Thanks for your great input. One more question please: If I proceeed using the ado.net classes what would the best way be to create a live system (dynamic) i.e. when one window is updated another promptly reflects that update (e.g. a profit and loss summary window that gets updated through other windows). Would calling a fucntion every x seconds to retreive and refresh the screen be better or is there any other way it could be done automatically on update or keyup?

Thanks Again.