OK, well that explains one of the problems I had in my ffmpeg macro. I created some variables without prepending "local_", then expected them to update after I added it. That's a good reason that there should be a way to create a variable in KM in the interface which includes a check box for "local" instead of that clumsy prepending business. I don't suppose there is a check box anywhere in the interface for "local" as it pertains to variables, is there? That's an example of the way that KM often seems to multiply geekiness instead of eliminating it. (leaving rant mode now.)
Thanks again.