I''m about to do a presentation to my company on Rails, and it''s applicability to our organisation. It would really help me if I could ask you lot a few questions (and you were so generous last time: http://www.magpiebrain.com/archives/2005/05/11/survey) that would help me get a feel for the kind of work other people are doing with Rails right now - its mostly focused at those lucky souls who are currently doing Rails for their day job: 1.Are you planning to use Rails in a mixed technology environment? If so, what other technologies are you integrating with? 2. Are you using rails to replace an existing application? If so, what technology are you replacing, e.g.: - Java - .NET - PHP etc 3. What is the size of your development team? 4. When deploying, what OS are you using, e.g.: - Linux - FreeBSD - Windows XP 5. When deploying what server technology are you using, e.g.: - Apache & FastCGI - Apache & mod_ruby - Lighttpd etc. 6. What is the single biggest factor in your choice to use Rails? (this applies to everyone really) 7. What is the single thing you''d like to see improved? Thanks in advance guys and gals... -- sam http://www.magpiebrain.com/
> 1.Are you planning to use Rails in a mixed technology environment? If > so, what other technologies are you integrating with?Yes. We''re running a FreeBSD server for Rails which is integrating with a Windows Server 2003 streaming media server.> 2. Are you using rails to replace an existing application? If so, what > technology are you replacing, e.g.: > - Java > - .NET > - PHPThis particular application is not a replacement; however, our shop comes from a PHP background, and we''re aiming to eventually replace the PHP products we''ve built over the past 3 or 4 years.> 3. What is the size of your development team?Two of us.> 4. When deploying, what OS are you using, e.g.: > - Linux > - FreeBSD > - Windows XPFreeBSD> 5. When deploying what server technology are you using, e.g.: > - Apache & FastCGI > - Apache & mod_ruby > - Lighttpd > etc.Apache & FastCGI> 6. What is the single biggest factor in your choice to use Rails? > (this applies to everyone really)a. Product quality b. Development time c. Job satisfaction> 7. What is the single thing you''d like to see improved?Adding migration support will be much appreciated. Currently, it''s difficult to make changes to the database and then get those changes propagated to other developers (even if there''s just one other developer). This is because the database is "the authoritative source" and so it does not remain under version control, and thus, it does not get "updated" when an "svn update" would normally sync your local copy with the repository''s. Good luck with your presentation! Duane Johnson (canadaduane) _______________________________________________ Rails mailing list Rails-1W37MKcQCpIf0INCOvqR/iCwEArCW2h5@public.gmane.org http://lists.rubyonrails.org/mailman/listinfo/rails
On Jun 4, 2005, at 4:58 AM, Sam Newman wrote:> > 1.Are you planning to use Rails in a mixed technology environment? If > so, what other technologies are you integrating with? > \I am in the process of rebuilding our website for the Yakima Herald- Republic Newspaper in rails. <http://yakima-herald.com>. This site is currently running php and it interfaces with the AP Newswire for world news and also Baseview''s LiveIQ, Newsedit Pro and ArchiveIQ Databases. It also interfaces with 52 other newspaper''s classifieds ad systems for regional classified ads.> 2. Are you using rails to replace an existing application? If so, what > technology are you replacing, e.g.: > - Java > - .NET > - PHPI am replacing PHP and Perl with Ruby and Rails.> > 3. What is the size of your development team?At this point my team is only 2 people. A designer(excellent!) and me as the coder. This is one of the biggest attractions of ruby and rails. The fact that I can even attempt to code a project like this by myself speaks volumes as to the efficiency of RoR.> 4. When deploying, what OS are you using, e.g.: > - Linux > - FreeBSD > - Windows XPLinux (Debian, RHEL4) And Tiger OSX Server. The Baseview newsroom database only runs on OSX.> > 5. When deploying what server technology are you using, e.g.: > - Apache & FastCGI > - Apache & mod_ruby > - Lighttpd > etc.We are running Apache/Fcgi up front and lighttpd/fcgi behind apache as a proxy. But lighttpd is serving thye rails apps.