gistfile1.txt

Title:
Your database is your friend

Description:
Learn how going against rails conventions and using your database can make your 
life easier. A practical tutorial on data integrity and design.

Type:
3 hour tutorial

Abstract:
ActiveRecord validations suck, STI is evil, and your database deserves more 
than to be treated as a second rate hash in the sky. The Rails Way will let you 
down when it comes to building solid production applications. When done 
properly, working with your database is not a "vile and reckless destroyer of 
coherence" (DHH said that) - rather it increases your velocity, quality, and 
ability to get things done. That's what being a professional is about.

Come along and get the low down on:

* Database constraints
* Foreign keys
* ActiveRecord integrity
* Database design

We'll start with the basics but move quickly into the gnarly stuff. All theory 
backed with practical rails and ActiveRecord examples. This isn't a sit back 
and be schooled session - BYO laptop and be ready to code. You'll walk out of 
this session not just with the ideas in your brain, but the skills in your 
fingers ready to apply to your current project. 

This is essential knowledge for developers, too long ignored by the rails 
community. If you're building a web application without knowledge of these 
principles, you're doing it wrong.

This session is a subset of Xavier's popular "DB is you friend training 
days":http://dbisyourfriend.heroku.com/

Skill level:
Intermediate

Required skills:
Basic rails know how