code: def get_user_data(user=None,group=None,data_kind=DINGOS_USER_DATA_TYPE_NAME):
          
          logger.debug("Get user settings called")
  
          if not user.is_authenticated():
              user = None
  
          try:
              user_config =  UserData.objects.get(user=user,group=group,data_kind=data_kind)
              return user_config.retrieve()
          except:
              return None
docs: Returns either stored settings of a given user or default settings.
          This behavior reflects the need for views to have some settings at
          hand when running. The settings are returned as dict object.