[R] predict.gls choking on levels of factor

[Mitchell Maltenfort]

I've got a gls formula that's a mix of continuous and ordered variables.

I wanted to use gls because I wanted to use the varIdent structure.

Anyway, attempts to use "predict.gls" choke with the error that the
levels I use are not allowed for one of them -- the first one
alphabetically, so I'd guess the second would have the same problem.

So I have three linked questions -- answering any of the three would
set my mind at ease.

(1) is it possible to make predict.gls friendlier to my model structure?

(2) Is it possible to get the "varIdent"  into lm or ols from Design?

(3)  is Yee's "smartpred" package, last updated for R 1.7, reliable
for current R?

Thanks!