I don't think you can rule out XML that easily. It is simple to implement, and provides more scaleability and flexibilty for the future, IMHO.

If you decided you needed to create a more complex config file, for instance having nested groups or the like, it would involve less coding and work to make the change.

Also, if you decided that you wanted to be able to access this file via an api, through another application, or through the web, it gives you a standardized format to work with.

</ajdelore>