>>Note: I am only addressing the alleged security issue here- I am purposefully ignoring the scalability argument until later.
>Security is a starange issue to SQL newbie like me. I've heard PMs and DBAs say the reason they don't use the Fox DBC is "SECURITY". They say sure, it's (Fox) lots faster, be there is "the security issue". Why isn't a desktop password through the fire wall enough security. What layer of security does additional SQL authorization provide to enhance protection offered by the firewall?

SQL offers very granular security way beyond what you can get with file level security. You can grant or deny different levels of access to pretty much every entity in the database. With VFP, if you can see the file, you can do with it what you please (for the most part).

>Sometimes job security overshadows the need to keep it simple. Contractors do pick up work. We have to follow the party line and hear the "reading" before we get our soup and bread.

That's is a fair argument. I have little problem with people choosing who to believe, but I do have a problem with people offering advice as gospel when it may not be based on the entire set of available information.