does anyone know of a nice php script or something to list the files in a directory rather than the list apache creates when you dont include an index file?

It depends on the settings of the server. Is it your server? For example if safe mode is on, or if system cmds are restricted, your php script would not work. (It can be done though)

nah its not my server but I have pretty much full access to it.

might want to take a look at this

http://www-uxsup.csx.cam.ac.uk/courses/apache/student.html#apache.conf.dirs