Storing XML in an 8i DB

I need to store xml documents in an 8i database table. Can someone recommend the best way to do this? Should I store the document as a binary or store the actual string value that makes up the text. The size may be greater than 4000 characters, so I cant use a VARCHAR2.

I've read that Oracle recommends using LOB's, but I'll need to be backward compatiple with pre "i" databases (v7 & 8). I've tried using LONG, but am having problems testing with SQL*Plus b/c of the difference in PL LONG and a dbms LONG.

I plan to use a stored procedure to do the INSERTs into the table by having an IN parameter that passes the document (or string, which ever the case) to the procedure.

thanks

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