> If it's not a very bright idea to restore over a database that isn't
> running, why is it then a possibility? Is there some "hidden" clever
> reason for this?

On development machines, it shouldn't do bigger harm.

> It's pretty difficult for me to shut down the database as it is
> being used 24/7, so I guess the whole "vacuum" thing is going to be
> pretty hard to accomplish?

Impossible for 24/7 databases. You'd have to wait for the restore to
finish anyway before you can begin to work with the database again.

On Firebird (as explained in the other thread about vacuuming) there
is litte/no need for a vacuum because unused records get re-used.
Especially when you do a regular backup.

Regards

Stefan