>Ken,
>
>I would go for XML. Why, well because it is simple text and is easily sent around on various differing backbones. It is not very limiting at all for eventual movement form LAN to WEB based apps. Virtually everything on earth will be able to read and understand it (if they don't already), thus not having a limiting activity on your future choices of front or back ends.

yep - that's what I'll do - though I may have an ADO/XML switch hitter object!
KBM