diff --git a/docs/example_generation.jl b/docs/example_generation.jl
index 9a193b99..b4fca168 100644
--- a/docs/example_generation.jl
+++ b/docs/example_generation.jl
@@ -51,17 +51,17 @@ const examples = PlotExample[
               [:(heatmap(randn(10000),randn(10000); nbins=100))]),
   PlotExample("Suported line types",
               "All options: (:line, :orderedline, :step, :stepinverted, :sticks, :scatter, :none, :heatmap, :hexbin, :hist, :bar)",
-              [:(types = intersect(supportedTypes(), [:line, :orderedline, :path, :step, :stepinverted, :sticks, :scatter])),
+              [:(types = intersect(supportedTypes(), [:line, :step, :stepinverted, :sticks, :scatter])),
                   :(n = length(types)),
                   :(x = Vector[sort(rand(20)) for i in 1:n]),
                   :(y = rand(20,n)),
-                  :(plot(x, y; linetype=:auto, labels=map(string,types)))]),
+                  :(plot(x, y; linetypes=types, labels=map(string,types)))]),
   PlotExample("Supported line styles",
               "All options: (:solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot)",
-              [:(styles = supportedStyles()), :(plot(rand(20,length(styles)); linestyle=:auto, labels=map(string,styles)))]),
+              [:(styles = setdiff(supportedStyles(), [:auto])), :(plot(rand(20,length(styles)); linestyle=:auto, labels=map(string,styles)))]),
   PlotExample("Supported marker types",
               "All options: (:none, :auto, :ellipse, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star1, :star2, :hexagon)",
-              [:(markers = supportedMarkers()), :(plot([fill(i,10) for i=1:length(markers)]; marker=:auto, labels=map(string,markers), markersize=10))]),
+              [:(markers = setdiff(supportedMarkers(), [:none,:auto])), :(plot([fill(i,10) for i=1:length(markers)]; marker=:auto, labels=map(string,markers), markersize=10))]),
   PlotExample("Bar",
               "x is the midpoint of the bar. (todo: allow passing of edges instead of midpoints)",
               [:(bar(randn(1000)))]),
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ const examples = PlotExample[
 function generate_markdown(pkgname::Symbol)
 
   # set up the plotter, and don't show the plots by default
-  plotter!(pkgname)
+  pkg = plotter!(pkgname)
   # plotDefault!(:show, false)
 
   # mkdir if necessary
@@ -102,6 +102,15 @@ function generate_markdown(pkgname::Symbol)
   # open the markdown file
   md = open("$DOCDIR/$(pkgname)_examples.md", "w")
 
+  write(md, "# Examples for backend: $pkgname\n\n")
+  write(md, "- Supported arguments: $(supportedArgs(pkg))\n")
+  write(md, "- Supported values for axis: $(supportedAxes(pkg))\n")
+  write(md, "- Supported values for linetype: $(supportedTypes(pkg))\n")
+  write(md, "- Supported values for linestyle: $(supportedStyles(pkg))\n")
+  write(md, "- Supported values for marker: $(supportedMarkers(pkg))\n")
+  write(md, "- Is `subplot`/`subplot!` supported? $(subplotSupported(pkg) ? "Yes" : "No")\n\n")
+
+
   for (i,example) in enumerate(examples)
 
     try
@@ -147,6 +156,10 @@ end
 function test_all_examples(pkgname::Symbol)
   plts = Dict()
   for i in 1:length(examples)
+    if examples[i].header == "Subplots" && !subplotSupported()
+      break
+    end
+
     try
       plt = test_example(pkgname, i)
       plts[i] = plt
diff --git a/docs/gadfly_examples.md b/docs/gadfly_examples.md
index 7756526c..4d2cb519 100644
--- a/docs/gadfly_examples.md
+++ b/docs/gadfly_examples.md
@@ -1,3 +1,12 @@
+# Examples for backend: gadfly
+
+- Supported arguments: [:args,:axis,:color,:fillto,:heatmap_c,:kwargs,:label,:legend,:linestyle,:linetype,:marker,:markercolor,:markersize,:nbins,:reg,:size,:title,:width,:windowtitle,:xlabel,:ylabel,:yrightlabel]
+- Supported values for axis: [:left]
+- Supported values for linetype: [:line,:step,:sticks,:scatter,:heatmap,:hexbin,:hist,:bar]
+- Supported values for linestyle: [:solid]
+- Supported values for marker: [:rect,:ellipse,:diamond,:cross]
+- Is `subplot`/`subplot!` supported? Yes
+
 ### Lines
 
