Mysql

if rake db:create doesn't work, try this:

mysql -u root
create database name-of-database;
quit

If you are running mysql and rake complains about not being able to find your mysql.sock file, you will need to add "socket: " to each of the database definitions

database.yml example development section

development: adapter: mysql socket: /var/mysql/mysql.sock database: wagn_development username: wagn password: hi_im_a_password_right_up_in_here host: localhost   test: adapter: mysql socket: /var/mysql/mysql.sock database: wagn_test username: wagn password: woo_hoo_password ...

Postgres

Postgres hints: you may have to mess with authentication config in pg_hba.conf to connect. Default configs have local identity based setting for authentication, and none for remote.

become 'postgres' user (typically the root user for postgresql):
createuser -d wagn-db-user -P

(enter db user pw twice)

createdb -O wagn-db-user name-of-database