>>> say what is that you want... and don't be vague like 'better Internet support'.
>>>

USE ://www.SomeServer.com/MyDBF ORDER MyTag

>>
>>You can do that already, but it's a nonsense. Trying to use a file/server, record-based access over a high latency connection like this is paving the road to failure.
>
>Nothing is impossible. I am an ignorant user - I leave it to those who are graced with the necessary grey matter and dedication to assure I rest easy in my ignorance.
>
>I don't care what the difficulties or issues are - I would like to USE a DBF on a remote server with the same reliability and useability I experience on a LAN or local drive. I don't care how the wizards make it happen - and an understanding of the issues will not change my desire for this feature. I want it - regardless of the difficulties!:)

Hmmm... I don't think you're an ignorant user. You're a developer, and IMHO you should care about architectural issues that CAN impact your truly ignorant users.

xBase data access model (seek, skip, go top) doesn't map well in distributed or complex environments, and this is not something you can change. No matter what techniques you apply, doing something like:

use http://TerryServer.com:Customer alias Cust
go top
scan for active
   ? Cust.name
endscan

...is not optimizable over an HTTP connection. The fact that each scan iteration have to make a separate trip to the server means you are on a bad track. No matter how fast your connection is, the HTTP connection and requirement is not make for this kind of job. But get all the customers in a single request (select * from customer), and your closer to a real solution.

Do you see my point?

Regards