sub timetill($;$)
{
    my $pipe = $|;#pipe value is saved
    $| = 1;#pipe value changed to flush the buffer
    my $time = shift || return -1;#how long
    my $line = shift || " seconds until event";#what
    chomp $time;
    chomp $line;
    my $backcount = length $line;
    $backcount+=7;#this is where you might need to edit
          #to suit you. Spaces, and number display is added
          #to the total count to backup
    while($time > 0)
    {
        print " " . ' ' x (3 - length($time)) .          
                    "$time $line";
        foreach (1..$backcount){print "\b"}
        $time -= 1;
        sleep 1;
    }
    $| = $pipe;#yea maybe I don't need to replace $| 
                   #but I sleep better knowing I'd put     
                   #everyting back the way I found it.
#I tend to use it like this:
#timetill(10, 'edit /etc/inetd.conf');
#system("vi /etc/inetd.conf");
}
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