Let me just start this post off with a WOW! Not wow that its taken me just over four months to write a new post (even though I am sure my site would disagree)… but rather more of a wow for a new framework I have been working with: Ruby on Rails. I know, I know, its not NEW-NEW but its new to me. I have been working on a project this last week (Its how I spent the better part of my spring break… ok enough with the jokes) for a local gaming center (Alpine Gaming). I am going to outline a few features of the site more for me than for you but it will give an idea as to what Ruby on Rails can do, but keep in mind I am a beginner just imagine what a skilled developer can do with this framework. (I will also include a few links to some resources I found very handy at the bottom of this post.)

• Content Management System
  • The entire site is built on the Ruby on Rails framework, which makes editing and updating the site very simple. All information is stored in a database.

• AJAX and Javascript
  • Within the site there are a few scripts running to ease usability and create eye candy for the user and administrator. The effects include: sortable lists, light box, and reserve
    display div layers.

• Syndication
  • The news section of the site utilizes both RSS and ATOM feeds.

• Analytics
  • Utilizing Google analytics is a must on any web site I develop. Not only does it help keep track of how many visitors the site has but it also supplies some other fun information.

• Validation
  • The website is XHTML 1.0 Transitional on every page. Don’t believe me? Take a look: here.

I had some help with this project, below I have listed a few places where I found helpful information. A big thank you to everyone listed:

PeepCode.com.
RailsCasts.com
Ralph at Rails on Edge
RubyPlus.org
All the people on #RubyOnRails at Freenode.