Interesting group of responses: there were helpful responses suggesting different frameworks and posting links etc. and then there were the snotty responses such as this one. If you are offended by my question why waste yours and my time by writing a smart-ass response? go to the trouble of looking up how long I've used Perl Monks and then insult me; sorry you don't have anything better to do. thanks to those who took the trouble of making a helpful suggestion (which I have followed up on)