diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/ai_service/ai_grp_npc.cpp b/ryzom/server/src/ai_service/ai_grp_npc.cpp
index 056293a25..7d6b9a9df 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/ai_service/ai_grp_npc.cpp
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/ai_service/ai_grp_npc.cpp
@@ -586,7 +586,7 @@ void CGroupNpc::addParameter(std::string const& parameter)
 	std::string key, tail;
 	
 	// force lowercase
-	std::string p = NLMISC::toLower(parameter);
+	std::string p = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(parameter);
 	AI_SHARE::stringToKeywordAndTail(p, key, tail);
 	
 	breakable
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/ai_service/ai_instance.h b/ryzom/server/src/ai_service/ai_instance.h
index 9f59129ce..2d4e3d30e 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/ai_service/ai_instance.h
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/ai_service/ai_instance.h
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ public:
 	/// Store mapping 'name:variant' -> squad to be used later by getSquadByVariantName()
 	void registerSquadVariant(const std::string& nameAndVariant, CGroupDesc<COutpostSquadFamily> *squad )
 	{
-		if ( ! _SquadVariantNameToGroupDesc.insert( std::make_pair( NLMISC::toLower( nameAndVariant ), squad ) ).second )
+		if ( ! _SquadVariantNameToGroupDesc.insert( std::make_pair( NLMISC::toLowerAscii( nameAndVariant ), squad ) ).second )
 			nlwarning( "Duplicate squad template / squad variant '%s'", nameAndVariant.c_str() );
 	}
 
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ public:
 	/// Get a squad by name:variant (works only during primitive parsing), or NULL if not found. Not case-sensitive.
 	CGroupDesc<COutpostSquadFamily> *getSquadByVariantName(const std::string& nameAndVariant)
 	{
-		std::map<std::string, NLMISC::CSmartPtr< CGroupDesc<COutpostSquadFamily> > >::iterator it = _SquadVariantNameToGroupDesc.find( NLMISC::toLower( nameAndVariant ) );
+		std::map<std::string, NLMISC::CSmartPtr< CGroupDesc<COutpostSquadFamily> > >::iterator it = _SquadVariantNameToGroupDesc.find( NLMISC::toLowerAscii( nameAndVariant ) );
 		if ( it != _SquadVariantNameToGroupDesc.end() )
 			return (*it).second;
 		else
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/ai_service/ai_outpost_actions.cpp b/ryzom/server/src/ai_service/ai_outpost_actions.cpp
index 25513ea06..1ef54747e 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/ai_service/ai_outpost_actions.cpp
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/ai_service/ai_outpost_actions.cpp
@@ -648,7 +648,7 @@ DEFINE_ACTION_TEMPLATE1(ContextOutpostGroupDesc,GT_GPRM,FamilyT)
 		string param;
 		args[i].get(param);
 		
-		param = NLMISC::toLower(param);
+		param = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(param);
 		
 		if	(	param == "contact camp"
 			||	param == "contact outpost"
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/ai_service/continent_inline.h b/ryzom/server/src/ai_service/continent_inline.h
index 2116d6ab4..9f0dbe54b 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/ai_service/continent_inline.h
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/ai_service/continent_inline.h
@@ -1053,7 +1053,7 @@ DEFINE_ACTION_TEMPLATE1(ContextGroupDesc,GT_GPRM,FamilyT)
 		std::string param;
 		args[i].get(param);
 		
-		param = NLMISC::toLower(param);
+		param = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(param);
 		
 		if	(	param == "contact camp"
 			||	param == "contact outpost"
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/admin.cpp b/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/admin.cpp
index a35f7671b..815259749 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/admin.cpp
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/admin.cpp
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@
 #include "nel/misc/algo.h"
 #include "nel/misc/sstring.h"
 #include "nel/misc/i18n.h"
+#include "nel/misc/string_view.h"
 
 #include "nel/net/admin.h"
 #include "nel/net/service.h"
@@ -4493,24 +4494,25 @@ NLMISC_COMMAND (connectUserChannel, "Connect to user channels", "<user id> <chan
 	CPVPManager2 *inst = CPVPManager2::getInstance();
 
 	string pass;
-	string name = toLower(args[1]);
-	TChanID channel = inst->getUserDynChannel(name);
+	string name = args[1];
+	string nameLwr = toCaseInsensitive(args[1]);
+	TChanID channel = inst->getUserDynChannel(nameLwr);
 
 	if (args.size() < 3)
-		pass = toLower(name);
+		pass = nameLwr;
 	else
 		pass = args[2];
 
