Heroku Plus 1.1.0

A new version of the Heroku Plus Ruby Gem has been released. Here are the changes:

• Improved error messaging for files that do not exist.
• Clarified the difference between the error messages displayed when switching SSH identities versus switching Heroku account credentials.
• Clarified source and README documentation.
• Renamed the -a option to -i (i.e. info) instead.
• Added printing of SSH private and public identity paths (to further clarify what is being used) when using the the -i option.
• Prominently display the current account when displaying all account information via the -i option.
• Added the -b option so one can easily backup an existing Heroku credentials and SSH identity.
• Added the -d option so one can easily destroy an existing Heroku account (i.e. credentials and SSH identity)
• Added the -l option so one can easily list all existing Heroku accounts.
• Removed the ability to configure the Heroku credentials file name via the settings.yml since you can’t configure this via the Heroku gem anyway.

Check out the README for more information.

Tags: Ruby

Heroku Plus 1.0.0

I’ve just released the first version of the Heroku Plus Ruby Gem. This allows for much easier management of multiple Heroku accounts which was first explained here. Now, with a single command line, you’ll be able to switch accounts as follows:

herokup -s example

Which then yields the following output:

Switching Heroku credentials to "example" account...

Account: master@example.com
Password: *********************
Source (Heroku): /Users/tester/.heroku/credentials
Source (SSH): /Users/tester/.ssh/id_rsa

Check out the README for more information.

Tags: Ruby

Mac OS Setup 1.1.0

I’ve just released Version 1.1.0 of the Mac OS Setup project on GitHub. Here are the highlights:

• Added Bash prompt customization.
• Added more Bash aliases for Git.
• Added Bash aliases for Heroku.
• Added Bash aliases for Ruby on Rails (including support for Rails 2.x and 3.x).
• Added Bash aliases for RSpec.
• Added a Bash alias for generating Railroad model diagrams.
• Added default terminal colors.
• Added better Git syntax coloring.
• Added Awesome Print to the irbrc file.

Check the CHANGELOG for further details.

Tags: Mac OS, Ruby, Ruby on Rails

Rails Setup Template 1.1.0

I have released Version 1.1.0 of my Rails Setup Template. This time with more CSS3 goodness. Here are the highlights of this version release:

• Added the LESS gem requirement.
• Added the More plugin.
• Added the Rails Indexes plugin.
• Added the Formtastic gem requirement.
• Added the Bullet gem requirement.
• Added the Deadweight gem requirement.
• Removed the AndAnd gem requirement.
• Added Git setup and initialization.
• Removed the visitor namespace.
• Added the Underscore JavaScript library.
• Upgraded to jQuery 1.4.2.
• Upgraded to jQuery UI 1.8.2.
• Updated the db:reseed rake task so that it also rebuilds the models diagrams.
• Added a rake task for printing database and database table sizes.
• Added a rake task for Heroku deployments.
• Added a rake task for Deadweight.
• Upgraded to Blueprint 0.9.1.
• Added Phusion Passenger debug support (see passenger.rake).
• Updated all gem definitions due to rubygems.org changes.

Check the CHANGELOG for further details and, remember, it only takes one command line:

rails demo -m http://github.com/aeonscope/rails_setup_template/raw/v1.1.0/template.rb

…to get the following perfectly running Ruby on Rails app for Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera, and IE:

(click to view)

It doesn’t get any easier than that. Even you’re grandma will shed a tear of joy.

Tags: Ruby, Ruby on Rails

Resourcer 0.3.0

I’ve just released version 0.3.0 of the Resourcer Ruby Gem. Here are the changes:

• Added the csrf_meta_tag helper which provides Rails 3 support for Rails 2 apps.
• Moved jQuery AJAX setup to the jquery.rest.js file.
• Removed the JavaScripts controller and related views (use jquery.rest.js instead, everything happens there now).

To upgrade to v0.3.0 from previous versions, perform the following steps:

1. Delete the app/controllers/javascripts_controller.rb file.
2. Delete the app/views/javascripts directory (especially the ujs.js.erb file found within).
3. Remove the <%= javascript_include_tag "ujs" %> from your app/views/layouts/application.html.erb layout file.
4. Add the <%= csrf_meta_tag %> line to your app/views/layouts/application.html.erb layout file.
5. Rerun the setup generator: script/generate resourcer_setup.

Tags: Ruby

Reeder

Introduction

I’ve been looking for a great syndicated feed reader for my iPhone for whats seems like ages and I finally found one: Reeder. I stumbled upon this while reading iPad Opinions as, yes, there is an iPad version as well. After reading Ken’s review, checking out the Reeder screenshots, and noticing the Google Reader synchronization support, I immediately spent the $2.99 for the app and have been happy ever since. Besides, OmniFocus for the iPhone, Reeder is my second favorite app on the iPhone. In fact, I enjoy the app so much that I actually find my reading habits have changed to where I prefer to read the news via Reeder on the iPhone rather than via a desktop client. Its that good!

Screenshots

This is the main or initial page of all items you have stared for reading later, etc. Clicking on “Starred” gives you a list of all starred items in all folders. Otherwise you can click on a folder in particular to read specific starred items. The circular arrow icon (lower right) is for manual syncing with Google Reader. This isn’t a bad habit to get into, once you have finished reading your feeds, to ensure Google Reeder stays in sync.

