Ruby vs. Rails

Ruby is the language, Rails is a framework. Think of Ruby as the raw materials needed to build a house.  Rails is a template or blueprint that *automatically builds* many of the common parts of the house that all houses need, without you having to do all the planning or building.  You’re gonna need windows, so Rails makes spaces in …

Create a new Ruby on Rails Project in Rails 7

Creating a new Ruby on Rails Project is as easy as running a single command from the command line.  After running a single command, you’ll have a functioning Ruby on Rails app. There are just a few things you need to confirm before getting started.   Before getting started First, make sure you have Ruby and Ruby on Rails installed …

What’s the easiest way to become a computer software developer?

I have no idea, but here’s a look at the start of my journey toward becoming a software developer: I’ve started out as a complete newbie computer programmer, and am sharing my journey toward becoming a software developer (as in, getting a paid job as a software developer). I’m obviously no expert at this point, and will make tons of …

Learning to Let Go

For the last 12 years or so Endurance Evolution has been a big part of my life. I’ve helped lead the team in planning and producing a handful of running races and triathlons each year, as well as a timing services division that timed 40 or so races each season. The company was built slowly. We started small and grew …

Hey, World.

I’ve written quite a bit at joelgaff.com, but my writing has lapsed.  I still want that to be where I post my writing, but the sheer simplicity of writing here at HEY World is freeing.  No need to worry about formatting, no need to worry about layout.  Just write and send, and it’s posted. Just like writing an email to …

Dialing it all in

This week in the Ironman 70.3 Traverse City planning process we’re holding our final pre-race agency meeting to make sure all of our pans are ready to go. We’re also dialing in exactly where aid station locations will be, down to the location of each of the tables. Detail is king.

The Bomb – Part 3

Part 1 and part 2. We’re finally looking well beyond the explosion. Our 13-week old little bomb has the most lovely smile, quiet coos, and big, beautiful eyes. She’s sleeping a stretch of at least eight hours a night, and goes 12 hours between feedings at night. Her five week early arrival is now almost an afterthought, and she’s wooing …

The Bomb – Part 2

Read this post for part 1 Eventually we were able to take more and more steps without falling down, but we still weren’t in the clear. To make matters worse, as a result of all the damage from the initial blast, fires would pop up here and there, and we’d have to put those out first before continuing on. We’re …

The Bomb – Part 1

The bomb had just detonated. No one was expecting it. Not for some time yet at least. We were caught off guard, and we reeled as we felt the effects of the explosion sink in. We looked around, everything was a mess, and we were still trying to process what had just happened. As we tried to get to our …

A Sick Baby

It started with a snort. Last night. Tonight she sniffles and gags. And doesn’t sleep. Wa-wa-waaahhhhhh!!! I pick her up. She arches her back. She struggles. Comfort. It’s all I can do. Here, try your binky! She takes it. She sucks away. Relief. But short lived. The runny nose runs some more. Wa-wa-waaahhhhhh!!! I comfort. It’s all I can do. …