Yet I can think of one very good reason why I might prefer a simple templating sub like this one to the more advanced modules on CPAN.

My ISP lets me run Perl scripts but does not allow me to install modules. To install one of the CPAN modules I would need to:

1. find one that did not have C code in it
2. then experiment with creating the proper subdirectories so the various module components could all locate each other at runtime.

Isn't it better to run a simple script like this that does what I want? Indeed, I intend to try this one out.

I truly believe that Merlyn is brilliant. I read his columns. I buy his books. I vote for his nodes on this site.

But we are not all Merlyn. I am running on an inexpensive web server that only has limited capabilities. CPAN modules are out of my league at home, although I use them at work every day.