We support Ruby on Rails on all our UNIX hosting packages. At the moment we offer Ruby on Rails version 2.1.1, but we will be deploying Ruby on Rails version 2.2 on approximately February 19^th. We understand that deploying Ruby on Rails applications is not always easy and have tried to simplify the process as much as possible for our customers. Our Account Manager includes a Ruby on Rails application manager that allows you to do two things quite easily:

• Create a new Ruby on Rails skeleton application.
• Import your own Ruby on Rails application into our system.

You can perform these functions quite easily through our one click interfaces, without having to worry about messing around with the command line. As you develop your application locally, you have the option of uploading a new version of your application via the “import” feature of our Ruby on Rails application manager, or if you feel more comfortable, directly upload your Ruby on Rails files by FTP. The FTP upload feature is possible because our platform is based on Phusion Passenger Ruby on Rails.

I’m including two screenshots to show you what our Ruby on Rails application manager looks like. The first is a screenshot for the “Add” screen. Simply choose an application name and click “ok” and the skeleton will get created. The second illustrate the management options available on each Ruby on Rails application.

As you can see, you can:

• Restart the application (after you’ve made changes, to deploy it)
• Reset the application (if you would like to turn it into a Ruby on Rails skeleton again and restart).
• Export it – if you want to download the current application version to work on it locally, or for backup purposes.
• Import it – to upload an application you have worked on locally, or a downloaded Rails application.

We also have an easy to use Database Manager included in your hosting package that will allow you to easily create and manage a MySQL database that you can easily link to your application.

Once you have created an application you can create  a tarball and “import” it through our Ruby on Rails application manager, _or_ you can upload a single file to your application’s directory on your website via FTP – note, if you upload a single file via FTP, you have to go into the manager to restart the application so that it redeploys.

Also, another nice thing about our Ruby offering is that the Ruby on Rails servers are part of a load balanced cluster – for better uptime.

Convinced that you need to get hosting from Network Solutions ? Go here and enter OFFER00522 and get 25% off hosting today. If you would like more information please comment here and we will get the information even if we have to take Miguel to lunch and torture him with spicy food.

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Our hosting packages are now packed with many great features! It’s more of more!

Here’s what you get:

- Increased storage & bandwidth

- One click install of two open source applications

- Increased UNIX® server uptime of 99.99%.

We’re making it easy for you to get your web site up & running quickly.

Save Time & Engage your Customers

You can manage & update your website without sorting thru code.

You can use one click install to:

- download the free open source application Joomla®. You can organize your content through an intuitive interface for quick and easy management. It’s perfect for managing informational or community based sites that are constantly adding new information and displaying dynamic content.

- download PHPBB™ (PHP Bulletin board) a free open source application for starting a community. You can use this to build a community around your business. It’s turns a static web site into an interactive place for your customers to share ideas, ask questions & talk with each other.

Your toolbox of your Network Solutions® hosting package gives you easy access to these free open source applications.

If you don’t already have a hosting package with Network Solutions® visit www.networksolutions.com and get started today!

This is the first part in a series on how you can put your business on the web & attract customers interested in your products & services. It’s an overview of the steps to take & I’ll cover a topic each day.

It’s like building a house & that’s the analogy that I’ll use. I’ll also include the many resources & products that Network Solutions offers to make it straightforward & customized to your needs.

1. Find a location for your house & an address – purchase a domain name

The best part about having a business online is that it’s relatively inexpensive to get started. It’s much more inexpensive to have a business online than in a physical location! I’ll take the guesswork out of choosing a domain name. Once you’ve decided on a domain name, Network Solutions makes purchasing it easy.

2. The foundation – hosting package

Every house needs solid footings to support the infrastructure. Network Solutions offers a number of options so that you’re able to start your online website off to a good start.

3. Building it – planning architecture & choosing the design

As with a house there are many ways to build a website. Network Solutions has options for every level. If you’d like to do it yourself you can no matter whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned programmer. And if you’re just too busy then Network Solutions has talented people that will do it for you!

4. Furnishing it –

content is very important

An empty house is of no interest to those that live there or are visitors. So it’s important to create information that’s of value & is relevant to your visitors. And if you keep adding more then it will give people a reason to keep returning to see what’s new.

5. Helping customers locate your house – SEO, keywords, & metatags

Once you get your house built it’s not of much value if people can’t find it. There are some straightforward things that can be done to help those searching find your site. Search engine optimization (generally abbreviated as SEO) sounds complicated but Network Solutions offers services to assist you with it. Keywords & metatags are also helpful to providing a more direct path to your site.

6. Doing business - ecommerce, paypal

It’s as easy as using a spare room for an office. Network Solutions has a number of options for setting up your site to allow people to purchase your products. They also have an in-depth article on selling online.

7. Inviting people to your house – marketing & networking

Once your website it set up & ready for business the last step is to get the word out. There are two parts to this. Network Solutions offers some great options for helping with marketing. And I’ll also give some tips on finding & networking with potential customers.

As you can see it’s relatively easy to get started. Start thinking about how you want people to find you online because that’s our first step!

Which hosting package that you’ll need will depend on two things:

1. The amount of content that you plan to have will dictate the amount of disk space needed

2. The amount of customers accessing your website & downloading content will determine the bandwidth you need.

The nice thing about web hosting packages is that you can start with one then shift to a larger one as your online business grows. Network Solutions offers you assistance in choosing which package best suits your needs. We have more indepth information here on Web Hosting.