Does anyone know why this post always appears at or near the top of the list, even though it is three months old?

I have wondered that too.

Gee, as the person who wrote it, you've made me feel slightly guilty!

But joking aside... It's probably because it had no reply or further comment. The programming with GardenWeb is such that normally an unreplied-to post stays where people can see it first-off. With many sorts of posts this default courtesy is justified, because people are hoping for an informational answer.

Now that you've replied, it will no doubt move down the list. Given how long it was up there, I hope, at least, that the info given in my original post was of use to some people.

Happy 2006...

Joel