mysql versions

[Dimitri Mallis]

i am using mysql 5.0 installed from the repos. i am using dapper
when i type in as my own user name >>> "mysqld" it gives me this

dimitri at ubuntu:~$ mysqld
060705 11:07:04 [Warning] Can't create test file
/var/lib/mysql/ubuntu.lower-test
060705 11:07:04  InnoDB: Operating system error number 13 in a file operation.
InnoDB: The error means mysqld does not have the access rights to
InnoDB: the directory.
InnoDB: File name ./ibdata1
InnoDB: File operation call: 'open'.
InnoDB: Cannot continue operation.


it doesnt even work as root
root at ubuntu:~# mysqld
060705 11:07:57  InnoDB: Operating system error number 13 in a file operation.
InnoDB: The error means mysqld does not have the access rights to
InnoDB: the directory.
InnoDB: File name ./ibdata1
InnoDB: File operation call: 'open'.
InnoDB: Cannot continue operation.


any ideas on how i can fix this?