I was simply using the aforementioned functions as an example, not to say that I use them much anymore 'cept for quick and dirty stuff.
Casting your sarcasm to the side, I don't consider MsgBox() a string function is because it doesn't modify strings, return a string or the like. Depending on how you call it, it simply returns an integer indicating which, if any, button the user clicked. 'nuff said on this subject.
As for my original question... has anyone got any ideas?