finding and appending txt files on server

I'm adapting some ecard code for my site so that users can save the position of various objects within my flash movie. At the moment I create a random file name for the text file which is saved to my server. The user is sent an email saying to go to this.swf?theinfo=randomtextfile.txt. The info in the text file saves a string separated by commas of what objects are on the stage. No text or _x or _y positions are needed e.g - itemString=blue,red,square,triangle&contentLoaded=true This part works fine. What I do want to do though is create a gallery feature so what I believe I need to do is to append the info above into a textfile named total.txt or something. So that everytime a separate file is saved on to the server, it's info is added to this total file. Is this the way to go about it? Or is there a php function that can see what files are in the directory, open them and then use the info that way? I was told that a database is the way to go but I have no experience of these at all. Any help is appreciated. Gav