OLE Object question

[Access Virgin]

I have thought about trying to set up a project documents database, it would hold details about a project document and then attach the document. I am basically trying to mirror a similar Lotus Notes system my company uses. I have created small prototype containing a table and form. The form has a bound OLE Object that shows an icon for the attached document. I have added a button that attaches the document to the record. This works fine. I have searched through the forum and have read about the problems that arise when attaching documents, pictures etc but I have just a few other questions on this subject.

The documents are stored in a field in the table, field type OLE object. How can I extract/export these Word/PDF documents from the database?

Access will rapidly grow in size through attaching documents, hence affecting performance. Could a SQL Server backend be used and if so would the problems of rapid database growth and poor performance still be an issue?

Is attaching a link to the file as opposed to attaching the file still the best option? I wanted to have all my project documents stored together as it is more secure and by having such a system it would make managing them much more easier. As I work on numerous projects yearly its just not as easy as storing all the documents together.

Any views/advice on this would be greatly appreciated.