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Hello Dakka Dakka

I've just set up a company to build a kind of miniature wargaming website that I feel is needed, would make collectors, painters and gamers happy and would also cover its costs. Don't worry mods, it wouldn't be in competition with this one.

I'm very excited about it.

I was going to contract a programmer to get started on it but I thought I'd check first to see if there was a creative Ruby on Rails programmer who was also into miniatures and keen to combine the two.

I'm based in the UK (London) but I guess you could be anywhere.

If you think this might be you or you know of someone suitable, please drop me an email at minilegions@gmail.com

It would be great to hear from people. Thanks.

Might be best to specify that you're looking for a web developer.

Any reason you aren't looking at using an existing CMS? If you've gotten far enough to specify ruby on rails, I'd guess you want some specific features.

This is actually heartbreaking, since I love Rails and Wargaming, but I'm in the middle of getting a load of college projects finished for my final year...

Is there any particular reason you are choosing Rails over another scripting language + framework? I only ask because usually clients don't know anything about programming languages.

Balance

It looks like the reply I wrote the other week has disappeared or failed to post.

I'm not looking at existing CMS because it's a pretty specific, database based project with a lot of social features that I think need designing from the ground up.

a fat guy College comes first.
I'm thinking of Rails because I've learnt a little of it myself and it seems the best option, for speed of initial setup and in incorporating all the features I envisage for the site. I could do it myself but it'd be a year before I was at beta with my skills and I think this idea deserves professional quality coding.

As I said, I've set up a company and am very serious about this project. I've wanted someone to do it for years and they haven't, so I'm going to make it happen.

To be honest, if you're very serious you ought to be looking for people yourself rather than relying on anonymous people on a forum that isn't based around this particular field. That'd be like paying somebody who you found in a B&Q car park £5,000 to build an extension that you desperately need.

Unfortunately, tech doesn't really belong on this forum. Contrary to stereotype, many people here aren't all that close to tech, and even if they were, it's not that good.

I'm currently asking somebody to develop a website that sounds similar to yours who I found here; the thing is, it's not a major business or company. I'm literally planning to pay him with 40k figures, which I don't play much of at all any more.

Anyway, this belongs in OT, but I would seriously look for it yourself if it's that important.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh, also, don't post your email unless absolutely necessary in a public area. Get people to send you a PM instead.

Blap, this IS looking for himself. What better place to find a like-minded wargaming character to make a website with than a wargaming forum?

I think Blaps point was that you shouldn't be restricting yourself to Warhammer websites if you are. Have a look around for reverse-auction style programming sites. You basically say "I want a website with functions X, Y and Z, how much will you charge me and how long will it take you?". Then, programmers will make their offers and you can pick whatever suits you best.

And if it helps, I'm pretty sure that the admin at Wargaming Ireland has built the site himself in PHP. It may not be rails, but he does know scripting... You could ask him. His account is "Brooklyn". He's a real nice lad.

 Lord of Timbraxia wrote:
Blap, this IS looking for himself. What better place to find a like-minded wargaming character to make a website with than a wargaming forum?

I know, but what I'm saying is that he should probably search around more reputable coders than somebody he finds on a website at random. It's all good being interested in the website's purpose, but it might turn out they're just offering it on as they're on a GCSE course and it'll turn out to be terrible.

If you wanted to have a sports car upgraded for you, would you rather trust an experienced mechanic who's not that enthused by a sports car or his apprentice who's really just a boy racer who watches Top Gear each night who's only been in the position for a month?

Coming from a family that has often had bad run ins with 'professionals' as far as motoring is concerned, I'll get back to you on that one, Blap

And yes, while I understand what you mean, I dare say that it's a good idea to poke around on these forums first, so save effort.

I do a little bit of CMS setup and similar: basically modifying existing open source packages to fit the needs. I am not an expert, nor do I claim to be, but:

This sounds like it could be a very expensive and/or time consuming diversion for someone. It sounds like you really need a developer who's passionate enough to work on it passionately or a lot of money. This is going to be tough.

I don't know Ruby on Rails. I know it's supposed to help with a lot of things, but keep in mind that without using some sort of base framework, the developer is going to spend a LOT of time reinventing the wheel. One reason I like Drupal is it covers a lot of bases that many web sites need.

Logins need to be secure, and nowadays you really want to consider allowing Facebook to handle authentication if it's intended for a larger user base.

Rich Text Editors aren't automatic, and add some storage/security concerns. Simple plain text is easy enough... But plain text, even bbcode (like dakka uses) is considered old-fashioned and overly simplistic for a lot of uses.

Are you taking user content? That adds a whole raft of issues. Child protection (easy answer, make sure users are 21+... but that limits your user base.).... Will content be automatically visible (users can use site to spam)?...

Not saying you shouldn't do this, but just be aware that there's a lot of little issues that make things tough.

Thanks for input all.

As for looking elsewhere Blap, as I said in my initial post, I can certainly go and find a pro coder who has no interest in the project but would like a pay check for some work. I'm asking on wargaming sites because I think there is a possibility someone with the right skills would fancy coming on board, for equity and making it a regular gig. I'd like to make it my main job and maybe someone else would too.

Balance, I quite agree that it's going to be an expensive and time consuming project and there are a number of tricky issues around user content and authentication that may make the social aspects more awkward to implement but I'm confident the core idea can be worked out without too many lawyers.

I think I'd be able tell between a GCSE student and a professional and I also don't think a war-games forum is to making a wargames site what a B&Q carpark is to building an extension. There's also no desperation.

Thanks again DD.