diff --git a/processing/app/PdeEditor.java b/processing/app/PdeEditor.java
index 26310c034..cafc27b9d 100644
--- a/processing/app/PdeEditor.java
+++ b/processing/app/PdeEditor.java
@@ -798,11 +798,15 @@ public class PdeEditor extends JPanel {
 
     public void run() {
       while (Thread.currentThread() == thread) {
-        if ((runtime != null) && (runtime.applet != null)) {
-          //System.out.println(runtime.applet.finished);
-          buttons.running(!runtime.applet.finished);
-          //} else {
-          //System.out.println("still pooping");
+        if (runtime != null) {
+          if (runtime.applet != null) {
+            //System.out.println(runtime.applet.finished);
+            buttons.running(!runtime.applet.finished);
+            //} else {
+            //System.out.println("still pooping");
+          } else if (runtime.process != null) {
+            buttons.running(true);  // ??
+          }
         }
         try {
           Thread.sleep(250);
@@ -811,7 +815,9 @@ public class PdeEditor extends JPanel {
     }
 
     public void stop() {
-      thread.stop();
+      buttons.running(false);
+      thread = null;
+      //thread.stop();
     }
   }
 
@@ -1551,7 +1557,11 @@ public class PdeEditor extends JPanel {
 
 
   public void doQuit() {
-    doStop();
+    // stop isn't sufficient with external vm & quit
+    // instead use doClose() which will kill the external vm
+    //doStop();
+    doClose();  
+
     //if (!checkModified()) return;
     checkModified(DO_QUIT);
     //System.out.println("exiting doquit");
diff --git a/processing/app/PdeRuntime.java b/processing/app/PdeRuntime.java
index 750552495..95ebc4a80 100644
--- a/processing/app/PdeRuntime.java
+++ b/processing/app/PdeRuntime.java
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@ import gnu.io.*;
 
 public class PdeRuntime implements PdeMessageConsumer {
 
-  Process process;
   BApplet applet;
   PdeException exception;
   Window window;
@@ -48,6 +47,8 @@ public class PdeRuntime implements PdeMessageConsumer {
   boolean newMessage;
   int messageLineCount;
 
+  Process process;
+  OutputStream processOutput;
   boolean externalRuntime;
   String externalPaths;
 
@@ -85,13 +86,14 @@ public class PdeRuntime implements PdeMessageConsumer {
           "-cp",
           externalPaths,
           "BApplet",
-          "--location=" + x1 + "," + y1,
+          "--external=" + x1 + "," + y1,
           className
         };
 
         process = Runtime.getRuntime().exec(command);
         new PdeMessageSiphon(process.getInputStream(), this);
         new PdeMessageSiphon(process.getErrorStream(), this);
+        processOutput = process.getOutputStream();
 
       } else {
         Class c = Class.forName(className);
@@ -305,23 +307,33 @@ public class PdeRuntime implements PdeMessageConsumer {
 
   public void stop() {
     //System.out.println();
-    //System.out.println("* stopping");
+    //System.out.println("PdeRuntime.stop()");
 
     // check for null in case stop is called during compilation
-    if (applet != null) applet.stop();
-    //if (window != null) window.hide();
+    if (applet != null) {
+      applet.stop();
+      //if (window != null) window.hide();
 
-    // above avoids NullPointerExceptions 
-    // but still threading is too complex, and so
-    // some boogers are being left behind
+      // above avoids NullPointerExceptions 
+      // but still threading is too complex, and so
+      // some boogers are being left behind
 
-    applet = null;
-    //window = null;
+      applet = null;
+      //window = null;
 
-    if (process != null) {  // running externally
+    } else if (process != null) {  // running externally
       //System.out.println("killing external process");
-      process.destroy();
-      process = null;
+
+      try {
+        //System.out.println("writing to stop process");
+        processOutput.write('s');
+        processOutput.flush();
+
+      } catch (IOException e) {
+        System.err.println("error stopping external applet");
+        e.printStackTrace();
+        close();
+      }
 
       /*
       try {
@@ -349,10 +361,27 @@ public class PdeRuntime implements PdeMessageConsumer {
       window.dispose();
       window = null;
     }
+
+    if (process != null) {
+      try {
+        process.destroy();
+      } catch (Exception e) {
+        System.err.println("(ignored) error while destroying");
+        e.printStackTrace();
+      }
+      process = null;
+    }
   }
 
 
   public void message(String s) {
+    if (s.indexOf(BApplet.EXTERNAL_QUIT) == 0) {
+      //close();
+      System.out.println("got proper quit message");
+      editor.doClose();
+      return;
+    }
+
     //System.err.println("message " + s.length() + ":" + s);
     if (s.length() > 2) System.err.println(s);
 
diff --git a/processing/todo.txt b/processing/todo.txt
index 66ac93035..cdd58aa2d 100644
--- a/processing/todo.txt
+++ b/processing/todo.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,27 @@
 0063
+X beautify menu became disabled when moved
+X BImage(int width, int height) constructor
+X trying to track down sluggishness with applets.. 
+X   beginShape/endShape.. 3D scenes with boxes..
+X   newPixels is in BGraphics.endFrame, 
+X   screen.drawImage is in BApplet.paint
+X   need to move both to BApplet.paint()
+
+_ external applet stuff
+X   set initial position of external applets via BApplet
+_   send messages for window location
+_   closing window doesn't disable the stop button
+_   hitting 'stop' should freeze applet, not close window
+_   what was the random NullPointerException
+_   'add files' for .class, .zip, .jar should drop the stuff in
+
+_ jikes errors are missing newline/linefeed ?
+
+_ using run-expert.bat on 62 causes NullPointerException weirdness
+_ network/shared_canvas, network/value has old code
+_ write script to remove .DS_Store and CVS folders from dist
+_ include version number in the about box
+_   http://proce55ing.net/discourse/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Proce55ing_software_bugs;action=display;num=1064220242
 
 assigned to dan haskovec, completed by fry
 X for 'java' mode, try run using external vm
@@ -17,21 +40,11 @@ X   or figure out how to unload old classes.. grr
 X lockup when something missing from classpath on dynamic load
 X   but makes no error.. peditorconsole probably swallowing it
 
-_ using run-expert.bat on 62 causes NullPointerException weirdness
-
-_ ability to include other .java and .pde code from sketchbook folder
-
-_ network/shared_canvas, network/value has old code
-
-_ trying to track down sluggishness with applets.. 
-_   beginShape/endShape.. 3D scenes with boxes..
-
-_ write script to remove .DS_Store and CVS folders from dist
 
 
 MEDIUM
-_ include version number in the about box
-_   http://proce55ing.net/discourse/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Proce55ing_software_bugs;action=display;num=1064220242
+_ ability to include other .java and .pde code from sketchbook folder
+_   'add files' for .java or .pde pulls into the folder
 _ light(x, y, z, c1, c2, c3, TYPE)
 _   also BLight with same constructor, and on() and off() fxn
 _ better 1.3/1.4 support.. properly detect vm