Pictures IN database or just the path? (confused)

Somebody told me that it is better to save pictures (*.jpg) in a folder/directory and save only the path in the database, than saving the picture (as OLE) IN the database (Access). His reason is that if you save pictures IN the database, it would grow tremendously and to minimize the size of the database, save only a text containg the path of the picture. But as I was reading threads here, most if not all are saving pictures in the database. Which is which? Which is the better technique?:rolleyes:

I've always prefered the path route,as in one project I was working on, I had 2000 + pictures to dsplay at certain parts, and sticking them in the database just get's messy. That's my view IMO :)

Ian

Thanks Ian, I thought it was a bad technique (sigh of relief).... how about you guys?

I think that the path method is better too...unless you know that you aren't going to have that many images...I wonder what method this forum uses for avatars?