Always find installing MySQL frustrating, but after a half dozen attempts I finally get it right.
Again, these are more notes to myself than to be a full documentation.
Using Server Admin, make sure the MySQL server is running. Set the “Set MySQL Root Password”. Note the Database location. Start MySQL.
Using the free “MySQL GUI Tools” from the mysql.com web site run “MySQL Administrator”. Install and run the tools on the server itself. When you attempt to connect it will not work.
Server HostName: Localhost
Port: 3306
Username: root
Password: (password you set above)
And the tricky bit, Connect Using Socket: /var/mysql/mysql.sock (Database location)
Once connected you’ll want to add a root with “%” access to the users database. This will give root access from any computer besides the server. Or you can assign an IP to restrict database access/management.