VanRuby - Vancouver Ruby Association News

Microsoft to get on the Ruby train with IronRuby

Thu, 2 Aug 2007 22:33:56 -0700

We've been working very hard over the past couple of months to get our first source code release ready. I'm happy to announce today the first drop of the IronRuby source code. IronRuby is licensed under very liberal terms as set out by the Microsoft Permissive License. We're also happy to announce that we will be accepting source code contributions into the IronRuby libraries. Right now we have a lot of logistical work that we still need to do, but we fully intend on getting IronRuby onto Rubyforge by the end of August.

Source: A first look at IronRuby by John Lam

Ruby on Rails and Ruby Jobs in Vancouver and Canada Abroad

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 02:07:10 -0700

Last week I launched a new initiative for Ruby here in Canada. The Vancouver scene is growing, more and more businesses around town are picking up the technology and the growing demand for talent is increasing as well. Demand is up, but is the supply?

From what I have heard, lots of interest from other developers has been stirring to get on the Rails train and learn the language, but few have taken the steps needed to make it happen.

One of the great things about working with Ruby on Rails while at your current job is really quite simple, you can explore the langauge, and not have to be pressured on deadlines. So the time really hasn't been better to pick up this langauge. Even more so, a number of the businesses I have seen posting opportunities sometimes have been seeded by an experienced Rails developer that this is the way to go, so much so that they are even willing to train you on the job.

Free AJAX and Ruby on Rails Presentation at VanDev

Tue, 7 Nov 2006 04:39:09 -0800

Excert from my personal blog...

In December I will l be presenting about Ruby on Rails to create AJAX applications. Following the presentation we'll have round-the-room introductions and then open the floor for networking. Be sure to bring your business cards and a story or two to share.

The event happens on Wednesday, December 6, 2006, 7:00 PM at UBC Robson Square C440. RSVP is required, so please visit the VanDev.org website.

37 spaces are left as of writing this post

Full day Ruby on Rails Workshop - September 8th in Vancouver, BC

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 15:12:45 -0700

Update: The date has been changed to Friday, September 8th, in light of the Labour Day weekend. Nathaniel Brown will be teaching a full day Ruby on Rails workshop in Vancouver, BC. This workshop will be an in depth guide covering all of the core Ruby on Rails gems. The cost is only $195 for this full day - 9 hour workshop which will be held in the BCIT downtown campus at 555 Seymour Street, Vancouver. We recommend the Hotel LeSoleil for accomodations.

Getting "really" started with Rails - Free Mini-Workshop - JULY 26 @ 6:30pm

Tue, 4 Jul 2006 22:13:43 -0700

First off, I want to send a huge thank you out to the UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering department for giving us a home for the next VanRuby _FREE_ mini-workshop!

VanRuby, the Vancouver Ruby Association, is holding our next meetup at the Kitsilano UBC campus on Wednesday, July 26th from 6:30pm to 9pm.

The format for this event will be in a mini-workshop style. Lasting for about 90 minutes with 30 minutes after for networking.

Attendees are highly encouraged to bring a laptop (either Windows or OSX) with Rails 1.1.4 pre-installed along with Ruby 1.8.4. And either MySQL or PostgreSQL installed.

This mini-workshop will be on Getting Started with Rails. From generating your first app, understanding the directory structure, to using migrations, customizing the routes, creating a few database tables, using the has_many :through concept, plus more - depending on the level of experience everyone has with Rails that comes.

Only the theory that is needed will be discussed. These VanRuby mini-workshops are going to be geared towards rapid learning. Giving you exactly what you need to get a solid foundation built, and let you confidently build on top of it.

For full details on this event, and to RSVP, check out:
http://ruby.meetup.com/18/events/5008540/

There is tons of space, so please let your friends and colleagues know about this free event.

ABOUT THE PRESENTOR
-----------
Nathaniel Brown has been developing dynamic web applications for over ten years. Specializing in all forms of web and application development, he continues to build web applications that fuel some of the worlds largest organizations and government agencies.

Nathaniel founded Inimit Innovations Inc. in 2003 which is a custom software development firm specializing in Open Source technology. In addition to providing web development solutions, he runs Open Source Events which most recently held the sold-out Canada on Rails conference, being the first Ruby on Rails conference in the world.

Canada on Rails presents.. Riding the Rails Workshop - May 27th & 28th

Wed, 17 May 2006 12:31:27 -0700

Canada on Rails presents, Riding the Rails Workshop on May 27th and 28th.

This is a two day intensive workshop for those eager to get into Ruby on Rails. Alex will drive you through the principles behind Ruby on Rails, such as MVC, convention over configuration, Code Generators, and the other core principles driving Ruby on Rails to be the most celebrated technology advancement in web development.

This course is meant for those who have not yet worked with Rails, and want to get comfortable with the functionality so they can rapidly deploy Ruby on Rails applications.

