Amazon.com’s cloud computing service now offers MySQL 5.1 directly:

Amazon RDS provides a MySQL 5.1 relational database in the cloud. It provides cost-efficient and resizable capacity, while managing time-consuming database administration tasks for customers. The service takes much of the hassle out of setting up and managing relational databases, such as backups and code patching, freeing up its users to focus on their applications and business

Amazon RDS provides the full capabilities of a MySQL Database, which means that libraries, applications and tools that have been designed for use with MySQL can be used without modification. This makes it very simple for customers to start using Amazon RDS. As with all AWS services Amazon RDS is a scalable resource; its storage, processing power and memory usage can be adjusted on demand and the customer only pays for those resources that have been used.

First they came for your systems administrator, now they’re coming for your DBA. Here are instructions for setting it up.

Wonder how long it’ll be before they enable you to use their database as a replication target for an existing database somewhere else?