All,
my apologies for this, but I'm new to firebird in general, and need
some basic questions answered that I can't seem to find in the docs
or anywhere.

Explain to me the difference between a .gdb, and a .fdb
please.

I'm using ems's IBManager to manage, create my new firebase
databases.
It has a "Bring Online" option for the database files.

What I currently don't understand is the relationship between the
server and the database files, more specifically: how the
server "knows" the db files are there, and makes them accessible.

When I hit bring online, in EMS IBManager, what essentially is that
doing?

If I distribute my firbird database to someone else, how would they
bring their copy "online" if all they had was a copy of the firebird
server, and no GUI like EMS IBManager?

Thanks,
Steve