you can also use cach? (http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/) like objectbases if you need mmo game. For single machine database, absolutedb is easy to use, hiperformance, single file db solution.
The rails way like that:
Links Table----------------Linked_idLinked_classLinking_idLinking_class
This links table enables polimorphic associations. And you can add 1 more field like relation_type for relation types. Samples to be clear: 1- Girl wearing blue shirt Linked_id : Girl.id Linked_class : Girl.class Linking_id : BlueShirt.id Linking_class : BlueShirt.class Relation_type : wear2- Cat with red ribbon Linked_id : Cat.id Linked_class : Cat.class Linking_id : RedRibbon.id Linking_class : RedRibbon.class Relation_type : with3- Boy holding cat Linked_id : Boy.id Linked_class : Boy.class Linking_id : Cat.id Linking_class : Cat.class Relation_type : hold
Notice from jlhaslip:
Added code tags to the lists
I recommended Mandriva for both newbies and professionals. Mostly updated than other distributions, great cooker repository, easy to install and use, well tested packages. You can try live cd version and install free version. To be honest, i prefer powerpack version which comes 3rd party software licences such as cedega.