-	if ( (channel == DYN_CHAT_INVALID_CHAN) && (pass != string("*")) && (pass != string("***")) )
-		channel = inst->createUserChannel(name, pass);
+	if ( (channel == DYN_CHAT_INVALID_CHAN) && (pass != nlstr("*")) && (pass != nlstr("***")) )
+		channel = inst->createUserChannel(nameLwr, pass);
 
 	if (channel != DYN_CHAT_INVALID_CHAN)
 	{
 		string channelPass = inst->getPassUserChannel(channel);
 
-		if ( (channel != DYN_CHAT_INVALID_CHAN) && (pass == string("***")) && (c->havePriv(":DEV:") || c->havePriv(":SGM:") || c->havePriv(":GM:") || c->havePriv(":EM:")))
+		if ( (channel != DYN_CHAT_INVALID_CHAN) && (pass == nlstr("***")) && (c->havePriv(":DEV:") || c->havePriv(":SGM:") || c->havePriv(":GM:") || c->havePriv(":EM:")))
 		{
-			inst->deleteUserChannel(name);
+			inst->deleteUserChannel(nameLwr);
 		}
 		else if (channelPass == pass)
 		{
@@ -4521,7 +4523,7 @@ NLMISC_COMMAND (connectUserChannel, "Connect to user channels", "<user id> <chan
 			}
 			inst->addFactionChannelToCharacter(channel, c, true, true);
 		}
-		else if (pass == string("*"))
+		else if (pass == nlstr("*"))
 		{
 			inst->removeFactionChannelForCharacter(channel, c, true);
 		}
@@ -4529,7 +4531,7 @@ NLMISC_COMMAND (connectUserChannel, "Connect to user channels", "<user id> <chan
 		{
 			SM_STATIC_PARAMS_1(params, STRING_MANAGER::literal);
 			params[0].Literal = name;
-			CCharacter::sendDynamicSystemMessage( eid, "EGS_CHANNEL_NO_RIGHTS", params );
+			CCharacter::sendDynamicSystemMessage( eid, nlstr("EGS_CHANNEL_NO_RIGHTS"), params );
 		}
 
 		return true;
@@ -4537,7 +4539,7 @@ NLMISC_COMMAND (connectUserChannel, "Connect to user channels", "<user id> <chan
 
 	SM_STATIC_PARAMS_1(params, STRING_MANAGER::literal);
 	params[0].Literal = name;
-	CCharacter::sendDynamicSystemMessage( eid, "EGS_CHANNEL_INVALID_NAME", params );
+	CCharacter::sendDynamicSystemMessage( eid, nlstr("EGS_CHANNEL_INVALID_NAME"), params );
 	return false;
 
 }
@@ -6704,9 +6706,9 @@ ENTITY_VARIABLE (FullPVP, "Full Pvp Mode")
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		if (value=="1" || value=="on" || toLower(value)=="pvp" || toLower(value)=="true" )
+		if (value=="1" || value=="on" || toLowerAscii(value)=="pvp" || toLowerAscii(value)=="true" )
 			c->setFullPVP(true);
-		else if (value=="0" || value=="off" || toLower(value)=="false" )
+		else if (value=="0" || value=="off" || toLowerAscii(value)=="false" )
 			c->setFullPVP(false);
 //		c->setPVPRecentActionFlag();
 		CPVPManager2::getInstance()->setPVPModeInMirror(c);
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/fame_pd.cpp b/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/fame_pd.cpp
index 2e201412a..c10547b01 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/fame_pd.cpp
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/fame_pd.cpp
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ void							CFameTrend::init()
 	for (i=0; i<3; ++i)
 	{
 		_StrTable[TFameTrendConvert[i].Value] = TFameTrendConvert[i].Name;
-		_ValueMap[NLMISC::toLower(std::string(TFameTrendConvert[i].Name))] = TFameTrendConvert[i].Value;
+		_ValueMap[NLMISC::toLowerAscii(std::string(TFameTrendConvert[i].Name))] = TFameTrendConvert[i].Value;
 	}
 	_Initialised = true;
 }
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/fame_pd_inline.h b/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/fame_pd_inline.h
index 5bd913b35..acaf28fa2 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/fame_pd_inline.h
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/fame_pd_inline.h
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ inline CFameTrend::TFameTrend	CFameTrend::fromString(const std::string& v)
 	{
 		return Unknown;
 	}
-	const std::map<std::string, TFameTrend>::const_iterator	it = _ValueMap.find(NLMISC::toLower(v));
+	const std::map<std::string, TFameTrend>::const_iterator	it = _ValueMap.find(NLMISC::toLowerAscii(v));
 	if (it == _ValueMap.end())
 	{
 		nlwarning("TFameTrend::toString(): string '%s' is not matched, 'Unknown' enum value returned", v.c_str());
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/guild_manager/guild_manager.cpp b/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/guild_manager/guild_manager.cpp
index a84f797dd..afa7e3d5a 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/guild_manager/guild_manager.cpp
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/guild_manager/guild_manager.cpp
@@ -856,7 +856,7 @@ void CGuildManager::createGuildStep2(uint32 guildId, const ucstring &guildName,
 	/// end current bot chat
 	proxy.endBotChat();
 	proxy.updateTarget();
-	_ExistingGuildNames.insert( NLMISC::toLower( guild->getName().toString() ) );
+	_ExistingGuildNames.insert( NLMISC::toCaseInsensitive( guild->getName().toUtf8() ) );
 
