Getting Started
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Creating a weblog in 15 minutes
This was the video I started with, and it blew my mind (as it said it would). It really doesn't exaggerate when it says create a blog in 15 minutes. Start with this; you may not understand the intricacies and details, but you will be exposed to the features and power of rails, and after watching you will want to dive right in.
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Getting Started with Rails
From the official rubyonrails.org website, this is the official quickstart. The site offers a wealth of information on all aspects of rails, with this particular guide taking you through the blog creation in the video above.
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A List Apart: Getting Started with Ruby on Rails
If you're a little more cynical about this whole rails thing, A List Apart nicely outlines the who, where, whys and hows of rails. Comparing it to PHP, this is a good read if you come from that background.
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Ruby Forums
When you start running in to strange errors and bugs, try doing a search at the Ruby Forums, or even posting a topic about it. There is an absolute wealth of knowledge, and a wonderful group of people.
Tools and Plugins
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RubyGems User Guide
While not part of rails, gems will become an essential part of your work. There is a wealth of functionality that you can add to your app with only a few commands. This guide will explain a little more about this tool.
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10 TextMate bundles/plugins to boost your Ruby on Rails development productivity
Hopefully by now you're getting the hang of rails. These Textmate plugins will make your time with rails even easier, and more enjoyable. (You are using Textmate, aren't you?)
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Getting Started with User Authentication
Authlogic is an amazing plugin that lets you implement a fully functional user authentication system into your app with the absolute minimal amount of effort and code. This NETTUTS tutorial gives you a nice overview of how to implement it with an AJAX login form.
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How-To Setup a Linux Server for Ruby on Rails
This excellent and in-depth guide shows you how to set up a linux server to host your rails apps. It uses Capistrano, Phusion Passenger and GitHub to manage deployment in a way that, after you've done it once, you'll wonder why you ever did it any other way.
Podcasts / Screencasts
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Ruby on Rails Screencasts
With over 200 screencasts, Railscasts is a fantastic resource for new tools, best practices, tips, and more.
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Peepcode Rails from Scratch Screencast
At just $9, this is fantastic value. The screencast shows you how to create a complete rails app, touching all of the important areas. Even though there is a lot of free information and tutorials available, the money spent on this is well worth it for the complete picture it provides on how to use rails. After deciding rails was too difficult for a period of time, this screencast got me right back into it and over the bump.
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The Ruby Show
If you spend a lot of time on public transport, The Ruby Show is a fantastic podcast to have with you. It goes over the latest Ruby news in a humorous and insightful way. A great laugh, and a great resource.
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