General MySQL Questions

[GeekyGirl]

Hello.

I am a newbie to MySQL but have been using Access databases for a very long time. :D 

I will be setting up a web through ipowerweb.com but want to get started on my databases prior to signing up for the web space.  I am trying to do several things using MySQL and need to know if I am heading in the correct direction.

1. I am creating a library of resources for the website.  There will be several databases involved or it can be one large database- one for poems & quotes, another for Tips & Techniques and still another as a virtual bookshelf. I want to create a single web page where the information from the database can be called up based on the user's selections and choices of categories, subcategories, etc.

2. I currently have an Access database that has a collection of art design layout sketches.  Eventually this collection will be turned into a book but more importantly, I want to be able to distribute it as a computer program that people can use to reference the sketches.  Ideally, I would love it if a user could look at a sketch and be able to rotate it by 90 degrees at a time or be able to flip it over horizontally.  Several people from a computer tech forum recommended using MySQL.

3. As the basis for my e-commerce store.

I know that ipowerweb uses MySQL to help set up the store.  It also is a PHP based system for the forum and store.

Now on to my questions... ???
1.  Is MySQl the correct database to use for the scenarios given above?
2.  Once I created the databases on my computer, is it easy to integrate into ipowerweb?  Do I simply have to upload those databases?
3. If I have an exisitng database in Access, can I import it into MySQL?

[matto]

Yes, mySQL is a great choice.

You can extract all your data from your mysql database using the mysqldump command line utility, or you could use other tools like the mySQL Administrator.
http://www.mysql.com/products/tools/administrator/

You can migrate your existing Access database using the mySQL Migration Toolkit
http://www.mysql.com/products/tools/migration-toolkit/

I would recommend downloading these products (they are free)

Hope this answers your question....

;)

[GeekyGirl]

Thank you.  It definately helps to move things along for me!