"(his function can use "next available" but doesn't return what it chose), etc."

Yes it does. From his doc

Don't forget that NetResource can do a deviceless connection. You would need to use the UNC to get to the share. That was explained on p62. where it pointed out

my %NetResource = (
    LocalName => "R:",
    RemoteName => "\\\\Public\\Depot"
);
[download]

Remember it said if LocalName was left blank.....