Rails - Feb 2011 - Rails Apps that need to present different versions of model schemas

I''m writing a Rails3 app that collects data as defined by an external 
source. At periodic intervals, the external source will update their data 
definitions and require a different schema to be presented to the 
end-users. 

My end users will be at different versions of the external data schema and 
have legacy data that needs to remain available when they upgrade to the new 
schema.

The external schema changes are thoughtful and can be layered into the 
database (ie, they are not repurposing a field, but a field might be 
abandoned in place and future data moved to a new field).

I don''t think this the problem addressed by model versioning like 
vestal_versions.

My thoughts on this process is to use a flag to indicate which version the 
user wants to see and then check the flag when creating views to show or 
hide user elements that are required for the version of the schema that is 
required. Wondering if someone has a more elegant solution or experience 
with a similar situation and wants to share.

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You might also consider a schemaless database, like MongoDB as the
storage.  Then you can make arbitrary changes without changing a
schema at all.

--Michael

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