b> P.S.  Is anyone out there documenting this configuration? 

No, there is absolutely no documentation ;|

b> I can certainly write up a quick-start kind of document for this
b> configuration if the need is there ...

Please do so. I've uploaded all the html files in a zip file to the
download page at http://www.dev-labs.com/firebird-jdbc. Download and
edit them, add your suggestions, etc...

My idea is to separate every issue on the documentation page. Maybe we
should start it now. I like to see the "installation", "making
connection", "encoding" and "blob" topics on different pages. Don't
hesitate to modify these html files.

Best wishes,
Daniel