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Peaches Stubbs
21,320 PointsHow to build a social media site?
Hey everybody I have completed the ROR track YAY ! My main goal right now is to use ROR to build a social media site . I want the site to have basic social interactivity as well as a forum and chat room. I know that there are more Ruby courses in the library and I am going to take the Build a simple Ruby application course. Is this the best way to go ?
6 Answers
John Steer-Fowler
Courses Plus Student 11,734 PointsHi Peaches Newbold,
Congratulations on completing the Rails course.
I agree with Sterling Savariau. The build a simple rails application course actually teaches you how to build a social network, so you will pick up a number of great tips for your social media site there. Just a quick heads-up, the older courses for Rails such as the Treebook social network courses use an older version of Ruby on Rails. In order to properly follow along, you may need to revert back to an older version of Rails. More information on this can be found in this Forum Topic
Personally I would not use Wordpress to build a social media site. It really depends on what you want to achieve. If I wanted to build a social network type website I would 100% use Ruby on Rails (Twitter was built on Rails). Wordpress is brilliant for making blog style social media sites (Techcrunch was built on Wordpress).
If you want, reply back to this answer and tell me what sort of features you want your social media site to have and a quick overview of the site and I will give my opinion on what languages/frameworks to use to build it.
Keep up the good work
Peaches Stubbs
21,320 PointsThanks. I want to build a social site with features similar to facebook. Where ppl can have their own pages , share links , update status' and play games. I also want the site to have chatrooms and a forum that ppl can add their own topics to and have others comment on it. I would like to use the forum to discuss social and business issues in my country.
John Steer-Fowler
Courses Plus Student 11,734 PointsHi Peaches Newbold,
from the information you have given me, I thoroughly recommend continuing with Ruby on Rails. It has many pre-made gems that will make your development easier and you can even find gems that have most of the features you are looking for already made for you to install.
Hope this helps
Sterling Savariau
8,373 PointsYes, that is the best way to go. You currently have a goal to work for, but understand the rest of the components on TTH is vital to help along the way.
Peaches Stubbs
21,320 PointsTTH ?
John Steer-Fowler
Courses Plus Student 11,734 PointsTTH = Team Treehouse
Peaches Stubbs
21,320 PointsThanks Sterling and Dewl I will definitely check this out now ! Can I alaso use wordpress if I want my users to have their own social pages ?
Peaches Stubbs
21,320 PointsHi Dewi if you are familiar with Wordpress can you contact me here please? I would like to talk to you about it some more. Thank you.
Dewi Tjin
2,275 PointsHello, I know how to build wordpress sites and add various plugins etc but I haven't played around with the bbpress plugin myself. Try the link I posted.. I don't know which one is "better" ruby vs wordpress but for me, I think wordpress is easier to learn mainly because there are many forum etc out there for you to post and ask questions. I just started learning ruby and it's different from wordpress.. if you are comfortable with php go with wordpress.. if you are not..maybe ruby is better..
John Steer-Fowler
Courses Plus Student 11,734 PointsHi Peaches,
Just to outline that Wordpress and Ruby are completely different things. Ruby is a programming language that allows you to create programs, web applications and much much more. Wordpress is a content management system (CMS) that allows users to create a front-end design around the already created back end.
Personally for what you want to do, you need to use a programming language and not Wordpress. Have a look at either PHP, Ruby or Python courses on Treehouse. Any of these languages will allow you to create the features for your social network you want.
Peaches Stubbs
21,320 Points:D I'm good with php would just have to refreseh myself . I finished the Ruby track so I may be able to help you there.
Dewi Tjin
2,275 PointsI'll keep it in mind, thanks! I'm just going through all the foundation stuff right now. Good luck with your social site!
Peaches Stubbs
21,320 PointsThank you John I will definitely continue learning ruby. I do believe that I can use wordpress for a few other things.
Dewi Tjin
2,275 PointsDewi Tjin
2,275 PointsDo you have to use Ruby? Wordpress has some plugins etc for forums and chat rooms.. See https://wordpress.org/plugins/bbpress/ plugin and use a free wordpress theme..