Directory DOS Name

i am running, inside vb, a dos application that processes
some files in a certain directory. my problem is, this application requires just 8 characters for the directory
name but the directory name may contain more than 8 (depends on the user really). so how does one
extract the dos name (or the short name) of a looong
directory name? thanx in advance!

cast a beady eye over this:

http://www.vbapi.com/ref/g/getshortpathname.html

exactly what i need!
mark, thanx pal!!!!!!:):):)