diff --git a/cmd/geth/admin.go b/cmd/geth/admin.go
index e75ff047ab..31f8d44004 100644
--- a/cmd/geth/admin.go
+++ b/cmd/geth/admin.go
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ func (js *jsre) adminBindings() {
 	admin.Set("import", js.importChain)
 	admin.Set("export", js.exportChain)
 	admin.Set("verbosity", js.verbosity)
-	admin.Set("backtrace", js.backtrace)
 	admin.Set("progress", js.downloadProgress)
 
 	admin.Set("miner", struct{}{})
@@ -49,11 +48,12 @@ func (js *jsre) adminBindings() {
 	admin.Set("debug", struct{}{})
 	t, _ = admin.Get("debug")
 	debug := t.Object()
+	debug.Set("backtrace", js.backtrace)
 	debug.Set("printBlock", js.printBlock)
 	debug.Set("dumpBlock", js.dumpBlock)
 	debug.Set("getBlockRlp", js.getBlockRlp)
 	debug.Set("setHead", js.setHead)
-	debug.Set("block", js.debugBlock)
+	debug.Set("processBlock", js.debugBlock)
 }
 
 func (js *jsre) getBlock(call otto.FunctionCall) (*types.Block, error) {
@@ -203,16 +203,26 @@ func (js *jsre) startRPC(call otto.FunctionCall) otto.Value {
 		fmt.Println(err)
 		return otto.FalseValue()
 	}
+
 	port, err := call.Argument(1).ToInteger()
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Println(err)
 		return otto.FalseValue()
 	}
 
+	corsDomain := js.corsDomain
+	if len(call.ArgumentList) > 2 {
+		corsDomain, err = call.Argument(2).ToString()
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Println(err)
+			return otto.FalseValue()
+		}
+	}
+
 	config := rpc.RpcConfig{
 		ListenAddress: addr,
 		ListenPort:    uint(port),
-		// CorsDomain:    ctx.GlobalString(RPCCORSDomainFlag.Name),
+		CorsDomain:    corsDomain,
 	}
 
 	xeth := xeth.New(js.ethereum, nil)
@@ -274,10 +284,6 @@ func (js *jsre) unlock(call otto.FunctionCall) otto.Value {
 		}
 	}
 	am := js.ethereum.AccountManager()
-	// err := am.Unlock(common.FromHex(split[0]), split[1])
-	// if err != nil {
-	// 	utils.Fatalf("Unlock account failed '%v'", err)
-	// }
 	err = am.TimedUnlock(common.FromHex(addr), passphrase, time.Duration(seconds)*time.Second)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Printf("Unlock account failed '%v'\n", err)
diff --git a/cmd/geth/js.go b/cmd/geth/js.go
index abbd655137..a545de1d05 100644
--- a/cmd/geth/js.go
+++ b/cmd/geth/js.go
@@ -59,17 +59,19 @@ func (r dumbterm) PasswordPrompt(p string) (string, error) {
 func (r dumbterm) AppendHistory(string) {}
 
 type jsre struct {
-	re       *re.JSRE
-	ethereum *eth.Ethereum
-	xeth     *xeth.XEth
-	ps1      string
-	atexit   func()
-
+	re         *re.JSRE
+	ethereum   *eth.Ethereum
+	xeth       *xeth.XEth
+	ps1        string
+	atexit     func()
+	corsDomain string
 	prompter
 }
 
-func newJSRE(ethereum *eth.Ethereum, libPath string, interactive bool) *jsre {
+func newJSRE(ethereum *eth.Ethereum, libPath string, interactive bool, corsDomain string) *jsre {
 	js := &jsre{ethereum: ethereum, ps1: "> "}
+	// set default cors domain used by startRpc from CLI flag
+	js.corsDomain = corsDomain
 	js.xeth = xeth.New(ethereum, js)
 	js.re = re.New(libPath)
 	js.apiBindings()
diff --git a/cmd/geth/js_test.go b/cmd/geth/js_test.go
index 5210391212..50528b80aa 100644
--- a/cmd/geth/js_test.go
+++ b/cmd/geth/js_test.go
@@ -3,16 +3,16 @@ package main
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io/ioutil"
-	"path/filepath"
 	"os"
 	"path"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/accounts"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/crypto"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/eth"
-	"runtime"
 	"regexp"
+	"runtime"
 	"strconv"
 )
 
