Just out of curiosity: Why did they decide on distributing the app like this, instead of using a central database + web server?
On Mar 4, 11:46 pm, Zonker <[email protected]> wrote: > I am consulting on a software project which is database intensive and > the interface is web-based. Users can download an installation package > which, if necessary, installs Microsoft IIS, some free Microsoft > database server (I think it's a stripped-down version of MS-SQL) and > then the HTML, ASP, and JavaScript-based app. It only runs on Windows > machines and only works in IE. Oh, and it needed certain tweaks or > patches to make it work under Vista; the version which worked under XP > didn't work 100% in Vista. > > As one who appreciates standards and not being tied to one technology, > especially browsers, and having seen the database design and the > actual app in action, plus lots of insight into how difficult it is to > maintain, upgrade, etc., my immediate thought was: it must be possible > to do it better by adhering to web standards as much as possible > (rather than as little as possible), break the dependence on MS > products, etc. > > I'm a huge fan of RoR but still relatively new to it, but based on my > readings (Agile Web Dev for Rails) and investigations, I thought that > this app would be perfect for RoR. > > But, before I suggest making a switch which will take lots of time and > cost lots of money, I need to know how easy it would be for anyone to > take a basic office computer with just XP or Vista (or Mac!) and > install all that is necessary: a web server, a database, Ruby and > Rails, and the app itself? > > What would need to happen is: > > 1. User downloads my-app-install.zip > 2. User unzips download > 3. User runs install-my-app.bat or something like that. > 4. User opens any browser and enters: my-app.local (or whatever) and > the app starts. > > Is there a way to do this with a RoR solution? > > Note: This web-based app would only be run locally, not as a general > website available to all. > > I'd be really interested if anyone has done something like this or if > anyone has some thoughts on the matter. > > If I'm not being clear, please let me know - I'll try to rephrase. > > Regards, > Zonker --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Ruby on Rails: Talk" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rubyonrails-talk?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