> 6. What is the single biggest factor in your choice to use Rails? > (this applies to everyone really)The ease of development. And the way things are organized to promote best practices. I could not tackle this magnitude of a project by myself with any php framework or any other tech I''m aware of. Rails allows me to be much more productive by myself than I was on a team of 3 people working with php and our custom in house framework.> 7. What is the single thing you''d like to see improved?I''d like to see speed improve and stability. These are mostly non issues with a good caching scheme and lighttpd/fcgi but occasionally there are unexplained fastcgi failures bugt I hbope to iron those out soon.> > Thanks in advance guys and gals... > > -- > sam > http://www.magpiebrain.com/ > _______________________________________________ > Rails mailing list > Rails-1W37MKcQCpIf0INCOvqR/iCwEArCW2h5@public.gmane.org > http://lists.rubyonrails.org/mailman/listinfo/rails >
> 1.Are you planning to use Rails in a mixed technology environment? If > so, what other technologies are you integrating with?Not really, but I suppose perhaps PHP in some odd cases.> 2. Are you using rails to replace an existing application? If so, what > technology are you replacing, e.g.: > - Java > - .NET > - PHPPHP.> 3. What is the size of your development team?1-2> 4. When deploying, what OS are you using, e.g.: > - Linux > - FreeBSD > - Windows XPFreeBSD> 5. When deploying what server technology are you using, e.g.: > - Apache & FastCGI > - Apache & mod_ruby > - Lighttpd > etc.Apache, FastCGI Lighttpd is not an option for production until it is as easy to manage with a web-based controlpanel as Apache is.> 6. What is the single biggest factor in your choice to use Rails? > (this applies to everyone really)Faster, more fun development (oops, that was two)> 7. What is the single thing you''d like to see improved?Maturity (adapt more to real-world usage, not to say that it isn''t _already_ very much so), documentation (oops, that was two) Regards, Tomas Jogin
On 05/06/2005, at 12:54 AM, Duane Johnson wrote:> Currently, it''s difficult to make changes to the database and then get > those changes propagated to other developers (even if there''s just one > other developer). This is because the database is "the authoritative > source" and so it does not remain under version control, and thus, it > does not get "updated" when an "svn update" would normally sync your > local copy with the repository''s.You can version control the db/development_structure.sql file, your devs just have to ensure they update this file when they commit code that relies on a new db structure. We use some custom rake tasks that handle dumping of the db structure, and recreating the db and populating with fixture data. See this previous thread for more info: http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.comp.lang.ruby.rails/8169 - tim
On Jun 4, 2005, at 7:58 AM, Sam Newman wrote:> 1.Are you planning to use Rails in a mixed technology environment? If > so, what other technologies are you integrating with?Yes. I''m using a Java-based RDF store/engine and connecting it to a Rails application (at first over RESTful HTTP).> 2. Are you using rails to replace an existing application? If so, what > technology are you replacing, e.g.: > - Java > - .NET > - PHP > > etcNo. I''m writing the application from scratch in Rails (though I did a Tapestry/Cayenne prototype at first).> 3. What is the size of your development team?Me. :)> 4. When deploying, what OS are you using, e.g.: > - Linux > - FreeBSD > - Windows XPDeploying on Linux, most likely. But developing on Mac OS X (how could you leave that off your list?!).> 5. When deploying what server technology are you using, e.g.: > - Apache & FastCGI > - Apache & mod_ruby > - Lighttpd > etc.Undecided - whatever is most recommended when the time comes.> 6. What is the single biggest factor in your choice to use Rails? > (this applies to everyone really)The language Ruby, coupled with the simplicity of Rails.> 7. What is the single thing you''d like to see improved?At this point I''m not sure, but I do think that some slicker componentry with respect to templating would be desirable (ala WebObjects or Tapestry). Oh, and continuation support :) Erik
