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RailsConf 2018: Here’s to the crazy ones by James Adam Have you ever had a crazy idea that you were quietly convinced was great, but that everyone else thought was dumb? Well guess what: the future of Rails is depending on you. I’d like rewind time by more than ten years, to tell you about one particular crazy idea that almost everyone hated, until it quietly became one of the core architectural components of Rails. At the same time, we’ll meet the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels and the trouble makers that ended up shaping Rails as we know it… and maybe, just maybe, we will realise that we can be one of them too.
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In his talk titled "Here’s to the crazy ones" at RailsConf 2018, James Adam reflects on the evolution of the Ruby on Rails framework through the lens of his personal experiences and the concept of innovation within the programming community. The core theme emphasizes how unconventional ideas, often dismissed as 'crazy,' can be pivotal in shaping technology. Key Points Discussed: - **The Beginning of Rails**: James shares his journey into programming with Ruby, highlighting the early days of Rails in 2005 and its initial simplicity compared to today’s comprehensive framework. - **The Concept of Sharing Code**: Faced with repetitive tasks such as authentication across multiple applications, James and his team sought to streamline their processes by proposing a way to share code, which led to the concept of Rails engines. - **Engines and Community Reception**: Despite initial excitement, the idea of engines sparked controversy within the Rails community, leading to a divide between proponents who saw the value in sharing code and skeptics who labeled engines as overly complex. - **The Wilderness Years**: James recounts a period of struggle as he defended the engines concept amidst criticism and skepticism, reflecting the challenges innovators face when introducing new ideas. - **Acceptance and Integration**: The turning point came in 2008 when the engines concept gained acceptance within the Rails framework, ultimately leading to their integration in Rails 3.0. - **Evolution of Opinions**: The presentation illustrates that the Rails community, like any technology space, evolves based on user needs, varying opinions, and shifting perspectives on best practices in software development. - **Encouragement to Innovate**: Adam encourages attendees to embrace their 'crazy' ideas, arguing that innovation often comes from disagreement and diverse thought. He stresses the importance of patience and advocacy when presenting new concepts. **Conclusions**: The talk underscores that while many ideas might face initial resistance, perseverance and community engagement are crucial in driving innovation. Adam’s narrative serves as a motivational reminder that the future of frameworks like Rails rests on the contributions of those who dare to think differently and push boundaries.
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