 A simple line plot of the 3 columns.
@@ -10,7 +19,7 @@ plot(rand(100,3))
 
 ### Functions
 
-Plot multiple functions.
+Plot multiple functions.  You can also put the function first.
 
 ```julia
 plot(0:0.01:4π,[sin,cos])
@@ -30,7 +39,7 @@ plot([sin,cos],0,4π)
 
 ### 
 
-Or make a parametric plot with plot(fx, fy, umin, umax).
+Or make a parametric plot (i.e. plot: (fx(u), fy(u))) with plot(fx, fy, umin, umax).
 
 ```julia
 plot(sin,(x->begin  # /home/tom/.julia/v0.4/Plots/docs/example_generation.jl, line 33:
@@ -54,7 +63,7 @@ plot(rand(10); title="TITLE",xlabel="XLABEL",ylabel="YLABEL",background_color=RG
 
 Use the `axis` or `axiss` arguments.
 
-Note: This is only supported with Qwt right now
+Note: Currently only supported with Qwt and PyPlot
 
 ```julia
 plot(Vector[randn(100),randn(100) * 100]; axiss=[:left,:right],ylabel="LEFT",yrightlabel="RIGHT")
@@ -102,31 +111,34 @@ heatmap(randn(10000),randn(10000); nbins=100)
 
 ![](../img/gadfly/gadfly_example_10.png)
 
-### Lots of line types
+### Suported line types
 
-Options: (:line, :step, :stepinverted, :sticks, :scatter, :none, :heatmap, :hexbin, :hist, :bar)  
-Note: some may not work with all backends
+All options: (:line, :orderedline, :step, :stepinverted, :sticks, :scatter, :none, :heatmap, :hexbin, :hist, :bar)
 
 ```julia
-plot(rand(20,4); linetypes=[:line,:step,:sticks,:scatter],labels=["line","step","sticks","dots"])
+types = intersect(supportedTypes(),[:line,:orderedline,:path,:step,:stepinverted,:sticks,:scatter])
+n = length(types)
+x = Vector[sort(rand(20)) for i = 1:n]
+y = rand(20,n)
+plot(x,y; linetype=:auto,labels=map(string,types))
 ```
 
 ![](../img/gadfly/gadfly_example_11.png)
 
-### Lots of line styles
+### Supported line styles
 
-Options: (:solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot)  
-Note: some may not work with all backends
+All options: (:solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot)
 
 ```julia
-plot(rand(20,5); linestyles=[:solid,:dash,:dot,:dashdot,:dashdotdot],labels=["solid","dash","dot","dashdot","dashdotdot"])
+styles = supportedStyles()
+plot(rand(20,length(styles)); linestyle=:auto,labels=map(string,styles))
 ```
 
 ![](../img/gadfly/gadfly_example_12.png)
 
-### Lots of marker types
-
+### Supported marker types
 
+All options: (:none, :auto, :ellipse, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star1, :star2, :hexagon)
 
 ```julia
 markers = supportedMarkers()
@@ -155,3 +167,38 @@ histogram(randn(1000); nbins=50,fillto=20)
 
 ![](../img/gadfly/gadfly_example_15.png)
 
