diff --git a/fs_npc_list.lua b/fs_npc_list.lua
index d0cccb8..38d8799 100644
--- a/fs_npc_list.lua
+++ b/fs_npc_list.lua
@@ -9,6 +9,16 @@ yl_speak_up.npc_list_objects = {}
 -- file to store the list of NPC for the "/npc_talk list" command
 yl_speak_up.npc_list_path = minetest.get_worldpath().."/yl_speak_up_npc_list.data"
 
+-- pre-calculated lines for the NPC list (only which ones are shown and how some columns
+-- are colored varies per player)
+yl_speak_up.cache_general_npc_list_lines = {}
+
+-- we need to remember which NPC was shown to the player in which order; index: player name
+yl_speak_up.cache_npc_list_per_player = {}
+
+-- which table column is the player using for sorting?
+yl_speak_up.sort_npc_list_per_player = {}
+
 -- add/update data about NPC self with dialog dialog (optional)
 -- force_store ought to be true if something important has been changed
 yl_speak_up.update_npc_data = function(self, dialog, force_store)
@@ -32,7 +42,7 @@ yl_speak_up.update_npc_data = function(self, dialog, force_store)
 				end
 			end
 		end
-	elseif(is_knwon) then
+	elseif(is_known) then
 		local old = yl_speak_up.npc_list[self.yl_speak_up.id]
 		may_edit   = old.may_edit
 		desc       = old.desc
@@ -47,9 +57,13 @@ yl_speak_up.update_npc_data = function(self, dialog, force_store)
 	local pos = {}
 	if(self.object) then
 		pos = self.object:get_pos()
-		pos.x = math.floor(pos.x or 0)
-		pos.y = math.floor(pos.y or 0)
-		pos.z = math.floor(pos.z or 0)
+		if(pos) then
+			pos = { x = math.floor(pos.x or 0),
+				y = math.floor(pos.y or 0),
+				z = math.floor(pos.z or 0)}
+		else
+			pos = { x=0, y=0, z=0}
+		end
 	end
 	-- only store real, important properties
 	local properties = {}
@@ -68,6 +82,8 @@ yl_speak_up.update_npc_data = function(self, dialog, force_store)
 		trades     = trades,
 		pos        = pos,
 		properties = properties,
+		created_at = created_at,
+		muted      = self.yl_speak_up.talk,
 	}
 	-- the current object will change after deactivate; there is no point in storing
 	-- it over server restart
@@ -106,6 +122,143 @@ yl_speak_up.command_npc_talk_list = function(pname, rest)
 	if(not(pname)) then
 		return
 	end
+
+	-- check if there are any loaded entities handled by yl_speak_up that
+	-- are *not* in the list yet
+	local liste = {}
+	for k,v in pairs(minetest.luaentities) do
+		if(v and v.yl_speak_up and v.yl_speak_up.id) then
+			if(not(yl_speak_up.npc_list[v.yl_speak_up.id])) then
+				local dialog = yl_speak_up.load_dialog(v.yl_speak_up.id, nil)
+				yl_speak_up.update_npc_data(v, dialog, false)
+			else
+				yl_speak_up.update_npc_data(v, nil, false)
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	-- store the updated list
+	yl_speak_up.npc_list_store()
+	-- update the information for display
+	yl_speak_up.build_cache_general_npc_list_lines()
+	-- clear the stored NPC list and calculate it anew
+	yl_speak_up.cache_npc_list_per_player[pname] = {}
+	-- Note: show_fs cannot be used here as that expects the player to be talking to an actual npc
+	yl_speak_up.show_fs_ver(pname, "yl_speak_up:show_npc_list",
+                        yl_speak_up.get_fs_show_npc_list(pname, nil))
+end
+
+
+-- allow to sort the npc list, display more info on one NPC etc.
+yl_speak_up.input_show_npc_list = function(player, formname, fields)
+	local pname = player:get_player_name()
+	if(fields.show_npc_list) then
+		local selected = minetest.explode_table_event(fields.show_npc_list)
+		-- sort by column
+		if(selected.row == 1) then
+			local old_sort = yl_speak_up.sort_npc_list_per_player[pname] or 0
+			-- reverse sort
+			if(old_sort == selected.column) then
+				yl_speak_up.sort_npc_list_per_player[pname] = -1 * selected.column
