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](http://serverfault.com/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.

<hr>
*in response to the comment thread.*  
There are two components to "does the question fit here" when we are talking about desktops.

1.  Who is my audience, or more appropriately would this audience be a suitable set of people to answer my question.
2.  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.