Resolved - but not sure if I have the reason why
The database I had set up on RackSpace was fairly new.... within a couple hours.
I was able to connect to it successfully using my DB manager on my PC - Not the host
s web based admin tool, but a separate 3rd party app.
So I assumed the DB is and was set up when I initially ran the script and encountered the error.
However, I changed NOTHING, but wanted to see the error it produced.
I simply ran the same script again and well, it worked. Table was created with the 500 Character Varchar fields.
Perhaps if my PC was attempting to use a 3.51 Driver instead of the 5.1 would that have produced the error we both experienced? Although I had configured with the 5.1 driver its the only anomaly I can think of.
Just trying to bring out a useful conclusion for future readers of the thread.