Tech – Alex's Blog

Over the past year, I have needed to deploy Ruby on Rails applications to the cloud, and I have tried a few methods.

Capistrano
This cool system and is fairly interesting, but not the most modern technique it creates files called cap files which then can be used to deploy the app over SSH. However the main issue being scaling, since it only deploys to one location it means auto scaling becomes difficult.
Heroku
Heroku is a PaaS system, meaning you don’t have to deal with server configuration, the application runs inside a specially configured docker container. In terms of ease of use Heroku scores very highly, Heroku makes it very easy to deploy an Application to production. However it being a platform you pay a premium for the ease of use.
Docker
This methods seems the most hands on but it grants the most options, and probably the most modern.
My recommendation is to create a deployment docker file, which can build the file from a Git repository. Then its your choice if you use something like kubernetes, or Docker Swarm to create other containers with the app running.
Dokku
Dokku is an interesting project. The program uses docker containers in the backend and configures them. So in a way you can host your own PaaS system, it requires some configuration, however It can lead to a very effective PaaS System.

In the end, the type of deployment you do depends on the requirements of the project.

Times are changing

So when I started building my 3d printer, I had an idea of what 3d printers were, and how they could be useful. However, after finishing it I have come to the realisation that 3d printers are so much more, there is nothing like the feeling of power, of seeing an object from a film or TV show and then just deciding lets build that object. Then, 5 hours later you have it in your hands. Calling it a 3d printer for me is too simplistic, since printers to me just creates objects to be viewed but a 3d printers on the other hand can create objects that can be interacted with. I prefer the term 3d fabricator, which has the added bonus of sounding like it is straight from a sci-fi film.

Building a 3d printer was remarkably easy for me at least there was no direct soldering, but a lot of bug testing when I thought I had finished the build.

I can 100% see a more refined version in many peoples houses in a few years. A 3d printer is such a practical object with so many applications. I found out the other day I that the international space station has now installed a 3d printer, so they don’t need to wait for supplies to install new hardware.

However,

As it currently stands 3d printers have a few limitations. They are big and noisy; they often require a lot of technical knowledge. They also, have a few material limitations plastics are currently the easiest the the most commonly available specifically, PLA and ABS. However, for wood and other materials it will might require a more specialised extruder head which can add the the already high costs of a 3d printer.

All things considered, it was worth me it was interesting peak inside the 3d printing world, and I hope to see lots more development in the future.

However,

Here is a video of my 3d printer building the Gherkin.