+			else -- sort by new col
+				yl_speak_up.sort_npc_list_per_player[pname] = selected.column
+			end
+			-- show the update
+			yl_speak_up.show_fs_ver(pname, "yl_speak_up:show_npc_list",
+		                        yl_speak_up.get_fs_show_npc_list(pname, nil))
+			return
+		end
+	end
+	return
+end
+
+
+
+-- the entries for the "/npc_talk list" NPC list are generally the same for all
+-- - except that not all lines are shown to each player and that some
+-- lines might be colored diffrently
+yl_speak_up.build_cache_general_npc_list_lines = function()
+
+	-- small helper function to suppress the display of zeros
+	local show_if_bigger_null = function(value, do_count)
+		if(do_count and value) then
+			local anz = 0
+			for k, v in pairs(value) do
+				anz = anz + 1
+			end
+			value = anz
+		end
+		if(value and value > 0) then
+			return tostring(value)
+		else
+			return ""
+		end
+	end
+
+	-- the real priv names would be far too long
+	local short_priv_name = {
+	        precon_exec_lua    = 'pX',
+		effect_exec_lua    = 'eX',
+		effect_give_item   = 'eG',
+		effect_take_item   = 'eT',
+		effect_move_player = 'eM',
+	}
+
+	yl_speak_up.cache_general_npc_list_lines = {}
+
+	for k, data in pairs(yl_speak_up.npc_list) do
+		local data = yl_speak_up.npc_list[k]
+		local n = (data.name or "- ? -")
+		if(data.desc and data.desc ~= "") then
+			n = n..', '..(data.desc or "")
+		end
+		-- is the NPC muted?
+		local npc_color = (yl_speak_up.nametag_color_when_not_muted or '#FFFFFF')
+		if(data.muted ~= nil and data.muted == false) then
+			npc_color = (yl_speak_up.nametag_color_when_muted or '#FFFFFF')
+		end
+		-- is the NPC loaded?
+		local is_loaded_color = '#777777'
+		if(yl_speak_up.npc_list_objects[k]) then
+			is_loaded_color = '#FFFFFF'
+		end
+		-- is it a generic NPC?
+		local n_id = 'n_'..tostring(k)
+		local is_generic = ''
+		if(yl_speak_up.generic_dialogs[n_id]) then
+			is_generic = 'G'
+		end
+		-- does the NPC have extra privs?
+		local priv_list = ''
+		if(yl_speak_up.npc_priv_table[n_id]) then
+			for priv, has_it in pairs(yl_speak_up.npc_priv_table[n_id]) do
+				priv_list = priv_list..tostring(short_priv_name[priv])..' '
+			end
+		end
+
+		yl_speak_up.cache_general_npc_list_lines[k] = {
+			id              = k, -- keep for sorting
+			is_loaded_color = is_loaded_color,
+			n_id            = n_id,
+			is_generic      = is_generic,
+			npc_color       = npc_color, -- muted or not
+			-- npc_color is diffrent for each player
+			n_name          = minetest.formspec_escape(n),
+			owner           = minetest.formspec_escape(data.owner or '- ? -'),
+			is_loaded_color = is_loaded_color,
+			anz_trades      = show_if_bigger_null(#data.trades),
+			anz_properties  = show_if_bigger_null(data.properties, true),
+			anz_editors     = show_if_bigger_null(data.may_edit, true),
+			pos             = minetest.formspec_escape(minetest.pos_to_string(data.pos)),
+			priv_list       = priv_list,
+		}
+	end
+end
+
+
+-- allow to toggle between trade entries and full log
+-- Note: takes pname instead of player(object) as first parameter
+yl_speak_up.get_fs_show_npc_list = function(pname, param)
+	-- which NPC can the player edit?
 	local level = 0
 	if(    minetest.check_player_privs(pname, {npc_master=true})
 	    or minetest.check_player_privs(pname, {npc_talk_master=true})
@@ -115,32 +268,114 @@ yl_speak_up.command_npc_talk_list = function(pname, rest)
 		level = 1
 	end
 	if(level < 1) then
-		minetest.chat_send_player(pname, "This command requires the npc_talk_owner priv or above.")
-		return
+		return "size[5,1]label[0,0;Error: You do not have the npc_talk_owner priv.]"
 	end
 
