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Setting up a new (Mac) laptop for Ruby/Web development?

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  • 16-07-2013 10:33pm
    #1
    Dave!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,857 ✭✭✭✭


    Hey guys,

    I just ordered a fancy schmancy new Macbook Air :D No need to discuss the wisdom of buying a MBA over any other laptop, and the Apple tax, etc., because the deed is done! I'm happy with my decision :pac:

    In order to channel my excitement until it gets delivered, I thought I'd do a bit of research. I'm looking for general thoughts and ideas for the first things you should do when you get a clean new machine and you want to set it up optimally for web development.

    I do use an iMac in work, so have some experience working with OSX (although tbh my knowledge of the idiosyncrasies of the actual OS is a bit limited; I'm probably not getting the maximum use out of it), but I inherited the machine from a previous employee, and some things are set up a bit funky, e.g. there are some peculiar ownership issues with Postgres.

    I'm thinking things like...

    - Install MAMP (I do a bit of PHP too)
    - Generate ssh keys
    - Download iTerm2
    - Install Git
    - Install Postgres
    - Edit your bash_profile
    - Edit your hosts file
    - Set up some way of backing up your files
    - Install Homebrew

    etc

    I work mostly with Ruby/Rails, so will be looking to set things up with that in mind.

    Would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions!

    Thanks


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    Fad
    Registered Users Posts: 7,231 ✭✭✭Fad


    TextMate is fantastic for Ruby, if you havent used it, perhaps give it a look :)


  • Options
    #3
    Dave!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,857 ✭✭✭✭Dave!


    I think DHH uses that too... but I'm loyal to Sublime Text :pac:


  • Options
    #4
    colm_c
    Registered Users Posts: 2,030 ✭✭✭colm_c


    RVM is essential for ruby on Mac OS, I would also install MySQL, php etc from scratch as I find mamp a bit funny.

    Xcode is also a good idea to install, it's a requirement for some other installs.

    Max out the ram if you haven't already, makes a good difference.

    Time capsule with timemachine is the best backup option IMO.


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