This code, which is called during the hudson test, hangs:
IDL> x= str_replace( '1/(cm^2-s-sr)', '-', '!N-', 5 )
str_replace
STRING STRING = '1/(cm^2-s-sr)'
FIND STRING = '-'
NEW STRING = '!N-'
POS INT = 5
% Interrupt encountered.
% Interrupted at: STR_REPLACE 640 /root/.hudson/jobs/papco/workspace/papco_lib/string_functions.pro
IDL>
this is fixed by moving the search start position as we replace characters.