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In the beginning was the static resource, and it was good. It was easy to reason about. It was easy to host, once you got over the hurdle of getting an internet connection and installing a web server. It just wasn't very... dynamic. So we started a journey to build increasingly dynamic web sites. This leads to increasingly complex infrastructure used to host what are basically content-only web sites. Middleman allows us to return to simpler days by building data driven sites. It provides elements that Ruby on Rails developers are familiar and comfortable with such as layouts, templates and partials. Amazon S3 gives us a great, highly available and very cost effective way to host the resulting site. This talk will focus on how to use Middleman to build a data driven site and publish it to S3. Help us caption & translate this video! http://amara.org/v/FG7O/
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In the presentation titled "Go Static My Friend," Fred Jean reflects on the evolution of web development, contrasting the simplicity of early static sites with the increasing complexity brought on by dynamic applications. He discusses how early web pages were comprised of static HTML files and how the advent of dynamic content through scripts and databases led to complicated infrastructures. The talk emphasizes the need for simplicity in web development and introduces Middleman, a static site generator, which enables developers to create data-driven static websites efficiently. Key points discussed include: - **Historical Context**: Fred begins by reminiscing about the early days of the web, when only static content existed, and outlines the transitions to dynamic web applications that required complex setups. - **Challenges in Dynamic Development**: He highlights the complications arising from reliance on databases and the management nightmarish scenarios faced as applications scale. - **Introduction to Middleman**: Fred presents Middleman as a solution for creating simple, data-driven static sites, built on the Sinatra framework, which developers may find familiar. - **Flexible Templating**: Using Middleman, developers can utilize various templating engines such as ERB, HAML, and Markdown, making it adaptable to individual preferences. - **Using Data**: Middleman can effectively use data from local files (like YAML and JSON) to power content generation without necessarily needing a database. - **Deployment**: Proper configuration allows for straightforward deployment to Amazon S3, providing an easy method to host and serve static content. - **Optimization**: Middleman includes features for optimizing assets, such as minifying files and managing paths efficiently. - **S3 Benefits**: The advantages of using Amazon S3 for hosting, including serving static content with minimal overhead and the ability to configure DNS for easy access, are discussed. In conclusion, while the web's evolution has been towards complexity, Middleman provides a streamlined approach to building maintainable, data-driven static websites that cater to modern development needs without the entanglements of traditional dynamic systems. Ultimately, Fred encourages developers to embrace these tools for a more accessible web development experience.
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