Just adding

use strict;
use warnings;
[download]

isn't really going to help all that much until you can look into the code and see what is going on. THe book you have been recomended will help. But in the long run, it is going to be a long hard slog.

Depending on how much is hard coded by way of file names and so on, you may want to consider adding a configuration file using something like Config::Simple. In fact I would try that before I even try to move off the BSD machine.

As for the future? Well maybe tests wouldbe a good idea. But also a move to a more robust module or OO based coding paradigm with better documentation and re-usability would be nice! But in the end? Well I am sure you can read all the sage advice on the monsatery without asking too much!

jdtoronto