I see that this doesn't work:

class A
 def initialize(@a, @b)
  print @a
 end
end

errors out with: "formal argument cannot be an instance variable"
which is fine.  I'm just curious if there is a reason for it.  It seems like
it would be a nice shortcut.

On another note,  I have been perusing the ruby_talk archives on
blade, and I have to say the interface to that archive is the best I've
seen to any mailing list archive!  Is the code for the archiving software
availiable?  I'd love to use it for internal lists.

thanks,
-joe