Eric,

I think you’re making it harder than it needs to be.

First question; to automatically stack new versions, open the preferences and there’s an option in there under General that says “automatically stack new versions”. This means whenever you create a new version of an image, it’s created in a little stack that you can close. You can always extract an item from the stack as well (look for it in the menu). This makes keeping track of similar images easy, and also allows you to close the stack and view only your stack pick (favorite) of the bunch.

Now… there’s no need to maintain two libraries. Your RAW files can live on an external drive, and if you let Aperture generate the preview files (discussed in the eBook you have as well as here in an “opposite of what you want” kind of way ;-) ), you will always have your JPEG’s with you, even when your RAW files aren’t connected. Automatically. No export required.

Eric,

Stacks used to work that way by default, but I guess some users found it confusing, so Apple made it an option. Personally I like having versions stacked; it makes sense to me.