> There should be no need for this complexity in the front end. Use > massively complex and ugly SQL instead. ;) > > Something like: > > select * from > (select date, eventtype1stuff_1, eventtype1stuff_2, null, null from > eventtype1 > union > select date, null, null, eventtype2stuff_1, eventtype2stuff_2 from > eventtype2) > order by date desc; > > Does your head hurt yet? ;) eh? I've had worse. Ok, so this is join the two tables into one and sort by the date, great. Then on the php side I need to someone know what table type it is / what fields are there. something like: (if eventtype1stuff_1!=null) print "You've got $eventtype1stuff_1 in type 1"; if (eventtype2stuff_2!=null) print "You've got other stuff like $eventype2stuff_1 in type 2." its the need for php to know which table type it is that makes me want to have a field in both for table type (or some identifying) characteristic. > Use MySQL if you want a cheezy little web page. Sadly, that's what I want. Thanks again, Ben