 	// ask the client to open it's guild interface
 	PlayerManager.sendImpulseToClient( proxy.getId(),"GUILD:OPEN_GUILD_WINDOW" );
@@ -903,7 +903,7 @@ void CGuildManager::deleteGuild(uint32 id)
 		CStatDB::getInstance()->removeGuild(id);
 	}
 
-	_ExistingGuildNames.erase( NLMISC::toLower( guild->getName().toString() ) );
+	_ExistingGuildNames.erase( NLMISC::toCaseInsensitive( guild->getName().toUtf8() ) );
 	guild->unregisterGuild();
 
 	if (!guild->isProxy())
@@ -1423,7 +1423,7 @@ void CGuildManager::registerGuildAfterLoading(CGuild *guildToRegister)
 //			_GuildsAwaitingString.insert( make_pair( str, guildToRegister->getId() ) );
 //		}
 
-		_ExistingGuildNames.insert( NLMISC::toLower( guildToRegister->getName().toString() ) );
+		_ExistingGuildNames.insert( NLMISC::toCaseInsensitive( guildToRegister->getName().toUtf8() ) );
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1477,7 +1477,7 @@ bool CGuildManager::checkGuildStrings(CGuildCharProxy & proxy,const ucstring & n
 		return false;
 	}
 	// check if name already exists in the guild list
-	if ( _ExistingGuildNames.find( NLMISC::toLower( name.toString() ) ) != _ExistingGuildNames.end() )
+	if ( _ExistingGuildNames.find( NLMISC::toCaseInsensitive( name.toUtf8() ) ) != _ExistingGuildNames.end() )
 	{
 		proxy.sendSystemMessage("GUILD_NAME_ALREADY_EXISTS");
 		return false;
@@ -1491,6 +1491,7 @@ bool CGuildManager::checkGuildStrings(CGuildCharProxy & proxy,const ucstring & n
 		return false;
 	}
 
