Hi Stan,

> 1. How, and where, do I install Firebird 1.5.x?

Where: install it on the server
How: Just run setup and follow wizard

> 2. Do I put copies of each of the two applications on each computer,
> or do I put them in the DATA directory of the main computer and have
> users run multiple instances from their computer's Z ?drive"?

It depends on your applications. For example, if users can have
personal settings stored in windows registry (or an .ini file),
then the apps should be installed on their machines.

> 3. What do I specify for the tIBDatabase component's DatabaseName
> property? (Aliases seem appropriate, but I'm not sure how to create
> nor use them.)

You have 2 options:

1. To specify the exact database path, e.g.
'ServerName:c:\DBDir\DBFile.fdb'

2. To specify an alias. Aliases are defined in 'aliases.conf' file
in the Firebird installation directory. Sample alias:
StansDB = C:\DBDir\DBFile.fdb

Using aliases is more flexible then harcoding database path into
application, since you can change actual DB location without
recompiling apps.

For the database name property specify 'ServerName:StansDB'

Where ServerName is, obviously, the main machine's name.

Remember to put a Firebird client library (fbclient.dll or gds32.dll)
somewhere to Windows/System32 directory (or just to your app
directory or any other dir in PATH) on all client machines.
Finally, check firewall settings, it should be set to enable TCP/IP
communication via 3050 port.

--
Best regards,
Mikalai mailto:swrus@...