> durl = "jdbc:firebirdsql:embedded:c:\\a\\emFirebird\\T21";

Should be

durl = "jdbc:firebirdsql:embedded:c:\\a\\emFirebird\\T21.fdb";

> ps could Firebird please host a proper newsgroup?
> Lists via email seems so 1980's

You can use Web interface if you like -
http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/Firebird-Java
or you can try NNTP gateway via nntp://news.atkin.com (ensure that you have
correct email specified in the account settings, otherwise you won't be able
to post messages to it)

Roman