A useful dependency cutting tool in C++ is the pimpl idiom. http://www.gotw.ca/gotw/024.htm I trying to imagine a ruby translation of the idiom. Dependency Injection? John Carter Phone : (64)(3) 358 6639 Tait Electronics Fax : (64)(3) 359 4632 PO Box 1645 Christchurch Email : john.carter / tait.co.nz New Zealand The universe is absolutely plastered with the dashed lines exactly one space long.