# Power User Tipping Point: PHP to Ruby

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/power-user-tipping-point-php-to-ruby/77422>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [November 27, 2006, 9:24pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/power-user-tipping-point-php-to-ruby/77422 "2006-11-27T21:24:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![johnw](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/ee59a6/32.png) [@johnw](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/johnw)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2006, 9:24pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/power-user-tipping-point-php-to-ruby/77422/1 "2006-11-27T21:24:38Z")

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I have been waiting for a tipping point to start using Ruby  
applications instead of PHP applications. My criteria include the  
availability of Ruby and RoR web hosts and Ruby equivalent applications  
readily available for PHP. I keep finding PHP applications to fill my  
needs but not Ruby applications or hosts offering Ruby support. For  
example, I use content management systems which are predominately  
written in PHP (Moodle, Drupal, CiviCRM, etc.). Unless you are  
developing applications from scratch, PHP seems to be the better choice  
for power users. Will I be waiting another 5 years before I see  
parity, or a tipping point?

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**Author:** ![johnw](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/ee59a6/32.png) [@johnw](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/johnw)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2006, 9:30pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/power-user-tipping-point-php-to-ruby/77422/2 "2006-11-27T21:30:39Z")

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johnw wrote:

> I have been waiting for a tipping point to start using Ruby  
> applications instead of PHP applications. My criteria include the  
> availability of Ruby and RoR web hosts and Ruby equivalent applications  
> readily available for PHP. I keep finding PHP applications to fill my  
> needs but not Ruby applications or hosts offering Ruby support. For  
> example, I use content management systems which are predominately  
> written in PHP (Moodle, Drupal, CiviCRM, etc.). Unless you are  
> developing applications from scratch, PHP seems to be the better choice  
> for power users. Will I be waiting another 5 years before I see  
> parity, or a tipping point?

I can’t answer about the web hosts, but I know they are out there…

Rails uses both Test Driven Development and a built-in system for  
downloading light plugins.

Each plugin provides a technique or feature, not an entire module.

So TDD and the plugin system tip the balance of “Build or Buy”. They  
making  
building - from ready components - easier and safer than buying, and  
getting  
stuck with someone else’s design and limitations.

I suspect that PHP has grown into the Buy space, where you download and  
buy-into free modules that do complete things.

That is the tipping point, and it has long since passed.

New question: As Rails matures, will some plugins will grow until they  
are  
complete modules and applications? Will we be able to re-download and  
re-generate them, to smoothly upgrade your integrated application? Or do  
any  
Rails plugins do this now?

–  
Phlip  
[Redirecting...](http://www.greencheese.us/ZeekLand) ← NOT a blog!!!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![johnw](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/ee59a6/32.png) [@johnw](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/johnw)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2006, 10:12pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/power-user-tipping-point-php-to-ruby/77422/3 "2006-11-27T22:12:43Z")

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Thanks for the feedback. Typically, I need a framework that gets me  
started for a new application. For example, if I wanted to install a  
Learning Content Management System (LCMS) like Moodle, I would need an  
equivalent Ruby framework to bootstrap the process. If I switch from  
Moodle to a Ruby substitute, I leave behind a large community of  
developers who are working like bees to make it better.

Yes, there are web hosts that support Ruby, but there is usually a 100  
to 300% premium for feature equivalence.

> From a variety and business stand point, there are a lot of parity  
> issues that tip in favor of PHP. I see the many technical benefits of  
> using Ruby and RoR, which is what keeps me interested. I am looking  
> for others in my situation who made the plunge and what tipped the  
> balance for them.

John

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![johnw](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/ee59a6/32.png) [@johnw](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/johnw)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2006, 10:32pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/power-user-tipping-point-php-to-ruby/77422/4 "2006-11-27T22:32:49Z")

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Finding a reasonably priced Rails host is easy enough. Dreamhost,  
Bluehost,  
Planet Argon, Textdrive, the list goes on. You’ll pay a premium if you  
want  
_dedicated_ hosting, but that’s really not that expensive if you have an  
app  
that’s making you money. RailsMachine and EngineYard may seem expensive  
now  
but once you’'re making money, it’s not a bad deal.

If your business depends on setting up clients with products like LCMS,  
etc,  
then you should sell on the PRODUCT, not on the framework in which it  
runs.  
I have nothing but love for technoweenie’s Mephisto software… it’s  
awesome… but I still install Wordpress for my clients if they want a  
blog.

If you have to develop a customized solution then you should definitely  
investigate Rails. It’s often faster to write it from scratch if it’s  
customized.