////////
 //
 // getUser
 //
 // retrieves an instance of the User class containing information on the
 // username specified. If the user does not exist or there is an error
 // it returns null;
 //
 ////////
 public static User getUser(String uname) {
   ArrayList<User> users = ServerRequests.getUserInfo(uname);
   if (users == null) {
     return null;
   }
   if (users.size() != 1) {
     return null;
   }
   return users.get(0);
 }