To start mysql you should type:

./safe_mysqld &

to stop mysql you should type:

mysqladmin shutdown

To set a password for the root user, you should type:

mysqladmin password new-password

You should then create a database for links:

mysqladmin create links

and setup a user for links:

mysql mysql

will get you into the mysql monitor, and:

GRANT SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, CREATE, ALTER, DROP ON links.* TO someuser@localhost IDENTIFIED BY 'somepassword';

will setup a user 'someuser' with password 'somepassword' who can only access the links database.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'set path for mysql'?

Let me know if this helps, or if you have any other questions.

Cheers,

Alex