sub update_WorkingScreen_Progress
{ 

   my $ratio = shift;             #number like .32 means 32%
   my $new_percent = int ($ratio*100); 
   
   #updating screen is expensive computationally
   #if number hasn't changed, then forget it... 
   #let 0% go through first time

   if ( ($new_percent == $percent) && ($new_percent > 0)) {return;}

   $percent = $new_percent; 
   $text = "Program is working - $extra_text...\n\n".
            "$percent percent complete\n";
   $workingScreen->update();  #this is necessary for to
                     #get the new value of $text to display!!!!!
   
}