Register | Forgot Login

Rails it is then ... but what project?

06.13.2009

Thanks for the Feedback

Big thanks to everyone for your feedback on whether I should take on Ruby on Rails or Drupal as my object of learning this summer.  The verdict is in, and Rails wins out.

Why Rails Won

I have a few reasons, not necessarily in order of significance:

  • After working extensively with CodeIgniter I want to work with a more rapid development framework.
  • I already know enough Rails that I am not starting from scratch.
  • I can see building some more web apps in the future and it would probably involve writing custom code, rather than using a CMS
  • I don’t have any foreseeable projects that I would use Drupal for
  • Rails has been the hotness for long enough that I’m not just “jumping on the bandwagon.”  This is a thought through process here.

All of that said, you can’t really compare a programming language and a framework with a Content Management System.  They are two different things, and they only came face to face in this decision because I only have so much time smile

What Project Should I Build with Rails?

We all know that the best way to learn a new language, framework, or CMS is to take it on for a new project.  So, I ask, “What project should I take on with Rails?”

I would like to do something simple that I could build out from start to finish over the course of the summer.  It would be great if it were of service to other folks.

If you have any ideas bouncing around for simple web apps or services that you just haven’t had the time for, but think they should happen nonetheless, let me know and maybe I can end up building it out for you.

Comments

Jason Leveille 06.16.09

I have a few web applications that I want to build, but haven’t had the time for.  One of which could easily be created using a CMS (EE for example), however I think it’s a candidate for a custom application (and the increased flexibility inherent in custom development).  Here it is.

I want to build a site where I can collect best practices on:

CSS
HTML
Servers (IIS/Apache/nginx/lighttpd)
Languages (PHP/Python/Ruby/.Net/etc)
Security
Optimization
Deployment
Version Control
CMS (EE/Wordpress/Drupal/Plone/etc)
Backup Strategies
etc

All I want to be able to do is create a new entry, give it a title, categorize/tag the entry, create a bulleted list of the best practices, and allow for others to post additional material/comments with regards to the particular topic.

Than, if someone visiting the site is building a site using ExpressionEngine, they could perform a search and receive results that display:

1) Best practices for HTML
2) Best practices for CSS
3) Best practices for ExpressionEngine
4) Best practices for securing a web application (for example, securing PHP on the server side, securing the server, etc,etc)
5) Best practices for optimization (sprites, reducing http requests, minifying/combining js, etc)
6) What exactly they should place in version control
etc

You get the idea.  The site would have to have a strong tagging system with rich metadata on each entry.  It would also have to have a strong search.

This is probably something I should just use EE for, and maybe I will.  It is a project idea though, and you’re welcome to use it.

Zac Gordon 06.16.09

That is a good idea, and EE would be good for that (although you would probably want to use the Solspace Tag Module).

I might be duplicating a lot of the infrastructure to do it in Rails, but could be a good learning project.

Thanks Jason!

Holler at this article

Comment Form

Welcome Section

Here you put the link to the RSS feeds, link to contact information and maybe a link to the about section.

Social Networking

DaBrook Tweets

  • I don't know ... is a field trip to London possible? http://bit.ly/a2K8Mu (03-11 1:37)
  • Springbrook web 1 students are learning HTML forms today http://bit.ly/aue1mi (03-11 8:07)
  • Setting up github to share CodeIgniter source code with Springbrook web dev students. (03-09 11:37)
  • Just posted up information on the High School Web Conference next month http://bit.ly/9bkgXr (03-09 9:26)
  • Refresh Rockville information for the meetup tonight is live http://bit.ly/aQ3DOC (03-09 8:34)
  • Refresh Rockville: Project Management (Tues. night 7-8 @ MC) Will post details tomorrow (03-09 12:48)
  • Just setup Web 1 students at Springbrook with accounts on welovewebdesign.com ... look for cheap hosting for all web students soon! (03-08 9:06)
  • @mrbhachu Thanks about the jquery tutorial. I'll put it in the docket to make a new example for dropdown lists! (03-07 3:37)
  • Just submitted the reading list for the CMS course at MC: http://digwp.com/book/ http://bit.ly/boVz1n http://bit.ly/a3teWI (03-06 10:53)
  • A free event on preparing content for 508 accessibility! Great follow up on the accessibility lecture from last night http://bit.ly/bZRJUO (03-05 10:14)
  • The DaBrook.org forums are now live! http://dabrook.org/forums/ (03-04 11:04)
  • Great Advanced Web class tonight. I really enjoy the students this semester ... your forum is coming! (03-04 10:41)
  • First example of a student using the "Steal this theme" download from DaBrook - Nice work thrasher! http://bit.ly/bI4NIX (03-04 5:19)
  • It's amazing how fast the latest updates on my #ee grading module make grading. Love it! (03-04 5:04)
  • The MC Advanced Web class now has an archives page! http://bit.ly/aiRUhw (03-04 9:31)
  • Looking forward to subbing tonight for a class at CDIA working on WordPress theme development (03-03 2:57)
  • Web 1 students are working on their portfolios. Coming along nicely! (03-03 7:43)
  • First tweet for DaBrook.org Tweets http://dabrook.org (02-23 11:14)

    • What's current:

yeah, licensing is important, but I'm pretty cool with it.

In the wrong place? Go back to the top.

Can you decifer the graffiti?