-	minetest.chat_send_player(pname, "OK...building list.")
+	local formspec_start = 'size[18,12]'..
+--			'button[0.5,11.1;17,0.8;',
+--				back_link,
+--				']'..
+			'label[4.5,0.5;List of all NPC (that you can edit)]'..
+--			'button[0.5,0.1;3,0.8;',
+--				log_type_switch,
+--				']',
+			'tablecolumns[' ..
+				'color;text,align=right;'..	-- the ID
+				'color;text,align=center;'..	-- is the NPC a generic one?
+				'color;text,align=left;'..	-- the name of the NPC
+				'color;text,align=center;'..	-- the name of the owner of the NPC
+				'color;text,align=right;'..	-- number of trades offered
+				'color;text,align=right;'..	-- number of properties set
+				'color;text,align=right;'..	-- number of people who can edit NPC
+				'color;text,align=center;'..	-- last known position
+				'color;text,align=center]'..	-- does he have extra privs?
+			'table[0.1,1.0;17.8,9.8;show_npc_list;'
+	local formspec = {}
 
-	-- sort by default by id descending?
+	-- TODO: blocks may also be talked to
+	-- TODO desc as mouseover?, created_at?
+	-- TODO: created_at, typ (race?)?
 
-	-- check if there are any loaded entities handled by yl_speak_up that
-	-- are *not* in the list yet
-	local liste = {}
-	for k,v in pairs(minetest.luaentities) do
-		if(v and v.yl_speak_up and v.yl_speak_up.id
-		  and not(yl_speak_up.npc_list[v.yl_speak_up.id])) then
-			local dialog = yl_speak_up.load_dialog(v.yl_speak_up.id, nil)
-			yl_speak_up.update_npc_data(v, dialog, true)
+
+	local tmp_liste = {}
+	for k, v in pairs(yl_speak_up.npc_list) do
+		if(level == 2
+		  or (v.owner and v.owner == pname)
+		  or (v.may_edit and v.may_edit[pname])) then
+			table.insert(tmp_liste, k)
 		end
 	end
-	-- TODO: blocks may also be talked to
 
