The script is probably the foundation script for the CPAN::Mini. I found the link in a Monks thread.

The 3 mirror_update arguments are the same names as the ones from the script I found.

Status -- I tried the script on another machine and it ran without a problem. I think the difference is in how the Perl on each machine is maintained. While both machines are Debian, the second machine is a Knoppix install which came packaged on a CD. I update that Perl exclusively with CPAN. The first machine was an expiment to do a stock Debian Etch install, and use the automated updater to locate and install recent changes. In that case, the Perl may have been a cobble of APT packages and CPAN downloads. I think that may have been the problem

I will now have to take some time to work through the manual solutions presented, to put things straight. I have not looked into Debians packages for Perl packaging, because CPAN is just so sweet, when it comes to dependencies and all....