EE simplecomments issues

Ok. Here are some issues I’m having. I need some mySQL help here.

Basically what needs to be done to combine the trackbacks and the comments is to combine the two tables into one. This would require a UNION command.

I understand that there is no UNION command in MySQL 3.x. There is support in 4+, but I don’t use 4, and I want to make this plugin usable by either version. I understand there is a method to “simulate” UNION commands. (UNION in MySQL 3.x)

The only issue I see with this is that I have to create a “dummy” table. I’d hate to have to have people create one just to use the plugin. Is there not a way to set create a temporary table? I remember having to do that in the past for PsychoBlogger to simulate doing sub-selects. I’m just not sure if that will work properly.

Anyone have any experience with this? I’m just wondering if that will suffice.