def compare( other )
      return false if other.class != self.class
      return false if other.length != self.length
      len = self.length - 1
      while(len >= 0)
        return false if self.get_char(len) != other.get_char(len)
        len = len - 1
      end
      return true
    end
def compare( other )
      return false if other.class != self.class
      return false if other.length != self.length
      len = self.length - 1
      while(len >= 0)
        return false if self.get_char(len) != other.get_char(len)
        len = len - 1
      end
      return true
    end
compare the word to another
 currently checks for same class, though really identity of the characters
 in right order would suffice