You should check out the Perl Dev Kit. I have the latest PDK and it works lovely. You can also script GUI's and pack them with PDK as well. I have a multi-tool going and its all scripted in perl and packed with PDK.
EDIT: Also I should add that I am running Active State Perl version 5.16.3 and the latest PDK. Ive also noticed alot of modules are not readily available for the newer versions of AS Perl, which is why I stay on 5.16.3.
EDIT 2: Also, even with AS Perl, I install many modules from CPAN. and also with AS PPM you can add more repos as well.