Printing selected characters (strcnt?)

I am trying to figure out how to select the first letter of from the form field print it then append by datetime. Here is an example: <snip> $first_name = $_POST['first_name']; $last_name = $_POST['last_name']; $name = $first_name . ' ' . $last_name $rma = ?strcnt($last_name), 1 . Datetime(?) // takes the 1st character from $last_name and adds datetime in format of 715041200 </snip> Thanks any help appreciated Vincent Jordan Technical Support Smart Parts, Inc. Loyalhanna Business Complex 100 Station Street Loyalhanna, PA 15661 800-992-2147 X 5617