def find_base_dirs()
      bases = []
      # check environment first
      base = ENV['PRO_BASE']
      bases << base if base
      # next check proBase file
      path = ENV['HOME'] + "/.proBase"
      if File.exists?(path)
        # read lines of the pro base file
        bases += IO.read(path).split("\n").map {|p| File.expand_path(p.strip)}
      end
      # strip bases that do not exist
      # I know about select! but it doesn't exist in 1.8
      bases = bases.select {|b| File.exists?(b)}
      # if no bases then return home
      bases << ENV['HOME'] if bases.empty?
      bases
    end
def find_base_dirs()
      bases = []
      # check environment first
      base = ENV['PRO_BASE']
      bases << base if base
      # next check proBase file
      path = ENV['HOME'] + "/.proBase"
      if File.exists?(path)
        # read lines of the pro base file
        bases += IO.read(path).split("\n").map {|p| File.expand_path(p.strip)}
      end
      # strip bases that do not exist
      # I know about select! but it doesn't exist in 1.8
      bases = bases.select {|b| File.exists?(b)}
      # if no bases then return home
      bases << ENV['HOME'] if bases.empty?
      bases
    end
Finds the base directory where repos are kept
 Checks the environment variable PRO_BASE and the
 file .proBase