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ func testJEthRE(t *testing.T) (*jsre, *eth.Ethereum) {
 		t.Fatal("%v", err)
 	}
 	assetPath := path.Join(os.Getenv("GOPATH"), "src", "github.com", "ethereum", "go-ethereum", "cmd", "mist", "assets", "ext")
-	repl := newJSRE(ethereum, assetPath, false)
+	repl := newJSRE(ethereum, assetPath, false, "")
 	return repl, ethereum
 }
 
@@ -70,8 +70,8 @@ func TestAccounts(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("address not hex: %q", addr)
 	}
 
-	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `eth.accounts`, `["` + addr + `"]`)
-	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `eth.coinbase`, `"` + addr + `"`)
+	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `eth.accounts`, `["`+addr+`"]`)
+	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `eth.coinbase`, `"`+addr+`"`)
 }
 
 func TestBlockChain(t *testing.T) {
@@ -97,13 +97,13 @@ func TestBlockChain(t *testing.T) {
 	tmpfile := filepath.Join(tmp, "export.chain")
 	tmpfileq := strconv.Quote(tmpfile)
 
-	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `admin.export(` + tmpfileq + `)`, `true`)
+	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `admin.export(`+tmpfileq+`)`, `true`)
 	if _, err := os.Stat(tmpfile); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
 	// check import, verify that dumpBlock gives the same result.
-	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `admin.import(` + tmpfileq + `)`, `true`)
+	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `admin.import(`+tmpfileq+`)`, `true`)
 	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `admin.debug.dumpBlock()`, beforeExport)
 }
 
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ func TestRPC(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func checkEvalJSON(t *testing.T, re *jsre, expr, want string) error {
-	val, err := re.re.Run("JSON.stringify("+ expr + ")")
+	val, err := re.re.Run("JSON.stringify(" + expr + ")")
 	if err == nil && val.String() != want {
 		err = fmt.Errorf("Output mismatch for `%s`:\ngot:  %s\nwant: %s", expr, val.String(), want)
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/geth/main.go b/cmd/geth/main.go
index 3c7d7a5ddd..5afdecfbf4 100644
--- a/cmd/geth/main.go
+++ b/cmd/geth/main.go
@@ -97,6 +97,8 @@ The output of this command is supposed to be machine-readable.
 Manage accounts lets you create new accounts, list all existing accounts,
 import a private key into a new account.
 
+'account help' shows a list of subcommands or help for one subcommand.
+
 It supports interactive mode, when you are prompted for password as well as
 non-interactive mode where passwords are supplied via a given password file.
 Non-interactive mode is only meant for scripted use on test networks or known
@@ -186,8 +188,8 @@ Use "ethereum dump 0" to dump the genesis block.
 			Usage:  `Geth Console: interactive JavaScript environment`,
 			Description: `
 The Geth console is an interactive shell for the JavaScript runtime environment
-which exposes a node admin interface as well as the DAPP JavaScript API.
-See https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/wiki/Frontier-Console
+which exposes a node admin interface as well as the Ðapp JavaScript API.
+See https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/wiki/Javascipt-Console
 `,
 		},
 		{
@@ -195,7 +197,7 @@ See https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/wiki/Frontier-Console
 			Name:   "js",
 			Usage:  `executes the given JavaScript files in the Geth JavaScript VM`,
 			Description: `
-The JavaScript VM exposes a node admin interface as well as the DAPP
+The JavaScript VM exposes a node admin interface as well as the Ðapp
 JavaScript API. See https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/wiki/Javascipt-Console
 `,
 		},
@@ -261,10 +263,6 @@ JavaScript API. See https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/wiki/Javascipt-Conso
 	// flag.BoolVar(&DiffTool, "difftool", false, "creates output for diff'ing. Sets LogLevel=0")
 	// flag.StringVar(&DiffType, "diff", "all", "sets the level of diff output [vm, all]. Has no effect if difftool=false")
 
