Expects a string in the form "key=val:key2=val2" and returns a
    dictionary.

def parse_options(s):
    """
    Expects a string in the form "key=val:key2=val2" and returns a
    dictionary.

    """
    options = {}
    for option in s.split(':'):
        if '=' in option:
            key, val = option.split('=')
            options[str(key).strip()] = val.strip()
    return options