def read(*parts):
    """
    Build an absolute path from *parts* and and return the contents of the
    resulting file.  Assume UTF-8 encoding.
    """
    with codecs.open(os.path.join(HERE, *parts), "rb", "utf-8") as f:
        return f.read()
def select_backend(self, backend_id=None):
        """
        Selects the backend corresponding to backend_id.
        If backend_id is none, refreshes the current configuration panel.

        @param backend_id: the id of the backend to select
        """
        selection = self.get_selection()
        if backend_id in self.backendid_to_iter:
            backend_iter = self.backendid_to_iter[backend_id]
            if selection:
                selection.select_iter(backend_iter)
        else:
            if self._get_selected_path():
                # We just reselect the currently selected entry
                self.on_select_row()
            else:
                # If nothing is selected, we select the first entry
                if selection:
                    selection.select_path("0")
        self.dialog.on_backend_selected(self.get_selected_backend_id())