Installing MySQL on Mac

[inspiredmac]

I purchased Kevin Yank's book Database Driven Websites and read through the instructions for installing the necessary components on a Macintosh. From a reference in the Sitepoint forum, I also went to http://www.serverlogistics.com/mysql.php and downloaded the installer package for MySQL, which was accomopanied by PDF instructions. When I compared the instuctions from the people at Serverlogistics.com to Kevin Yank's instructions, I found little that was compatible. Does it seem reasonable that there is more than one way to install such "root-level" software? Being a techno-weenie, I'm really confused now.

[samsm]

How much of it works?

Here's the deal, basically. If you can log in to mysql using mysql -u root -p then there is a 99% chance you are good to go, skip the rest of the mysql setup instructions in the book.