Thanks,

perhaps that's a passable way. I would prefer getting rid
of the references somehow and let GC do the work. But if
we can't manage that...
 
Simon

> > So I have to think about another way...
> 
> fork - and do work in multiple processes.  all memory is 
> freed when the
> process exits.  ipc is trivial in ruby using local drb 
> objects.  i use this
> alot for that
> 
>    http://raa.ruby-lang.org/project/slave/
> 
> it's designed so the child cannot, under any circumstances, 
> outlive the parent
> - so no zombies.  the children (slaves) can be killed if 
> needed though.
> 
> another option is mmap.  guy's mmap interface can save on 
> memory big time if
> you're eating it up reading files...
> 
> cheers.
> 
> -a
> -- 
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