urlencode

Hi, I need to know wich is the best way to send variables through an URL,that if the variables are of the string type, and what if the variable has spaces like $string='this is a test'. I have read about the use of urlencode(), but I have a strange behaviour using this function, sometimes it work and sometimes not. for an example I send the variable $user='user 1', and in the url there appears user=user+1 (which I think is correct) but when I read the variable in the php page it displays user+1 (doesn´t it has to return to user '1'?). Thanks --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.268 / Virus Database: 140 - Release Date: 8/7/01