In trying to learn how to work with the LAMP stack, I've hit a wall with MySQL. I can't seem to find a good reference for the first time setup of MySQL to be used with Apache and python. So, my question is four-fold:

1) Under what circumstances should I create my first database. That is, what user do I use (Apache's http user? root?)

2)How do permissions work?

3) Do I have to do anything on the MySQL side to make MySQL talk to Apache, or MySQL to talk to Python/Django?

4) Is there a good resource online that describes setting all of this up? I've found a bunch for using a database once it's in place, but none for the initial setup?

Notes: I'm trying to run my LAMP stack on a dedicated little box for testing/learning purposes only, so I don't have access to any DBA that could help me, as much as I'd like one.