I could RTFM but for two days I have RTFM to get my example up and running. Plus, I thought this could be a post where the Hibernate people could brag. Please tell me if my reasoning for using Hibernate is correct.

makes my SQL code portable

(after everything is working) cleaner code

less db connections (improving preformance)

And here are some topics I am confused about.

after the first connection results are stored in an object and then the connection is closed?

If so, how does Hibernate keep in-sync with the db once it is changed?

is the object global to the entire application or is it based on a user's session?

And is there a search capability for your forums?

Please start here and follow it step by step: http://www.hibernate.org/152.html

Actually your article here was more helpful

http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/jw-10-2004/jw-1018-hibernate.html