A few things off the top of my head. Use

conf->load();
[download]

to explicitly call the method without ambiguity.

If you're under mod_perl, my %conf will cause you no end of trouble if you try to declare it globally.

Adding in use warnings might give you an extra pointer or two.

Errr, what else? I assume the path to conf.pm can be found in @INC ? Kinda obvious, I know, but worth asking. If not, add

use lib '/path/to/module/dir';
[download]

before the use conf statement.

.02

cLive ;-)