write converted-value port)
-                     (pretty-print converted-value port depth)))
-               (cond
-                 [(first-time?)
-                  (define orig-pretty-print-print-line (pretty-print-print-line))
-                  (define pppl
-                    (if (simple-settings-insert-newlines setting)
-                        ;; when drracket:module-language:drracket-determined-width
-                        ;; is set, we need to compensate for the newline
-                        ;; difference, so we do this to avoid that last newline
-                        (if (equal? (drracket:module-language:drracket-determined-width)
-                                    'infinity)
-                            orig-pretty-print-print-line
-                            (λ (new-line-number port len cols)
-                              (when new-line-number
-                                (orig-pretty-print-print-line new-line-number port len cols))))
-                        orig-pretty-print-print-line))
-                  (parameterize ([pretty-print-columns cols]
-                                 [pretty-print-print-line pppl]
-                                 [first-time? #f])
-                    (do-print))]
-                 [else (do-print)]))
-             setting
-             'infinity))))
+          (define-values (converted-value write?)
+            (call-with-values (lambda () (simple-module-based-language-convert-value value setting))
+                              (case-lambda
+                                [(converted-value) (values converted-value #t)]
+                                [(converted-value write?) (values converted-value write?)])))
+          (define cols
+            (cond
+              [(not (simple-settings-insert-newlines setting)) 'infinity]
+              [(exact-integer? (print-value-columns)) (print-value-columns)]
+              [else (drracket:module-language:drracket-determined-width)]))
+          
+          (my-setup-printing-parameters
+           (λ ()
+             (define (do-print)
+               (if write?
+                   (pretty-write converted-value port)
+                   (pretty-print converted-value port depth)))
+             (cond
+               [(first-time?)
+                (define orig-pretty-print-print-line (pretty-print-print-line))
+                (define pppl
+                  (if (simple-settings-insert-newlines setting)
+                      ;; when drracket:module-language:drracket-determined-width
+                      ;; is set, we need to compensate for the newline
+                      ;; difference, so we do this to avoid that last newline
+                      (if (equal? (drracket:module-language:drracket-determined-width) 'infinity)
+                          orig-pretty-print-print-line
+                          (λ (new-line-number port len cols)
+                            (when new-line-number
+                              (orig-pretty-print-print-line new-line-number port len cols))))
+                      orig-pretty-print-print-line))
+                (parameterize ([pretty-print-columns cols]
+                               [pretty-print-print-line pppl]
+                               [first-time? #f])
+                  (do-print))]
+               [else (do-print)]))
+           setting
+           'infinity)))
        (current-inspector (make-inspector))
        (read-case-sensitive (simple-settings-case-sensitive setting)))))
   
@@ -727,10 +717,10 @@
       
       (inherit get-language-position)
       (define/public (get-language-name)
-        (let ([pos (get-language-position)])
-          (if (null? pos)
-              "<<unknown>>"
-              (car (last-pair pos)))))
+        (define pos (get-language-position))
+        (if (null? pos)
+            "<<unknown>>"
+            (car (last-pair pos))))
       (define/public (get-style-delta) #f)
       (define/override (on-execute setting run-in-user-thread)
         (super on-execute setting run-in-user-thread)
@@ -761,47 +751,41 @@
                                                    init-code
                                                    mred-launcher
                                                    use-copy?)
-    (let ([executable-specs (create-executable-gui parent
-                                                   program-filename
-                                                   #t 
-                                                   (if (boolean? mred-launcher)
-                                                       (if mred-launcher
-                                                           'mred
-                                                           'mzscheme)
-                                                       #t))])
-      (when executable-specs
-        (let* ([type (car executable-specs)]
-               [base (cadr executable-specs)]
-               [executable-filename (caddr executable-specs)]
-               [aux (cadddr executable-specs)]
-               [create-executable
-                (case type
-                  [(launcher) create-module-based-launcher]
-                  [(stand-alone) create-module-based-stand-alone-executable]
-                  [(distribution) create-module-based-distribution])])
-          (with-handlers ((exn:fail? (λ (msg)
-                                       (define sp (open-output-string))
-                                       (parameterize ([current-error-port sp])
-                                         (drracket:init:original-error-display-handler
-                                          (exn-message exn)
-                                          exn))
-                                       (message-box 
-                                        (string-constant drscheme)
-                                        (string-append
-                                         (string-constant error-creating-executable)
-                                         "\n\n"
-                                         (get-output-string sp))))))
-            (create-executable
-             program-filename
-             executable-filename
-             module-language-spec
-             transformer-module-language-spec
-             init-code
-             (if (boolean? mred-launcher)
-                 mred-launcher
-                 (eq? base 'mred))
-             use-copy?
-             #:aux aux))))))
+    (define executable-specs
+      (create-executable-gui parent
+                             program-filename
+                             #t
+                             (if (boolean? mred-launcher)
+                                 (if mred-launcher 'mred 'mzscheme)
+                                 #t)))
+    (when executable-specs
+      (let* ([type (car executable-specs)]
+             [base (cadr executable-specs)]
+             [executable-filename (caddr executable-specs)]
+             [aux (cadddr executable-specs)]
+             [create-executable (case type
+                                  [(launcher) create-module-based-launcher]
+                                  [(stand-alone) create-module-based-stand-alone-executable]
+                                  [(distribution) create-module-based-distribution])])
+        (with-handlers ([exn:fail?
+                         (λ (msg)
+                           (define sp (open-output-string))
+                           (parameterize ([current-error-port sp])
+                             (drracket:init:original-error-display-handler (exn-message exn) exn))
+                           (message-box (string-constant drscheme)
+                                        (string-append (string-constant error-creating-executable)
+                                                       "\n\n"
+                                                       (get-output-string sp))))])
+          (create-executable program-filename
+                             executable-filename
+                             module-language-spec
+                             transformer-module-language-spec
+                             init-code
+                             (if (boolean? mred-launcher)
+                                 mred-launcher
+                                 (eq? base 'mred))
+                             use-copy?
+                             #:aux aux)))))
   
