> What is 'a wildcard', please? > > Do you mean the * ? In a lot of cases, yes, it is the asterisk ( * ). It generally can stand for just about anything and everything, which is why you have to be careful with it. It is recognized by every operating system I have ever had anything to do with (but that's only 4 - 5, so no guarantees), as *the* wildcard. There are other wildcards that aren't as "wild." I assume it is derived from card games, like poker, where you have a card which can be equivalent to any other card, the joker or wild card. Speaking of which, poker anyone? Table stakes, one joker (aces, straights and flushes), pot limit, straight draw (guts), five or seven card stud, dealer's choice. Haven't had a good game of poker in probably 20 years. Ah, well. No, I am not soliciting nor promoting gambling, just talking about it as it relates to computer jargon (defensive, yes: big brother may be snooping). And of course whether poker is/isn't gambling is open to question, isn't it? ;-) Douglas