So you're wanting to optimize subroutines that only print text to the screen, and nothing else? Are you sure you read Optimizing existing Perl code (in practise) (the thread you linked earlier)? (jeffa) Re: Optimizing existing Perl code (in practise) seems to be particularly applicable. The time you'll spend on this would almost certainly be better spent finding ways to make your code more maintainable, better commented, etc.

That said...
Perhaps you could combine all of your data to be printed into a single scalar...this could possibly improve your help sub a bit...since you would only be calling into print a single time...