   
   ;; create-executable-gui : (union #f (is-a?/c top-level-area-container<%>))
@@ -825,44 +809,41 @@
                                                     #f))]
                                      [min-width 400]
                                      [callback void]))
-    (define filename-browse-button (instantiate button% ()
-                                     (label (string-constant browse...))
-                                     (parent filename-panel)
-                                     (callback
-                                      (λ (x y) (browse-callback)))))
-    (define type/base-panel (instantiate vertical-panel% ()
-                              (parent dlg)
-                              (stretchable-width #f)))
+    (define filename-browse-button (new button%
+                                        (label (string-constant browse...))
+                                        (parent filename-panel)
+                                        (callback (λ (x y) (browse-callback)))))
+    (define type/base-panel (new vertical-panel% (parent dlg) (stretchable-width #f)))
     (define type-panel (make-object horizontal-panel% type/base-panel))
     (define type-rb (and (boolean? show-type)
-                         (instantiate radio-box% ()
-                           (label (string-constant executable-type))
-                           (choices (list (string-constant launcher-explanatory-label)
-                                          (string-constant stand-alone-explanatory-label)
-                                          (string-constant distribution-explanatory-label)))
-                           (parent type-panel)
-                           (callback (lambda (rb e)
-                                       (when embed-checkbox
-                                         (send embed-checkbox enable
-                                               (not (equal? 0 (send rb get-selection)))))
-                                       (preferences:set 'drracket:create-executable-gui-type
-                                                        (case (send rb get-selection)
-                                                          [(0) 'launcher]
-                                                          [(1) 'stand-alone]
-                                                          [(2) 'distribution]))
-                                       (reset-filename-suffix))))))
+                         (new radio-box%
+                              (label (string-constant executable-type))
+                              (choices (list (string-constant launcher-explanatory-label)
+                                             (string-constant stand-alone-explanatory-label)
+                                             (string-constant distribution-explanatory-label)))
+                              (parent type-panel)
+                              (callback (lambda (rb e)
+                                          (when embed-checkbox
+                                            (send embed-checkbox enable
+                                                  (not (equal? 0 (send rb get-selection)))))
+                                          (preferences:set 'drracket:create-executable-gui-type
+                                                           (case (send rb get-selection)
+                                                             [(0) 'launcher]
+                                                             [(1) 'stand-alone]
+                                                             [(2) 'distribution]))
+                                          (reset-filename-suffix))))))
     (define base-panel (make-object horizontal-panel% type/base-panel))
     (define base-rb (and (boolean? show-base)
-                         (instantiate radio-box% ()
-                           (label (string-constant executable-base))
-                           (choices (list "Racket" "GRacket"))
-                           (parent base-panel)
-                           (callback (lambda (rb e)
-                                       (preferences:set 'drracket:create-executable-gui-base
-                                                        (case (send rb get-selection)
-                                                          [(0) 'racket]
-                                                          [(1) 'gracket]))
-                                       (reset-filename-suffix))))))
+                         (new radio-box%
+                              (label (string-constant executable-base))
+                              (choices (list "Racket" "GRacket"))
+                              (parent base-panel)
+                              (callback (lambda (rb e)
+                                          (preferences:set 'drracket:create-executable-gui-base
+                                                           (case (send rb get-selection)
+                                                             [(0) 'racket]
+                                                             [(1) 'gracket]))
+                                          (reset-filename-suffix))))))
     
     (define aux-panel (new group-box-panel%
                            [label ""]
@@ -923,13 +904,12 @@
                 [value (preferences:get 'drracket:create-executable-gui-embed-dlls?)])))
     
     (define (reset-filename-suffix)
-      (let ([s (send filename-text-field get-value)])
-        (unless (string=? s "")
-          (let ([new-s (default-executable-filename 
-                         (string->path s)
-                         (current-mode)
-                         (not (currently-mzscheme-binary?)))])
-            (send filename-text-field set-value (path->string new-s))))))
+      (define s (send filename-text-field get-value))
+      (unless (string=? s "")
+        (let ([new-s (default-executable-filename (string->path s)
+                                                  (current-mode)
+                                                  (not (currently-mzscheme-binary?)))])
+          (send filename-text-field set-value (path->string new-s)))))
     
     (define button-panel (instantiate horizontal-panel% ()
                            (parent dlg)