Richard wrote:
> As a Ruby nubie,  every once-in-a-while I'd like to write a trace
> function and have every method execute that trace when the method's
> invoked.  In that trace function,  I'd like to be able, e.g. to write
> the invoked method's name, perhaps more.

I believe the answer to your question (though I've not done it myself)
lies in set_trace_func
http://phrogz.net/ProgrammingRuby/ref_m_kernel.html#Kernel.set_trace_func

Which links to an example in:
http://phrogz.net/ProgrammingRuby/ospace.html#tracingyourprogramsexecution