diff --git a/phpBB/develop/create_schema_files.php b/phpBB/develop/create_schema_files.php
index 264b722d8a..8add2c8938 100644
--- a/phpBB/develop/create_schema_files.php
+++ b/phpBB/develop/create_schema_files.php
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ foreach ($supported_dbms as $dbms)
 					$line .= "\t{$column_name} {$column_type} ";
 
 					// For hexadecimal values do not use single quotes
-					if (!is_null($column_data[1]) && substr($column_type, -4) !== 'text')
+					if (!is_null($column_data[1]) && substr($column_type, -4) !== 'text' && substr($column_type, -4) !== 'blob')
 					{
 						$line .= (strpos($column_data[1], '0x') === 0) ? "DEFAULT {$column_data[1]} " : "DEFAULT '{$column_data[1]}' ";
 					}
@@ -616,6 +616,7 @@ foreach ($supported_dbms as $dbms)
 								switch ($modded_array[$col_name])
 								{
 									case 'text':
+									case 'blob':
 										$key_data[1][$key] = $col_name . '(255)';
 									break;
 								}
diff --git a/phpBB/install/schemas/mysql_40_schema.sql b/phpBB/install/schemas/mysql_40_schema.sql
index 1402ef4303..707f87c145 100644
--- a/phpBB/install/schemas/mysql_40_schema.sql
+++ b/phpBB/install/schemas/mysql_40_schema.sql
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_attachments (
 	physical_filename varbinary(255) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	real_filename varbinary(255) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	download_count mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	attach_comment blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	attach_comment blob NOT NULL,
 	extension varbinary(100) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	mimetype varbinary(100) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	filesize int(20) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
@@ -57,8 +57,8 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_acl_options (
 # Table: 'phpbb_acl_roles'
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_acl_roles (
 	role_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED NOT NULL auto_increment,
-	role_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	role_description blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	role_name blob NOT NULL,
+	role_description blob NOT NULL,
 	role_type varbinary(10) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	role_order smallint(4) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (role_id),
@@ -93,16 +93,16 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_banlist (
 	ban_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED NOT NULL auto_increment,
 	ban_userid mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	ban_ip varbinary(40) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	ban_email blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	ban_email blob NOT NULL,
 	ban_start int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	ban_end int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	ban_exclude tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	ban_reason blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	ban_give_reason blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	ban_reason blob NOT NULL,
+	ban_give_reason blob NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (ban_id),
 	KEY ban_end (ban_end),
 	KEY ban_user (ban_userid, ban_exclude),
-	KEY ban_email (ban_email, ban_exclude),
+	KEY ban_email (ban_email(255), ban_exclude),
 	KEY ban_ip (ban_ip, ban_exclude)
 );
 
@@ -111,14 +111,14 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_banlist (
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_bbcodes (
 	bbcode_id tinyint(3) DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	bbcode_tag varbinary(16) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	bbcode_helpline blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	bbcode_helpline blob NOT NULL,
 	display_on_posting tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	bbcode_match blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	bbcode_tpl mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	first_pass_match mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	first_pass_replace mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	second_pass_match mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	second_pass_replace mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	bbcode_match blob NOT NULL,
+	bbcode_tpl mediumblob NOT NULL,
+	first_pass_match mediumblob NOT NULL,
+	first_pass_replace mediumblob NOT NULL,
+	second_pass_match mediumblob NOT NULL,
+	second_pass_replace mediumblob NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (bbcode_id),
 	KEY display_on_post (display_on_posting)
 );
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_bookmarks (
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_bots (
 	bot_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED NOT NULL auto_increment,
 	bot_active tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '1' NOT NULL,
-	bot_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	bot_name blob NOT NULL,
 	user_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	bot_agent varbinary(255) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	bot_ip varbinary(255) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_bots (
 # Table: 'phpbb_config'
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_config (
 	config_name varbinary(255) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	config_value blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	config_value blob NOT NULL,
 	is_dynamic tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (config_name),
 	KEY is_dynamic (is_dynamic)
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_confirm (
 # Table: 'phpbb_disallow'
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_disallow (
 	disallow_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED NOT NULL auto_increment,
-	disallow_username blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	disallow_username blob NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (disallow_id)
 );
 
