List update employing neutral sort keys

A method for updating a list. A first list associated with a first platform includes a first plurality and a second plurality of keys. A second list associated with a second platform includes a third plurality of keys. The first and second platforms sort a first subset of characters differently. The second plurality and third plurality of keys are formed from a second subset of n characters sorted identically on the first and second platforms. An initial key in the first plurality of keys is converted to a neutral key to be included in the second plurality of keys by converting a character in the initial key to a number represented in a number system having a base b where n≧b. After the first list is updated, the lists are sorted and compared, and the second list is updated.