If you are a first-time user, then Congratulations! You are joining a user community of more than a million, worldwide. Many of us have been using Firebird (or its technical ancestors) for up to a decade, or longer.

Next Steps:

1) First of all, subscribe to Firebird news now! At the moment, we are using Substack free email list:

You don't want to miss an important news about the new release, must-have update, right?
Please note that you'll have to confirm your subscription by clicking a confirmation link in the automatic registration email.

2) Take a look on Documentation and Drivers
First of all, go to the documentation page and download the Firebird Language Reference that most closely matches the Firebird version you've just installed. If you're new to Firebird, also pick up the corresponding Quick Start Guide.
If you have used the Firebird client/server software before and you are upgrading then you will need to study the Release Notes for your new version. Release notes for the Firebird version in this kit and for the preceding version are also in your Firebird /doc directory.
For links to more documentation, visit the "Documentation" section.

In the "Connectivity" section of downloads, you can find Firebird drivers for several popular development IDEs and frameworks.

3) Create optimal configuration for Firebird with Configuration Calculator:

Input parameters such as user count, RAM, CPU specifications, etc., to derive an enhanced configuration (firebird.conf and databases.conf) using the Configuration Calculator for Firebird. This tool is available at no cost and does not require registration.

4) Get support: free or professional

Free community support

Firebird has a famously strong voluntary support community.

The most popular group is Firebird-Support (https://groups.google.com/u/1/g/firebird-support). You need to be a subscriber (with Google account) to ask questions and get answers.
There are numerous specialised support lists for language drivers (.NET, Java, ODBC, PHP, Python, etc.) as well as lists and newsgroups for non-English-speakers in many languages. For detailed descriptions and subscribing instructions, visit the Mailing lists.

Professional support
For professional support services worldwide using consultants who are all active workers in the Firebird Project, visit the "Professional Support" to choose a support service to suit your needs, wherever you are.

5) Get Free or Paid Tools (third-party)
FlameRobin is a cross-platform, open-source database administration utility developed specifically for Firebird by a team of long-time developers with a wide range of Firebird and cross-platform experience.
Other tools
Firebird users and developers are blessed with an enormous range of third-party administration tools, utilities, and interfaces, many free, some shareware or commercial. For a comprehensive list, visit "Third-party Tools".

6) Become member of Firebird Foundation
The Firebird Foundation exists as a "legal entity" to raise and distribute funds to support Firebird’s development.
Options range from making a one-time donation, to joining the Foundation as an associate or better yet a voting member, to joining our list of sponsors.
You might also consider sponsoring the development of a not-yet-implemented feature needed by your business. For more information, contact the Firebird Foundation Committee.

7) Need something else? Contact us!

Contact [email protected] for more details.

Please note - it is not a support email, for support see #4 above!

If you run a business critical system powered by Firebird or earn money with it, please tell the community about your experience with it. You can download and fill out a formal "case study" template, or just submit a short informal testimonial. Contact [email protected] for more details.
The easiest way for experienced users to help is to subscribe to some of the Firebird related mailing lists and newsgroups and share your expertise.