-	for k, v in pairs(yl_speak_up.npc_list) do
-	-- possible editors: dialog.n_may_edit[pname]
-		minetest.chat_send_player(pname, tostring(k).." "..
-			tostring(v.name).." "..tostring(v.owner)..
-			" "..minetest.pos_to_string(v.pos))
+	-- the columns with the colors count as well even though they can't be selected
+	-- (don't sort the first column by n_<id> STRING - sort by <id> NUMBER)
+	local col_names = {"id", "id", "is_generic", "is_generic", "n_name", "n_name",
+			   "owner", "owner", "anz_trades", "anz_trades",
+			   "anz_properties", "anz_properties", "anz_editors", "anz_editors",
+			   "pos", "pos", "priv_list", "priv_list"}
+	local sort_col = yl_speak_up.sort_npc_list_per_player[pname]
+	if(not(sort_col) or sort_col == 0) then
+		table.sort(tmp_liste)
+	elseif(sort_col > 0) then
+		-- it is often more helpful to sort in descending order
+		local col_name = col_names[sort_col]
+		table.sort(tmp_liste, function(a, b)
+				return yl_speak_up.cache_general_npc_list_lines[a][col_name]
+				     > yl_speak_up.cache_general_npc_list_lines[b][col_name]
+			end)
+	else
+		local col_name = col_names[sort_col * -1]
+		table.sort(tmp_liste, function(a, b)
+				return yl_speak_up.cache_general_npc_list_lines[a][col_name]
+				     < yl_speak_up.cache_general_npc_list_lines[b][col_name]
+			end)
 	end
+
+	local col_headers = {'n_id', 'G', 'Name', 'Owner', '#Tr', '#Pr', '#Ed', 'Position', 'Privs'}
+	for i, k in ipairs(col_headers) do
+		if(    sort_col and sort_col == (i * 2)) then
+			table.insert(formspec, 'yellow')
+			table.insert(formspec, 'v '..k..' v')
+		elseif(sort_col and sort_col == (i * -2)) then
+			table.insert(formspec, 'yellow')
+			table.insert(formspec, '^ '..k..' ^')
+		else
+			table.insert(formspec, '#FFFFFF')
+			table.insert(formspec, k)
+		end
+	end
+	yl_speak_up.cache_npc_list_per_player = tmp_list
+
+	for i, k in ipairs(tmp_liste) do
+		local data = yl_speak_up.npc_list[k]
+		local line = yl_speak_up.cache_general_npc_list_lines[k]
+		-- own NPC are colored green, others white
+		local owner_color = '#FFFFFF'
+		if(data.owner == pname) then
+			owner_color = '#00FF00'
+		elseif (data.may_edit and data.may_edit[pname]) then
+			owner_color = '#FFFF00'
+		end
+		table.insert(formspec, line.is_loaded_color)
+		table.insert(formspec, line.n_id)
+		table.insert(formspec, 'orange')
+		table.insert(formspec, line.is_generic)
+		table.insert(formspec, line.npc_color)
+		table.insert(formspec, line.n_name)
+		table.insert(formspec, owner_color) -- diffrent for each player
+		table.insert(formspec, line.owner)
+		table.insert(formspec, line.is_loaded_color)
+		table.insert(formspec, line.anz_trades)
+		table.insert(formspec, line.is_loaded_color)
+		table.insert(formspec, line.anz_properties)
+		table.insert(formspec, owner_color) -- diffrent for each player
+		table.insert(formspec, line.anz_editors)
+		table.insert(formspec, line.is_loaded_color)
+		table.insert(formspec, line.pos)
+		table.insert(formspec, line.is_loaded_color)
+		table.insert(formspec, line.priv_list)
+	end
+	table.insert(formspec, ";1]")
+	return formspec_start..table.concat(formspec, ',')
 end
 
 
diff --git a/show_fs.lua b/show_fs.lua
index f964f5a..f1d11f9 100644
--- a/show_fs.lua
+++ b/show_fs.lua
@@ -60,6 +60,9 @@ yl_speak_up.input_handler = function(player, formname, fields)
 	elseif formname == "yl_speak_up:show_log" then
 		yl_speak_up.input_show_log(player, formname, fields)
 		return true
+	elseif formname == "yl_speak_up:show_npc_list" then
+		yl_speak_up.input_show_npc_list(player, formname, fields)
+		return true
 	elseif formname == "yl_speak_up:edit_trade_limit" then
 		yl_speak_up.input_edit_trade_limit(player, formname, fields)
 		return true
@@ -342,6 +345,11 @@ yl_speak_up.show_fs = function(player, fs_name, param)
 		yl_speak_up.show_fs_ver(pname, "yl_speak_up:show_log",
 			yl_speak_up.get_fs_show_log(player, param.log_type))
 
+	elseif(fs_name == "show_npc_list") then
+		yl_speak_up.show_fs_ver(pname, "yl_speak_up:show_npc_list",
+			yl_speak_up.get_fs_show_npc_list(player, nil))
+
+
 	elseif(fs_name == "edit_trade_limit") then
 		if(not(param)) then
 			param = {}