> 1.Are you planning to use Rails in a mixed technology environment? If > so, what other technologies are you integrating with?Access Control / Security systems / Multi-channel DVR''s (I know you''re probably thinking development technologies but still)> 2. Are you using rails to replace an existing application? If so, what > technology are you replacing, e.g.: > - Java > - .NET > - PHPThe applications we''re developing don''t all have things they are replacing -- when they do its super-microsoft centric -- ActiveX or .Net apps etc etc> etc > > 3. What is the size of your development team?1> 4. When deploying, what OS are you using, e.g.: > - Linux > - FreeBSD > - Windows XPFreeBSD / OS X (if i can get som xserves)> 5. When deploying what server technology are you using, e.g.: > - Apache & FastCGI > - Apache & mod_ruby > - Lighttpd > etc.Atleast FastCGI -- very likely with lighttpd> 6. What is the single biggest factor in your choice to use Rails? > (this applies to everyone really)I think working with rails is super fun. That being said, my partner likes it because its getting really close to what David said about programming without knowing you''re programming[1]. As a quick example. Part of what we do is security consulting (if the aforementioned technologies hadn''t already tipped you off to that). In one particular contract, which has involved a lot of correspondence, we''re behind in some of the billing. So I whipped up just a scaffold for a "documents" database and the new receptionist went flying away filling documents and the billable time associated with them. We now joke that her new job is to find money. How''s this for a presentation point? An app that took 5 minutes to make has, to date, earned $10,000 (Canadian) and is projected to earn another $40,000 in the next 5-10 days. Now _that_ is a good ROI. heheh> 7. What is the single thing you''d like to see improved?Portability -Caleb [1] http://37signals.com/svn/archives2/web_services_are_going_lowercase.php> Thanks in advance guys and gals... > > -- > sam > http://www.magpiebrain.com/ > _______________________________________________ > Rails mailing list > Rails-1W37MKcQCpIf0INCOvqR/iCwEArCW2h5@public.gmane.org > http://lists.rubyonrails.org/mailman/listinfo/rails >
On 4.6.2005, at 14:58, Sam Newman wrote:> 1.Are you planning to use Rails in a mixed technology environment?Nope.> If > so, what other technologies are you integrating with? > > 2. Are you using rails to replace an existing application?Nope.> If so, what > technology are you replacing, e.g.: > - Java > - .NET > - PHP > > etc > > 3. What is the size of your development team?1.> > 4. When deploying, what OS are you using, e.g.:FreeBSD> 5. When deploying what server technology are you using, e.g.: >- Lighttpd> etc. > > 6. What is the single biggest factor in your choice to use Rails?Joy of development.> (this applies to everyone really) > > 7. What is the single thing you''d like to see improved?Rails adoption ;-)> > Thanks in advance guys and gals...My pleasure, //jarkko> > -- > sam > http://www.magpiebrain.com/ > _______________________________________________ > Rails mailing list > Rails-1W37MKcQCpIf0INCOvqR/iCwEArCW2h5@public.gmane.org > http://lists.rubyonrails.org/mailman/listinfo/rails >-- Jarkko Laine http://jlaine.net http://odesign.fi _______________________________________________ Rails mailing list Rails-1W37MKcQCpIf0INCOvqR/iCwEArCW2h5@public.gmane.org http://lists.rubyonrails.org/mailman/listinfo/rails
On 6.6.2005, at 09:39, Jarkko Laine wrote:> >> >> 4. When deploying, what OS are you using, e.g.: > > FreeBSDOh yeah, and OS X for development, of course. //jarkko -- Jarkko Laine http://jlaine.net http://odesign.fi _______________________________________________ Rails mailing list Rails-1W37MKcQCpIf0INCOvqR/iCwEArCW2h5@public.gmane.org http://lists.rubyonrails.org/mailman/listinfo/rails
Thanks for this guys - I really appreciate the feedback. As before I''ll collate this stuff in a day or so. In the meantime, keep it coming! sam On 6/6/05, Jarkko Laine <jarkko-k1O+Gnc6WpmsTnJN9+BGXg@public.gmane.org> wrote:> > On 6.6.2005, at 09:39, Jarkko Laine wrote: > > > >> > >> 4. When deploying, what OS are you using, e.g.: > > > > FreeBSD > > Oh yeah, and OS X for development, of course. > > //jarkko > > -- > Jarkko Laine > http://jlaine.net > http://odesign.fi-- sam http://www.magpiebrain.com/
