if you're doing much of this type of thing, i highly recommend dave roth's win32 perl scripting reviewed here. you might also want to consider mr. roth's other book win32 perl programming: the standard extensions. a newer edition of the latter was released in september, and though it is a little spicy at $50 it is a valuable reference.

speaking of which, does anyone know what happened at fatbrain? i checked the prices for these books just now and both are listed as full list price. i know they gotta make a buck, and i wouldn't have minded splitting the difference, but full list price gives me a little sticker shock.