First of all: - thanks to all contributors on this thread, i don't pretend to understand all, but from the bylines i really feel i can see the cogs turning. I wish there was more stuff like this. - parts of this problem reminder me of an article in macTech from way back. i have dug it out, and you can find it on the web at: <http://www.mactech.com/articles/mactech/Vol.13/13.07/MixedUpThreads/index.h tml> BEWARE the above URL will be cut and won't be clickable!!! I'd also like to remind folks of the online serach of MacTech, available at: <http://www.mactech.com/advancedsearch.html> all tha best :-j (thread-bare gnome)