/sockread %varname

using /sockread %varname $+ b to create a new variablename by appending the letter b to %varname is pointless, just put the b in %varname and use

/sockread %varnameb

after that you can do whatever you want with %varname/%varnameb

DALnet #Helpdesk
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. -Confucius