>So If I only define a key field for the table I want to update in the view, that's the only table that gets an appended record? Sounds simple enough.

That is correct.

>Should the 'Send SQL Updates' checkbox be marked, or will that scramble my data when just browsing?

Check the box. If you do not, you can define key fields and fields to update, but no updates will be sent unless you check the Send Updates box.