> > system("cmd.exe /c dir") #on NT|2000 or
> > system("command.com /c dir") #on Win95|98|ME
> > 
> > for a desc how to change the system command:
> >   
> http://blade.nagaokaut.ac.jp/cgi-bin/vframe.rb?key=internet+ex
plorer+win32api&cginame=namazu.rb&dbname=ruby-talk&max=50&whence=0
> > 
> This reference doesn't work for me.  

I believe this is the code he was trying to refer to:

# code by Hee-Sob Park - posted here:
# http://blade.nagaokaut.ac.jp/cgi-bin/scat.rb/ruby/ruby-talk/10006
def system(command)
  Win32API.new("crtdll", "system", ['P'], 'L').Call(command)
end

# code by Hee-Sob Park - posted here:
# http://blade.nagaokaut.ac.jp/cgi-bin/scat.rb/ruby/ruby-talk/10006
def `(command)
  popen = Win32API.new("crtdll", "_popen", ['P','P'], 'L')
  pclose = Win32API.new("crtdll", "_pclose", ['L'], 'L')
  fread = Win32API.new("crtdll", "fread", ['P','L','L','L'], 'L')
  feof = Win32API.new("crtdll", "feof", ['L'], 'L')
  saved_stdout = $stdout.clone
  psBuffer = " " * 128
  rBuffer = ""
  f = popen.Call(command,"r")
  while feof.Call( f )==0
      l = fread.Call( psBuffer,1,128,f )
      rBuffer += psBuffer[0..l]
  end
  pclose.Call f
  $stdout.reopen(saved_stdout)
  rBuffer
end

I use this all the time.