+	// FIXME: Allow unicode guild names https://github.com/kaetemi/ryzomclassic/issues/187
 	if ( !isalpha(name[0]) || !isalpha(name[name.size()-1]) )
 	{
 		proxy.sendSystemMessage("GUILD_NAME_BAD_CHAR");
@@ -1512,6 +1513,7 @@ bool CGuildManager::checkGuildStrings(CGuildCharProxy & proxy,const ucstring & n
 		else
 		{
 			prevBlank = false;
+			// FIXME: Allow unicode guild names https://github.com/kaetemi/ryzomclassic/issues/187
 			if (!isalpha (name[i]))
 			{
 				proxy.sendSystemMessage("GUILD_NAME_BAD_CHAR");
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/mission_manager/mission_action.cpp b/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/mission_manager/mission_action.cpp
index d38672173..08d006c20 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/mission_manager/mission_action.cpp
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/mission_manager/mission_action.cpp
@@ -2726,8 +2726,8 @@ class CMissionActionFailMissionCat : public IMissionAction
 			MISLOGSYNTAXERROR("<mission_category>");
 			return false;
 		}
-		_MissionCategory = NLMISC::toLower(CMissionParser::getNoBlankString(script[1]));
-		if (NLMISC::toLower(missionData.Template->MissionCategory) == _MissionCategory)
+		_MissionCategory = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(CMissionParser::getNoBlankString(script[1]));
+		if (NLMISC::toLowerAscii(missionData.Template->MissionCategory) == _MissionCategory)
 		{
 			MISLOGERROR1("a mission cannot make fail its own category '%s'", _MissionCategory.c_str());
 			return false;
@@ -2762,7 +2762,7 @@ class CMissionActionFailMissionCat : public IMissionAction
 				pMissTemplate = pMM->getTemplate(pMiss->getTemplateId());
 				if (pMissTemplate != NULL)
 				{
-					if (NLMISC::toLower(pMissTemplate->MissionCategory) == _MissionCategory)
+					if (NLMISC::toLowerAscii(pMissTemplate->MissionCategory) == _MissionCategory)
 					{
 						pMiss->onFailure(true, false);
 						bFailed = true;
@@ -2775,7 +2775,7 @@ class CMissionActionFailMissionCat : public IMissionAction
 					pMissTemplate = pMM->getTemplate(pMiss->getMainMissionTemplateId());
 					if (pMissTemplate != NULL)
 					{
-						if (NLMISC::toLower(pMissTemplate->MissionCategory) == _MissionCategory)
+						if (NLMISC::toLowerAscii(pMissTemplate->MissionCategory) == _MissionCategory)
 							pMiss->onFailure(true, false);
 					}
 				}
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/phrase_manager/special_power_mod_defense.h b/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/phrase_manager/special_power_mod_defense.h
index 90c1baefe..f0d9253f0 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/phrase_manager/special_power_mod_defense.h
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/phrase_manager/special_power_mod_defense.h
@@ -55,10 +55,10 @@ public:
 		_Modifier1 = modifier1;
 		_Modifier2 = modifier2;
 
-		if( NLMISC::toLower(_DefenseMode) == "dodge" )
+		if( NLMISC::toLowerAscii(_DefenseMode) == "dodge" )
 			_PowerType = POWERS::ModDodgeSkill;
 		else
-		if( NLMISC::toLower(_DefenseMode) == "parry" )
+		if( NLMISC::toLowerAscii(_DefenseMode) == "parry" )
 			_PowerType = POWERS::ModParrySkill;
 		else
 			_PowerType = POWERS::ModDefenseSkill;
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/player_manager/player_manager.cpp b/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/player_manager/player_manager.cpp
index a3eb72c76..562c580ef 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/player_manager/player_manager.cpp
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/entities_game_service/player_manager/player_manager.cpp
@@ -2489,8 +2489,7 @@ static void	mailNotification(const std::string& to, const std::string& from)
 		return;
 
 	// first, build a valid character (upper case first, then lower case);
-	ucstring	ucCharname = toLower(to);	// lower case
-	ucCharname[0] = toUpper(ucCharname[0]);	// first upper case
+	ucstring ucCharname = ucstring::makeFromUtf8(capitalize(to));
 
 	// second, get char id that matches the name
 	CEntityId	charId = NLMISC::CEntityIdTranslator::getInstance()->getByEntity(ucCharname);
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/input_output_service/parameter_traits.cpp b/ryzom/server/src/input_output_service/parameter_traits.cpp
index 108f5bf88..53da8edb7 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/input_output_service/parameter_traits.cpp
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/input_output_service/parameter_traits.cpp
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ bool CStringManager::CParameterTraits::eval(CStringManager::TLanguages lang,cons
 	}
 	
 	uint32 stringId = ew.getStringId(rowIndex, colIndex);
-	std::string str = NLMISC::toLower(SM->getString(stringId).toString());
+	std::string str = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(SM->getString(stringId).toString());
 
 	LOG("SM : (paramTraits) eval condition for property %s [%s] %s [%s]", cond.Property.c_str(), str.c_str(), OperatorNames[cond.Operator], cond.ReferenceStr.c_str());
 