+### Subplots
+
+  subplot and subplot! are distinct commands which create many plots and add series to them in a circular fashion.
+  You can define the layout with keyword params... either set the number of plots `n` (and optionally number of rows `nr` or 
+  number of columns `nc`), or you can set the layout directly with `layout`.  
+
+  Note: Gadfly is not very friendly here, and although you can create a plot and save a PNG, I haven't been able to actually display it.
+
+
+```julia
+subplot(randn(100,5); layout=[1,1,3],linetypes=[:line,:hist,:scatter,:step,:bar],nbins=10,legend=false)
+```
+
+![](../img/gadfly/gadfly_example_16.png)
+
+### Adding to subplots
+
+Note here the automatic grid layout, as well as the order in which new series are added to the plots.
+
+```julia
+subplot(randn(100,5); n=4)
+```
+
+![](../img/gadfly/gadfly_example_17.png)
+
+### 
+
+
+
+```julia
+subplot!(randn(100,3))
+```
+
+![](../img/gadfly/gadfly_example_18.png)
+
diff --git a/docs/qwt_examples.md b/docs/qwt_examples.md
index c0d961bb..b4bf974b 100644
--- a/docs/qwt_examples.md
+++ b/docs/qwt_examples.md
@@ -1,3 +1,12 @@
+# Examples for backend: qwt
+
+- Supported arguments: [:args,:axis,:color,:fillto,:heatmap_c,:kwargs,:label,:legend,:linestyle,:linetype,:marker,:markercolor,:markersize,:nbins,:reg,:size,:title,:width,:windowtitle,:xlabel,:ylabel,:yrightlabel]
+- Supported values for axis: [:auto,:left,:right]
+- Supported values for linetype: [:none,:line,:step,:stepinverted,:sticks,:scatter,:heatmap,:hexbin,:hist,:bar]
+- Supported values for linestyle: [:auto,:solid,:dash,:dot,:dashdot,:dashdotdot]
+- Supported values for marker: [:none,:auto,:ellipse,:rect,:diamond,:utriangle,:dtriangle,:cross,:xcross,:star1,:star2,:hexagon]
+- Is `subplot`/`subplot!` supported? Yes
+
 ### Lines
 
 A simple line plot of the 3 columns.
@@ -10,7 +19,7 @@ plot(rand(100,3))
 
 ### Functions
 
-Plot multiple functions.
+Plot multiple functions.  You can also put the function first.
 
 ```julia
 plot(0:0.01:4π,[sin,cos])
@@ -30,7 +39,7 @@ plot([sin,cos],0,4π)
 
 ### 
 
-Or make a parametric plot with plot(fx, fy, umin, umax).
+Or make a parametric plot (i.e. plot: (fx(u), fy(u))) with plot(fx, fy, umin, umax).
 
 ```julia
 plot(sin,(x->begin  # /home/tom/.julia/v0.4/Plots/docs/example_generation.jl, line 33:
@@ -54,7 +63,7 @@ plot(rand(10); title="TITLE",xlabel="XLABEL",ylabel="YLABEL",background_color=RG
 
 Use the `axis` or `axiss` arguments.
 
-Note: This is only supported with Qwt right now
+Note: Currently only supported with Qwt and PyPlot
 
 ```julia
 plot(Vector[randn(100),randn(100) * 100]; axiss=[:left,:right],ylabel="LEFT",yrightlabel="RIGHT")
@@ -102,35 +111,38 @@ heatmap(randn(10000),randn(10000); nbins=100)
 
 ![](../img/qwt/qwt_example_10.png)
 
-### Lots of line types
+### Suported line types
 
-Options: (:line, :step, :stepinverted, :sticks, :scatter, :none, :heatmap, :hexbin, :hist, :bar)  
-Note: some may not work with all backends
+All options: (:line, :orderedline, :step, :stepinverted, :sticks, :scatter, :none, :heatmap, :hexbin, :hist, :bar)
 
 ```julia
-plot(rand(20,4); linetypes=[:line,:step,:sticks,:scatter],labels=["line","step","sticks","dots"])
+types = intersect(supportedTypes(),[:line,:step,:stepinverted,:sticks,:scatter])
+n = length(types)
+x = Vector[sort(rand(20)) for i = 1:n]
+y = rand(20,n)
+plot(x,y; linetype=:auto,labels=map(string,types))
 ```
 
 ![](../img/qwt/qwt_example_11.png)
 
-### Lots of line styles
+### Supported line styles
 
-Options: (:solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot)  
-Note: some may not work with all backends
+All options: (:solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot)
 
 ```julia
-plot(rand(20,5); linestyles=[:solid,:dash,:dot,:dashdot,:dashdotdot],labels=["solid","dash","dot","dashdot","dashdotdot"])
+styles = setdiff(supportedStyles(),[:auto])
+plot(rand(20,length(styles)); linestyle=:auto,labels=map(string,styles))
 ```
 
 ![](../img/qwt/qwt_example_12.png)
 
-### Lots of marker types
+### Supported marker types
 
-Options: (:none, :ellipse, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star1, :star2, :hexagon)  
-Note: some may not work with all backends
+All options: (:none, :auto, :ellipse, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star1, :star2, :hexagon)
 
