How to optimize my.cnf settings?

After working through manuals and tutorails (mysql.com, blogs and boards), I have still some questions about the right settings in my.cnf

Would it make sense to use a template like my-huge.cnf, meant to be for 1 GB + and just double the values for a computer with 2 GB?

These are the current settings for a computer with 2 GB RAM (MySQL 5 in XAMPP auf Debian Linux) in my.cnf - how could this be optimized for read-intensive application with a small number of users?

Aktuelle Einstellungen:

Code:

---

key_buffer = 1024M
max_allowed_packet = 8M
table_cache = 1500
sort_buffer_size = 4096K
net_buffer_length = 128K
read_buffer_size = 4096K
read_rnd_buffer_size = 4096K
myisam_sort_buffer_size = 64M

---

Other values (query_cache, max connections etc) are currently not specified. Should I do this?

Which other effective and understandable tools are there, besides SHOW STATUS and mysqltuner.pl which can be useful for a newbie (at least concerning mysql admin) ?

I am grateful for answers and links. Thanks in advance!