From: Matthew Margolis <mrmargolis@...>
Date: 2004-08-29T00:37:24+09:00
Subject: Re: Implementing an Online Book Store

David Heinemeier Hansson wrote:

>> I will be implementing a medium sized online book store over the next 
>> few months.  I would like to do most(if not all) of the backend in 
>> ruby.  I don't have any real experience building large database 
>> driven online stores so I was hoping for some suggestions as to which 
>> frameworks/libraries might prove useful.  I am currently planning on 
>> using mysql to store everything and paypal for payments.
>
>
> I know that there's at least a couple of people working on shops with 
> Rails. So if you do have a look at Rails be sure to hang out in 
> #rubyonrails to get up to speed quickly and share tips with other 
> railers.
>
> I'm also just on the verge of implementing a nice PayPal IPN wrapper 
> for Rails as I'm using PayPal myself for a new project. I've been 
> thinking about releasing the Authorize.net wrapper that we used for 
> Basecamp as well.
>
> Anyway, lots of choices for doing what you're looking for in Ruby. 
> Beside the options that Kirk mentioned, there's also Borges, which 
> uses that cool continuations stuff. I don't know if it's yet in a 
> state that you want to base a production app on, but their highlight 
> example is exactly a checkout processs for a shop.
> -- 
> David Heinemeier Hansson,
> http://www.rubyonrails.org/  -- Web-application framework for Ruby
> http://www.instiki.org/      -- A No-Step-Three Wiki in Ruby
> http://www.basecamphq.com/   -- Web-based Project Management
> http://www.loudthinking.com/ -- Broadcasting Brain
> http://www.nextangle.com/    -- Development & Consulting Services
>
>

Excellent news, I have been looking all over for a Ruby IPN wrapper.
I took another look at Rails today and it seems very interesting.  At 
this point I am also considering Iowa/Kansas as that combo seems quite 
powerful as well.  I love having so many choices but I hate having to 
make a decision to use just one of these wonderful tools.  I will drop 
by #rubyonrails soon to see if I can get a better idea of how to go 
about using rails effectively on this project.

Thank you,
Matthew Margolis