 ```julia
-plot(repmat(collect(1:10)',10,1); markers=[:ellipse,:rect,:diamond,:utriangle,:dtriangle,:cross,:xcross,:star1,:star2,:hexagon],labels=["ellipse","rect","diamond","utriangle","dtriangle","cross","xcross","star1","star2","hexagon"],linetype=:none,markersize=10)
+markers = setdiff(supportedMarkers(),[:none,:auto])
+plot([fill(i,10) for i = 1:length(markers)]; marker=:auto,labels=map(string,markers),markersize=10)
 ```
 
 ![](../img/qwt/qwt_example_13.png)
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diff --git a/src/args.jl b/src/args.jl
index 5dbc8df9..fb6ef6fe 100644
--- a/src/args.jl
+++ b/src/args.jl
@@ -9,11 +9,16 @@ const TYPES = [:line, :step, :stepinverted, :sticks, :scatter, :heatmap, :hexbin
 const STYLES = [:solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot]
 const MARKERS = [:ellipse, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star1, :star2, :hexagon]
 
-supportedAxes(::PlottingPackage) = AXES
-supportedTypes(::PlottingPackage) = TYPES
-supportedStyles(::PlottingPackage) = STYLES
-supportedMarkers(::PlottingPackage) = MARKERS
-subplotSupported(::GadflyPackage) = true
+const ALL_AXES = vcat(:auto, AXES)
+const ALL_TYPES = vcat(:none, TYPES)
+const ALL_STYLES = vcat(:auto, STYLES)
+const ALL_MARKERS = vcat(:none, :auto, MARKERS)
+
+supportedAxes(::PlottingPackage) = ALL_AXES
+supportedTypes(::PlottingPackage) = ALL_TYPES
+supportedStyles(::PlottingPackage) = ALL_STYLES
+supportedMarkers(::PlottingPackage) = ALL_MARKERS
+subplotSupported(::PlottingPackage) = true
 
 supportedAxes() = supportedAxes(plotter())
 supportedTypes() = supportedTypes(plotter())
@@ -78,6 +83,8 @@ makeplural(s::Symbol) = Symbol(string(s,"s"))
 autopick(arr::AVec, idx::Integer) = arr[mod1(idx,length(arr))]
 autopick(notarr, idx::Integer) = notarr
 
+autopick_ignore_none_auto(arr::AVec, idx::Integer) = autopick(setdiff(arr, [:none, :auto]), idx)
+autopick_ignore_none_auto(notarr, idx::Integer) = notarr
 
 # converts a symbol or string into a colorant (Colors.RGB), and assigns a color automatically
 # note: if plt is nothing, we aren't doing anything with the color anyways
@@ -146,16 +153,16 @@ function getPlotKeywordArgs(pkg::PlottingPackage, kw, idx::Int, n::Int)
   # auto-pick
   if n > 0
     if d[:axis] == :auto
-      d[:axis] = autopick(supportedAxes(pkg), n)
-    end
-    if d[:linetype] == :auto
-      d[:linetype] = autopick(supportedTypes(pkg), n)
+      d[:axis] = autopick_ignore_none_auto(supportedAxes(pkg), n)
     end
+    # if d[:linetype] == :auto
+    #   d[:linetype] = autopick_ignore_none_auto(supportedTypes(pkg), n)
+    # end
     if d[:linestyle] == :auto
-      d[:linestyle] = autopick(supportedStyles(pkg), n)
+      d[:linestyle] = autopick_ignore_none_auto(supportedStyles(pkg), n)
     end
     if d[:marker] == :auto
-      d[:marker] = autopick(supportedMarkers(pkg), n)
+      d[:marker] = autopick_ignore_none_auto(supportedMarkers(pkg), n)
     end
     
   end
diff --git a/src/backends/gadfly.jl b/src/backends/gadfly.jl
index 40e036ed..33c8359b 100644
--- a/src/backends/gadfly.jl
+++ b/src/backends/gadfly.jl
@@ -6,11 +6,11 @@ immutable GadflyPackage <: PlottingPackage end
 gadfly!() = plotter!(:gadfly)
 
 
-suppportedArgs(::GadflyPackage) = setdiff(ARGS, [:heatmap_c, :fillto, :pos])
-supportedAxes(::GadflyPackage) = [:left]
+suppportedArgs(::GadflyPackage) = setdiff(ALL_ARGS, [:heatmap_c, :fillto, :pos])
