Vitaliy wrote:
> What I really am after, are PHP-, MySQL-, AJAX-, Ruby on Rails-, 
> and web development-specific questions.

In the no-brainer, weed-out category (but with conversation potential) 
for MySQL:

Design a database to store readings from test instruments.  There are 
currently three instruments, testing different things, all of which are 
sampled once per hour.  (Add more detail on request, perhaps.)

Diagram the database however you like.  Then write the following SQL 
queries:

1. Create the database.

2. Add a new round of samples.

3. Get the most current three sample values.

4. Get the max, min, and mean sample values over the last 24 hours.

Key concept is to see how many tables they use.  A poor candidate who 
doesn't really "get" the relational concept will use just one.  Really 
good candidates will ask you for more details, such as whether all three 
samples will always be delivered at exactly the same time.
-- 
Timothy J. Weber
http://timothyweber.org
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