Rails on the Orient Express: Next Stop - Hong Kong

Let me just say that combing the web does bring out some pretty good info, all things considered. It led me to David Wong from Tripleplay Communications Ltd. in HK. Here is what David posted in google groups in December 2007,

" I am a Ruby user for 3 years and a Rail users for 2 years. A year ago, our company became a full Ruby/Rails shop and also created what we call rubykingdom to group together. But back then activities were rare and we are all split around the Globe, and didn't organized enough meetings in HK."

He further adds,

"I have a mailing list of around 10 members. I have created a basecamp and a wiki. Would love to add you guys to list if you wish. My goal is to group together as much Ruby communities as possible, so we can do some good sharing, war stories on Real Development cases and trends that really impact our lives as Ruby/Rails users."

Naturally, I just had to contact him. Thankfully, he replied.

1.Personally, what makes Rails special?

I started picking up Ruby first, and later naturally evolved with Rails as it is a killer app for Ruby. On Ruby, its one of the best language I have used since it closely resembles SmallTalk, an advance language at its time, but too difficult to master for mass usage. With Ruby, its one of the most economically simple language I have used so far, and it kept things simple, plus its double byte based due to his inventor Matsu, should suit Asians much more than anything else.
On Rails, I wont' say too much as its obvious set off a new trend on MVC framework where copycat sprung up just to mimic it functionalities, but most people miss the boat as the core was the Ruby Language that make its unique.

2. Are there barriers towards a broader Rails adoption? If so, any ideas on how to overcome it?

Asians are afraid of being at (the) bleeding edge, they are more kind of followers rather than innovators. They do not like to be on a bleeding edge, but once they confirm that - they are.

3. Any other things you wish to see happening as a member of the Rails community in Hong Kong?

1. We should create a proper community to collect thoughts and share resource, after
2. We should create some good reputation of the local community, both by providing seminars and contribution to the Ruby/Rails community.
3. Working with Industry Computer and Academic associations to spread the power of Ruby/Rail, and share with others how we succeed with the languages.

More Hong Kong Ruby on Rails stuff on the coming post. Thanks, David!

Ruby on Rails: On the Asia Pacific Express. First Stop.

There is no doubt that Ruby on Rails or Rails has become such a popular web application framework. The buzz about it has taken a life of its own making icons of Mr. DHH and even leading others to proclaiming that it is the best.

But what about this part of the world. Quick surveys of Rails communities using G00gle in Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, India & Philippines) suggest that it is growing but apart from Australia, it seems that group activities have been few or at worse, lifeless. I'd like to think that the Rails developers are relatively quite busy with jobs and projects but my gut feel says that for something that is "open source", Rails communities in Asia, ironically, don't feel close knit.

Hope I'm wrong though.

Next: Building the Rails Orient Express