Hm, I researched using Tk::Send, but I can't find it as any component in the Tk heirarchy, or indeed anywhere on CPAN or in my local installation. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place? If I can get it from the ASPN repository, then I can use it. Unfortunately, not unless.

As to threads, the idea of sharing that much data (and that complex a structure) gives me shudders, because I don't know what I'm doing shared-memory wise. From my research, I've developed an instinctive "share as little data as you can" response. If a few monks here tell me that isn't a valid response, and explain a little bit why, I'll probably go ahead and work on threads.

I still wonder, though, if there's something I can do to tell DBI or the DB or something to return immediately and notify me when it's finished (or something).

Update: I was too fast with the response, and missed that nearly everythig I was suggesting you were already doing - sorry, nothing to see

...reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled. - R P Feynmann