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RubyConf AU 2014: http://www.rubyconf.org.au

You probably use Ruby everyday, so why not use Ruby to automate some common tasks? What if you could spin up an EC2 instance and have it automatically configure your web server, database, users, and more? What if you could effectively capture and replicate your production environments reliably and consistently? What if you could then give developers production-like environments as Virtual Machines, with no additional work? What if you could set up your new laptop with multiple Ruby versions, your favourite software, and even change the desktop background - from a single command? The good news is - you can!
Chef is a configuration management and automation tool that solves these problems and many more. In this talk, you'll learn common just how easy it is to capture your infrastructure in Chef. Save time and money by using Chef's Ruby DSL to "define" your laptop.
How many times have you bought a new laptop and realise just how much stuff you installed over the years? If you're using Chef, run a single command

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In his talk at RubyConf AU 2014, Seth Vargo discusses the power of using Ruby, specifically through Chef, to automate common tasks in software development and infrastructure management.  He emphasizes how automation can save time, reduce repetitive actions, and create consistency across various environments.

Key points discussed include: 
- **Common Frustrations:** Developers often face repetitive tasks, such as running commands like `cap deploy` and `bundle`. This leads to inefficiencies and a feeling of technical debt. 
- **Chef Introduction:** Chef is a configuration management tool that helps automate the setup and maintenance of systems, making it easier to deploy and manage applications across multiple environments. 
- **Cross-Platform Support:** Chef works across multiple platforms, but Vargo focuses on Ubuntu in his demonstration. It’s useful for managing both server and local configurations.  
- **Benefits of Automation:** Chef allows developers to provision laptops accurately to match production environments, helping avoid the common issue of the "it worked on my machine" syndrome. It can quickly create ephemeral staging environments, saving costs and resources. 
- **Scripting with Chef:** An example is shared where Chef is used in place of Capistrano to streamline deployment processes. Chef’s Ruby DSL allows for clearer and more secure code management in deployments.  
- **Setting Up Developer Environments:** Vargo highlights how automation can simplify the setup of new developer laptops, illustrating that with Chef scripts, environments can be established without manual installations.  
- **Comparison to Shell Scripts:** Chef offers more reliability, easy testing with libraries like RSpec, and maintains item potency, which ensures consistent outcomes despite repeat executions.

In conclusion, Vargo encourages developers to leverage Chef to simplify their workflows, enhance productivity, and automate their environments for better efficiency. He invites the audience to learn more about Chef by visiting getchef.org and learnchef.com for tutorials, promoting a more automated approach to development workflows.

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