:: > Could not a different build of FB Embedded be made so that several
:: > applications could use the same data file?
::
:: That's what is normally called Classic. In Version 1.5 on Windows,
:: classic doesn't support local connections, only loopback
:: connections,
:: which require that an ur-server be running to feed
:: connections to child
:: servers.

Im totally confused by this part. Classic still requires a separate EXE to
be run, and a TCP connection yes?

What I was "future requesting" is a DLL that looks at a DB file and goes
into classic mode - it it sets up the shared memory etc. Then if another
application loads and uses the DLL again, that shared memory is used and
more than one application can use the same DB file using embedded.

Advantages?
1) No firewall issues with XP firewall, service packs, Norton Internet
Scapper, whatever.
2) No need to install and start another exe.