+supportedAxes(::GadflyPackage) = setdiff(ALL_AXES, [:right])
 supportedTypes(::GadflyPackage) = setdiff(TYPES, [:stepinverted])
-supportedStyles(::GadflyPackage) = [:solid]
-supportedMarkers(::GadflyPackage) = [:rect, :ellipse, :diamond, :cross]
+supportedStyles(::GadflyPackage) = [:auto, :solid]
+supportedMarkers(::GadflyPackage) = [:none, :auto, :rect, :ellipse, :diamond, :cross]
 
 
 include("gadfly_shapes.jl")
diff --git a/src/backends/immerse.jl b/src/backends/immerse.jl
index e19c2d98..2c03d151 100644
--- a/src/backends/immerse.jl
+++ b/src/backends/immerse.jl
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ immutable ImmersePackage <: PlottingPackage end
 immerse!() = plotter!(:immerse)
 
 
-suppportedArgs(::ImmersePackage) = setdiff(ARGS, [:heatmap_c, :fillto, :pos])
+suppportedArgs(::ImmersePackage) = suppportedArgs(GadflyPackage())
 supportedAxes(::ImmersePackage) = supportedAxes(GadflyPackage())
 supportedTypes(::ImmersePackage) = supportedTypes(GadflyPackage())
 supportedStyles(::ImmersePackage) = supportedStyles(GadflyPackage())
diff --git a/src/backends/pyplot.jl b/src/backends/pyplot.jl
index 7a0abb2e..dfa9efb7 100644
--- a/src/backends/pyplot.jl
+++ b/src/backends/pyplot.jl
@@ -7,11 +7,12 @@ pyplot!() = plotter!(:pyplot)
 
 # -------------------------------
 
-suppportedArgs(::PyPlotPackage) = setdiff(ARGS, [:reg, :heatmap_c, :fillto, :pos])
+suppportedArgs(::PyPlotPackage) = setdiff(ALL_ARGS, [:reg, :heatmap_c, :fillto, :pos])
 # supportedAxes(::PyPlotPackage) = [:left]
 # supportedTypes(::PyPlotPackage) = setdiff(TYPES, [:stepinverted])
-supportedStyles(::PyPlotPackage) = [:solid,:dash,:dot,:dashdot]
-supportedMarkers(::PyPlotPackage) = [:rect, :ellipse, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star1, :hexagon]
+supportedStyles(::PyPlotPackage) = setdiff(ALL_STYLES, [:dashdotdot])
+supportedMarkers(::PyPlotPackage) = setdiff(ALL_MARKERS, [:star2])
+subplotSupported(::PyPlotPackage) = false
 
 # convert colorant to 4-tuple RGBA
 getPyPlotColor(c::Colorant) = map(f->float(f(c)), (red, green, blue, alpha))
@@ -180,7 +181,7 @@ function plot!(::PyPlotPackage, plt::Plot; kw...)
   extraargs[:label] = d[:label]
 
   # do the plot
-  @show lt
+  # @show lt
   if lt == :hist
     d[:serieshandle] = plotfunc(d[:y]; extraargs...)[1]
   elseif lt in (:scatter, :heatmap, :hexbin)
diff --git a/src/backends/template.jl b/src/backends/template.jl
index 9f9c988e..5f902dd0 100644
--- a/src/backends/template.jl
+++ b/src/backends/template.jl
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ supportedAxes(::[PkgName]Package) = AXES
 supportedTypes(::[PkgName]Package) = TYPES
 supportedStyles(::[PkgName]Package) = STYLES
 supportedMarkers(::[PkgName]Package) = MARKERS
+subplotSupported(::[PkgName]Package) = false
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/src/backends/unicodeplots.jl b/src/backends/unicodeplots.jl
index 9cdfe97d..340f04e9 100644
--- a/src/backends/unicodeplots.jl
+++ b/src/backends/unicodeplots.jl
@@ -7,11 +7,11 @@ unicodeplots!() = plotter!(:unicodeplots)
 
 # -------------------------------
 
-suppportedArgs(::GadflyPackage) = setdiff(ARGS, [:reg, :heatmap_c, :fillto, :pos])
-supportedAxes(::GadflyPackage) = [:left]
-supportedTypes(::GadflyPackage) = setdiff(TYPES, [:stepinverted])
-supportedStyles(::GadflyPackage) = [:solid]
-supportedMarkers(::GadflyPackage) = [:ellipse]
