Why there's no Rails Inc

http://www.loudthinking.com/posts/6-why-theres-no-rails-inc

by tim • 19 years ago

15 9 19 years ago

loudthinking.com

sudhirc• 19 years ago

"The best frameworks are in my opinion extracted, not envisioned. And the best way to extract is first to actually do."

so true

tx2• 19 years ago

So... he's basically saying that "there is no Rails Inc" because of two reasons:

1. If he does go full time Rails, it's not going to be the "best". 2. If he does it, it will be "unfair" to competitors.

In my opinion it's a bunch of BS. Because there is already "Rails Inc" and it's called 37 signals. Rails is their most valuable product. They are making money on it, riding all the positive Rails PR, promoting the hell out of their relatively weak offerings (basecamp, ta-da lists). Very similar to how Joel makes money on his "Joel on Software" blog.

davidw• 19 years ago

Perhaps what he means is that the "ecosystem" is a pretty level playing field right now. Since 37 signals conspicuously does not do rails development, service or support, anyone can jump in and play in that space.

tx2• 19 years ago

I wonder what's the percentage of code that 37signals produces that goes into Rails itself, and how does it compare to their actual applications. I bet it's something like 9 to 1.

Don't get me wrong, I love Rails and thank you, 37signals, But let's not distort the reality: Rails is their biggest cash cow they are milking, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

hello_moto2• 19 years ago

Nope, it's called Pragmatic Programmers, LLC

Have you seen pragmaticstudio.com?

Have you seen all the Ruby/Rails books sold by Prag? I'm sure those are heavy hitters compare to some random authors by O'Reilly. I'm sure O'Reilly is bitter that he can't be the ONE in Rails book publishing

Sure there are many "consultants". On the other hand, I'm sure people would prefer to hire consultants from Pragmatic Programmers or those Rails authors that published books under Prag Prog.

I don't think it's a fair playing field since PragProg is the Rails Inc. if you watch it carefully.

jamiequint2• 19 years ago

Except they don't do consulting, there are only 2 of them, and running Pragmatic Studios is their full time job. The point is moot anyway, there is way more Rails work floating around right now then could go to a select group of 50 (ish) people.

Why there's no Rails Inc

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