>>> hope someone can help, >>> - esc You may want to find an Introductory Python book for these kind of questions. There are several from which to choose (some of which are free!). Check out http://diveintopython.org/ There's also great places to look here (which is where I started): http://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide -- brad [bradmontgomery.net]