[ale] Convert to float

[fletch at phydeaux.org (Fletch)]

It should "just work", so long as it's in a format that perl can
translate into a number and you use it in a numeric context.  Really
the only way to "cast" something in perl to a number is to do
something like `0.0+$foo;'; but usually that's unnecessary as perl
will do the right thing on its own.

-- 
Fletch                | "If you find my answers frightening,       __`'/|
fletch at phydeaux.org   |  Vincent, you should cease askin'          \ o.O'
                      |  scary questions." -- Jules                =(___)=
                      |                                               U