-	// potential subcommands:
-	// flag.StringVar(&SecretFile, "import", "", "imports the file given (hex or mnemonic formats)")
-	// flag.StringVar(&ExportDir, "export", "", "exports the session keyring to files in the directory given")
-	// flag.BoolVar(&GenAddr, "genaddr", false, "create a new priv/pub key")
 }
 
 func main() {
@@ -298,7 +296,7 @@ func console(ctx *cli.Context) {
 	}
 
 	startEth(ctx, ethereum)
-	repl := newJSRE(ethereum, ctx.String(utils.JSpathFlag.Name), true)
+	repl := newJSRE(ethereum, ctx.String(utils.JSpathFlag.Name), true, ctx.GlobalString(utils.RPCCORSDomainFlag.Name))
 	repl.interactive()
 
 	ethereum.Stop()
@@ -313,7 +311,7 @@ func execJSFiles(ctx *cli.Context) {
 	}
 
 	startEth(ctx, ethereum)
-	repl := newJSRE(ethereum, ctx.String(utils.JSpathFlag.Name), false)
+	repl := newJSRE(ethereum, ctx.String(utils.JSpathFlag.Name), false, ctx.GlobalString(utils.RPCCORSDomainFlag.Name))
 	for _, file := range ctx.Args() {
 		repl.exec(file)
 	}
@@ -356,10 +354,14 @@ func startEth(ctx *cli.Context, eth *eth.Ethereum) {
 	}
 	// Start auxiliary services if enabled.
 	if ctx.GlobalBool(utils.RPCEnabledFlag.Name) {
-		utils.StartRPC(eth, ctx)
+		if err := utils.StartRPC(eth, ctx); err != nil {
+			utils.Fatalf("Error starting RPC: %v", err)
+		}
 	}
 	if ctx.GlobalBool(utils.MiningEnabledFlag.Name) {
-		eth.StartMining()
+		if err := eth.StartMining(); err != nil {
+			utils.Fatalf("%v", err)
+		}
 	}
 }
 
@@ -369,8 +371,10 @@ func accountList(ctx *cli.Context) {
 	if err != nil {
 		utils.Fatalf("Could not list accounts: %v", err)
 	}
-	for _, acct := range accts {
-		fmt.Printf("Address: %x\n", acct)
+	name := "Primary"
+	for i, acct := range accts {
+		fmt.Printf("%s #%d: %x\n", name, i, acct)
+		name = "Account"
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/cmd/utils/flags.go b/cmd/utils/flags.go
index b8f3982e24..eb36d1b903 100644
--- a/cmd/utils/flags.go
+++ b/cmd/utils/flags.go
@@ -79,22 +79,22 @@ var (
 	}
 	ProtocolVersionFlag = cli.IntFlag{
 		Name:  "protocolversion",
-		Usage: "ETH protocol version",
+		Usage: "ETH protocol version (integer)",
 		Value: eth.ProtocolVersion,
 	}
 	NetworkIdFlag = cli.IntFlag{
 		Name:  "networkid",
-		Usage: "Network Id",
+		Usage: "Network Id (integer)",
 		Value: eth.NetworkId,
 	}
 	BlockchainVersionFlag = cli.IntFlag{
 		Name:  "blockchainversion",
-		Usage: "Blockchain version",
+		Usage: "Blockchain version (integer)",
 		Value: core.BlockChainVersion,
 	}
 	IdentityFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "identity",
-		Usage: "node name",
+		Usage: "Custom node name",
 	}
 	NatspecEnabledFlag = cli.BoolFlag{
 		Name:  "natspec",
@@ -113,18 +113,18 @@ var (
 	}
 	EtherbaseFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "etherbase",
-		Usage: "public address for block mining rewards. By default the address of your primary account is used",
+		Usage: "Public address for block mining rewards. By default the address of your primary account is used",
 		Value: "primary",
 	}
 
 	UnlockedAccountFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "unlock",
-		Usage: "unlock the account given until this program exits (prompts for password). '--unlock primary' unlocks the primary account",
+		Usage: "Unlock the account given until this program exits (prompts for password). '--unlock primary' unlocks the primary account",
 		Value: "",
 	}
 	PasswordFileFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "password",
-		Usage: "Path to password file for (un)locking an existing account.",
+		Usage: "Path to password file to use with options and subcommands needing a password",
 		Value: "",
 	}
 