@@ -184,8 +184,8 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_drafts (
 	topic_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	forum_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	save_time int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	draft_subject blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	draft_message mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	draft_subject blob NOT NULL,
+	draft_message mediumblob NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (draft_id),
 	KEY save_time (save_time)
 );
@@ -203,13 +203,13 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_extensions (
 # Table: 'phpbb_extension_groups'
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_extension_groups (
 	group_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED NOT NULL auto_increment,
-	group_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	group_name blob NOT NULL,
 	cat_id tinyint(2) DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	allow_group tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	download_mode tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '1' NOT NULL,
 	upload_icon varbinary(255) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	max_filesize int(20) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	allowed_forums blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	allowed_forums blob NOT NULL,
 	allow_in_pm tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (group_id)
 );
@@ -221,18 +221,18 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_forums (
 	parent_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	left_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	right_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	forum_parents mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	forum_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	forum_desc blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	forum_parents mediumblob NOT NULL,
+	forum_name blob NOT NULL,
+	forum_desc blob NOT NULL,
 	forum_desc_bitfield varbinary(255) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	forum_desc_options int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '7' NOT NULL,
 	forum_desc_uid varbinary(5) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	forum_link blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	forum_link blob NOT NULL,
 	forum_password varbinary(120) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	forum_style tinyint(4) DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	forum_image varbinary(255) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	forum_rules blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	forum_rules_link blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	forum_rules blob NOT NULL,
+	forum_rules_link blob NOT NULL,
 	forum_rules_bitfield varbinary(255) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	forum_rules_options int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '7' NOT NULL,
 	forum_rules_uid varbinary(5) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
@@ -244,9 +244,9 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_forums (
 	forum_topics_real mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	forum_last_post_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	forum_last_poster_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	forum_last_post_subject blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	forum_last_post_subject blob NOT NULL,
 	forum_last_post_time int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	forum_last_poster_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	forum_last_poster_name blob NOT NULL,
 	forum_last_poster_colour varbinary(6) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	forum_flags tinyint(4) DEFAULT '32' NOT NULL,
 	display_on_index tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '1' NOT NULL,
@@ -297,8 +297,8 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_groups (
 	group_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED NOT NULL auto_increment,
 	group_type tinyint(4) DEFAULT '1' NOT NULL,
 	group_founder_manage tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	group_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	group_desc blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	group_name blob NOT NULL,
+	group_desc blob NOT NULL,
 	group_desc_bitfield varbinary(255) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	group_desc_options int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '7' NOT NULL,
 	group_desc_uid varbinary(5) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
@@ -336,9 +336,9 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_lang (
 	lang_id tinyint(4) NOT NULL auto_increment,
 	lang_iso varbinary(30) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	lang_dir varbinary(30) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	lang_english_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	lang_local_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	lang_author blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	lang_english_name blob NOT NULL,
+	lang_local_name blob NOT NULL,
+	lang_author blob NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (lang_id),
 	KEY lang_iso (lang_iso)
 );
@@ -354,8 +354,8 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_log (
 	reportee_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	log_ip varbinary(40) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	log_time int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	log_operation blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	log_data mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	log_operation blob NOT NULL,
+	log_data mediumblob NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (log_id),
 	KEY log_type (log_type),
 	KEY forum_id (forum_id),
@@ -369,9 +369,9 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_log (
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_moderator_cache (
 	forum_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	user_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	username blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	username blob NOT NULL,
 	group_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	group_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	group_name blob NOT NULL,
 	display_on_index tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '1' NOT NULL,
 	KEY disp_idx (display_on_index),
 	KEY forum_id (forum_id)
@@ -402,7 +402,7 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_modules (
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_poll_options (
 	poll_option_id tinyint(4) DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	topic_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	poll_option_text blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	poll_option_text blob NOT NULL,
 	poll_option_total mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	KEY poll_opt_id (poll_option_id),
 	KEY topic_id (topic_id)
@@ -436,16 +436,16 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_posts (
 	enable_smilies tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '1' NOT NULL,
 	enable_magic_url tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '1' NOT NULL,
 	enable_sig tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '1' NOT NULL,
-	post_username blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	post_subject blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	post_text mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	post_username blob NOT NULL,
+	post_subject blob NOT NULL,
+	post_text mediumblob NOT NULL,
 	post_checksum varbinary(32) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	post_attachment tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	bbcode_bitfield varbinary(255) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	bbcode_uid varbinary(5) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	post_postcount tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '1' NOT NULL,
 	post_edit_time int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	post_edit_reason blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	post_edit_reason blob NOT NULL,
 	post_edit_user mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	post_edit_count smallint(4) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	post_edit_locked tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
@@ -471,17 +471,17 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_privmsgs (
 	enable_smilies tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '1' NOT NULL,
 	enable_magic_url tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '1' NOT NULL,
 	enable_sig tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '1' NOT NULL,
-	message_subject blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	message_text mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	message_edit_reason blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	message_subject blob NOT NULL,
+	message_text mediumblob NOT NULL,
+	message_edit_reason blob NOT NULL,
 	message_edit_user mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	message_attachment tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	bbcode_bitfield varbinary(255) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	bbcode_uid varbinary(5) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	message_edit_time int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	message_edit_count smallint(4) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	to_address blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	bcc_address blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	to_address blob NOT NULL,
+	bcc_address blob NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (msg_id),
 	KEY author_ip (author_ip),
 	KEY message_time (message_time),
@@ -494,7 +494,7 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_privmsgs (
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_privmsgs_folder (
 	folder_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED NOT NULL auto_increment,
 	user_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	folder_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	folder_name blob NOT NULL,
 	pm_count mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (folder_id),
 	KEY user_id (user_id)
@@ -507,7 +507,7 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_privmsgs_rules (
 	user_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	rule_check mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	rule_connection mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	rule_string blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	rule_string blob NOT NULL,
 	rule_user_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	rule_group_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	rule_action mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
@@ -538,14 +538,14 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_privmsgs_to (
 # Table: 'phpbb_profile_fields'
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_profile_fields (
 	field_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED NOT NULL auto_increment,
-	field_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	field_name blob NOT NULL,
 	field_type tinyint(4) DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	field_ident varbinary(20) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	field_length varbinary(20) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	field_minlen varbinary(255) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	field_maxlen varbinary(255) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	field_novalue blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	field_default_value blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	field_novalue blob NOT NULL,
+	field_default_value blob NOT NULL,
 	field_validation varbinary(60) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	field_required tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	field_show_on_reg tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
@@ -572,7 +572,7 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_profile_fields_lang (
 	lang_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	option_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	field_type tinyint(4) DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	lang_value blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	lang_value blob NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (field_id, lang_id, option_id)
 );
 