@@ -583,11 +583,11 @@ public:
 		std::string op1;
 		if (cond.Property == "name")
 		{
-			op1 = NLMISC::toLower(si.SheetName);
+			op1 = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(si.SheetName);
 		}
 		else if (cond.Property == "gender")
 		{
-			op1 = NLMISC::toLower(GSGENDER::toString(si.Gender));
+			op1 = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(GSGENDER::toString(si.Gender));
 		}
 		else
 		{
@@ -984,7 +984,7 @@ public:
 				return false;
 			}
 			const CStringManager::TSheetInfo &si = SM->getSheetInfo(sheetId);
-			op1 = NLMISC::toLower(si.SheetName);
+			op1 = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(si.SheetName);
 		}
 		else if (cond.Property == "gender")
 		{
@@ -994,7 +994,7 @@ public:
 				nlwarning("Could not find character info for EId %s to check property %s", EId.toString().c_str(), cond.Property.c_str());
 				return false;
 			}
-			op1 = NLMISC::toLower(GSGENDER::toString(charInfo->getGender()));
+			op1 = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(GSGENDER::toString(charInfo->getGender()));
 		}
 		else
 		{
@@ -1080,14 +1080,14 @@ public:
 		}
 		else if (cond.Property == "role")
 		{
-			op1 = NLMISC::toLower(si.ChatProfile);
+			op1 = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(si.ChatProfile);
 		}
 		else if (cond.Property == "title")
 		{
 			// we need to retrieve the charInfo
 			CCharacterInfos	*ci = IOS->getCharInfos(EId);
 			if (ci != NULL)
-				op1 = NLMISC::toLower(ci->Title);
+				op1 = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(ci->Title);
 			else
 			{
 				nlwarning("No character info for bot %s, can't test property 'title' !", EId.toString().c_str());
@@ -1453,11 +1453,11 @@ public:
 		// check if checked property is gender or name
 		if (cond.Property == "gender")
 		{
-			value = NLMISC::toLower(GSGENDER::toString(charInfo->getGender()));
+			value = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(GSGENDER::toString(charInfo->getGender()));
 		}
 		else if (cond.Property == "name")
 		{
-			value = NLMISC::toLower(charInfo->ShortName.toString());
+			value = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(charInfo->ShortName.toString());
 		}
 		else
 		{
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/input_output_service/string_manager.cpp b/ryzom/server/src/input_output_service/string_manager.cpp
index 1bffbec5d..5b6f005d7 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/input_output_service/string_manager.cpp
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/input_output_service/string_manager.cpp
@@ -912,7 +912,7 @@ uint32	CStringManager::translateTitle(const std::string  &title, TLanguages lang
 {
 	const std::string colName("name");
 	const CStringManager::CEntityWords &ew = getEntityWords(language, STRING_MANAGER::title);
-	std::string rowName = NLMISC::toLower(title);
+	std::string rowName = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(title);
 	uint32 stringId;
 	stringId = ew.getStringId(rowName, colName);
 
@@ -1198,7 +1198,7 @@ NLMISC_CATEGORISED_COMMAND(stringmanager, mergeWordFile, "Merge a word file into
 		return false;
 
 	std::string	lang = args[0];
-	std::string	word = toLower(args[1]);
+	std::string	word = toLowerAscii(args[1]);
 	std::string	file = args[2];
 
 	// get language
@@ -1215,7 +1215,7 @@ NLMISC_CATEGORISED_COMMAND(stringmanager, mergeWordFile, "Merge a word file into
 	uint	i;
 	for (i=0; i<typeNames.size(); ++i)
 	{
-		if (toLower(typeNames[i].second) == word)
+		if (toLowerAscii(typeNames[i].second) == word)
 		{
 			wordType = typeNames[i].first;
 			break;
@@ -1260,7 +1260,7 @@ NLMISC_CATEGORISED_COMMAND(stringmanager, displayEntityWords, "display entity wo
 		return false;
 
 	std::string	lang = args[0];
-	std::string	word = toLower(args[1]);
+	std::string	word = toLowerAscii(args[1]);
 	std::string	wc;
 
