I might not be explaining this well....Basically - directory1 has 3,000 files in it with timestamps all throughout one day (July 23, 2009). directory2 has 5,000 files in it with timestamps all throughout one day (July 23, 2009). directory 1 should copy files over at a predefined interval rate, say 300 seconds. so if I can take a current start time say 9:00 am, and copy all files at 9:05 am that range from 9:00 am - 9:05 am. sleep for 300 seconds, then at 9:10 copy all files from 9:05 - 9:10, etc.... directory 2 follows the same methodology but runs at 1800 second intervals. the problem i am having is writing 1 perl script, not a bunch to do this. it doesn't have to be perfect, but just needs to do something along those lines.