>I did try the global.asa file and found it is fragile - it broke the connection several times on test forms. Not good!

I think I have basically seen the same thing as you with the global.asa. I try to keep a backup copy around, just in case. A couple of notes: Interdev (or IIS) doesn't like to see multiple global.asa in a web application hierarchy. So when you create a web application, the physical directory of the virtual directory should be off of Inetpub, for example, and not a subdirectory under wwwroot.

Also, I have used this technique successfully. Including ADO constants in my Global.asa so that I don't have to include them on every page.
http://www.4guysfromrolla.com/webtech/110199-1.shtml

-Dave