These core areas will be covered in this workshop:

Comprehensive list of Ruby and Rails resources
Installing and configuring your first Ruby on Rails application
Ruby on Rails Opinions
Using the code generators
Understanding Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture
Customizing your Rails MVC
Introduction to Gems, Plug-in’s, and Engines

Learn Ruby Talk Slides

Wed, 8 Mar 2006 17:06:20 -0800

I just came across an excellent slideshow on the Ruby mailing lists which goes over a number of the core features of Ruby, and alot of the syntax.

For those that haven't yet tried Ruby, and are interested in seeing what a beautiful language it is, please do read on.

Canada on Rails launches new website and the location is announced

Fri, 3 Mar 2006 21:16:26 -0800

I have just launched the new Canada on Rails website. It is redesigned with the all fancy Ruby on Rails framework, built with two very sweet engines I plan to announce in a month or so (once I get my MacBook pro and can do some demos).

BCIT Downtown Campus has been chosen, with a maximum capacity of 300 people. We already have over 50% of the seats filled, so be sure to register soon or you might miss out on one of the most exciting technical events to come to Vancouver. This is 2x the size of the last Open Source Event I put on last June, and with 4 times the amount of speakers. All for only $250 right now for early bird.

[ANN] Canada on Rails - 15 Speakers To Debut at the First Ruby on Rails Conference in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Sun, 15 Jan 2006 17:42:06 -0800

15 Expert Ruby on Rails developers will be flown into Vancouver, BC for two days PACKED full of presentations.

We at Canada on Rails originally only planned for 10 speakers to be flown in, but pre-registrations have been going so well, and honestly, we just had to pick all of these remarkable speakers and get them into Vancouver for this sure to be amazing - first ever in the world - Ruby on Rails conference.

So, before I tell you who these guys (and gal) are, you might want to go purchase that ticket online first. You have exactly 21 hours and 30 minutes to get your ticket for only $175 CAD. We are expecting a sell-out crowd for the event, and you can be sure it's going to be the biggest turnout Open Source Events has seen yet.

Rails v1.0 is out of the hat

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 02:29:59 -0700

Ruby on Rails, the premier framework for developing web applications just announced the 1.0 release milestone. This marks 15 months of hard work being invested by several hundred contributors and many more devoted users to this major evolutionary step in software development.

Along with this release announcement, they have redesigned the main site showcasing some of the most credible and popular web applications built with Rails. You will see by visiting each, which are in my constant watch these days, how they all share one pattern. Simplicity.

Rails Manual

Mon, 12 Dec 2005 19:01:34 -0800

I have just created a new site called the Rails Manual. This is the site for Rails documentation, and features a no-frames version of the Ruby on Rails docs. I will be working on getting the site to replicate the php.net documentation system as much as possible. As I have grown to love the simple methods by which that site uses, such as php.net/date and even the simple layout of the methods, and comments. Something which Ruby desperately needs, yet has had no love as of yet.

Try Ruby Online!

Fri, 2 Dec 2005 15:23:55 -0800

Try Ruby online in this amazinly sweet interactive shell (IRB). Why the lucky stiff has created a tool which allows the visitor to try out any commants you so desire. Check out the Manual to find some ideas and try it out.

Call for help!

Wed, 30 Nov 2005 00:15:25 -0800

I just recieved an email asking whether or not VanRuby has gone on vacation or what, and as you may not already know, there is a conference coming up on April 13th called Canada on Rails which I have been pretty busy planning.

That being said, I have been trying to find space at SFU, VFS, UBC, BCIT and well, several other locations to host our monthly meetings. The main requirements are to have enough space to seat 20-50 people comfortably and hopefully have a Windows & Mac compatible projector with a large enough viewfinder, whether it be a projection screen or a big screen TV.

Liquid, the Smart(y) templates for Ruby

Sun, 27 Nov 2005 01:58:16 -0800

I invite you all to check out this most excellent templating system I just came across called Liquid. For those of you familiar with Smarty for PHP, this is the next best thing to hit Ruby.

There is even a Rails plugin (which I haven't yet tried but will very soon) so you can throw it into your site.

They have done there homework on simplicity on this one. I highly recommend this methodology for those interested in the following:

You want to allow your users to edit the appearance of your application but don't want them to run insecure code on your server.
You want to render templates directly from the database
You like Smarty-style template engines
You need a template engine which does HTML just as well as Emails
You don't like the markup of your current one

Got a Rails Question? Auction it off!

Sat, 19 Nov 2005 22:06:18 -0800

Rick just launched a cool new site geared for Ruby on Rails questions. You get 5 points when you sign up, and you can ask as many questions as you have points. Each question you assign a point value for the answer and answering other peoples questions you get points.

Simple system. Many sites use this already, but now we have a Rails medium to get those die hard questions you want answered off your chest.

Check out this sweet site at http://rails.techno-weenie.net/