nimbletoad blog

Just poured one out for the “homies”.

Long live BASIC and the summer of ‘83. Long live Computer Camp!

The web app platform Rails, built upon the Ruby framework, has enjoyed a rocketing lead in the publicity arena with all the press generated by 37 signals and their opinionated founders. In contrast, Django, built upon the python language has gained popularity while staying out of the limelight.

Over the past month the tide has begun to turn thanks to the help of Google. When Google’s Application Engine is released to the general public it will run on the python language and come pre-installed with Django.

While Google is considering offering other languages at a later date, at this point Python and Django are the Belles of the Ball.

At Nimbletoad we use Django, built on the Python framework, and Rails, built on Ruby, everyday to speed up web development. While our staff is equally divided between the two framework’s and endless debates ensue as to which is better, no one argues their merit.

Rails and Django, creations of David Heinemeier Hansson and Adrian Holovaty respectively, allow web developers to program and deploy web applications in a fraction of the time.

The key here is that their creations ride on top of existing programming languages. Without them, Web development would still take place. The end results would be the same. However, these two guys saw a way to create frameworks that would further boost functionality.

Functionality is the desired result, While Creativity the guiding force.

Just as David and Adrian stood on Ruby and Python’s shoulders, web development companies such as Nimbletoad stand and build upon the creations of David and Adrian.

Dramatic recreation of the Web App install learning curve.

1st attempt – WTF errors everywhere

Go to forums. Nothing

“WTF”

Try again.

Reread the install process.

Bang your head and wonder, “why is there not better documentation?”

Swear you’ll post a forum solution, if you can find the answers

Try again

Try again

And Try again

Briefly consider looking at the code

Quit, Start up again.

Suddenly, a Duh moment. The program installs like butter with zero errors.

How quickly we change

Instantly a new mindset – A monkey could do it.

Forums? “Screw it, if these lame asses can’t figure it out, they don’t deserve to run it.”

How quickly we forget.

I’ve been installing web apps for years. Bottom line is they are all quirky. Most installs are 98% frustration and 2% euphoria.

Our goal for Nimbletoad is to reverse this ratio.