note merlyn Maybe it's a matter of terminology, but I bet you aren't scripting the GUI. You are driving the GUI from "command-line" programs that can display graphics widgets. But let me come along and now try to "script" your application. I can't. I haven't found any decent "scripting language" for your typical "GUI" that let's me say "click THIS button when THAT button turns green". If you have, please help us out here. Sure, I use multiple windows, with CLIs in each window. I don't call that a GUI. I call the gimp or Photoshop (depending on your bent) a GUI. Try scripting that in a meaningful way. It won't be from the GUI end. Gimp scripting is done because they have a (surprise!) CLI interface specially grafted on to the back end. And Photoshop has its little macro language, and I can tweak at that with some Applescript if I'm desparate. But it's just not the same as taking the output of "ps" and looking for the "httpd" processes. Imagine if you didn't have "ps", but only the "top" program. (Welcome to MacOS or Windows98 {grin}). This is what I'm talking about. You cannot script a GUI! -- <a href="http://www.stonehenge.com/merlyn/">Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker</a> 32376 32556