Sam Newman wrote:> 1.Are you planning to use Rails in a mixed technology environment? If > so, what other technologies are you integrating with?As much as possible, no. I''ll have to support my PHP legacy, but I don''t plan to actively seek any more PHP work.> 2. Are you using rails to replace an existing application? If so, what > technology are you replacing, e.g.: > - Java > - .NET > - PHPPHP. It means rebuilding a few of my personal code libraries in Rails, but I''m kinda looking forward to doing that. It''s always nice to periodically improve things anyway, so a switch to a different language doesn''t really make any odds since the code libraries are hardly earth shatteringly complex.> 3. What is the size of your development team?Me. Occasionally I work with other developers, and I have several design firms who use me as their main developer... which means they''re also switching to Rails by association.> 4. When deploying, what OS are you using, e.g.: > - Linux > - FreeBSD > - Windows XPIt''s on FreeBSD (Textdrive) although my existing small server host is on Linux. They guy who runs it is interested in Rails but I''m not sure he''s ready to go messing with his server much at the moment. I''ll have to show him some source code, that might grab his attention!> 5. When deploying what server technology are you using, e.g.: > - Apache & FastCGI > - Apache & mod_ruby > - Lighttpd > etc.Apache proxying through to Lighttpd.> 6. What is the single biggest factor in your choice to use Rails? > (this applies to everyone really)The 10 minute setup video blew me away. The 2 hour presentation video and initial code hacking confirmed my suspicions, I''m getting bored with having to do mundane things in PHP, and since I''m freelance I can just decide to do fun things like this. You wanted just one reason though, so: speed of development.> 7. What is the single thing you''d like to see improved?More documentation and code examples, but this is already happening with the book and so on. Actually, I''d like to see something like the PHP functions manual, for example: http://www.php.net/print http://www.php.net/addslashes http://www.php.net/fopen A http://www.rubyonrails.org/some_function_name thing (with user contributed notes and code snippets) would be great... but perhaps one already exists and I just haven''t found it yet? ~Dave -- Dave Silvester Rent-A-Monkey Website Development Web: http://www.rentamonkey.com/
Sam Newman wrote:> I''m about to do a presentation to my company on Rails, and it''s > applicability to our organisation. It would really help me if I could > ask you lot a few questions (and you were so generous last time: > http://www.magpiebrain.com/archives/2005/05/11/survey) that would help > me get a feel for the kind of work other people are doing with Rails > right now - its mostly focused at those lucky souls who are currently > doing Rails for their day job: > > 1.Are you planning to use Rails in a mixed technology environment? If > so, what other technologies are you integrating with?Not really, Rails will combine several already mixed tech applications into a single application.> > 2. Are you using rails to replace an existing application? If so, what > technology are you replacing, e.g.: > - Java > - .NET > - PHPReplacing PHP for a single application, not development wide. Fr simple client sites with low expectaions/needs, php is still faster and more versatile.> > etc > > 3. What is the size of your development team?Currently 2, once deployed, 4.> > 4. When deploying, what OS are you using, e.g.: > - Linux > - FreeBSD > - Windows XPFreeBSD> > 5. When deploying what server technology are you using, e.g.: > - Apache & FastCGI > - Apache & mod_ruby > - Lighttpd > etc.Apache & FastCGI> > 6. What is the single biggest factor in your choice to use Rails? > (this applies to everyone really)Modular, reusable, MVC design.> > 7. What is the single thing you''d like to see improved? >Documentation, but I won''t complain if I don''t contribute ;^) We purchased the PickAxe and the Rails Betabooks. Both are exceptional, highly recommended to any developer. DAve