Well, I've used <$socket> calls for 'semi-binary' protocols: i've had to interface with a server that sends messages wrapped in \02 .. \03 characters, so I just set $/ to "\03" and read complete messages using <$socket>

This still only works when you can use blocking calls (i.e. request/response protocols) though.

-- 
Joost       downtime n. The period during which a system
            is error-free and immune from user input.
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