+suppportedArgs(::UnicodePlotsPackage) = setdiff(ALL_ARGS, [:reg, :heatmap_c, :fillto, :pos])
+supportedAxes(::UnicodePlotsPackage) = [:auto, :left]
+supportedTypes(::UnicodePlotsPackage) = setdiff(ALL_TYPES, [:stepinverted])
+supportedStyles(::UnicodePlotsPackage) = [:auto, :solid]
+supportedMarkers(::UnicodePlotsPackage) = [:none, :auto, :ellipse]
 
 
 function expandLimits!(lims, x)
diff --git a/src/plotter.jl b/src/plotter.jl
index 686fb02d..0aecaeb5 100644
--- a/src/plotter.jl
+++ b/src/plotter.jl
@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@ Base.display(pkg::PlottingPackage, subplt::Subplot) = error("display($pkg, subpl
 # ---------------------------------------------------------
 
 
-const AVAILABLE_PACKAGES = [:qwt, :gadfly, :unicodeplots, :pyplot, :immerse]
-const INITIALIZED_PACKAGES = Set{Symbol}()
-backends() = AVAILABLE_PACKAGES
+const BACKENDS = [:qwt, :gadfly, :unicodeplots, :pyplot, :immerse]
+const INITIALIZED_BACKENDS = Set{Symbol}()
+backends() = BACKENDS
 
 
-function getPlottingPackage(sym::Symbol)
+function backend(sym::Symbol)
   sym == :qwt && return QwtPackage()
   sym == :gadfly && return GadflyPackage()
   sym == :unicodeplots && return UnicodePlotsPackage()
@@ -36,40 +36,40 @@ function getPlottingPackage(sym::Symbol)
 end 
 
 
-type CurrentPackage
+type CurrentBackend
   sym::Symbol
   pkg::PlottingPackage
 end
-CurrentPackage(sym::Symbol) = CurrentPackage(sym, getPlottingPackage(sym))
+CurrentBackend(sym::Symbol) = CurrentBackend(sym, backend(sym))
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------
 
 function pickDefaultBackend()
   try
     Pkg.installed("Immerse")
-    return CurrentPackage(:immerse)
+    return CurrentBackend(:immerse)
   end
   try
     Pkg.installed("Qwt")
-    return CurrentPackage(:qwt)
+    return CurrentBackend(:qwt)
   end
   try
     Pkg.installed("PyPlot")
-    return CurrentPackage(:pyplot)
+    return CurrentBackend(:pyplot)
   end
   try
     Pkg.installed("Gadfly")
-    return CurrentPackage(:gadfly)
+    return CurrentBackend(:gadfly)
   end
   try
     Pkg.installed("UnicodePlots")
-    return CurrentPackage(:unicodeplots)
+    return CurrentBackend(:unicodeplots)
   end
   warn("You don't have any of the supported backends installed!  Chose from ", backends())
-  return CurrentPackage(:gadfly)
+  return CurrentBackend(:gadfly)
 end
-const CURRENT_PACKAGE = pickDefaultBackend()
-println("[Plots.jl] Default backend: ", CURRENT_PACKAGE.sym)
+const CURRENT_BACKEND = pickDefaultBackend()
+println("[Plots.jl] Default backend: ", CURRENT_BACKEND.sym)
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------
@@ -79,12 +79,12 @@ Returns the current plotting package name.  Initializes package on first call.
 """
 function plotter()
 
-  currentPackageSymbol = CURRENT_PACKAGE.sym
-  if !(currentPackageSymbol in INITIALIZED_PACKAGES)
+  currentBackendSymbol = CURRENT_BACKEND.sym
+  if !(currentBackendSymbol in INITIALIZED_BACKENDS)
 
     # initialize
-    println("[Plots.jl] Initializing package: ", CURRENT_PACKAGE.sym)
-    if currentPackageSymbol == :qwt
+    println("[Plots.jl] Initializing package: ", CURRENT_BACKEND.sym)
+    if currentBackendSymbol == :qwt
       try
         @eval import Qwt
         @eval export Qwt
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ function plotter()
