> For most applications, I'd suggest a live backup each night, restoring
> the backup once a week to a different file and location to insure that
> there are no problems with the backup. Maybe once a year shutdown
> before backing up, restore, and restart on the new file. There are some
> performance problems that seem to be helped by a backup/restore
> cycle, but most can be resolved more simply by making sure that
> index statistics are up-to-date and garbage collection is forced
> regularly. If there are performance problems, use the tools available
> MON$ tables, gstat, plans, and sometimes lock print, rather than the
> very blunt instrument of a backup/restore. Who knows, you might
> uncover something that will make Firebird faster for everyone.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Ann

Many thanks Ann!!! You rock! ;->
-Raymond