>>Has anyone used text files in place of memo? In other words, each record in my database has a userid. I would like to maintain a history of changes (i.e. title, address, status) each member and thought the risk of corruption working with a memo field would be higher risk than appending to a text file for each member.
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>>Has anyone used this type of method? What, if any, pitfalls should I expect? In your own opinion, what would be a better option to use? I'm leaning towards the text file approach, but wanted to hear from others.
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>If there are a lot of records then a text file for each record doesn't sound too viable. Another option would be to use a DBF to log the changes; each row storing id of the changed record, the field that was changed and the content prior to change. Using this approach you have the additional benefit of a searchable audit trail
>HTH,
>Viv

Viv - You are right. I started my app with memos for audit trails and later switched to a dbf for exactly the reason you suggest. My users wanted to be able to search for changes. The maintenance can be set to run automatically with triggers and a stored procedure in the database.