Yes, always be wary when somebody tells you the way you are doing things is not within Windows interface design standards. Most of the time they cannot quote to you (as Mike did) what the real standard is. They are just saying since they like their way better you should do it that way.

I would ask users what they think. Get a general opinion on what is easier to work with. Set up some forms that work both ways, see which they like. Then decide which way you are going to do it and change all of your apps so they work the same. Adhering to the Windows standards is probably not as important as making sure all of your applications behave in the same manner. Nothing agitates users more than not knowing how something is going to behave.

Bill