Python 2.6, File read() problems in Windows Xp

[Li Wang]

Hi all:

I am trying to read a non-text file as a string by using Python
read(), however, it seems there is some thing wrong with it. I can use
read() on text file correctly, but unable to read .xls file correctly.
(The program can read any file correctly in Fedora 10)

Any idea how to solve this problem?

Thank you very much!

-- 
Li
------
Time is all we have
and you may find one day
you have less than you think