* @param key The key of the setting.
     * @param defaultValue The default value if the setting is not found.
     * @return The setting value as a String.
     */
    public String getAsString(final String key, final String defaultValue) {
        final Object obj = get(key);

        final String value;
        if (obj == null) {
            value = defaultValue;
        } else {
            value = obj.toString();