string cleaning

[Rob Cozens]

>Rob here is the same function, but 32% faster!

These performance hits will populate my scripts for some time to 
come, Alex...at least until I learn (and find readable) regular 
expression syntax.
-- 

Rob Cozens
CCW, Serendipity Software Company
http://www.oenolog.net/who.htm

"And I, which was two fooles, do so grow three;
Who are a little wise, the best fooles bee."

from "The Triple Foole" by John Donne (1572-1631)