docs: def env_check(self, *args, **kwargs):
          """
          This method provides a common entry for any checks on the 
          environment (input / output dirs, etc)
          """
          b_status    = True
          str_error   = ''
          if not len(self.str_outputDir): 
              b_status = False
              str_error   = 'output directory not specified.'
              self.dp.qprint(str_error, comms = 'error')
              error.warn(self, 'outputDirFail', drawBox = True)
          return {
              'status':       b_status,
              'str_error':    str_error
          }