>>Hi Mark,
>>
>>I personally found the approach with placing the text files into application directory having some additional advantages.
>>1. You don't need to open the DBC to shutdown/prevent the application login.
>>2. The text file used for shutdown at the same time contains the message about the reason and the info when user can log in again.
>>2. Any batch file can do the application shutdown.
>
>Even better. I like second option of #2. < bg >

Oh, I can add more of them if you want... :)