So, why do you want to use strict? Using strict is just a tool, not a goal. In this case, it's obstructing what you want to do, so why use it? You shouldn't use something if you don't know what it does.

Using strict this way requires that all variables are either lexical, fully qualified, or been introduced with use vars. You do neither So, if you insist on using strict, you should obey the rules that are imposed. Also, if you prefer to use strict, why aren't you using it in your conf.pl file?

Abigail