View Review Details
| Book: |
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Ruby on Rails: Up and Running |
| Subject: |
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Irritation |
| Date: |
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2006-09-05 14:35:26 |
| From: |
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sparkybarkalot
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I should probably finish the book before I comment, but I just came online to look for the SQL file that is described on page 39 of the book, only to find that it apparently isn't online! It's a 19 line SQL file and in this day and age that sort of thing should be availble either on CD with the book or online. This book is supposed to help readers get up and running, not make them put on the brakes to type in things that add nothing to one's knowledge of RoR. Sometimes examples are worth typing out yourself since you can learn a lot that way, this is NOT one of those times... this is just a long, repetitive SQL file. Please do future readers a favor and post this kind of stuff online.
Another small point: the Index doesn't seem to include the information that is found in Appendix B. Maybe this is common publishing practice. It is odd, though, that the section of Validation on page 34 makes no mention that there is more complete information about Validation in Appendix B, and the Index lists page 34 as the only place to find out info about Validation. Again, not a showstopper, but life is short and it never hurts to help out your readers a bit ;)
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"If you've learned Ruby and you're ready to take the next step to Rails, this is definitely a decent choice for a quick immersion without wading through 900 pages of technical reference."
--Thomas "Duffbert" Duff, Duffbert's Random Musings
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Irritation, September 27 2006
Submitted by Anonymous Reader [Respond | View]
The book is small, which I often consider a good thing, but it ends up feeling really, really hurried. For how long it took to get to press, you'd think they'd check it better. The latest of many misprints I've encountered is the code at the bottom of page 46. I suspect you're supposed to create a new photo, rather than assign a filename to it, at the bottom of the page. But those kinds of mistakes are littered throughout the book, as if it was also written in a hurry.
I agree also with the other reviewer about the SQL. And frankly, I just think the authors could really have slowed down a bit and explored the topics just a tad more. The book is alright, and the example app you build is good enough, but you don't walk away from it feeling like you're getting much more than an overview of the subject.
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Irritation, September 10 2006
Submitted by Anonymous Reader [Respond | View]
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT LAST REVIEW. I'm following up on my review. Please note that the SQL source files ARE available online, but they are included in the download for the chapter FOLLOWING the chapter in which you're working. Just wanted to add this note so that folks don't have to go through the same frustration I did until I figured that out. Cheers.
