code: public String getPreferenceValue(String key, String defaultValue) {
  		if (userCFProperties.containsKey(key))
  			return userCFProperties.getProperty(key);
  		else if (userHomeCFProperties.containsKey(key))
  			return userHomeCFProperties.getProperty(key);
  		else if (systemCFProperties.containsKey(key))
  			return systemCFProperties.getProperty(key);
  		else if (defaultProperties.containsKey(key))
  			return defaultProperties.getProperty(key);
  		else
  			return defaultValue;
  	}
docs: check java preferences for the requested key - then checks the various
  default properties files.
  
  @param key
  @param defaultValue
  @return