 	if (args.size() == 3)
@@ -1280,7 +1280,7 @@ NLMISC_CATEGORISED_COMMAND(stringmanager, displayEntityWords, "display entity wo
 	uint	i;
 	for (i=0; i<typeNames.size(); ++i)
 	{
-		if (toLower(typeNames[i].second) == word)
+		if (toLowerAscii(typeNames[i].second) == word)
 		{
 			wordType = typeNames[i].first;
 			break;
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/input_output_service/string_manager_parser.cpp b/ryzom/server/src/input_output_service/string_manager_parser.cpp
index 79d0aba50..3c03a7de9 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/input_output_service/string_manager_parser.cpp
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/input_output_service/string_manager_parser.cpp
@@ -436,7 +436,7 @@ CStringManager::CEntityWords CStringManager::parseEntityWords(const ucstring &st
 	for (i=1; i<ws.size(); ++i)
 	{
 		// on the first col, we uncapitalize the id
-		ws.setData(i, 0, ucstring(NLMISC::toLower(ws.getData(i, 0).toString())));
+		ws.setData(i, 0, ucstring(NLMISC::toLowerAscii(ws.getData(i, 0).toString())));
 
 		ew._RowInfo.insert(make_pair(ws.getData(i, 0).toString(), i-1));
 		for (uint j=0; j<ws.ColCount; ++j)
@@ -810,7 +810,7 @@ bool CStringManager::parseTag(const CPhrase &phrase, const ucstring &tag, TRepla
 			nlwarning("Error reading tag property in the tag [%s]", tag.toString().c_str());
 			return false;
 		}
-		spec = NLMISC::toLower(spec);
+		spec = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(spec);
 	}
 	else
 		spec = "name";
@@ -1106,7 +1106,7 @@ bool CStringManager::parseParamList(ucstring::const_iterator &it, ucstring::cons
 				nlwarning("Error parsing parameter %u type in param list", count);
 				return false;
 			}
-			type = NLMISC::toLower(type);
+			type = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(type);
 
 			NLMISC::CI18N::skipWhiteSpace(it, last);
 			if (!NLMISC::CI18N::parseLabel(it, last, name))
@@ -1543,12 +1543,12 @@ void	CStringManager::setEntityWord(const std::string& path, const ucstring& valu
 
 	if ((end = path.find('.', start)) == string::npos)
 		return;
-	string	lang = toLower(path.substr(start, end-start));
+	string	lang = toLowerAscii(path.substr(start, end-start));
 	start = end+1;
 
 	if ((end = path.find('.', start)) == string::npos)
 		return;
-	string	wordentity = toLower(path.substr(start, end-start));
+	string	wordentity = toLowerAscii(path.substr(start, end-start));
 	start = end+1;
 
 	if ((end = path.find('.', start)) == string::npos)
@@ -1559,14 +1559,14 @@ void	CStringManager::setEntityWord(const std::string& path, const ucstring& valu
 	string	det = path.substr(start);
 
 	TLanguages	language = checkLanguageCode(lang);
-	if (toLower(getLanguageCodeString(language)) != lang)
+	if (toLowerAscii(getLanguageCodeString(language)) != lang)
 		return;
 
 	TParameterTraitList	typeNames = CParameterTraits::getParameterTraitsNames();
 
 	uint	i;
 	for (i=0; i<typeNames.size(); ++i)
-		if (toLower(typeNames[i].second) == wordentity)
+		if (toLowerAscii(typeNames[i].second) == wordentity)
 			break;
 
 	if (i >= typeNames.size())
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/log_analyser_service/commands.cpp b/ryzom/server/src/log_analyser_service/commands.cpp
index 90bfcf09c..35e59f842 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/log_analyser_service/commands.cpp
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/log_analyser_service/commands.cpp
@@ -602,7 +602,7 @@ NLMISC_CATEGORISED_COMMAND(pd_log, displayTableDescription,
 		useFile = logpath + args[2];
 	}
 
-	std::string	tableName = toLower(args[1]);
+	std::string	tableName = toLowerAscii(args[1]);
 
 	CDBDescriptionParser	desc;
 	if (!desc.loadDescriptionFile(logpath + useFile))
@@ -612,7 +612,7 @@ NLMISC_CATEGORISED_COMMAND(pd_log, displayTableDescription,
 
 	uint	i;
 	for (i=0; i<db.Tables.size(); ++i)
-		if (toLower(db.Tables[i].Name) == tableName)
+		if (toLowerAscii(db.Tables[i].Name) == tableName)
 			break;
 
 	if (i == db.Tables.size())
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/mail_forum_service/hof_generator.cpp b/ryzom/server/src/mail_forum_service/hof_generator.cpp
index 77cde5442..9d5a4e2bc 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/mail_forum_service/hof_generator.cpp
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/mail_forum_service/hof_generator.cpp
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ void CHoFGenerator::serviceUpdate()
 			{
 				const string & fileName = files[i];
 
