As I’m a dummy, I got this book out of the library as a first step to
learning ROR. After I followed the instructions for installing the
interpreter, then rails, then java I went to install the authors’
custom version of radrails. I was about 10% through the download when
I read on the authors blog <Best Online Casino in Australia | Top Licensed Casinos for Gamblers
error_another_migration_is_already> that ROR for dummies was written
for Rails 1X & that I should uninstall V2 & downgrade to 1X, using
that to follow the book & then upgrade when I’m finished the book.
Frankly, I think this could be BS. Why doesn’t the author just release
an up-to-date version of ROR for dummies? Am I right or wrong? Anyway,
I’ve abandoned the install of the ‘custom’ version of radrails & am
downloading the Community Edition of Aptana Studio (at least that’s
what I think I’m downloading). After I’ve downloading & installed the
Community Edition of Aptana Studio (I’m currently 26% through the
100meg download) I’m a bit unsure of my next move. Should I proceed
per the book & download MySQL database & administrator? Can’t I just
use MS Office Access 2007, which is installed on my PC but which I’ve
never even started, the thoughts of the community would be greatly
appreciated.
Also, can anyone point me to a good online source of information re:
ROR for absolute idiot’s? Tanku. Steve.
On 25 May 2008, at 10:31, Young Ben wrote:
an up-to-date version of ROR for dummies? Am I right or wrong?
Because it’s a non trivial amount of work (especially as one of the
things that changed the most in rails 2 is scaffolding which books and
tutorials tended to use a lot.
Anyway,
I’ve abandoned the install of the ‘custom’ version of radrails & am
downloading the Community Edition of Aptana Studio (at least that’s
what I think I’m downloading). After I’ve downloading & installed the
Community Edition of Aptana Studio (I’m currently 26% through the
100meg download) I’m a bit unsure of my next move. Should I proceed
per the book & download MySQL database & administrator? Can’t I just
use MS Office Access 2007, which is installed on my PC but which I’ve
never even started, the thoughts of the community would be greatly
appreciated.
Even if rails could use access, you’d definitely be off the beaten
path, which is not the best place to be if you’re starting up. With
rails 2.x you might find that the default of sqlite is handier as
there is less setp and messing around to do.
Fred
Welcome Ben,
Rails has a learning curb (it’s steeper than a curve). depending on
your past experience, it may take a while to figure it all out. I have
been pounding hell out of rails for a year now and I am just starting
to get it, but I had to start a scratch and learn css and JS etc
first.
One of the biggest problems with Rails is that it is evolving so fast
that books are not keeping up. Most authors are scrambling to get out
a 2.0 rails book and 2.1 release candidate 1 is available today.
Your best bet is online, but that too is frustrating because most of
what is out there is also old. Take everything you read with a grain
of salt in that it might be outdated.
I would take your Rails for Dummies book back to the library and look
online for 2.0.2 Rails tutorials
My first Rails book was “Beginning Ruby on Rails” and It was a very
good first book. Most of what is in there will not be changed by new
versions of Rails.
http://www.wrox.com/WileyCDA/WroxTitle/productCd-0470069155.html
Next read Agile web Development with Rails
If you bounce around a bit, the older version is free online. Do the
sample ONE TIME and then move on. I did it like 5 times, but the
underlying magic of Rails is not really explained (and is beyond the
scope of the book) so doing the sample a lot just makes you able to do
the sample faster.
also you might try Peepcode, Rails from scratch one and two, which
might be a good start for today. Buy at least the $40 pack as you will
be addicted
http://peepcode.com/
That will get you started.
Here are free railscasts, but they are for later
http://railscasts.com/episodes;archive
that book is for rails 1.2 not very up to date. also only 4 chapters
seem to be free.
AWDOR is still a very good book even if it’s a bit out of date. Sure,
scaffolding has changed, routing is improved, but you can still get
plenty of starting tips about activerecord and and i still use it to
look up stuff.
If you just skip the bit where they do the auto-scaffold (useless in
the long run anyway) you can still do fine with AWD. Read lots, follow
rails blogs, and you’ll quickly pick it up…
http://blog.codefront.net/2008/05/18/living-on-the-edge-of-rails-21/
http://www.therailsway.com/
www.gotapi.com/rubyrails is also a blinder once you know roughtly what
you’re looking for in the Ruby/Rails APIs
MS Access should not ever be considered for web db it just can’t cut
it. Rails 2x uses SQLite by default so no separate DB install is
needed for getting started (though i’d recommned MySQL or Postgres)
Enjoy rails!
This looks up to date (new version May 2008)
and it is free
Good luck
that book is for rails 1.2 not very up to date. also only 4 chapters
seem to be free.
AWDOR is still a very good book even if it’s a bit out of date. Sure,
scaffolding has changed, routing is improved, but you can still get
plenty of starting tips about activerecord and and i still use it to
look up stuff.
If you just skip the bit where they do the auto-scaffold (useless in
the long run anyway) you can still do fine with AWD. Read lots, follow
rails blogs, and you’ll quickly pick it up…
http://blog.codefront.net/2008/05/18/living-on-the-edge-of-rails-21/
http://www.therailsway.com/
www.gotapi.com/rubyrails is also a blinder once you know roughtly what
you’re looking for in the Ruby/Rails APIs
MS Access should not ever be considered for web db it just can’t cut
it. Rails 2x uses SQLite by default so no separate DB install is
needed for getting started (though i’d recommned MySQL or Postgres)
Enjoy rails!
WildTangent,
You are correct, I thought the whole thing was free. (he says that,
damn false advertising)
He does have a good online tutorial here.
http://www.sitepoint.com/article/learn-ruby-on-rails
lotsa stuff on the web.
AWDOR is still a very good book even if it’s a bit out of date.
Surely you don’t mean the 3rd edition, popped recently, is already out
of
date??
Sorry. I’ll try not to do it again.
(-:
Thanks everyone, I will soldier on & check back in when I get stuck.
Steve.