--- a/backend/couchdb/CouchDb.py	Sat Sep 10 04:32:53 2011 +0200
+++ b/backend/couchdb/CouchDb.py	Sat Sep 10 04:43:40 2011 +0200
@@ -1,17 +1,32 @@
 
 from argparse import ArgumentParser
 
+database_url = None
 database = "feedworm"
 
 def init():
+    args = _parseArguments()
+    _setDatabaseName(args)
+    _setDatabaseUrl(args)
+
+def _parseArguments():
     parser = ArgumentParser()
     parser.add_argument("--dbname", nargs="?", help="Name of the database")
-    args = parser.parse_known_args()
+    parser.add_argument("--dburl", nargs="?", help="URL of the database")
+    return parser.parse_known_args()
+
+def _setDatabaseName(args):
     dbname = args[0].dbname
     if dbname is not None:
         global database
         database = dbname
 
+def _setDatabaseUrl(args):
+    dburl = args[0].dburl
+    if dburl is not None:
+        global database_url
+        database_url = dburl
+
 #
 # accessor methods for the various views
 #

--- a/backend/couchdb/CouchDbBackend.py	Sat Sep 10 04:32:53 2011 +0200
+++ b/backend/couchdb/CouchDbBackend.py	Sat Sep 10 04:43:40 2011 +0200
@@ -15,10 +15,16 @@
 
     def __init__(self):
         CouchDb.init()
-        server = couchdb.Server()
+        server = self._initServer()
         self.database = server[CouchDb.database]
         self.prefs = None
 
+    def _initServer(self):
+        if CouchDb.database_url is not None:
+            return couchdb.Server(CouchDb.database_url)
+        else:
+            return couchdb.Server()
+
     def preferences(self):
         if self.prefs is None:
             self.prefs = Preferences(self.database)