sub trim_length {

  my($string, $desired_length) = @_;
  
  # edit: swiped idea from Tachyon
  if((length($string)) < $desired_length) { return $string; }

  my @words = split(" ", $string);   
  my $clipped = "";

  foreach(@words) {
     my $temp = $clipped;
     $clipped .= $_;
     if((length($clipped)) > $desired_length) { $clipped = $temp; last; }
  }

  if((length($clipped)) == 0) 
      { $clipped = substr($string, 0, $desired_length); }

  $clipped .= "...";
  return $clipped
}