hah, I don't administer the machines...

In reply...

Yes I have read the documents, but found them a little confusing. I'm sure I'm not the only one... examples always help.

I am familiar with Data::Dumper, but, the function is pretty small, and does not require Data::Dumper to be installed on the machines which I do not administer. ;)

string re-assignment, yep, I should have done that :)