From: "David A. Black" <dblack@...>
Date: 2005-01-29T09:46:32+09:00
Subject: Re: Best ways to accelerate Ruby's popularity

On Sat, 29 Jan 2005, Ian Hobson wrote:

> Now my problem might be an APACHE problem. It might be a rails problem.
> It might still be a MySQL problem. It might be a ruby problem.
>
> It is a problem that stops me using rails.
>
> Until new users do not routinely have such problems, you will not gain
> more users.

Apparently the word hasn't gotten out.  We're gaining new users every
day.

> I have posted details of my problem elsewhere. If you want to help
> please answer there.

"Malformed URL 'elsewhere'"

> Here, I suggest you address the real issue.  Ruby is a fantastic
> language, let down by
>        poor online documentation
>        some bugs
>        lack of cohesion in what is presented.
>        No documetation of configuration, so when it does not work,
> there is nothing to do but dig into the source!
>
> Credit where is is due - If it wasn't for Thomas, Hunt and Why ruby
> would be a dead duck.
>
> How do you recruit 300 more like them?

You have named three intensely, intensively active Rubyists, including
the two who were directly responsible for Ruby decisively crossing
over into the non-Japanese world.  Good choice for giving credit -- I
have no problem with that.  At the same time, however, you have
phrased your salute to them in such a way as to deal a real insult to
a lot of people who have done a huge amount for Ruby, starting with
Matz and including many others.  You don't have to do this in order to
give Dave, Andy, and Why the credit they deserve for their work.  Look
around a bit and see what's going on.  If you're really a fan of
people who devote lots of effort and inspire interest and enthusiasm,
you'll be pleasantly surprised by what you find.

> If you want Ruby to succeed Ruby and its killer application (Which
> appears to be rails) must be "plug and play", for 99.9% of users. That
> takes care, effort and diligence.

Please don't just stand there and crack the whip.  I can promise you
that it is not going to turn out that you will have been the one to
introduce these ideas to the Ruby world.  We haven't just been sitting
around with our mouths open staring at the wall waiting for someone to
tell us we need to make an effort.  If you want to join the efforts,
please do.  But please don't preach at this level.  (Unless you're
trolling, but I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt.)

> p.s Did I mention I was still getting 500 errors from apache whenever I
> used rails.

In the words of Mrs. Emma Peel, "Frequently."  Are you on
#rubyonrails?


David

-- 
David A. Black
dblack@wobblini.net