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ var (
 	}
 	LogLevelFlag = cli.IntFlag{
 		Name:  "loglevel",
-		Usage: "0-5 (silent, error, warn, info, debug, debug detail)",
+		Usage: "Logging verbosity: 0-6 (0=silent, 1=error, 2=warn, 3=info, 4=core, 5=debug, 6=debug detail)",
 		Value: int(logger.InfoLevel),
 	}
 	LogJSONFlag = cli.StringFlag{
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ var (
 	}
 	LogVModuleFlag = cli.GenericFlag{
 		Name:  "vmodule",
-		Usage: "The syntax of the argument is a comma-separated list of pattern=N, where pattern is a literal file name (minus the \".go\" suffix) or \"glob\" pattern and N is a V level.",
+		Usage: "The syntax of the argument is a comma-separated list of pattern=N, where pattern is a literal file name (minus the \".go\" suffix) or \"glob\" pattern and N is a log verbosity level.",
 		Value: glog.GetVModule(),
 	}
 	VMDebugFlag = cli.BoolFlag{
@@ -158,12 +158,12 @@ var (
 	}
 	BacktraceAtFlag = cli.GenericFlag{
 		Name:  "backtrace_at",
-		Usage: "When set to a file and line number holding a logging statement a stack trace will be written to the Info log",
+		Usage: "If set to a file and line number (e.g., \"block.go:271\") holding a logging statement, a stack trace will be logged",
 		Value: glog.GetTraceLocation(),
 	}
 	PProfEanbledFlag = cli.BoolFlag{
 		Name:  "pprof",
-		Usage: "Whether the profiling server should be enabled",
+		Usage: "Enable the profiling server on localhost",
 	}
 	PProfPortFlag = cli.IntFlag{
 		Name:  "pprofport",
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ var (
 	// RPC settings
 	RPCEnabledFlag = cli.BoolFlag{
 		Name:  "rpc",
-		Usage: "Whether RPC server is enabled",
+		Usage: "Enable the JSON-RPC server",
 	}
 	RPCListenAddrFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "rpcaddr",
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ var (
 	// Network Settings
 	MaxPeersFlag = cli.IntFlag{
 		Name:  "maxpeers",
-		Usage: "Maximum number of network peers",
+		Usage: "Maximum number of network peers (network disabled if set to 0)",
 		Value: 16,
 	}
 	ListenPortFlag = cli.IntFlag{
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ var (
 	}
 	BootnodesFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "bootnodes",
-		Usage: "Space-separated enode URLs for discovery bootstrap",
+		Usage: "Space-separated enode URLs for p2p discovery bootstrap",
 		Value: "",
 	}
 	NodeKeyFileFlag = cli.StringFlag{
@@ -217,12 +217,12 @@ var (
 	}
 	NATFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "nat",
-		Usage: "Port mapping mechanism (any|none|upnp|pmp|extip:<IP>)",
+		Usage: "NAT port mapping mechanism (any|none|upnp|pmp|extip:<IP>)",
 		Value: "any",
 	}
 	WhisperEnabledFlag = cli.BoolFlag{
 		Name:  "shh",
-		Usage: "Whether the whisper sub-protocol is enabled",
+		Usage: "Enable whisper",
 	}
 	JSpathFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "jspath",
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ func GetAccountManager(ctx *cli.Context) *accounts.Manager {
 	return accounts.NewManager(ks)
 }
 
-func StartRPC(eth *eth.Ethereum, ctx *cli.Context) {
+func StartRPC(eth *eth.Ethereum, ctx *cli.Context) error {
 	config := rpc.RpcConfig{
 		ListenAddress: ctx.GlobalString(RPCListenAddrFlag.Name),
 		ListenPort:    uint(ctx.GlobalInt(RPCPortFlag.Name)),
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ func StartRPC(eth *eth.Ethereum, ctx *cli.Context) {
 	}
 
 	xeth := xeth.New(eth, nil)
-	_ = rpc.Start(xeth, config)
+	return rpc.Start(xeth, config)
 }
 
 func StartPProf(ctx *cli.Context) {
diff --git a/eth/backend.go b/eth/backend.go
index 356e7fd1a5..7c1d7d617d 100644
--- a/eth/backend.go
+++ b/eth/backend.go
@@ -322,10 +322,9 @@ func (s *Ethereum) StartMining() error {
 		err = fmt.Errorf("Cannot start mining without etherbase address: %v", err)
 		glog.V(logger.Error).Infoln(err)
 		return err
-
 	}
 
-	s.miner.Start(eb)
+	go s.miner.Start(eb)
 	return nil
 }