> > [ruby-dev:23220] Ruby module
> > 
> >   Nobuyoshi Nakada proposed a new module `Ruby' and to move RUBY_*
> >   constants in it  e.g. Ruby::VERSION, Ruby::RELEASE_DATE.
> >   Matz said that he does not like this idea (Ruby module) very much.
> 
> i like this idea.  i could be a place to do things like
> 
>   Ruby::EXCUTABLE       # '/usr/local/bin/ruby-1.8.1/bin/ruby'
> 
>   Ruby::gem? 'session'  # true
> 
>   Ruby::pthread?        # false

You could also have ..

Ruby::LOAD_PATH           #  $:
Ruby::LOADED_FEATURES     #  $"

which gets rid of two $ variables, including one ($") which, as the OP
points out, doesn't have a nice built in alias.

(While we're at it, how about REQUIRED_FILES instead of
LOADED_FEATURES?)

-- George