public boolean isValidMove( String direction )
      {
      boolean isValid = true;
      if( getGRef().isActive() == false )
         {
         isValid = false;
         }
      if( direction.equals( "right" ) && getX() == GameBoard.LENGTHX - 1 )
         {
         isValid = false;
         } //end if
      if( direction.equals( "up" ) && getY() == 0 )
         {
         isValid = false;
         } //end if
      if( direction.equals( "left" ) && getX() == 0 )
         {
         isValid = false;
         } //end if
      if( direction.equals( "down" ) && getY() == GameBoard.LENGTHY - 1 )
         {
         isValid = false;
         } //end if
      
      return isValid;
      } //end method isValidMove