ustr API

hi,

the latest in my hackerlab archive includes a complete (barring
buckybits) implementation of the ustr api. unfortunately, it's
completely untested yet--i'm working right know on an appropriate test
suite. 

after that, i'll mirror this api to udstr, the dynamic strings to be
used by pika, adding the 'fw' versions when needed. thus, i would
greatly appreciate your comments on the current ustr api: i've tried
to follow the spirit and conventions of other hackerlab libs
(specially the str functions), and to cover the needs of pika strings
(once the udstr equivalent functions are written), but you will be
better judges on that! i've documented all the ustr functions, so you
can skip the implementations (which, being untested, may well be
wrong).

thanks for your time,
jao

p.s. tom, i'm glad to hear the good news about your personal affairs!
:) it's nice to see your hard work somehow rewarded. hope you're doing
well with your new apartment.