--- In firebird-support@yahoogroups.com, "Richard Thomas"
<rthomas@...> wrote:

>
> Thanks Helen andAdam:
> Could you post a message when the new version of the Quick Start

Manual is

> up? Adam, my screen reader seems to be working adiquitly with the

site so

> far. Thanks for the consideration.
> I'll download and read the new version as soon as it's up.
> Any other suggested readings about using FireBird with Windows

desk-top

> apps?

The latest version is live but there was a problem with the link. I
just copied the link location without checking the document so I ended
up posting a link to the old version.

The latest version can be found by choosing Documentation -> Novices
Guide, and clicking the Quick Start Guide icon (which does have alt text).

Direct link to this page:
http://www.firebirdsql.org/index.php?op=guide

Are you coming from another RDBMS or desktop database that you are
familiar with, or are you new to databases?

Firebird is a MGA database which has consequences to how applications
should handle transactions and what sorts of queries make no sense.
Most of the consequences are good, Firebird neatly avoids some of the
bottlenecks that can plague other RDBMS, but many new people carry on
with locking mechanisms that were required to ensure consistency in
their old database that are simply not needed with Firebird, some also
carry performance penalties.

I would strongly advise you do some reading about transactions, and
make sure you understand the behaviour consequences of the transaction
mode you choose.

If you can get a copy of Helen's book that will work with a screen
reader then it is well worth it. Helen has said she will contact you
off list about this.

> Perhaps more in-depth on embedded FireBird or using FireBird using ODBC
> which might'ent readily show on the WebSite or in a Google Search?

What development environment / language are you using? There are
drivers for all the usual culprits. C/C++ / JDBC / .NET / Delphi /
ODBC / PHP / etc

There is an ODBC driver from the main website as well

Download -> Firebird ODBC Driver
http://www.firebirdsql.org/index.php?op=files&id=odbc

There is nothing special about the embedded engine, it simply has a
dll (fbembed.dll) that you rename to replace the client library
(either fbclient.dll or gds32.dll depending on components). It is a
cutdown version of the server which is limited to a single process.
There is also no user authentication. Otherwise it interacts with your
program the same way. You should develop against a full server because
this will allow you to connect an admin tool like FlameRobin at the
same time your program is running.

Adam