Camerontainium:

I'd first suggest:

• Read about the chop function so you can see what it does.
• Read perldoc perlop, paying special attention to the =, == and eq operators.
• Print the values of your variables, so you can see what the values you're using actually are.

This should get you part of the way there. Study up, update your code, and post any further questions you have.

...roboticus

When your only tool is a hammer, all problems look like your thumb.