Thanks. It is a faster way to do it.

I was trying to keep the algorithms as = as possible to isolate the ole
aspect.

Using the improved method:

>pythonw -u "someone.py"
Excel 1000 cells total is
51625817.0589
Python Elapsed
0.766000032425
>Exit code: 0
>ruby exceloletest2someone.rb
Excel 1000 cells total is 51625817.0589
Ruby Elapsed 0.515000
>Exit code: 0

Now the numbers mis-represent the actual time. Ruby processing time is
faster but I think Ruby spends a second or two before the 'time' is
taken.
Python is the winner in this case.
-greg