This is the second page of unread items only. As with the first page, click “Unread” to read all or delve in each folder for specifics.

This is the third page of just your folders, notes, etc. Well, this is out I organize/categorize my feeds at least.

This last screen is of a few unread items within my “Development” folder. You can tap on each headline to read in detail.

Design

The design, as Ken mentions in his article is very spartan. I would argue that controls are not the most intuitive but you only need to stumble a few times before you’re off running.

Synchronization

The synchronization with Google Reader is really, really good. I’ve not seen synchronization work so well for a feed reader. Then again, I’ve really only used NetNewsWire (both desktop and iPhone app) which are somewhat pathetic. In fact, NetNewsWire for the iPhone is downright awful. Then again, the app is free. Perhaps that is why.

Workflow

As mentioned earlier, my work flow has really changed. I used to read my feeds morning, noon, and night via the desktop (and still do for the most part) but the sheer convenience of being able to read my feeds while on the balcony, traveling, eating lunch, in bed, etc. is a lot of fun. If I need desktop access for downloads, video feeds, etc. I can star those news articles for later reading and quickly move on to next unread items.

Final Thoughts

If you enjoy your feeds, love being mobile, and appreciate really good synchronization, then buy this app!

Tags: iPhone

Resourcer 0.2.4

I’ve just released version 0.2.4 of the Resourcer Ruby Gem. Here are the changes:

• Upgraded requirements to Ruby 1.8.7.
• Upgraded requirements to Rails 2.3.8.
• Fixed an issue where the “_delete” attribute is now “_destroy” with Rails 2.3.8 nested attributes.
• Added the ability to clone hidden nested form attributes via the data-clone attribute. The default is false.

If you wish to use Resourcer with an earlier version of Rails then stick with Version 0.2.3 or earlier. In fact, you don’t necessarily need to upgrade to this gem but only need to update your jquery.rest.js file (either way, it is the jquery.rest.js file you want to update in your projects).

Tags: Ruby

jQuery Check All Bookmarklet

A while back I wrote a post (of the same name but now deleted) about a simple jQuery check all bookmarklet I created for quickly checking off all check boxes on a web page. Only problem is, in my original design, I required you to load jQuery via another bookmarklet in addition to my bookmarklet. Recently, while reading Smashing Magazine, I came across a better solution where jQuery is optionally and intelligently loaded prior to executing my custom code (see Make Your Own Bookmarklets with jQuery for more info). The result can be found below:

• jQuery Check All Bookmarklet (right click to save as a bookmark then click the bookmark to use)

In my case, I keep all my bookmarklets within a single folder which are easily accessible from my Firefox bookmarks toolbar. So having this capability within one click is highly useful.

Tags: Bookmarklet

Mac OS X Applications

The following is a breakdown of apps I commonly use and their install order (from a fresh install of the MacOS):

1. MacOS 10.6.0 (Snow Leopard Disk) - Insert the DVD, click Install MacOSX, click the Utilities button, and click the Restart button. You’ll be booted into the Snow Leopard install at which point you’ll want to launch Disk Utility and format your hard drive (MacOS Extended (Journaled)). After you have wiped your hard drive, exit Disk Utility, and continue on with the Snow Leopard install.
2. XCode Tools (Snow Leopard Disk)
3. MacOS X 10.6.x Combo Patch (download)
4. iPhoto (download)
5. GarageBand (download)
6. iMovie (download)
7. iDVD (download)
8. PathFinder (download)
9. OmniFocus (download)
10. OmniOutliner (download)
11. OmniGraffle (download)
12. Firefox (download)
13. Google Chrome (download)
14. Opera (download)
15. ExpanDrive (download)
16. NetNewsWire (download)
17. 1Password (download)
18. Skitch (download)
19. VLC (download)
20. Caffeine (download)
21. Coconut Battery (download)
22. iStat Menus (download)
23. Growl (download)
24. TextMate (download)
25. CSSEdit (download)
26. VMWare Fusion (download)
27. Billings (download)
28. MoneyWell (download)
29. Delicious Library (download)
30. OpenOffice (download)
31. Skype (download)
32. Tweetie (download)
33. Lorem Ipsum widget (download)
34. Logitech Harmony 890 remote software (download)
35. RipIt (download)
36. Startup Sound (download)
37. iBackup (download)
38. Dropbox (download)
39. Software Updates (via the Apple icon - requires a reboot)

Configurations

After installing the applications, you might need to configure some of them. Here are some notes:

1. Configure printer.
2. Configure scanner.
3. Configure Spaces.
4. Install Firefox extensions.
5. Set up the Ruby development environment.

Notes

You can learn more about some of these apps on my Applications page. Also, since I’m one of those who likes organization, I wrote a post on data management a while back that sheds further light on how I manage my apps and the data related to them in case it is of interest (Note: even though the post was originally written for Windows some of the concepts still apply for the MacOS).

Tags: Mac OS

Mac OS X Ruby Environment

For those wanting to set up a proper Ruby and Ruby on Rails development environment for your Mac OS, I’ve created an OmniOutliner outline that might be of help:

• MacOS Ruby Development Setup 1.3.0

When making the outline, I pulled heavily from the following articles (also found on my MacOS page) with a few modification here and there:

• A definitive upgrade guide
• Upgrade notes on developer tools
• A bunch of notes on getting your developer tools up and running without too much trouble
• How to get MySQL working

Tags: Mac OS, Ruby