Here are the steps:

/etc/rc.d/init.d/mysql stop
/zip_location/zip -9 $local_path/raq4_weekly_sql_$mday-$mon-$year.zip /home/mysql/db1/* /home/mysql/mysql/* /home/mysql/db2/*
/etc/rc.d/init.d/mysql start
...
ftp the zip file

Do you see any problem ?

Addady

Why not just do a mysqldump? No need to take the server down.

Frank

You shouldn't need to stop your MySQL server.

There are PHP backup scripts that you can use, which can be found at HotScripts.com/Database Tools (http://www.hotscripts.com/PHP/Scripts_and_Programs/Database_Tools/).

Try reading the docs:
http://www.mysql.com/documentation/mysql/bychapter/manual_MySQL_Database_Administration.html#Backup

But yes, your method will work as well.

And this thread on hotcopy

http://webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21969