updates 2001.06.11

Folks, I just checked in a "few" (cough, cough) accumulated
changes; I don't have time to type in a message about them
right now; for ark-commits readers, the important stuff is
in ChangeLogs...

Jonathan, another xmlfile.py tweak to cover an *old* PyXML
(0.5.5.1); Berto, a fix that *may* cover your last lndir
sticking point.

Real bugs were fixed in the ARK engine, and I am not utterly
confident that I haven't introduced/uncovered some more.  So
drive carefully out there, please (and speak up about any
problems).

I'll try to cover Python/PyXML Hell tomorrow.  Exec summary:
I am a clueless dingbat, and, yes, the version-oid problems
must be made to Just Go Away.

Will say more soon...

Will