-				if (toLower(CFile::getExtension(fileName)) == "hdt")
+				if (toLowerAscii(CFile::getExtension(fileName)) == "hdt")
 				{
 					_HDTFiles.push_back(fileName);
 				}
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/mail_forum_service/mail_forum_service.cpp b/ryzom/server/src/mail_forum_service/mail_forum_service.cpp
index 712ecc941..14d2f1dbb 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/mail_forum_service/mail_forum_service.cpp
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/mail_forum_service/mail_forum_service.cpp
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ void	CMailForumService::checkFile(const std::string& file)
 
 string	getUserDirectory(uint32 shardid, const string& userName)
 {
-	string	un = toLower(CMailForumValidator::nameToFile(userName));
+	string	un = toCaseInsensitive(CMailForumValidator::nameToFile(userName));
 
 	string	dir = CPath::standardizePath(WebRootDirectory)+toString(shardid)+"/"+un.substr(0, 2)+"/"+un+"/";
 
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ string	getUserDirectory(uint32 shardid, const string& userName)
 
 string getGuildDirectory(uint32 shardid, const string &guildName)
 {
-	string	un = toLower(CMailForumValidator::nameToFile(guildName));
+	string	un = toCaseInsensitive(CMailForumValidator::nameToFile(guildName));
 
 	string	dir = CPath::standardizePath(WebRootDirectory)+toString(shardid)+"/"+un.substr(0, 2)+"/"+un+"/";
 
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/pd_lib/pd_string_mapper.cpp b/ryzom/server/src/pd_lib/pd_string_mapper.cpp
index 7a326dc67..8b21648de 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/pd_lib/pd_string_mapper.cpp
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/pd_lib/pd_string_mapper.cpp
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ CPDStringMapper::CPDStringMapper()
  */
 void	CPDStringMapper::setMapping(const std::string& str, uint32 id)
 {
-	std::string				lowMapStr = NLMISC::toLower(str);
+	std::string				lowMapStr = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(str);
 	TStringMap::iterator	its;
 
 	TIdMap::iterator		iti = _IdMap.find(id);
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/pd_lib/pd_string_mapper.h b/ryzom/server/src/pd_lib/pd_string_mapper.h
index 2b2e0222f..e6d795077 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/pd_lib/pd_string_mapper.h
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/pd_lib/pd_string_mapper.h
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ inline const std::string&	CPDStringMapper::getString(uint32 id) const
  */
 inline uint32				CPDStringMapper::getId(const std::string& str) const
 {
-	std::string					lowMapStr = NLMISC::toLower(str);
+	std::string					lowMapStr = NLMISC::toLowerAscii(str);
 	TStringMap::const_iterator	it = _StringMap.find(lowMapStr);
 
 	return (it == _StringMap.end()) ? UnknownString : (*it).second;
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/shard_unifier_service/entity_locator.cpp b/ryzom/server/src/shard_unifier_service/entity_locator.cpp
index 4b37b88b5..a2ecc8100 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/shard_unifier_service/entity_locator.cpp
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/shard_unifier_service/entity_locator.cpp
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ namespace ENTITYLOC
 		struct TCharInfo
 		{
 			TShardId	ShardId;
-			ucstring	CharName;
+			std::string	CharName;
 		};
 
 		typedef map<TModuleProxyPtr, TShardId>	TLocatorClient;
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ namespace ENTITYLOC
 		// current connected character
 		TCharMap			_ConnectedChars;
 
-		typedef CHashMap<ucstring, TCharId, CUCStringHashMapTraits>	TCharNameMap;
+		typedef CHashMap<std::string, TCharId>	TCharNameMap;
 		// Index of connected character by name
 		TCharNameMap		_ConnectedCharsByName;
 
@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@ namespace ENTITYLOC
 							TCharMap::iterator next = first;
 							++next;
 							// erase the name mapping
-							_ConnectedCharsByName.erase(toLower(first->second.CharName));
+							_ConnectedCharsByName.erase(toCaseInsensitive(first->second.CharName));
 							// erase the connected char info
 							_ConnectedChars.erase(first);
 							// add it to the (dis)connection event list
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ namespace ENTITYLOC
 
