I can't speak for Jeff but if i was to guess would be that you are not talking about a server OS, and not talking about deploying mysql to many desktops.
from the FAQ
Please note that Server Fault is not for general computer troubleshooting questions
Which from the first paragraph of your question this seems to be. At best it is a borderline question since you are dealing wtih mysql server on a desktop. I probably would have voted to move to SU though.
*in response to the comment thread.* There are two components to "does the question fit here" when we are talking about desktops.
- Who is my audience, or more appropriately would this audience be a suitable set of people to answer my question.
- What is the scope of the question.
I would weight these 80% scope, 20% audience.
For criteria 1: With your particular question, I would say ... maybe, yes the people here have a lot of experience with MySQL, however this is balanced by the fact that probably 90% of that experience is on Server class hardware and software.
For criteria 2: No your question does not fit the scope of the site at all.
For example, lets take these two very generic questions:
I'm trying to install $program on $DesktopOS. When i install, I'm having $problem
This is a question who's scope is that of a single user having an issue on a single machine. It is definitely not in SF's scope. The answer is going to be a fix applied to a particular workstation once.
Now, consider the following
I'm trying to install $program on 1000 desktops running $DesktopOS the package gets pushed fine, but then $problem happens
This second example is definitely withing scope of SF.
You are focusing on the less important audience part, where for desktop OS issues scoping is much more important.