         error("Couldn't import Qwt.  Install it with: Pkg.clone(\"https://github.com/tbreloff/Qwt.jl.git\")\n  (Note: also requires pyqt and pyqwt)")
       end
 
-    elseif currentPackageSymbol == :gadfly
+    elseif currentBackendSymbol == :gadfly
       try
         @eval import Gadfly, Compose
         @eval export Gadfly, Compose
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ function plotter()
         error("Couldn't import Gadfly.  Install it with: Pkg.add(\"Gadfly\")")
       end
 
-    elseif currentPackageSymbol == :unicodeplots
+    elseif currentBackendSymbol == :unicodeplots
       try
         @eval import UnicodePlots
         @eval export UnicodePlots
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ function plotter()
         error("Couldn't import UnicodePlots.  Install it with: Pkg.add(\"UnicodePlots\")")
       end
 
-    elseif currentPackageSymbol == :pyplot
+    elseif currentBackendSymbol == :pyplot
       try
         @eval import PyPlot
         @eval export PyPlot
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ function plotter()
         error("Couldn't import PyPlot.  Install it with: Pkg.add(\"PyPlot\")")
       end
 
-    elseif currentPackageSymbol == :immerse
+    elseif currentBackendSymbol == :immerse
       try
         @eval import Immerse, Gadfly, Compose, Gtk
         @eval export Immerse, Gadfly, Compose, Gtk
@@ -125,13 +125,13 @@ function plotter()
       end
 
     else
-      error("Unknown plotter $currentPackageSymbol.  Choose from: $AVAILABLE_PACKAGES")
+      error("Unknown plotter $currentBackendSymbol.  Choose from: $BACKENDS")
     end
-    push!(INITIALIZED_PACKAGES, currentPackageSymbol)
+    push!(INITIALIZED_BACKENDS, currentBackendSymbol)
     println("[Plots.jl] done.")
 
   end
-  CURRENT_PACKAGE.pkg
+  CURRENT_BACKEND.pkg
 end
 
 doc"""
@@ -141,22 +141,22 @@ function plotter!(modname)
   
   # set the PlottingPackage
   if modname == :qwt
-    CURRENT_PACKAGE.pkg = QwtPackage()
+    CURRENT_BACKEND.pkg = QwtPackage()
   elseif modname == :gadfly
-    CURRENT_PACKAGE.pkg = GadflyPackage()
+    CURRENT_BACKEND.pkg = GadflyPackage()
   elseif modname == :unicodeplots
-    CURRENT_PACKAGE.pkg = UnicodePlotsPackage()
+    CURRENT_BACKEND.pkg = UnicodePlotsPackage()
   elseif modname == :pyplot
-    CURRENT_PACKAGE.pkg = PyPlotPackage()
+    CURRENT_BACKEND.pkg = PyPlotPackage()
   elseif modname == :immerse
-    CURRENT_PACKAGE.pkg = ImmersePackage()
+    CURRENT_BACKEND.pkg = ImmersePackage()
   else
-    error("Unknown plotter $modname.  Choose from: $AVAILABLE_PACKAGES")
+    error("Unknown plotter $modname.  Choose from: $BACKENDS")
   end
 
   # update the symbol
-  CURRENT_PACKAGE.sym = modname
+  CURRENT_BACKEND.sym = modname
 
   # return the package
-  CURRENT_PACKAGE.pkg
+  CURRENT_BACKEND.pkg
 end
diff --git a/src/subplot.jl b/src/subplot.jl
index 2787cc89..b41adcab 100644
--- a/src/subplot.jl
+++ b/src/subplot.jl
@@ -102,6 +102,10 @@ end
 
 # # this adds to a specific subplot... most plot commands will flow through here
 function subplot!(subplt::Subplot, args...; kw...)
+  if !subplotSupported()
+    error(CURRENT_BACKEND.sym, " does not support the subplot/subplot! commands at this time.  Try one of: ", join(filter(pkg->subplotSupported(backend(pkg)), backends()),", "))
+  end
+
   kwList = createKWargsList(subplt, args...; kw...)
   for (i,d) in enumerate(kwList)
     subplt.n += 1