I'm new to DotNetNuke, so please be gentle with me...  :-)

I'm not sure if the functionality is supposed to work this way, but if it is, I can't figure it out.

Of course there is the DotNetNuke database, but there is also another database where we keep all the data the web pages are to display (we call it the project controls db).  When adding a new template or form, there is a drop down labeled "Data Source" which lists theDotNetNuke Database and an option for an "External Database", which is what I select, then type in the connection string, load the tables, etc.  To do this for every template (and form) for every page is not only tedious (I have to remember the connection string and type it without fat-fingering) but when we move the test site to production, we have to go through and retype all the connection strings on all the form and template files.

There is a file called web.config which is supposed to be the central clearing house for such things as the connection string.  Looking at it via the "Host"/"Configuration Manager", I can see the connection string for DotNetNuke which (I presume) appears in the drop down in the new template dialog.  I added the connection string for our project controls db, but it does not appear in the drop down.

So, here's my questions...
1. Is it true that the better option (and is supported by DotNetNuke) is to create a connection string in web.config?
2. Presuming that #1 is true, how do I get the connection string (which has the name="PCDB") to appear in the drop down?
3. Presuming #1 is true, but the PCDB is not intended to be added to the drop down, how do I reference it in the templates and forms?

TIA