Michael Werliin writes: `read-string' is a compiled Lisp function -- loaded from "/u1/rpluim/xemacs-20/lisp/minibuf.elc" (read-string PROMPT &optional INITIAL-CONTENTS HISTORY DEFAULT-VALUE) Documentation: Return a string from the minibuffer, prompting with string PROMPT. If non-nil, optional second arg INITIAL-CONTENTS is a string to insert in the minibuffer before reading. Third arg HISTORY, if non-nil, specifies a history list. Fourth arg DEFAULT-VALUE is the default value. If non-nil, it is used for history command, and as the value to return if the user enters the empty string. Ah, that's a different question. I don't know the answer to this one. I think comp.emacs.xemacs reaches a wider audience, but if it concerns (possibly) missing functionality xemacs-beta probably isn't a bad place to ask. Robert -- The above are my opinions, and my opinions only.