compiz - Dec 2006 - Getting and setting options whilst compiz is not running

We have been discussing creating a configuration app
on the compiz forums here

http://forum.go-compiz.org/viewtopic.php?t=153

Using dbus is great because it means that the
configuration app doesnt have to worry about which
config plugin is being used.

The only real problem we have with dbus is that it
cannot be configured whilst compiz is not running.
The usefulness of this is probably limited but its one
of those things that would be nice.

There seem to be a few problems in starting compiz
in a config only mode.  I have had a quick look and
these are my basic thoughts on how it could work.

1. Compiz is started with a special --config-only option
via dbus.  The initial plugin could either be dbus or a
special dummy plugin.
2. Instead of calling addDisplay, a different function
called addDummyDisplay is called which just creates
the structures but does not bind the X display.
3. We should now have dummy displays and screens
which can be used to initialise plugin options and read
them.

The problem is that as soon as gconf is loaded it will kick
off the loading of all the other plugins, which would not
be good if the plugins rely on an xserver actually being
there.

It seems like this way would be tricky.  Is there a easier
 and better way?