@@ -581,9 +581,9 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_profile_fields_lang (
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_profile_lang (
 	field_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	lang_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	lang_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	lang_explain blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	lang_default_value blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	lang_name blob NOT NULL,
+	lang_explain blob NOT NULL,
+	lang_default_value blob NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (field_id, lang_id)
 );
 
@@ -591,7 +591,7 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_profile_lang (
 # Table: 'phpbb_ranks'
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_ranks (
 	rank_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED NOT NULL auto_increment,
-	rank_title blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	rank_title blob NOT NULL,
 	rank_min mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	rank_special tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	rank_image varbinary(255) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
@@ -608,7 +608,7 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_reports (
 	user_notify tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	report_closed tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	report_time int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	report_text mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	report_text mediumblob NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (report_id)
 );
 
@@ -616,8 +616,8 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_reports (
 # Table: 'phpbb_reports_reasons'
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_reports_reasons (
 	reason_id smallint(4) UNSIGNED NOT NULL auto_increment,
-	reason_title blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	reason_description mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	reason_title blob NOT NULL,
+	reason_description mediumblob NOT NULL,
 	reason_order smallint(4) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (reason_id)
 );
@@ -627,8 +627,8 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_reports_reasons (
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_search_results (
 	search_key varbinary(32) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	search_time int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	search_keywords mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	search_authors mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	search_keywords mediumblob NOT NULL,
+	search_authors mediumblob NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (search_key)
 );
 
@@ -636,7 +636,7 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_search_results (
 # Table: 'phpbb_search_wordlist'
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_search_wordlist (
 	word_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED NOT NULL auto_increment,
-	word_text blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	word_text blob NOT NULL,
 	word_common tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (word_id),
 	UNIQUE wrd_txt (word_text)
@@ -664,7 +664,7 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_sessions (
 	session_ip varbinary(40) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	session_browser varbinary(150) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	session_forwarded_for varbinary(255) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	session_page blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	session_page blob NOT NULL,
 	session_viewonline tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '1' NOT NULL,
 	session_autologin tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	session_admin tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
@@ -713,14 +713,14 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_smilies (
 # Table: 'phpbb_styles'
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_styles (
 	style_id tinyint(4) NOT NULL auto_increment,
-	style_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	style_copyright blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	style_name blob NOT NULL,
+	style_copyright blob NOT NULL,
 	style_active tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '1' NOT NULL,
 	template_id tinyint(4) DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	theme_id tinyint(4) DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	imageset_id tinyint(4) DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (style_id),
-	UNIQUE style_name (style_name),
+	UNIQUE style_name (style_name(255)),
 	KEY template_id (template_id),
 	KEY theme_id (theme_id),
 	KEY imageset_id (imageset_id)
@@ -730,13 +730,13 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_styles (
 # Table: 'phpbb_styles_template'
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_styles_template (
 	template_id tinyint(4) NOT NULL auto_increment,
-	template_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	template_copyright blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	template_name blob NOT NULL,
+	template_copyright blob NOT NULL,
 	template_path varbinary(100) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	bbcode_bitfield varbinary(255) DEFAULT 'kNg=' NOT NULL,
 	template_storedb tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (template_id),
-	UNIQUE tmplte_nm (template_name)
+	UNIQUE tmplte_nm (template_name(255))
 );
 