 		NLNET::IModuleProxy *getLocatorModuleForChar(const ucstring &charName)
 		{
-			TCharNameMap::iterator it(_ConnectedCharsByName.find(toLower(charName)));
+			TCharNameMap::iterator it(_ConnectedCharsByName.find(toCaseInsensitive(charName.toUtf8()))); // FIXME: UTF-8
 			if (it == _ConnectedCharsByName.end())
 			{
 				// not online
@@ -411,7 +411,7 @@ namespace ENTITYLOC
 
 		uint32 getShardIdForChar(const ucstring &charName)
 		{
-			TCharNameMap::iterator it(_ConnectedCharsByName.find(toLower(charName)));
+			TCharNameMap::iterator it(_ConnectedCharsByName.find(toCaseInsensitive(charName.toUtf8()))); // FIXME: UTF-8
 			if (it == _ConnectedCharsByName.end())
 			{
 				// not online
@@ -447,7 +447,7 @@ namespace ENTITYLOC
 		void onCharacterNameUpdated(uint32 charId, const std::string &oldName, const std::string &newName)
 		{
 			// lookup this char in online players map
-			TCharNameMap::iterator it(_ConnectedCharsByName.find(toLower(oldName)));
+			TCharNameMap::iterator it(_ConnectedCharsByName.find(toCaseInsensitive(oldName)));
 
 			if (it != _ConnectedCharsByName.end())
 			{
@@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ namespace ENTITYLOC
 				nlassert(charId == it->second);
 
 				_ConnectedCharsByName.erase(it);
-				_ConnectedCharsByName.insert(make_pair(toLower(newName), charId));
+				_ConnectedCharsByName.insert(make_pair(toCaseInsensitive(newName), charId));
 			}
 		}
 
@@ -617,7 +617,7 @@ namespace ENTITYLOC
 				_ConnectedChars.insert(make_pair(charId, ci));
 
 				// store char by name info
-				_ConnectedCharsByName.insert(make_pair(toLower(ci.CharName), charId));
+				_ConnectedCharsByName.insert(make_pair(toCaseInsensitive(ci.CharName), charId));
 			}
 
 			// load the nel user to read privileges
@@ -683,7 +683,7 @@ namespace ENTITYLOC
 			else
 			{
 				// erase the information
-				_ConnectedCharsByName.erase(toLower(it->second.CharName));
+				_ConnectedCharsByName.erase(toCaseInsensitive(it->second.CharName));
 				_ConnectedChars.erase(it);
 			}
 
@@ -887,7 +887,7 @@ namespace ENTITYLOC
 			{
 				log.displayNL("  Character %u '%s' [%u:%u] connected on shard %u", 
 					first->first, 
-					first->second.CharName.toUtf8().c_str(),
+					first->second.CharName.c_str(),
 					first->first>>4, 
 					first->first&0xf, 
 					first->second.ShardId);
diff --git a/ryzom/server/src/shard_unifier_service/ring_session_manager.cpp b/ryzom/server/src/shard_unifier_service/ring_session_manager.cpp
index c1b2c1485..375019217 100644
--- a/ryzom/server/src/shard_unifier_service/ring_session_manager.cpp
+++ b/ryzom/server/src/shard_unifier_service/ring_session_manager.cpp
@@ -584,7 +584,7 @@ namespace RSMGR
 			for (uint i=0; i<userAccessPriv.size(); ++i)
 			{
 				string access("ds_");
-				access += toLower(userAccessPriv[i]);
+				access += toLowerAscii(userAccessPriv[i]);
 
 				if (accessLevel.toString() == access)
 					return true;
@@ -1983,7 +1983,7 @@ endOfWelcomeUserResult:
 							// check the permission of the player
 							for (uint i=0; i<userAccessPriv.size(); ++i)
 							{
-								if (_DontUsePerm || string("ds_")+toLower(userAccessPriv[i]) == shard->getRequiredState().toString())
+								if (_DontUsePerm || string("ds_")+toLowerAscii(userAccessPriv[i]) == shard->getRequiredState().toString())
 								{
 									// ok, this one is accessible
 									// this server is better (i.e had less player in it)
@@ -4323,7 +4323,7 @@ endOfWelcomeUserResult:
 				}
 			}
 
-			TAccessLevel al = string("ds_")+toLower(args[1]);
+			TAccessLevel al = string("ds_")+toLowerAscii(args[1]);
 			if (al == TAccessLevel::invalid_val)
 			{
 				log.displayNL("Invalid access state '%s'", args[1].c_str());