Can anyone pass on some information on how to compile shell scripts or if there is a freeware compiler cout there so won't have to pay for something like Shell-lock?

Just chmod the script.

I would like the shell script not to be readable or alterable even by the owner if thats possible.

I may not fully understand your situation, but from what you have said so far you can do the following: You can still accomplish this by turning off the rw(read/write) flags on the file and just turn on the x(execute) flag for the file - and change the owner/group to prevent the user from chmoding it back to readable, while still allowing execute.

I have a question: Why do you not want the owner to read/change something they created ???