I'm currently in the beginning stages of founding an internet startup
(who isn't?) and wanted to seek out the communities advice as to
finding a good partner. I've developed with RoR some, and, as a long
time linux user and advocate, would like to build the company on the
foundations and philosophies of open source. However, being in the
role of founder, I'm going to be forced to delegate the major managing
of the development of the website to someone else, as I'll be spending
my time focusing on a number of other tasks.
Does anyone have advice as to where to find a good developer,
particularly one in the RoR community? The company would most likely
be based out of NYC, and I would prefer the person to be local there.
This is my first attempt at a startup, and unfortunately, being young
and in an IT position where everyone uses microsoft tools, most of my
contacts are not ones that would align to my commitment of an open
source shop.
Any advice, tips, or comments from people that may have been in a
similar position as myself at some point?
I would say try your contacts first anyway. You need to find someone
you trust and believes in what you do. Even if they are M$ advocated
(pity, really) they can't ignore how successful open source projects
can and are, simply by the numbers. Some of them might be looking to
move over to open source or know someone.
I can't speak to the RoR community in NYC but I can say having just
moved from Boston to SF, RoR seems to have a stronger following on the
West Coast than the East and there seems to be more people skilled in
RoR development out here. It's also difficult finding RoR people so if
you want someone good, be prepared to pay a little more.
Another angle is to find someone with good Web development background
but little or no RoR experience. Many people are looking to switch
over. I switch a little while back from J2EE by taking on a freelance
project and working extra to get up to speed. Glad I did as I really
enjoy the environment much more than J2EE and don't want to go back!
Same here. As a long time Java developer I'm having a blast learning,
and working with RoR. The Ruby language is just such a pleasure to
work with it's so amazing.
> This is my first attempt at a startup, and unfortunately, being young
> and in an IT position where everyone uses microsoft tools, most of my
> contacts are not ones that would align to my commitment of an open
> source shop.
As for "everyone" uses Microsoft tools. This certainly isn't the case
in the RoR community. While I'm sure many do still develop on
Windows, I believe that I read somewhere that the entire Rails core
team all use Apple Macintosh systems for development. Of course
that's what I use for all my development work, and have for years.
The Mac is a beautiful platform for developing Rails applications. It
allows me more capability than any other platform available. I have a
fully functional and complete UNIX system, TextMate for excellent Ruby
code creation, and I can use a single machine to test my application
in every web browser available on ANY platform. This includes Safari,
FireFox (Mac), FireFox (Win), FireFox (*NiX), Microsoft IE (Win),
Netscape (all plaforms).
The Mac simply cannot be beat for a software development platform
(with the exception of maybe .Net). But you can still just run that
in Widows right on the same box if you really had to (yuck! just the
thought makes my skin crawl).
Mojo,
You poor guy! Notice you asked how to bake an apple pie, and the
responses range from how to bake a peach cobbler to my favorite
martini.
I've traveled the Borland, Microsoft (and now) open source world and,
Wow! what a difference. I'm not sure how much my rambling will help
you, but my advice is "Learn Rails to a 'working' degree" or your life
will be one of PAIN.
Have you ever played that game where one person whispers a phrase into
the ear of the first person in line, and then after many whispers the
last person announces the message? Multiply this a hundred times when
dealing with programmers and you'll see the end result. The books and
tools are available and if you're will to trade the PAIN for learning
Rails, you'll increase your chances of succeeding in your new venture.
I too, am taking this journey.
David
