This is a simple and direct tutorial on Ruby-on-Rails using Instant Rails in Windows-2000. Absolute beginners can run their first real program in just 20 minutes.
If you want create a dynamic web page that works on more than just MySQL then try Ruby DBI. Ruby DBI will help you create a single database interface for connecting your web application to multiple database types like MySQL, PostGreSQL and SQL Server. This article also explains some of the typical mistakes made when installing Ruby DBI.
If you are a Windows user then listen up. There are solutions for Ruby and MySQL on Windows. Roderick Von domburg has a project for this and the releases along with excellent instructions are available from his site. Great stuff! He even shows you how to compile your own connection dll on Windows. His work was so good it was included in Instant Rails