 
@@ -744,9 +744,9 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_styles_template (
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_styles_template_data (
 	template_id tinyint(4) NOT NULL auto_increment,
 	template_filename varbinary(100) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	template_included blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	template_included blob NOT NULL,
 	template_mtime int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	template_data mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	template_data mediumblob NOT NULL,
 	KEY tid (template_id),
 	KEY tfn (template_filename)
 );
@@ -755,22 +755,22 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_styles_template_data (
 # Table: 'phpbb_styles_theme'
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_styles_theme (
 	theme_id tinyint(4) NOT NULL auto_increment,
-	theme_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	theme_copyright blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	theme_name blob NOT NULL,
+	theme_copyright blob NOT NULL,
 	theme_path varbinary(100) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	theme_storedb tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	theme_mtime int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	theme_data mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	theme_data mediumblob NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (theme_id),
-	UNIQUE theme_name (theme_name)
+	UNIQUE theme_name (theme_name(255))
 );
 
 
 # Table: 'phpbb_styles_imageset'
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_styles_imageset (
 	imageset_id tinyint(4) NOT NULL auto_increment,
-	imageset_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	imageset_copyright blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	imageset_name blob NOT NULL,
+	imageset_copyright blob NOT NULL,
 	imageset_path varbinary(100) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	site_logo varbinary(200) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	upload_bar varbinary(200) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
@@ -867,7 +867,7 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_styles_imageset (
 	user_icon9 varbinary(200) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	user_icon10 varbinary(200) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (imageset_id),
-	UNIQUE imgset_nm (imageset_name)
+	UNIQUE imgset_nm (imageset_name(255))
 );
 
 
@@ -879,7 +879,7 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_topics (
 	topic_attachment tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	topic_approved tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '1' NOT NULL,
 	topic_reported tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	topic_title blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	topic_title blob NOT NULL,
 	topic_poster mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	topic_time int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	topic_time_limit int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
@@ -889,19 +889,19 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_topics (
 	topic_status tinyint(3) DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	topic_type tinyint(3) DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	topic_first_post_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	topic_first_poster_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	topic_first_poster_name blob NOT NULL,
 	topic_first_poster_colour varbinary(6) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	topic_last_post_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	topic_last_poster_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	topic_last_poster_name blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	topic_last_poster_name blob NOT NULL,
 	topic_last_poster_colour varbinary(6) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	topic_last_post_subject blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	topic_last_post_subject blob NOT NULL,
 	topic_last_post_time int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	topic_last_view_time int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	topic_moved_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	topic_bumped tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	topic_bumper mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	poll_title blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	poll_title blob NOT NULL,
 	poll_start int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	poll_length int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	poll_max_options tinyint(4) DEFAULT '1' NOT NULL,
@@ -964,22 +964,22 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_users (
 	user_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED NOT NULL auto_increment,
 	user_type tinyint(2) DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	group_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '3' NOT NULL,
-	user_permissions mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	user_permissions mediumblob NOT NULL,
 	user_perm_from mediumint(8) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	user_ip varbinary(40) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	user_regdate int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	username blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	username_clean blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	username blob NOT NULL,
+	username_clean blob NOT NULL,
 	user_password varbinary(120) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	user_passchg int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	user_pass_convert tinyint(1) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	user_email blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	user_email blob NOT NULL,
 	user_email_hash bigint(20) DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	user_birthday varbinary(10) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	user_lastvisit int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	user_lastmark int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	user_lastpost_time int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	user_lastpage blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	user_lastpage blob NOT NULL,
 	user_last_confirm_key varbinary(10) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	user_last_search int(11) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	user_warnings tinyint(4) DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
@@ -1019,18 +1019,18 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_users (
 	user_avatar_type tinyint(2) DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	user_avatar_width smallint(4) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
 	user_avatar_height smallint(4) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
-	user_sig mediumblob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	user_sig mediumblob NOT NULL,
 	user_sig_bbcode_uid varbinary(5) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	user_sig_bbcode_bitfield varbinary(255) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	user_from blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	user_from blob NOT NULL,
 	user_icq varbinary(15) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	user_aim blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	user_yim blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	user_msnm blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	user_jabber blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	user_website blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	user_occ blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	user_interests blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	user_aim blob NOT NULL,
+	user_yim blob NOT NULL,
+	user_msnm blob NOT NULL,
+	user_jabber blob NOT NULL,
+	user_website blob NOT NULL,
+	user_occ blob NOT NULL,
+	user_interests blob NOT NULL,
 	user_actkey varbinary(32) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	user_newpasswd varbinary(96) DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (user_id),
@@ -1055,8 +1055,8 @@ CREATE TABLE phpbb_warnings (
 # Table: 'phpbb_words'
 CREATE TABLE phpbb_words (
 	word_id mediumint(8) UNSIGNED NOT NULL auto_increment,
-	word blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
-	replacement blob DEFAULT '' NOT NULL,
+	word blob NOT NULL,
+	replacement blob NOT NULL,
 	PRIMARY KEY (word_id)
 );